A Toast to the Roast
How to Cook the Perfect Grass-Fed Pot Roast
Few dishes are as satisfying as a perfectly cooked pot roast. The tender, succulent meat, the rich flavors of vegetables and herbs, and the mouthwatering aroma that fills your kitchen are simply irresistible. If you have a Tide Creek Farms pot roast waiting in your freezer and you're eager to create a masterpiece, continue reading.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to cook the perfect pot roast. We'll cover everything from choosing the right cut, the cooking process, seasonings, and the health benefits of consuming a pot roast.
Choosing the Right Cut
As a meat eater, we know that the quality of your meat matters. When selecting a beef cut for your pot roast, you want something that's not only tender but also packed with flavor. Here are our top choices for making a great roast.
Chuck Roast: This cut is a favorite for pot roast. It boasts a perfect blend of marbling and connective tissue that melts away during slow cooking, resulting in a juicy, melt-in-your-mouth roast.
Pot Roast: The meat we get from the butcher is simply marked POT ROAST. There might be a 7-bone pot roast in there too. All will work great with this simple recipe.
Brisket: If you crave that intense beefy flavor, brisket is the way to go. It's richly marbled and, when slow-cooked, transforms into a flaky delicious meal with lots of rich fats and amazing flavors.
Short Ribs: Short ribs are another option when making a roast. They're exceptionally meaty and fatty, ensuring that you’ll be filled with all the healthy nutrients packed into your meal.
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds of beef roast
- 2 tablespoons of beef tallow, ghee, or bacon fat (for that extra meaty goodness)**
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced*
- 4 celery, chopped into chunks*
- 1 cup of beef bone broth (homemade or store-bought)*
- Salt and pepper, to taste
*Optional
Instructions
Preheat Your Oven: Preheat your oven to 315°F (163°C).
Season the Meat: Liberally season your roast with salt and pepper on all sides. This step is crucial for intensifying the meat's flavor.
Sear the Meat: In a large, oven-safe Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the beef tallow or bacon fat over medium-high heat. Once sizzling hot, add the seasoned roast and sear it on all sides until it's beautifully browned and caramelized. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the roast and set it aside.
Sauté the Garlic: In the same pot, toss in the minced garlic. Sauté for a minute or two until they release their aroma.
Add the Celery: Add the chopped celery to the pot. This will infuse your pot roast with savory, earthy flavors.
Return the Roast: Nestle the seared roast back into the pot, surrounded by the aromatic mixture.
Pour in the Broth: Pour in the beef bone broth until it reaches about halfway up the side of the roast. This will provide essential moisture and depth of flavor. Add water if needed
Cover and Bake: Cover the pot with a lid or aluminum foil, then transfer it to the preheated oven. Let it slow-cook for around 3-4 hours until the meat reaches the tender consistency you are looking for. Check it occasionally and add more broth if needed. The meat will easily flake off with a fork when it’s ready
Rest and Serve: Once done, remove the pot from the oven and let it rest for about 15 minutes. Slice the roast, and indulge in your feast.
Tips & Tricks
Remember to sear your meat prior to cooking it. This keeps the juices in the meat for those rich flavorful bites. If you don’t sear, the cooking process will draw out the moisture and leave you with dryer meat and a more flavorful broth.
Your pot roast can be made with salt, meat, & water. You don’t need to add anything else if you don’t have it available. This allows you to tailor this meal to the flavors you love and enjoy. Try adding rosemary, shallots, carrots, or even jalapenos.
Pairing your roast with a good side will help you keep some for leftovers. The roast is a complete meal on its own but if you’d like to savor it for a few days as leftovers it’s wise to make a hearty side dish that will help fill everyone up at the dinner table. Potatoes, rice, and side salads are a cheap and easy way.
Try using the broth as a gravy. Not only is it extremely healthy but it tastes amazing.
There are many ways of cooking a pot roast. I’ve had them from crockpots, instant pots, ovens, and even pits dug in the ground and covered while cooking. Keeping it simple is the best bet. Low temperatures for long periods of time.
The Benefits of the Roast
Beef roasts hold a special place in many of our culinary traditions. But did you know that these cuts of meat offer more than just delicious flavor? They provide a range of nutritional benefits that make them a valuable addition to your diet.
Protein
The protein in beef roasts can support your body's protein requirements. They are a fantastic source of high-quality complete proteins that make them essential for those looking to build and repair muscle tissue. The protein in beef contains all the essential amino acids your body needs.
Essential Nutrients
Iron: Beef is one of the best sources of heme iron, which is easily absorbed by the body. Iron plays a crucial role in transporting oxygen in your blood and preventing iron-deficiency anemia.
Vitamin B12: This vitamin is essential for brain health, nerve function, and the production of red blood cells. Beef roasts are among the top sources of vitamin B12, making them a must for maintaining your energy levels.
Zinc: Beef is rich in zinc, a mineral important for immune function, wound healing, and maintaining a healthy sense of taste and smell. A great roast with some broth is a great way to prepare the body for the upcoming flu & cold season.
Selenium: Selenium is an antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage. Stress is the #1 reason our cells get damaged. Eating a complete diet with lots of beef will help build up those cells and prevent the harm that our day-to-day lives cause to our bodies
Phosphorus: Phosphorus is a mineral that, along with calcium, is crucial for maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also plays a role in energy metabolism. Beef roasts provide a substantial amount of phosphorus.
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Beef contains vitamin B6, which is essential for brain development and function. It's involved in the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and help control sleep patterns. Vitamin B6 is also important for immune function and the formation of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in the blood.
Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): Riboflavin is essential for energy production and helps the body convert food into usable energy. It also plays a role in maintaining healthy skin, eyes, and nerve function.
Biotin (Vitamin B7): While present in smaller amounts, beef roasts contain biotin, which is important for maintaining healthy skin, hair, and nails. Biotin is also involved in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids.
Healthy Fats
While it's true that beef contains saturated fat, it's worth noting that not all saturated fats are created equal. Beef roasts contain healthy fats like oleic acid, the same heart-healthy fat found in olive oil. These healthy fats can help improve your cholesterol profile and support cardiovascular health when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
Conclusion
Cooking the perfect pot roast is all about savoring the meat. With the right cut of meat, some simple seasonings, and the slow cooking process, you'll experience a healthy home-cooked meal that you won’t find anywhere else.
The protein and healthy fats in beef roasts can help keep you feeling full and satisfied for longer periods. This can be particularly beneficial for those looking to manage their weight, as it reduces the likelihood of overeating or reaching for unhealthy snacks between meals.
One of the most compelling reasons to include beef roasts in your diet is their versatility and mouthwatering taste. Whether you slow-cook them for a tender pot roast, sear them for a quick and flavorful steak, or slice them for sandwiches, beef roasts can be prepared in a variety of ways to suit your taste preferences.
Eating a diet rich in beef will keep your body working smoothly and give you the support you need in the stressful active lives we lead. What you put into your body today will support the body you will become in the future. Make sure you’re giving yourself all the nutrients you need. Beef roasts are a great way to get those elements while providing an easy almost hands-off approach to cooking.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I hope these tools will help you prepare a meal you will love. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out at tidecreekfarms@gmail.com
