Full-proof recipe for a perfectly cooked fall-apart tender Chuck Roast in the Oven.
Cooking Chuck Roast in the oven is a simple and delicious way to achieve tender, fall-apart, and juicy meat packed with flavor.
This one-pot meal takes only 15 minutes of prep time and is perfect whether you serve it as a family dinner or for special occasions.
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Slow-cooking the beef with vegetables transforms an affordable cut of meat into a mouth-watering comfort food dinner that the whole family will love.
This deliciously tender and juicy Chuck Roast is full of flavor and is the perfect centerpiece for a Sunday pot roast meal.
Every home cook should have a classic pot roast recipe, complete with vegetables and a deliciously rich brown gravy.
Give this comforting beef dish a try and enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal.
If you love cozy meals, try these Braised Beef Cheeks, Steak Pie, and Spicy and Creamy Swedish Meatball recipes.
What is Chuck Roast?
Chuck roast is a cut of beef that comes from the shoulder of the cow.
It is known for its rich, beefy flavor and relatively inexpensive price tag.
While chuck roast can be tough if not cooked properly, it is a great option for slow cooking methods like roasting, as it has plenty of fat and connective tissue that breaks down and create a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Choosing the Right Cut of Chuck Roast
When it comes to selecting a chuck roast, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, look for a piece of meat that has good marbling - this means there are thin streaks of fat throughout the meat, which will help keep it moist and add flavor.
You'll also want to look for a roast that has a relatively even thickness, as this will help ensure even cooking.
In terms of size, you'll want to plan for about ½ pound of meat per person.
This will give everyone a decent-sized portion, plus some leftovers if you're cooking for a smaller crowd.
Why This Recipe Works?
- The chuck roast is a perfect cut for slow cooking, as it has a lot of fat and connective tissue that breaks down during cooking, resulting in a tender and juicy texture.
- Cooking everything in one pot not only simplifies the cooking process but also allows all the flavors to meld together, resulting in a delicious and well-seasoned dish.
- The addition of carrots, swede, and parsnips provides a hearty and wholesome element to the dish, while also contributing to the overall flavor profile.
- The rich brown gravy ties everything together and adds a depth of flavor that complements the beef and vegetables perfectly.
- Chuck roast is an affordable cut of meat, making it an excellent choice for feeding a large family or group of friends without breaking the bank.
Ingredients and Substitutes
- Chuck roast - I use a 1.8 kg (4 lb) boneless beef chuck roast with excellent marbling for this recipe. However, if you prefer, you can substitute it with a different cut such as brisket or round roast.
- Vegetables - I prefer swede/rutabaga, carrots, and parsnips but you can also use other vegetables such as potatoes, turnips, and celery or celeriac.
- Herbs - I use fresh herbs such as thyme and bay leaves but you can also use rosemary or oregano.
- Shallots - You can substitute them with pearl onions or chunky-cut regular onions.
- Stock - I prefer using Homemade Beef Stock but Chicken Stock works great as well. You can use stock cubes if you don't have any stock in hand. Make sure you don't add too much salt as ready-made stocks and stock cubes contain salt already.
- Red wine - It adds more depth of flavor to the pot roast. For an alcohol-free meal, substitute additional stock for the red wine.
How to Make Chuck Roast in Oven?
You can cook this fall-apart Chuck Roast in a Dutch oven or a large skillet.
This is a very simple and straightforward recipe to follow.
However, to achieve the best results you need to follow a few simple steps:
Preheat the oven to 170 ℃ (340°F). Heat a Dutch oven or a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add a tablespoon of olive oil and let it get hot. Once the oil is hot, add the chuck roast to the skillet or Dutch oven.
Sear it for 2-3 minutes on each side, until it is nicely browned.
Remove the roast from the skillet or Dutch oven and set it aside.
Lower the heat to medium-low, and sauté the shallots or onions along with the garlic for a few minutes.
Add the carrots, swede/rutabaga, and parsnip to the pan and then sauté them for a few more minutes.
Stir in the red wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the bits from the bottom of the pan.
Add the bay leaves, salt, pepper, and thyme.
Pour in the stock, add the chuck roast, and then bring the pan to a boil.
Cover the Dutch oven or the skillet with a lid or tin foil, making sure it is tightly sealed, and then place it in the preheated oven.
Cook the chuck roast for about 3 ½ to 4 hours, or until they are tender and fall apart easily when touched with a fork.
Cooking time will depend on the size of your roast.
You'll want to check on it periodically to make sure there is enough liquid to cook the chuck roast. Add a bit of water or stock if needed.
Remove the bay leaves and thyme, check the seasoning, and add some more salt if necessary before serving.
Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.
Top Tips From the Chef
While cooking a chuck roast in the oven is a relatively straightforward process, there are a few tips and tricks that can help ensure success:
- Chuck roast is a flavorful cut of meat, but it still needs plenty of seasoning to taste its best. Be generous with the salt and pepper to really bring out the natural flavors of the meat.
- While a roasting pan or baking dish will work just fine for cooking a chuck roast in the oven, a Dutch oven is an excellent option for achieving even heat distribution. The heavy, thick walls of a Dutch oven trap in heat and moisture, resulting in a perfectly cooked roast every time.
- For a juicy and flavorful pot roast, consider searing your beef first over high heat until it browns on both sides.
- It's important to note that the cooking time for your beef chuck roast may vary depending on your oven. When it's done, the meat should be so tender that it easily falls apart and can be cut with a fork.
How to Serve Chuck Roast in Oven?
There are several delicious serving suggestions for your chuck roast in the oven:
- Pair it with mashed potatoes - Nothing pairs better with a rich and flavorful chuck roast than a side of Pomme Purée (Creamy Mashed Potatoes). The mashed potatoes will help soak up the delicious gravy and balance out the richness of the meat.
- Serve it with roasted potatoes - Consider serving your chuck roast with a side of Duck Fat Roasted Potatoes. The potatoes will have absorbed the flavors of the meat and the cooking liquid, making for a delicious and hearty side dish.
- Serve with a side salad - To balance out the richness of the pot roast, consider serving it with a fresh and crisp side salad such as Persian Shirazi Salad, Gavurdagi Salatasi (Tomato and Walnut Salad), and Greek Cucumber Salad.
- Add it to soups or pasta - If you have a leftover chuck roast, consider adding it to soups or pasta for an extra burst of flavor and protein. The tender chunks of meat will add heartiness and depth to any soup or pasta recipe.
Recipe FAQs
Brisket or round roast are good substitutes. However, keep in mind that the cooking time and temperature may need to be adjusted to accommodate the different cut.
Store leftover chuck roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply microwave or reheat in the oven until warmed through.
Yes, you can absolutely make chuck roast in a slow cooker. Simply follow the same recipe, but cook the roast on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Related Recipes
For more delicious beef recipes why not try:
Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.
I hope you enjoy the process of making this fall-apart tender Chuck Roast in Oven recipe as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂
Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun!
Chuck Roast in Oven
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1.8 kg chuck roast
- 5 cloves garlic (peeled)
- 5 shallots (peeled)
- 2 large carrots (peeled and cut in chunks)
- ½ head swede peeled and cut in chunks)
- 2 large parsnips peeled and cut in chunks)
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 sprigs thyme
- 100 ml red wine
- 750 ml chicken or beef stock
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170 ℃ (340°F).
- Heat a Dutch oven or a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil and let it get hot. Once the oil is hot, add the chuck roast to the skillet or Dutch oven.
- Sear it for 2-3 minutes on each side, until it is nicely browned.
- Remove the roast from the skillet or Dutch oven and set it aside.
- Lower the heat to medium-low, and sauté the shallots or onions along with the garlic for a few minutes.
- Add the carrots, swede/rutabaga, and parsnip to the pan and sauté them for a few more minutes.
- Stir in the red wine and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the stock along with the chuck roast, bay leaves, salt, pepper, and thyme, and then bring the pan to a boil.
- Cover the Dutch oven or the skillet with a lid or tin foil, making sure it is tightly sealed, and place it in the preheated oven.
- Cook the chuck roast for about 3 ½ to 4 hours, or until they are tender and fall apart easily when touched with a fork. Cooking time will depend on the size of your roast.
- You'll want to check on it periodically to make sure there is enough liquid to cook the chuck roast (you can add a bit of water or stock if needed).
- Remove the bay leaves and thyme, check the seasoning, and add some more salt if necessary before serving.
Notes
- Chuck roast is a flavorful cut of meat, but it still needs plenty of seasoning to taste its best. Be generous with the salt and pepper to really bring out the natural flavors of the meat.
- While a roasting pan or baking dish will work just fine for cooking a chuck roast in the oven, a Dutch oven is an excellent option for achieving even heat distribution. The heavy, thick walls of a Dutch oven trap in heat and moisture, resulting in a perfectly cooked roast every time.
- For a juicy and flavorful pot roast, consider searing your beef first over high heat until it browns on both sides.
- It's important to note that the cooking time for your beef chuck roast may vary depending on your oven. When it's done, the meat should be so tender that it easily falls apart and can be cut with a fork.
Nutrition
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Chris
This was simply the best delicious beef roast I’ve ever had! Thank you for the recipe.