Beef Pot Roast (Printable Version)

Tender beef braised with root vegetables in a rich, flavorful gravy.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1 (3–4 lb) chuck roast
02 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
03 - 1 teaspoon black pepper
04 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Vegetables

05 - 1½ lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
06 - 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
07 - 2 large yellow onions, quartered
08 - 4 cloves garlic, smashed

→ Liquids

09 - 2 cups beef broth
10 - 1 cup dry red wine (optional; substitute with more beef broth if preferred)
11 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
12 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

→ Herbs & Spices

13 - 2 teaspoons dried thyme or 4 fresh thyme sprigs
14 - 2 bay leaves

→ Gravy Thickener

15 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for gluten-free)
16 - 2 tablespoons cold water

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 300°F.
02 - Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels. Season all sides with salt and pepper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for 4–5 minutes per side until well browned. Remove and set aside.
04 - Add onions and garlic to the pot, sauté for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
05 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute. Deglaze the pot with red wine, scraping up browned bits.
06 - Return the roast to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
07 - Arrange potatoes and carrots around the beef.
08 - Cover the pot and transfer to the oven. Braise for 3–3½ hours, or until beef is fork-tender and vegetables are cooked through.
09 - Remove the roast and vegetables to a platter. Skim excess fat from the liquid.
10 - In a small bowl, whisk flour (or cornstarch) with cold water until smooth. Stir into the pot. Simmer on the stovetop over medium heat, whisking constantly, until gravy thickens, about 3–5 minutes.
11 - Slice the beef and serve with vegetables and gravy.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The gravy alone is worth the effort, it thickens into something silky and perfect for soaking up with crusty bread
  • This is one of those magical dishes that tastes even better the next day, if you somehow manage to have leftovers
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so you get maximum flavor with minimal cleanup
02 -
  • The most common mistake is not searing the beef thoroughly, take your time and get it really brown on all sides
  • Resist the urge to check on it too frequently, keeping that lid tight maintains the perfect braising temperature
  • Let the roast rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing, or all those precious juices will run out onto the cutting board
03 -
  • Make this a day ahead and refrigerate overnight, the fat will solidify on top for easy removal and the flavors will intensify beautifully
  • If your gravy is too thick, add more broth, and if it's too thin, make a slurry with equal parts flour and cold water
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