Tender Chuck Roast Recipe

Juicy Tender Chuck Roast Recipe: Cozy Comfort on a Plate

Succulent beef chuck roast simmers with rich, hearty flavors that melt in your mouth.

Slow-cooking transforms this budget-friendly cut into a luxurious meal bursting with comfort.

Aromatic herbs and carefully selected spices infuse every tender bite with depth and warmth.

The kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma that draws everyone to the table, eager to taste this classic dish.

Perfectly cooked chuck roast promises a delightful dining experience that satisfies both hunger and soul.

This recipe turns an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary celebration you won’t soon forget.

Prepare to savor every delectable morsel of this mouthwatering roast.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 7

Ingredients for a Perfect Chuck Roast

For Meat:
  • Chuck Roast: Choose a well-marbled cut for maximum tenderness and rich flavor, ensuring optimal braising results.
For Aromatics and Seasonings:
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for boosting meat's natural taste and creating a flavor foundation.
  • Onions, Garlic: Provide deep, caramelized undertones and aromatic depth to the dish.
  • Thyme, Rosemary, Bay Leaves: Fresh herbs contribute earthy, complex notes and traditional pot roast character.
  • Tomato Paste: Adds robust umami and helps create a rich, deep sauce base.
For Liquid and Enhancers:
  • Olive Oil: Helps sear meat and prevents sticking while adding subtle fruity undertones.
  • Beef Broth: Creates a moist cooking environment and intensifies meaty flavors.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Introduces tangy, slightly sweet complexity to the braising liquid.
  • Cornstarch: Optional thickening agent for transforming cooking liquid into silky gravy.
  • Carrots: Brings natural sweetness and nutritional boost to the one-pot meal.

Tools That Make Roasting Chuck Easy

  • Dutch oven or oven-safe pot: Heavy-duty, deep cooking vessel perfect for searing and slow roasting meats.
  • Paper towels: Essential for patting meat dry to ensure perfect browning.
  • Cutting board: Stable surface for preparing vegetables and resting meat.
  • Sharp knife: Needed for chopping onions and trimming roast if necessary.
  • Wooden spoon or spatula: Great for stirring and scraping browned bits from pot.
  • Measuring cups: For accurately measuring broth and ingredients.
  • Measuring spoons: To precisely add seasonings like salt, pepper, and herbs.
  • Tongs: Helpful for safely turning and handling the roast during searing.
  • Cornstarch (optional): Used to create a quick gravy if desired.
  • Whisk (optional): Useful for mixing cornstarch slurry smoothly.

How to Cook Chuck Roast Slow and Tender

  • Prep the Meat

Grab your chuck roast and give it a good pat-down with paper towels. Sprinkle salt and pepper all over to wake up those flavors.

  • Sizzle and Brown

Fire up a Dutch oven with a splash of olive oil. Let the meat dance in the hot pan, turning golden brown on each side – about 4-5 minutes per side. This creates those magical caramelized edges that make your taste buds sing.

  • Build the Flavor Base

Toss chopped onions into the same pot, letting them soften and become translucent. Drop in minced garlic and a dollop of tomato paste for an extra flavor punch.

  • Create the Liquid Magic

Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all those delicious browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot.

  • Slow Roast to Perfection

Nestle the meat back into the pot and surround it with carrots and fragrant herbs. Pop a lid on and slide into the oven at 325F. Let it transform for 3-4 hours until the meat practically falls apart with a gentle touch.

  • Optional Gravy Finale

Want to take it up a notch? Pull out the roast and veggies. Quickly whisk a cornstarch mixture into the remaining liquid to create a silky, rich gravy that’ll make everyone at the table swoon.

