Dutch Oven Pot Roast
Dutch oven pot roast is a hearty, one-pot meal that transforms an affordable cut of beef into fall-apart tender perfection. Slow-braised in a rich, savory broth with aromatic vegetables, this classic dish delivers deep, comforting flavors with minimal effort. It's perfect for Sunday dinners, family gatherings, or cozy winter nights when you want something satisfying that fills the house with irresistible aromas.
Servings 10
Ingredients
- 4 to 5 lb. whole chuck roast
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil plus more as needed
- 2 whole onions
- 6 to 8 whole carrots
- 1 cup red wine optional, you can use beef stock instead
- 2 to 3 c. beef stock
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary or more to taste
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme or more to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 275˚F. Heat a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Then, add the olive oil (or you can do half butter, half olive oil).
- Cut the onions in half and cut the carrots into 2-inch slices. When the oil in the pot is very hot (but not smoking), add in the onions, browning them on one side and then the other. Remove the onions to a plate.
- Put the carrots into the same hot pan and toss them around a bit until slightly browned, about a minute or so.
- Observe if needed, add a bit more olive oil to the very hot pan. Place the meat in the pan 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 stock (about 1 cup) to deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom with a whisk to get all of that wonderful flavor up.
- When the bottom of the pan is sufficiently deglazed, place the roast back into the pan and add enough of the beef stock to cover the meat halfway. Add in the onion, carrots, rosemary sprigs, and thyme sprigs. Add tomato paste if using (it makes the liquid a little richer.)
- Put the lid on, then roast in the oven for 3 hours (for a 3-pound roast). For a 4- to 5-pound roast, plan on 4 hours.
Notes
This timeless recipe is endlessly adaptable — add mushrooms, swap in different root vegetables, or make it in a slow cooker if you prefer. It's budget-friendly, crowd-pleasing, and guaranteed to become a family favorite.