Tender Bottom Round Roast Recipe, Easy 1 Pot Beef Dinner (2024)

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Introducing the Ultimate Bottom Round Roast Recipe - The Best Way to Achieve a Mouthwatering Tender and Juicy Roast! Print Your Recipe Card below;)

Tender Bottom Round Roast Recipe, Easy 1 Pot Beef Dinner (1)

Bottom Round Roast

If you're on the hunt for the perfectly tender bottom round roast recipe, I've got you! This easy recipe combines the best cooking methods to transform a tough cut of meat into a savory and succulent centerpiece for your family dinners or special occasions!

Whether you call it bottom round roast, rump roast, or lean beef roast, this cut can shine when cooked this way!

Slow Cooking

The secret to a tender bottom round roast lies in the slow cooking process. This recipe takes advantage of the low and slow approach to break down the connective tissues and collagen, turning an initially tough cut into a melt-in-your-mouth roast. This method works equally well for chuck roast, making it a great option for those looking for a good value.

Prepping for Success

Begin by letting your roast sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This ensures even cooking and helps the roast reach the desired internal temperature throughout. While the roast is resting, take the opportunity to prepare a flavorful dry rub or herb butter using fresh herbs, garlic cloves, olive oil, and a touch of balsamic vinegar for that extra depth of flavor.

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Seared to Perfection

Start by searing the roast over medium-high heat, using a thin coat of oil such as olive oil. This step locks in the juices and adds a wonderful crust to the roast, enhancing its overall texture and taste.

Slow Roasting for Optimal Tenderness

After searing, place the roast in a Dutch oven or slow cooker pot for the main slow cooking process. This method is a wonderful way to infuse the roast with the flavors of your chosen herbs, seasonings, and a touch of beef broth or even red wine.

Cooking to Perfection

Let the roast cook at a low temperature, ensuring a steady and gentle cooking process. This helps the roast tenderize over time, as it becomes increasingly juicy and mouthwateringly delicious.

Resting

Once the roast reaches the desired internal temperature, remove it from the oven and let it rest. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a tender and juicy roast.

Tender Bottom Round Roast Recipe, Easy 1 Pot Beef Dinner (3)

Flavorful Gravy

Don't forget the wonderful sauce! The leftover cooking broth can be transformed into a rich and flavorful gravy, which pairs perfectly with your slices of roast and a side of mashed potatoes or even roast beef sandwiches.

Intrigued by this easy roast beef recipe? Check out the full instructions and helpful tips in the recipe card below. This method will undoubtedly make you a roast aficionado, impressing your family and friends with every perfectly cooked slice.

Ingredients

A savory and delicious bottom round roast recipe that combines searing, braising, and the use of herbs for a fall-apart tender result. This recipe is designed to be cooked in a Dutch oven pan.

Top Round Roast Ingredients

  • 3-4 pound (1.4-1.8 kg) bottom round roast
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or use fresh thyme sprigs)
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary (or use fresh rosemary sprigs)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup red wine (optional, you can substitute with more beef broth)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2-3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2-3 celery stalks, cut into chunks
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For a Medium Well Bottom Round Roast

If you like your roast medium with a bit of pink in the middle: roast to 135 and then tent it while it rests on your counter it will come to 145 degrees F.

For a Rare Bottom Round Roast

If you like your roast rare, roast to 125 then take out and tent with foil and it will come to 135 while it is resting on the counter.

Fall Apart Doneness

A bottom round roast will start to become tender and fall apart when it reaches an internal temperature of around 190°F to 205°F (88°C to 96°C). This is the temperature range at which the collagen and connective tissue in the meat break down, transforming the tough fibers into a more tender texture.

At these higher temperatures, the roast will begin to easily shred or pull apart with minimal effort. This level of tenderness is often desired for dishes like pulled beef or shredded beef sandwiches, where the meat is intended to be very soft and easily separated.

Keep in mind that cooking a bottom round roast to this level of tenderness may require longer cooking times, as the collagen breakdown is a gradual process.

Tender Bottom Round Roast Recipe, Easy 1 Pot Beef Dinner (5)

Resting

Once the roast is tender, carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven.

Transfer the roast to a cutting board and let the roast rest for about 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Slice & Serve Bottom Round Roast

While the roast is resting, strain the braising liquid to remove the solids and herbs.

