Slow-Braised Beef Pot Roast (Printable)

Succulent beef slow-braised in red wine with carrots, celery, and baby potatoes in rich herb-infused gravy.

# What Goes In:

→ Beef and Seasoning

01 - 3.25 lb beef chuck roast or blade roast, well-marbled
02 - 1.5 tsp kosher salt, plus more to taste
03 - 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour

→ For Searing

05 - 3 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil, divided
06 - 1 tbsp 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 lb baby potatoes or small waxy potatoes, whole or halved if large

→ Braising Liquid and Herbs

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

→ Optional

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

# How to Make It:

01 - Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels. Season all sides generously with kosher salt and black pepper. Lightly coat with flour, dusting off any excess.
02 - Heat 2 tbsp 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. Brown the edges as well. Transfer the roast to a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tbsp oil if needed. Add onion wedges and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and golden. Add garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until darkened. Pour in red wine, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly.
05 - Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring to combine. Add rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves. Return the roast and any accumulated juices to the pot, nestling it into the liquid so it comes halfway up the meat.
06 - Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low, or transfer to a preheated 300°F oven. Cook for 1 hour 30 minutes.
07 - After 1 hour 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 30 minutes to 2 hours, until the beef is very tender and vegetables are soft but intact.
08 - Remove the roast and vegetables to a platter and tent with foil. Skim excess fat from the cooking liquid.
09 - For thicker gravy, bring the liquid to a simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce thickens. Thin with additional broth if needed.
10 - Discard herb stems and bay leaves. Shred beef into large chunks or slice against the grain. 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.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The leftovers transform into completely different meals, from sandwiches to tacos to piled over creamy polenta.
  • You get tender, fall-apart beef and deeply flavored vegetables all in one pot with minimal hands-on effort.
02 -
  • If you skip the searing step, you lose half the flavor, that crust and the fond left behind are the foundation of the entire dish.
  • Adding the vegetables too early turns them to mush, wait until the roast has cooked for at least half its time before tucking them in.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer if you're unsure, the internal temperature should hit around 190 to 200°F for fork-tender shredding.
  • If your pot roast turns out dry, you didn't use enough liquid or the cut was too lean, look for visible marbling next time and don't skimp on the braising liquid.
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