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Perfect Roast Beef Recipe

Published by: Chef Matty Riedel • Updated: January 23, 2024

The perfect roast beef recipe includes the following steps:

  1. Gather the necessary ingredients, including the beef cut, oil, stock, seasoning and vegetables.
  2. Preheat the oven.
  3. Meanwhile, season the beef with salt and pepper.
  4. Sprinkle some olive oil and roast the beef.
  5. Serve with vegetables or gravy

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Perfect Roast Beef Recipe

Choosing the Right Cut

There is no right answer to the type of cut you should use for your roast beef. However, you must note that some cuts are more expensive than others, especially the topmost cuts like the ribs and tenderloin roasts.

If you are looking for more affordable options, going for the tougher cuts of meat is a good idea. Some examples of these cuts include:

  • Bottom round/rump roast
  • Chuck roast
  • Eye of round
  • Shoulder cuts
  • Sirloin tips

Although these cuts are cheaper and tougher, this will not affect the quality and flavour of your roast beef. Since you will cook the beef for a long time, you can soften it properly while making it juicy and tender.

If you are confused about the types of cuts, you should research on your own to avoid getting too confused at the store. You can also consult your butcher about the options and prices to make an informed choice.

Ingredients

Incredibly popular for British Christmas meals, roast beef is a delicious and simple dish you can try making. To begin the process, you must gather all the ingredients to make the dish. Go through each of these below.

  • 3-4 pounds of beef
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Olive oil

For the gravy and accompanying vegetables, you can use the following.

  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Broth/stock
  • Red wine (optional)

Method

Go through the following steps to ensure ideal results for your roast beef.

  1. Start by preheating the oven to 325℉ or 160℃. You can also increase or decrease the temperature by 50 degrees if you adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  2. While doing this, take the cut of beef and roll it around with some salt and pepper. Make sure you thoroughly cover the meat with this seasoning to ensure better absorption as well as greater uniformity of flavour
  3. At this point, it can help coat the meat in olive oil or butter to ensure an enhanced flavour and more tenderness. This is especially a must for tougher cuts of meat.
  4. After preheating the oven, place the roast on a baking tray and insert the tray into the oven on a wire rack. You can also directly place it on the rack.
  5. If you are cooking at a higher temperature, allow the beef to cook for 30 minutes to an hour. You can also continue cooking it at a lower temperature for another hour. However, if you start at a lower temperature, roast the roast for around two hours or more in the oven.
  6. Allow the internal temperature to rise to the required level before removing it from the oven.
  7. Let the roast rest for 15 minutes. While this happens, prepare the vegetables and gravy on the stove using stock from the cooked beef, red wine and water. Add seasoning as required.

Some Useful Tips

Here are some tips to ensure that you cook the roast beef excellently.

  • Use a thermometer to help you out since the internal temperature should be between 120°F and 155°F, depending on how rare or cooked you want.
  • Do not cook the beef in one go—keep checking the internal temperature every 30 minutes or so based on the size of the roast.
  • Ideally, you should remove the bone for easier cooking.
  • If there are any leftovers, store them properly in the refrigerator/freezer. Thaw and reheat before eating and use it in different recipes.

Perfect Roast Beef Recipe

beef meat cuts
Click The Stars Below To Rate This Recipe:
5 from 2 votes
COURSE Main Course
CALORIES 3729 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
 

  • 3-4 pounds Beef
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Olive oil

For the gravy and accompanying vegetables, you can use the following

  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Carrots
  • Rosemary
  • Thyme
  • Broth/stock
  • Red wine (optional)

Method
 

  • Start out by preheating the oven to 325℉ or 160℃. You can also increase or decrease the temperature by 50 degrees or so as long as you adjust the cooking time accordingly.
  • While doing this, take the cut of beef and roll it around with some salt and pepper. Make sure you thoroughly cover the meat with this seasoning to ensure better absorption as well as greater uniformity of flavour.
  • At this point, it can help to coat the meat in some olive oil or butter to ensure an enhanced flavour and more tenderness. This is especially a must for tougher cuts of meat.
  • After the oven is done preheating, place the roast on a baking tray and insert the tray into the oven on a wire rack. You can also directly place it on the rack.
  • If you are cooking at a higher temperature, allow the beef to cook for 30 minutes to an hour. You can then also continue cooking it for another hour or so at a lower temperature. If you started at a lower temperature, however, make sure you give the roast around two hours or more in the oven.
  • Allow the internal temperature to rise to the required level before removing it from the oven.
  • Let the roast rest for 15 minutes. While this is happening, prepare the vegetables and gravy on the stove using stock from the cooked beef, red wine and water. Add seasoning as required.
Chefs Tips
Here are some tips to ensure that you cook the roast beef excellently.
  • Make sure you alter the overall time of cooking your beef based on the kind of oven you have. Use a thermometer to help you out since the internal temperature should be between 120°F and 155°F, depending on how rare or cooked you want it.
  • Do not cook the beef in one go—keep checking the internal temperature every 30 minutes or so based on the size of the roast.
  • Ideally, you should remove the bone for easier cooking.
  • If there are any leftovers, store them properly in the refrigerator/freezer. Thaw and reheat before eating and use it in different recipes.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 3729kcalProtein: 247gFat: 297gSaturated Fat: 122gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 126gCholesterol: 953mgSodium: 667mgPotassium: 4137mgCalcium: 95mgIron: 32mg
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Roast Beef Recipe: FAQ

How Do I Cook Roast Beef without Drying It Out?

You should cook the roast beef properly in the oven without covering it with a lid. Once this is done, remove it from the oven and cover it with aluminium foil and allow the beef to rest on the table for a few minutes.

Does Roast Beef Get More Tender with Longer Cooking Time?

Roast beef certainly gets more tender with a longer cooking time, since thorough cooking helps even out the juices in the meat. However, make sure you do not overcook the beef in this process.

Perfect Roast Beef Recipe: Summing Up

The perfect roast beef recipe requires the right ingredients and the correct cooking time. Have some patience and experiment with the flavours and taste a bit to tweak it based on your personal preferences. Enjoy!

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Chef and Restaurant Owner Matty Riedel
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