Slice the roast into thin slices that are against the grain.

Tender Bottom Round Roast Recipe, Easy 1 Pot Beef Dinner (6)

Make Gravy

This herb-braised bottom round roast is sure to be a delicious and comforting dish, perfect for fall or any time you're looking for a satisfying meal.

Make a rich and flavorful gravy using the leftover cooking broth from the herb-braised bottom round roast. This gravy will add an extra layer of deliciousness to your roast slices and, mashed potatoes and vegetables.

Notes

1 - Allow the roast to come to room temperature before cooking. This ensures more even cooking throughout the roast.

2 - After cooking, allow the roast to rest for about 15-20 minutes before slicing. This helps redistribute the juices, keeping the meat moist and flavorful.

3 - Bottom round roast makes excellent leftovers. You can use the meat in sandwiches, wraps, or even as a topping for salads. Just reheat gently to avoid drying it out.

Tools

Dutch Oven -A Dutch oven pot is ideal for slow roasting and braising. Its heavy construction and tight-fitting lid create the perfect environment for achieving a tender roast.

Instant-Read Meat Thermometer -An instant-read meat thermometer is a must-have to accurately monitor the internal temperature of your roast. This tool ensures your roast reaches the desired level of doneness without overcooking.

Cutting Board -A sturdy cutting board provides a safe and clean surface for slicing your cooked roast into thin, mouthwatering slices.

Chef's Knife -A sharp chef's knife is essential for precise and effortless slicing, allowing you to create those perfect thin slices of roast.

Tongs -Tongs come in handy for searing the roast, flipping it, and transferring it between the stovetop and the Dutch oven.

Oven Mitts -Oven mitts or heat-resistant gloves protect your hands when handling the hot Dutch oven during the cooking process.

Whisk or Wooden Spoon -You'll need a whisk or a wooden spoon for stirring the cooking broth and ensuring a smooth gravy.

Saucepan -A saucepan is useful for making the gravy from the leftover cooking broth. It helps prevent lumps and ensures even heat distribution.

Measuring Cups and Spoons -Accurate measurements are crucial for a successful recipe, so have your measuring cups and spoons ready.

Aluminum Foil -Aluminum foil is useful for covering the roast while it rests, allowing the juices to redistribute evenly.

Serving Platter -A serving platter or dish is perfect for presenting your beautifully cooked bottom round roast slices.

Fine-Mesh Strainer -A fine-mesh strainer is essential for straining the cooking broth when making the gravy.

Cooking Time

Desired DonenessInternal TemperatureApproximate Cooking Time (300°F; 3-4 lb roast)
Rare115°F (46°C)1 hour 30 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes
Medium-rare130°F (54°C)2 hours - 2 hours 15 minutes
Medium135°F (57°C)2 hours 15 minutes - 2 hours 45 minutes
Medium-well145°F (63°C)2 hours 45 minutes - 3 hours
Well done160°F (71°C)3 hours - 3 hours 30 minutes

At 300 degrees Fahrenheit, a 3-4 pound roast beef should take approximately 2 to 2 and a half hours to reach an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit, which is medium-rare. However, this is just an estimate, and the actual cooking time can vary depending on several factors, such as:

  • The cut of beef:Different cuts have different fat contents and thicknesses, which can affect cooking time. For example, a chuck roast will take longer to cook than a sirloin roast.
  • The shape of the roast:Roasts with more surface area will cook faster than those with less surface area.
  • The accuracy of your oven:Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature and that the thermostat is accurate.
  • Whether you use a meat thermometer:The best way to ensure that your roast is cooked to the desired doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the roast, avoiding bones.

Recipe Card

If you try this recipe and love it, I’d love if you give it 5 stars and let me know how it turned out in the comments or review!Tag me on Instagram@farmhouse_harvestwith your delicious creation!

Tender Bottom Round Roast Recipe, Easy 1 Pot Beef Dinner (7)

Bottom Round Roast - Tender & Savory!

Yield: 8 servings

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Additional Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes

Tender and savory bottom round roast seasoned with herbs, seared to keep in moisture, and oven roasted, or braised, to perfection!

