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Best Pot Roast Recipe

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  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Main-course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

This classic pot roast recipe uses chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, and a savory gravy to deliver a comforting, fork-tender main course thatโ€™s perfect for family dinners. Easy to prepare in a Dutch oven and oven-braised to perfection, it boasts deep flavors from seared beef, aromatic vegetables, and herbs. With optional instructions for a rich, thickened gravy, it promises a satisfying home-cooked meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • Main

  • 3โ€“4 pounds chuck roast
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 cup red wine, optional (can substitute with additional beef broth)
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • For Gravy (Optional)

  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch, optional
  • 2 tablespoons water, optional

Instructions

    1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 325ยฐF (163ยฐC) to ensure a consistent, even temperature for braising your roast.
    2. Season the Roast: Pat the chuck roast dry and season it generously with salt and pepper on all sides. This builds flavor and aids browning.

Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the roast for about 3-4 minutes per side until deeply browned. Remove from the pot and set aside.

  • Sautรฉ Aromatics: In the same pot, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Sautรฉ for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant, scraping up the flavorful bits left behind from searing.
  • Deglaze the Pot: Pour in the red wine (or additional beef broth). Stir and scrape the potโ€™s bottom to release any browned bits, infusing the liquid with depth and flavor.
  • Braise with Vegetables: Return the seared roast to the pot and pour in the beef broth. Sprinkle in thyme and rosemary, then arrange the chopped carrots and potatoes around the roast.
  • Bake: Cover with the lid and transfer the Dutch oven to your preheated oven. Bake for 3โ€“4 hours, or until the roast is fork-tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
  • Optional Gravy (if desired): Remove the roast and vegetables from the pot. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and water until smooth. Stir the slurry into the cooking liquid and simmer on the stovetop, stirring constantly, until the gravy thickens.
  • Serve: Slice or shred the cooked pot roast. Serve topped with vegetables and a generous ladle of the savory gravy. Enjoy with your family or guests!

Notes

  • For a deeper flavor, use red wine for deglazing, but beef broth works well for an alcohol-free version.
  • Chuck roast is preferred for its marbling and tenderness after slow braising.
  • You can add other root vegetables, like parsnips or turnips, as desired.
  • Leftovers reheat well and taste even better the next day.
  • Cornstarch is optional if you prefer a thicker gravy, but the natural juices are delicious as is.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 900mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 8g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11g
  • Trans Fat: 1g
  • Carbohydrates: 28g
  • Fiber: 4g
  • Protein: 43g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg