How to Slow Roast Beef Roast in the Oven for Maximum Tenderness

Slow roasting a beef roast in the oven results in incredibly flavorful melt-in-your-mouth tender meat. While it requires patience the payoff of a perfect roast is well worth the wait. This complete guide covers how to choose the right cut, prep, season, and slow roast beef roast for finger-licking results.

Why Slow Roast Beef Roast?

Slow roasting is the key to making inexpensive beef cuts like chuck roast, rump roast and eye of round incredibly tender and delicious. The low heat gently breaks down the collagen in the meat over several hours, transforming it into luscious gelatin that bastes the beef from within.

The extended oven time also allows the seasonings and natural flavors of the meat to fully develop without overcooking it. Slow roasting keeps the interior moist and juicy. The result is a wonderfully tender, sliceable roast brimming with rich roasted beef flavor.

Tips for Choosing Beef Roast for Slow Roasting

Look for well-marbled cuts like chuck roast rump roast eye round, or bottom round roast. The fat content helps keep the lean meat moist and tender.

Chuck roast is a top choice with great marbling. Look for a boneless chuck roast about 3-5 pounds.
Eye of round has fabulous beefy flavor but less fat so salt and slow roast carefully.
Avoid expensive prime rib roast or tenderloin – those delicate cuts would be wasted with long cooking.

Seasoning and Preparing Beef Roast

Proper prep ensures your roast turns out succulent, not dry. Follow these tips:

Generously season the roast all over with salt, pepper and herbs. Let rest 30 minutes to 2 hours at room temperature so flavors absorb.
For chuck roast, poke 6 cloves garlic into slits cut around the roast. The garlic infuses incredible flavor.
Quickly sear all sides of the roast in a hot skillet to caramelize the exterior and seal in juices.
Set roast fat side up on a rack in a roasting pan. The rack allows air circulation for even cooking.
Scatter root veggies like carrots, potatoes or onions around the roast to pick up the meaty flavors.

How to Slow Roast Beef in the Oven

Follow this simple oven roasting method for perfect results:

Preheat oven to 425°F. Place seasoned roast on rack in pan and roast 30 minutes.
Reduce heat to 300°F. Continue roasting 4-6 hours until fork tender.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Stop at 125°F for medium rare or 140°F for medium.
Resist opening the oven! This releases heat and moisture, slowing the cooking.
Let roast rest 20-30 minutes before slicing to allow juices to redistribute.

Oven Roasting Tips and Techniques

Adhere to these best practices when slow roasting beef for ultimate satisfaction:

Roast in a shallow pan so oven heat can penetrate and surround the meat.
Keep roast uncovered – the high oven humidity will prevent drying out.
Roast low and slow at 200-300°F to gently melt collagen for tenderness.
Check temperature and continue roasting if needed until meat is fall-apart tender.
Let oven preheat fully before adding roast. Don’t drop temp by opening door.
Use a leave-in digital meat thermometer to monitor temp without opening oven.

Make Incredible Gravy from Roast Drippings

The flavorful pan juices make phenomenal gravy. Here’s how:

Remove roast from pan and skim off most of the clear fat from juices.
Whisk a few tablespoons of flour into the juices to thicken into a gravy.
Add beef broth to thin and dissolve any flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan.
Season gravy with salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer until desired thickness.

Serving Ideas for Slow Roasted Beef Roast

Slice your succulent roast beef thin and serve it:

On hearty bread for French dip sandwiches with meaty au jus for dipping.
In a cream sauce over egg noodles, rice or mashed potatoes.
Piled on crusty rolls for roast beef sandwiches with lettuce, tomato and mayo.
As part of a salad with mixed greens, blue cheese, and balsamic dressing.
In quesadillas, burritos, tacos, enchiladas and other Mexican favorites.
Diced up in soups, stews, chilies, pasta sauces, or casseroles.

Common Questions about Slow Roasting Beef

Still have some questions? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

What is the best temperature to slow roast beef? Between 200-300°F is ideal. High enough to render fat and develop flavor but low enough to gently melt collagen.

Should you sear beef roast before roasting? Yes, always quickly sear all sides before slow roasting. It seals in juices and gives great caramelized flavor.

How long per pound to roast beef at 300°F? Estimate 20-30 minutes per pound at 300°F. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer for accuracy.

Can you roast beef at 350°F? While 350°F will work, true slow roasting occurs lower, between 200-300°F. The collagen breakdown that makes roasts tender happens best below 300°F.

What is the minimum internal temperature for roast beef? 125°F for rare, 135°F for medium rare, 140°F for medium, 160°F well done. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.

Master the Art of Slow Roasting Beef

Patience pays off when slow roasting beef roast in the oven. Follow this guide for roasts loaded with rich roasted beef flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. Your family will be begging for seconds!

How to Cook Perfect Roast Beef | Jamie Oliver

FAQ

How long will it take to cook a roast at 250 degrees?

“If you cook the roast at 250 degrees, it will take about 40 to 45 minutes per pound. For slower roasting at 200 degrees Fahrenheit, it will take from 45 minutes to an hour per pound,” Resnick notes.

What is the best temperature for slow cooking beef?

Best cooked at 150-170C, recipes that require slow-roasting are trickier to control using a domestic oven. Brown the joint first to give it a bit of colour, cook it covered on low, then turn up the heat at the end to brown the meat.

What temperature do you slow cook a roast at?

Set the Folding Proofer & Slow Cooker on Slow Cook Mode at 195 °F / 90 °C for a perfect and delicious roast. Prep time is under 15 minutes. Long and slow cooking creates a fall-apart tender chuck roast.

Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350?

When roasting meat and poultry, set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) or higher. Explore the charts below to learn how to get great results every time you cook.

How do you cook low & slow roasted beef?

Add a wire rack to the roasting pan to elevate the beef and prevent it from sticking to the bottom. Place the seasoned beef on the wire rack and insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast. Roasting beef low and slow is an art form that transforms an ordinary cut of meat into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.

Is slow roasting a good idea?

This slow roasting method at low heat is good for tougher cuts of beef; the lower heat prevents gristle from getting too tough. Roast beef made this way is easy, relatively inexpensive (compared to other cuts of beef), and you get great leftovers for roast beef sandwiches.

Can You slow cook a roast in the oven?

Slow cooking meat in the oven makes a tasty dish when roasted with herbs, spices and broth. It’s the kind of meal your family will want to linger over and savor. The best way to slow-cook a roast in the oven involves browning the meat on the stove, and then cooking it for several hours in the oven with broth and seasonings.

How long do you cook a roast in a crock pot?

Loosely cover with plastic wrap and chill at least 12 hours and up to 2 days. Preheat oven to 200°. Place roast on a wire rack set inside a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of meat registers 118°–120° for medium-rare, about 2½ hours.