Ingredients

  • 3-4 pound (1.4-1.8 kg) bottom round roast
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 large onion, thinly sliced
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried thyme (or use fresh thyme sprigs)
  • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary (or use fresh rosemary sprigs)
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 cup red wine (optional, you can substitute with more beef broth)
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 2-3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 2-3 celery stalks, cut into chunks

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Season - Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
  2. Pat the bottom round roast dry with paper towels. Season it generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Searing - In a large Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
  4. Sear the seasoned roast on all sides until 3-4 minutes till nicely browned. Remove the roast from the Dutch oven and set it aside.
  5. Aromatics and Braising Liquid - In the same Dutch oven, add the sliced onion and minced garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until they start to soften and become fragrant.
  6. Add the dried thyme and rosemary to the onion and garlic mixture. If you’re using fresh herbs, you can add them later.
  7. Deglaze, Add Liquids - Pour in the red wine and beef broth, using a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the Dutch oven. This adds flavor to the braising liquid.
  8. Add the bay leaves to the liquid.
  9. Return Roast and Add Vegetables - Place the seared roast back into the Dutch oven, nestled among the aromatic mixture.
  10. Add the carrot and celery chunks around the roast.
  11. If using fresh herbs, tuck the sprigs of thyme and rosemary around the roast and vegetables.
  12. Braising = Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and transfer it to the preheated oven.
  13. Rare: If you like your roast rare, roast to 125 degrees F internal temperature (about 2 hours) then take out and tent with foil and it will come to 135 while it is resting on the counter.
  14. Medium: If you like your roast medium with a bit of pink in the middle: roast to 135 degrees F (about 2 hours abd 15 minutes) and then tent it while it rests on your counter it will come to 145 degrees F.
  15. For fall apart roast: let the roast braise for about 3 - 3.5 hours, or until the meat is fall-apart tender. You can check the tenderness by inserting a fork; it should easily shred.
  16. FINISHING - Once the roast is tender, carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven.
  17. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes before slicing.

Did you make this recipe?

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Cooking Time

Desired DonenessInternal TemperatureApproximate Cooking Time (300°F; 3-4 lb roast)
Rare115°F (46°C)1 hour 30 minutes - 1 hour 45 minutes
Medium-rare130°F (54°C)2 hours - 2 hours 15 minutes
Medium135°F (57°C)2 hours 15 minutes - 2 hours 45 minutes
Medium-well145°F (63°C)2 hours 45 minutes - 3 hours
Well done160°F (71°C)3 hours - 3 hours 30 minutes

At 300 degrees Fahrenheit, a 3-4 pound roast beef should take approximately2 to 2 and a half hoursto reach an internal temperature of 125 degrees Fahrenheit, which is medium-rare. However, this is just an estimate, and the actual cooking time can vary depending on several factors, such as:

  • The cut of beef:Different cuts have different fat contents and thicknesses, which can affect cooking time. For example, a chuck roast will take longer to cook than a sirloin roast.
  • The shape of the roast:Roasts with more surface area will cook faster than those with less surface area.
  • The accuracy of your oven:Make sure your oven is preheated to the correct temperature and that the thermostat is accurate.
  • Whether you use a meat thermometer:The best way to ensure that your roast is cooked to the desired doneness is to use a meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the roast, avoiding bones.

Let me know what you think!

Share your cooking tips and feedback in the comments below.

Did you add any twists to these recipes? I'd love to hear!

Roast Recipes

Prime Rib Roast

Sirloin Tip Roast

Rump Roast Recipe

Pot Roast Dinner

Top Round Roast Recipe

Oven roasted Tip Tip

Bottom Round Roast Sources

National Cattlemen's Beef Association

Culinary Institute of America

Tender Bottom Round Roast Recipe, Easy 1 Pot Beef Dinner (2024)

FAQs

What's the best way to cook a bottom round? ›

In the Oven

Sear the roast for 2-3 minutes, and use tongs to turn the roast to continue searing until all sides are golden brown. Transfer the roast to a roasting pan, cover with aluminum foil, and place it on the middle oven rack. Roast for 20-30 minutes per pound, usually about 2 hours for a 4-pound roast.

Can you use a bottom round roast for pot roast? ›

Chuck pot roasts have more fat, and therefore more flavor, than those from the round. Beef round roasts suitable for pot roasting are round tip, round rump, bottom round and eye round roasts. Most beef round and chuck pot roasts can be used interchangeably, with only slight adjustments in cooking time.

