Juicy, flavorful, and melts-in-the-mouth, roast beef is the perfect dish for casual get-togethers or family gatherings. But cooking the perfect roast beef can be tricky, so we’ve put together this guide to help you get your roast beef recipe just right.
How to Cook the Perfect Roast Beef
Cooking the perfect roast beef is easy once you know how. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the best-tasting roast beef around:
Cutting your beef
You want to get a mix of different cuts to get the flavor and texture you’re looking for. Top-round roast is usually the way to go, but other roast cuts can also work. Remember to make thinner slices with leaner cuts of meat, so you don’t end up with tough, chewy chunks of beef.
Seasoning your beef
Don’t be afraid to season your beef with your favorite herbs and spices. Thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper are a great place to start, but you can also try other herbs like sage, parsley, and oregano. Adding cumin or coriander seeds will instantly make your dish more flavorful.
Whichever spices and herbs you want to include in the mix, adding a teaspoon of salt per pound is usually more than enough for a perfectly seasoned beef. Another thing you can do is mix your spices with olive oil, so you know your beef tastes good from the inside out.
Oven Temperature
To make a perfectly cooked roast beef with a golden crust, it’s important to keep an eye on the temperature of your oven. A top-round roast can be difficult to sear, so preheating your oven can help you achieve the ideal crust. You can lower the temperature as the meat starts cooking evenly.
Keep the temperature to a minimum of 325°, so you get that tender slice of meat once cooked. But if you want to save time on cooking, Make it Missoula recommends using a crockpot to make roast beef paired with mashed potatoes for the ultimate dish.
Post-cooking temperature
If you’re looking for more flavorful and juicy meat, go for a medium to medium-rare roast with a slight pinkish color at the center. You can also roast it longer and use a meat thermometer to get the desired temperature.
Insert the thermometer deeply towards the center of the roast to get the best results, and make sure to maintain an internal temperature of 130°F for a medium-rare pot roast. Remember that the temperature of the meat continues to rise as it rests.
Slicing It
Letting your meat rest is important if you want evenly soaked juices and thin carving knife slices. Once your meat is done cooking, place it on a cutting board and let it rest for 30 minutes. Get out your sharpest carving knife or chef’s knife to get nice, thin slices.
Tips For Cooking Roast Beef
We’ve got all the tips and tricks you need to make a delicious meal:
Use a proper pan for roasting
A roasting pan is a great way to cook meat because it keeps the juices intact and the heat circulating the meat. If you don’t have a roasting pan, use an oven-safe wire rack with a 13×9-inch baking pan.
Keep your roast beef uncovered
If you want your roast beef to be cooked perfectly, keep it uncovered in the oven until it’s done. Then, take it out and tent it with foil, letting it rest for at least 15 minutes. This will help keep all the delicious juices in, making for a juicier, tastier meal.
Use a carving board
Place your roast on a carving board with well-rounded edges to prevent juices from dripping. Take a carving knife and slice off one end of the roast while holding it in place with a large fork. Start carving across the front of the rib bone and remove the slices of meat. Serve the delicious meat on a platter, and dig in!
2 Leftover Roast Beef Recipes You Can Try
Sometimes, you want something a little different. If you have some leftover roast beef, then you can make some great dishes with it. Here are two simple yet mouthwatering leftover roast beef recipes you can try:
Tri-tip Sandwich
Leftovers make the perfect sandwiches, and this recipe uses thin slices of leftover roast beef, grilled onions and peppers, and some arugula for an extra punch of flavor. It’s savory and delicious, and everything piled onto ciabatta bread makes for one exceptional sandwich!
Roast Beef Street Tacos
This recipe is the perfect appetizer to impress your guests! Set up a bar with all the toppings and let everyone build their tacos with shredded roast beef as the star of the show! To top it off, add pico de gallo (avocado, cilantro, and lime juice), cheese, and lettuce to your tacos.
Key Takeaways
Making the perfect roast beef takes time and patience, but it’s worth it! You can make this dish that star of just about every gathering:
- Season your beef
- Choose top-round roast or combine other beef cuts
- Take note of your temperature
- Use the proper pan for roasting
- Uncover your roast when cooking
- Use a carving board for your meat