A Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Tender and Flavorful Cube Roll Roast Beef

Cube roll roast, also known as chuck eye roll, is a wonderfully versatile and flavorful cut of beef. It’s inexpensive, well-marbled with fat, and turns succulent and juicy when cooked properly. Cube roll is great for roasting, braising, or slow cooking. With a few simple tricks, you can make amazing cube roll roast beef at home.

In this article, I’ll explain what to look for when buying cube roll, seasoning and preparation tips, and provide a step-by-step cubing roll recipe. You’ll learn perfect cook times and temperatures, as well as how to slice it for serving. Let’s dive in – cubed roll beef made easy!

What is Cube Roll Roast Beef?

Cube roll comes from the beef chuck primal cut near the shoulder/neck region It contains parts of the chuck eye muscle and cross-sections of shoulder tender muscle. This gives cube roll roast excellent marbling for added moisture and flavor

The name comes from the distinctive cube-like shape when the meat is tied, and oval “roll” shape in cross-section. It’s a very affordable cut and provides 3-4 lb roasts perfect for family meals.

Benefits of Cube Roll Roast Beef

There are several advantages that make cube roll a great beef roast choice:

• Inexpensive compared to premium cuts like rib roast

• Abundant marbling provides moist, tender meat

• Holds up well to dry-heat roasting or slow braising

• Makes a nice presentation when carved due to uniform shape

• Versatile for a variety of meals from Sunday dinner to sandwiches

Selecting a Quality Cube Roll Roast

When choosing a cube roll roast, look for:

• Good marbling but not excessive large seams of fat

• Nice bright red color throughout the meat

• Even thickness so it cooks evenly

• Packaged weight between 3-4 pounds for a family meal

• Minimal surface fat that needs to be trimmed

• Healthy color with no graying or dry spots

Cube roll roasts are sold pre-tied, or you can have your butcher custom tie one for you.

Preparing Cube Roll Roast Before Cooking

Proper preparation is key for tender, flavorful beef:

• Trim – Use a sharp knife to remove excess surface fat and silver skin. Leave about 1/4″ fat.

• Season – Generously season all over with salt, pepper and any other dry rub spices.

• Bring to room temp – Take roast out of fridge at least 30 minutes before cooking.

• Sear – Quickly brown all sides in a hot skillet before slow cooking.

• Make crust – For roasted beef, spread on mustard, herbs, or spice paste to form crust.

How to Cook Cube Roll Roast in the Oven

Roasting in the oven is a great hands-off cooking method for cube roll. Follow these tips:

• Heat – Preheat oven to 325°F. Use a meat thermometer for best results.

• Pan – Use a roasting pan just large enough to hold roast. Add broth or wine to pan.

• Cook time – Approx. 25-30 minutes per pound for medium doneness.

• Internal temp – Roast to 135°F for medium-rare. Let rest 15 minutes before carving.

• Make jus – Spoon hot pan juices over roast slices for added flavor.

The cube shape makes for beautiful presentation when you carve and serve this oven roasted beef.

Step-by-Step Recipe for Slow Cooker Cube Roll

You can also braise cube roll roast in a slow cooker with fantastic results. Here’s a simple recipe:

Ingredients:

• 3 lb cube roll roast
• 1 cup beef broth or wine
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• Salt, pepper, other seasonings

Instructions:

1. Trim roast and season generously with salt and pepper.

2. Heat skillet over high heat. Add roast and brown all sides.

3. Place onions and garlic in slow cooker. Add roast on top.

4. Pour in broth and add bay leaves, Worcestershire sauce.

5. Cook on LOW heat for 8-10 hours until very tender.

6. Remove roast, slice across the grain and serve!

The braising liquid makes an amazing sauce. cube roll is delicious served this way for Sunday dinners or shredded for sandwiches.

Carving and Serving Cube Roll Roast Beef

To get tidy slices, follow these carving tips:

• Let roast rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing to reabsorb juices.

• Identify the grain of the meat and slice perpendicular across the grain.

• Use an electric knife or very sharp knife for clean slices.

• Cut across the roast in thin slices. Arrange slices layered on a platter.

• Serve jus from the pan spooned over the top or on the side for dipping.

Going across the grain gives you fork-tender slices that look nice on the plate. The uniform shape of cube roll makes it a fun roast to carve and serve.

Cube roll roast beef is an under-appreciated cut that delivers delicious flavor at a budget-friendly price. Proper cooking brings out its best qualities. With the simple roasting or braising methods above, you’ll gain confidence cooking up amazing cube roll roasts.