What is the best way to tenderize a bottom round roast? ›

Braising this roast (fat cap up) on a lower heat oven helps the roast to retain moisture, and keeps it from drying out. The long cooking time on a lower oven temperature helps break down connective tissue fibers allowing it to become tender. Salt, Pepper, Garlic and herbs give this roast delicious flavor.

How do you cook beef so it's tender? ›

To cook it until it's so tender it falls apart, you'll need to choose a joint like chuck and blade or beef brisket and either braise, slow roast or slow cook it for at least a couple of hours.

What is the best use of bottom round roast? ›

Bottom Round Roast | Lean. Great value and very lean. Best for roasting or slow-cooking and slicing thin. Roast derived from the Bottom Round Flat, also known as an Outside Round.

What is a bottom round roast good for? ›

The bottom round is one of three cuts butchered from the round primal. It includes the rump and hind legs of the animal. This is a lean, relatively tough cut of meat and is best when cooked low and slow in preparations such as pot roast or jerky.

What is the difference between a pot roast and a bottom round roast? ›

Top round is cut from the inside of the leg, while the bottom round is cut from the outside. Preparation: Both types of beef round benefit from time in the moist heat of a slow cooker. Either cut is a good option for a Dutch oven roast.

What is the difference between a round roast and a bottom roast? ›

Top round and bottom round cuts come from the back end of the cow. The top round is very lean but tends to be more tender than the bottom round, and is often cut into steaks (which are sometimes labeled "London broil").

Is it better to cook pot roast on low or high? ›

PRO TIP: It's better to cook pot roast on the low setting rather than the high setting when it comes to pot roast. Your meat will be tender and delicious every time.

What is the secret ingredient to tenderize meat? ›

Whether hosting a holiday cookout, serving up some stir-fry or tackling game meats, baking soda is the go-to meat tenderizer to help make your steak, chicken or turkey silkier, juicier and yummier.

What makes the most tender roast? ›

Tenderloin. The most tender roast of all—it's under the spine— with almost no fat or flavor. It's tapered in shape, the middle being the "center cut." The labor involved and waste produced in trimming and tying a tenderloin drives up the price. Top sirloin roast.

Why is my bottom round roast tough? ›

If it started as a tough cut of beef, it means you didn't cook it long enough at a low temperature. For tough cuts cooked relatively quickly, you always have to cut it thinly against the grain. It's still tough, but will be easy to chew.

How do you cook beef until it falls apart? ›

Slow cooking methods, such as braising or using a slow cooker, allow the collagen in the meat to break down, resulting in tender and juicy meat that easily pulls apart.

Do you put water in the pan when cooking roast beef? ›

How to Roast Beef Like a Pro. Don't crowd your meat in the pan – leaving some space around and under the meat allows it to heat evenly. To give your meat a flavourful crispy exterior, cook uncovered on a rack set in a shallow roasting pan. Don't add water!

How do I make my beef tender and not chewy? ›

  1. How to Tenderize a Tough Cut of Meat. Pound it out. Use salt. Use an acidic marinade. Use kiwi, papaya, or pineapple. Score it. Slow cook it.
  2. Our Favorite Recipes for Slow Cooked Meat.
Jan 17, 2024

Do you cook a bottom round roast fat side up or down? ›

5. Place roast fat side up / bone side down on the rack. Placing your roast fat side up lets the fat melt and flow down, moistening the meat as it cooks. There are debates on whether the fat would be enough to baste the lean meat as it melts down, but it makes the surface crispier.

Is bottom round roast tough or tender? ›

Top round and bottom round cuts come from the back end of the cow. The top round is very lean but tends to be more tender than the bottom round, and is often cut into steaks (which are sometimes labeled "London broil"). The bottom round, which is divided into a bottom round roast and a rump roast, is a bit tougher.

Is bottom round good for grilling? ›

I do not recommend cooking a bottom round steak as one would a more tender cut, like a ribeye or even a top sirloin. Bottom round is lean and tough, so fast hot cooking isn't a good plan. It is perfectly suited to braising though.

Is bottom round and chuck roast the same? ›

Chuck roast has more fat and connective tissue, so it tends to break into strands as it “melts”. That adds to the flavor and to the texture/mouth feel. Bottom round has less of the fat and connective tissue, so it holds together better and slices nicely, which makes for great pot roast sandwiches.

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