Classic Beef Pot Roast (Printable)

Tender beef slow-cooked in red wine broth with vegetables for a hearty, comforting meal.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beef and Seasoning

01 - 3.5 lb beef chuck roast or blade roast, well-marbled
02 - 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
03 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour

→ For Searing

05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil, divided
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

→ Vegetables and Aromatics

07 - 1 large yellow onion, sliced into thick wedges
08 - 4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
09 - 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
10 - 3 ribs celery, cut into 2-inch chunks
11 - 1.5 pounds baby potatoes or small waxy potatoes, whole or halved if large

→ Braising Liquid and Herbs

12 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
13 - 1 cup dry red wine or extra beef broth for non-alcoholic option
14 - 2.5 cups low-sodium beef broth
15 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
16 - 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
18 - 2 bay leaves

→ Optional

19 - 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water for thickening
20 - Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

# How To Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 300°F if using the oven method for braising.
02 - Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels and season all sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
03 - Lightly coat the roast with flour, dusting off any excess to create a thin, even coating.
04 - Heat oil and butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply browned, including the edges. Transfer to a plate.
05 - Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining oil if needed. Cook onion wedges for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and golden. Add garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
06 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until darkened, stirring frequently.
07 - Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
08 - Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine thoroughly.
09 - Add rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Return the seared roast and any accumulated juices to the pot, nestling it into the liquid so it comes halfway up the meat.
10 - Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low, or transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
11 - After 1 hour and 30 minutes, turn the roast over. Add carrots, celery, and potatoes around the roast, submerging them in the liquid. Re-cover and cook for another 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, until beef is very tender and vegetables are soft but intact.
12 - Remove the roast and vegetables to a platter and tent with foil. Skim excess fat from the liquid using a spoon or ladle.
13 - For thicker gravy, bring the liquid to a simmer. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce reaches desired thickness. Thin with additional broth if needed.
14 - Discard herb stems and bay leaves. Shred beef into large chunks or slice against the grain.
15 - Return beef to the pot or arrange over vegetables and spoon sauce on top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve hot with crusty bread, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • The beef becomes so tender it practically shreds with a fork, soaking up all that rich, winey broth.
  • Everything cooks in one pot, so cleanup is minimal and the flavors marry beautifully.
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day, making it perfect for meal prep or easy weeknight dinners.
  • It fills your home with the kind of aroma that makes people linger in the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready.
02 -
  • Do not skip the searing step; that deep brown crust is where most of the flavor in the final dish comes from.
  • If your liquid evaporates too quickly during braising, add a little more broth and lower the heat to keep everything moist.
  • Let the roast rest for at least 10 minutes before shredding so the juices redistribute and every bite stays tender.
03 -
  • Bring the roast to room temperature for 30 minutes before searing so it cooks more evenly.
  • If you want an even richer sauce, replace half the broth with homemade stock or add a splash of balsamic vinegar at the end.
  • Taste the gravy before serving and adjust with a pinch of salt, a grind of pepper, or a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten it up.
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