Ideas to Customize Broth and Veggies

  • Pat the roast completely dry before searing to achieve a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in delicious flavor and creates incredible caramelization.
  • Choose a well-marbled chuck roast with visible fat streaks, which guarantees maximum tenderness and rich, mouthwatering results during slow cooking.
  • Keep oven temperature consistently low at 325F to break down tough muscle fibers, ensuring meat becomes fork-tender and falls apart effortlessly without drying out.
  • For gluten-free version, replace regular Worcestershire sauce with gluten-free alternative. Dairy-free and keto dieters can enjoy this recipe as-is without modifications.
  • Enhance depth by adding a splash of red wine instead of some beef broth, or experiment with smoky paprika and dried herbs like oregano for extra complexity in the sauce.

How to Present a Roast Everyone Remembers

  • Rustic Family Feast: Serve the tender chuck roast on a large wooden platter surrounded by the roasted carrots, creating a hearty centerpiece that invites everyone to dig in.
  • Weekend Comfort Plate: Pair the roast with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles, letting the rich gravy cascade over the sides for an ultimate comfort meal.
  • Leftover Lunch Magic: Transform remaining roast into delicious sandwiches by shredding meat and piling it onto crusty bread with a dollop of the thickened gravy and some pickled onions.
  • Hearty Meal Companion: Complement the roast with a crisp green salad or roasted seasonal vegetables to balance the rich, meaty flavors and add a fresh element to the plate.

Roast Storage Tips That Keep Meat Juicy

  • Store leftover roast in airtight containers, keeping meat and gravy separate to maintain optimal texture and flavor.
  • Allow roast to cool completely at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before refrigerating, preventing moisture buildup and bacterial growth.
  • Refrigerated roast stays delicious for 3-4 days when sealed tightly. Wrap in plastic wrap or store in glass containers with secure lids to lock in moisture.
  • Slice or shred meat before freezing in portions. Well-sealed containers or freezer bags help roast stay tasty for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating gently to prevent drying out.
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Tender Chuck Roast Recipe

Tender Chuck Roast Recipe


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4.6 from 33 reviews

  • Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Hearty chuck roast delivers mouthwatering comfort straight from midwestern kitchens. Slow-cooked with herbs and tender vegetables, you’ll savor rich flavors that melt in your mouth with each delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 lb (1.41.8 kg) chuck roast
  • 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 carrots, cut into chunks
  • 3 cups (710 ml) beef broth
  • 2 tbsps (30 g) tomato paste (optional, for richness)
  • 1 tbsp (15 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon (5 g) salt
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon (1 g) dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon (1 g) dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon (15 g) cornstarch + 1 tablespoon (15 ml) water (for thickening, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Pat chuck roast with paper towels and generously season with salt and pepper, ensuring full coverage on both surfaces.
  2. Searing: Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high flame, creating a golden-brown crust on each side of the roast for approximately 45 minutes per surface.
  3. Aromatic Base: Sauté onions until translucent, then incorporate garlic and tomato paste, releasing their rich, deep flavors for one minute.
  4. Liquid Infusion: Deglaze the pot with beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up the caramelized fond from the bottom to capture maximum flavor.
  5. Herb Integration: Return roast to the pot, nestling it among carrots, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves for an aromatic roasting environment.
  6. Slow Roasting: Cover and transfer to a preheated 325F (160C) oven, allowing the meat to transform into a tender, succulent dish over 3-3½ hours.
  7. Finishing Touch: Optional gravy creation by removing roast and vegetables, then simmering remaining liquid with a cornstarch slurry to achieve a luxurious, velvety consistency.

Notes

  • Pat the chuck roast completely dry before seasoning to ensure a perfect sear and develop a rich, caramelized crust that locks in flavor.
  • Use high heat and avoid moving the meat while searing to create a deep brown crust that adds intense flavor and texture to the roast.
  • Cook the roast at a low temperature for an extended time to break down tough connective tissues, resulting in meltingly tender meat that falls apart easily.
  • Let the roast rest for 15-20 minutes before shredding to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring maximum moisture and tenderness throughout the meat.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 300 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 24 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

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