In this culinary episode of “Cooking With Stella”, we delve into the heart of hearty comfort food—the braised chuck roast. Braising, the culinary technique that transforms tough cuts into succulent delicacies, takes center stage in today’s recepie.
Chuck roast, a flavorful cut of beef, becomes incredibly tender and succulent when slowly braised. This dish is perfect for a cozy family dinner or a special occasion. Follow these step-by-step instructions for a mouthwatering dish that will leave your guests impressed.
Braised Chuck Roast, The Prep Work and Tips
1. Choose Quality Chuck Roast: Select a well-marbled chuck roast for the best flavor and tenderness.
2. Patience is key. Braising is a slow-cooking method, so be patient. The longer the chuck roast simmers, the more tender it becomes.
3. Sear for Flavor: Start by searing the meat to lock in those savory juices and create a delicious crust.
4. Layer Flavors: Build layers of flavor by adding aromatic, vegetables, herbs, and a flavorful liquid like broth or red wine.
5. Low and Slow: Maintain a low and consistent heat for the best results. Use a heavy-bottomed, oven-safe pot such as a dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid.
Braised Chuck Roast Ingredients:
- 2 pounds of chuck roast
- Gypsy Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Half a cup of onions chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks, sliced (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup red wine (optional; beef broth for a non-alcoholic option)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Small potatoes ( optional )
Cooking Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season it generously with Stella’s Gypsy on all sides.
In a large, oven-safe pot such as a Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chuck roast on all sides until browned. This step enhances the flavor of the meat as it creates a nice crust, adding a nice texture that contracts between crunchiness and tenderness.
Saute Aromatics: After searing the chuck roast, place it on a small rack and lower the stove heat to low.
Add chopped onion, sliced carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Saute until the vegetables are softened.
Deglaze the bottom of the pot with wine, beef broth, or even water. Pour in the red wine (or beef broth) to deglaze the pot, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom. I normally use water, but this is one area where you can experiment and add your own touch. Wine can add interesting flavors to the meat, but if you are happy with tasting pure beef flavor, then Watter will do.
Add Liquid and Seasonings: Pour in whatever liquid you decide to use, add thyme, rosemary, and more GYPSY seasoning. Stir to combine.
Add the meat to the pot and braise in the oven. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
Alternately, you can braise the beef chuck roast using your stove; the key is to use a setting such as low simmer. Some stoves may not have such a setting, and the low fire setting on a regular stove might be too high for this low and slow cook.
Check for doneness: After the cooking time, check the chuck roast for doneness. The roast should easily break when pulled with a fork. If not, return to the oven for an additional 15–20 minutes.
Serve and Enjoy: Once done, remove the pot from the oven. Discard spices that you might not want on your plate. Slice the chuck roast and serve it with the flavorful vegetables and sauce.
Braised Chuck Roast
Equipment
- Dutch oven
Ingredients
- 2 pounds of chuck roast
- Gypsy Seasoning
- 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil
- Half a cup of onions chopped
- 2 carrots peeled and sliced
- 2 celery stalks sliced (optional)
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup red wine optional; beef broth for a non-alcoholic option
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Small potatoes optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season it generously with Stella’s Gypsy on all sides.
- In a large, oven-safe pot such as a Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Sear the chuck roast on all sides until browned.
- Saute Aromatics: After searing the chuck roast, place it on a small rack and lower the heat to low.
- Add chopped onion, sliced carrots, celery, and minced garlic to the pot. Saute until the vegetables are softened.
- Deglaze the bottom of the pot with wine, beef broth, or even water. Pour in the red wine (or beef broth) to deglaze the pot, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom. I normally use water, but this is one area where you can experiment and add your own touch.
- Add Liquid and Seasonings: Pour in whatever liquid you decide to use, add thyme, rosemary, and more GYPSY seasoning. Stir to combine.
- Add the meat to the pot and braise in the oven. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Braise for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the meat is fork-tender.
- NOTE: Alternately, you can braise the beef chuck roast using your stove; the key is to use a setting such as low simmer. Some stoves may not have such a setting, and the low fire setting on a regular stove might be too high for this low and slow cook.
- Check for doneness: After the cooking time, check the chuck roast for doneness. The roast should easily break when pulled with a fork. If not, return to the oven for an additional 15–20 minutes.
- Serve and Enjoy!
You Did It!
You took it upon yourself to make a delicious dish that is often found in high-end kitchens around the country, and you did it all from the comfort of your home. I’m sure for way less too!
This perfectly braised chuck roast recipe is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. The slow cooking process ensures a melt-in-your-mouth tenderness that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a festive gathering, this braised chuck roast is sure to become a family favorite.