Simple Perfect Pot Roast Recipes

PERFECT POT ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275ºF.
• Generously salt and pepper the chuck roast.
• Heat the olive oil in large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the halved onions to the pot, browning them on both sides. Remove the onions to a plate.
• Throw the carrots into the same very hot pot and toss them around a bit until slightly browned, about a minute or so. Reserve the carrots with the onions.
• If needed, add a bit more olive oil to the very hot pot. Place the meat in the pot and sear it for about a minute on all sides until it is nice and brown all over. Remove the roast to a plate.
• With the burner still on high, use either red wine or beef broth (about 1 cup) to deglaze the pot, scraping the bottom with a whisk. Place the roast back into the pot and add enough beef stock to cover the meat halfway.
• Add in the onions and the carrots, along with the fresh herbs.
• Put the lid on, then roast for 3 hours for a 3-pound roast. For a 4 to 5-pound roast, plan on 4 hours. The roast is ready when it's fall-apart tender.

PERFECT POT ROAST

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
• Combine the salt, pepper, and ground fennel in a small bowl. Generously season the roast with the spice mixture.
• Add enough oil to a large Dutch oven to coat the bottom. Heat it over medium-high heat, add the roast, and sear 8 to 10 minutes total, turning to brown all sides. Transfer the roast to a bowl.
• Add the carrots, onions, and garlic and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté the vegetables until browned, 5 to 8 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic. Remove the vegetables and place in a clean bowl.
• Deglaze the pot with 1 cup of the cider. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up any brown bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pot. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Add 2 cups of the broth and bring it to a boil again.
• Add 4 sprigs of the thyme, the rosemary, bay leaf, and roast to the pot (reserving the vegetables in the bowl). Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cover the pot, place it in the oven, and roast for 2 hours. Add the reserved vegetables and roast for 1 more hour, until the roast is fork-tender but not mushy.
• Remove the roast and vegetables to a large bowl or platter and cover to keep warm. Let the braising liquid cool slightly, then strain the liquid into a bowl (discard the solids).
• Skim off any fat that has risen to the top.
• Purée the braising liquid in a blender.
• To make the sauce, heat 2 tablespoons oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to combine with the oil. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup cider and the tomato paste and mix well.
• Return the braising liquid to the pot along with the remaining 1 1/2 cups beef broth and the remaining 2 thyme sprigs. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce is thickened.
• Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the thyme sprigs.
• To serve, slice the pot roast, arrange the vegetables around it, and pour the sauce over the top.
• Variations: Tipsy Pot Roast
• In many pot roast recipes, there is an element of alcohol. In mine, I use hard cider, but you can also try red wine, a heavy beer, or-for your Irish friends-Guinness. The booze gives the meat an extra dimension but won't get the family hammered.

PERFECT POT ROAST

Steps:

• Combine first four ingredients; rub onto roast. In a skillet, brown roast in oil. Place in a roasting pan. Add water, onion, green pepper, garlic and seasonings. Cover and bake at 325° for 2-1/2 to 3 hours or until roast is tender. , Remove and keep warm. Discard bay leaf. Skim fat from pan juices. Measure juices and transfer to a saucepan. , For each cup of juices, combine 1 tablespoon flour with 2 tablespoons water; mix well. Stir flour mixture into pan. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Serve gravy with roast.

SIMPLE PERFECT POT ROAST

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 300°F.
• Thoroughly pat roast dry with paper towels; sprinkle generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in large heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium high heat until shimmering but not smoking.
• Brown roast thoroughly on all sides, reducing heat if fat begins to smoke, 8- 10 minutes.
• Transfer roast to a large plate; set aside.
• Reduce heat to medium; add onion, carrot, and celery to pot and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, 6- 8 minutes.
• Add garlic and sugar; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Add chicken and beef broths and thyme, scraping bottom of pan with wooden spoon to loosen browned bits.
• Return roast and any accumulated juices to pot; add enough water to come halfway up sides of roast.
• Bring liquid to simmer over medium heat, then cover tightly and transfer pot to oven.
• Cook, turning roast every 30 minutes until fully tender and meat fork slips in and out of meat very easily (3 1/2- 4 hours).
• Transfer roast to carving board, tent with foil to keep warm.
• Allow liquid in pot to settle about 5 minutes, then use wide spoon to skim fat off surface; discard thyme sprig.
• Boil over high heat until reduced to about 1 1/2 cups, about 8 minutes.
• Add red wine and reduce again to 1 1/2 cups, about 2 minutes.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Cut meat into 1/2 inch slices, or pull apart in pieces; transfer meat to warmed serving platter and pour about 1/2 cup sauce over meat.
• Serve, passing remaining sauce.
• Note: Can add small red potatoes and sliced carrots and/or parsnips about 45 minutes before roast is finished.