The BEST Oven Roast Beef is tender, flavorful and perfect every time! Sunday roast has been a tradition in our family for years. We hope you love this classic recipe as much as we do.
How Do You Cook a Roast in the Oven?
Don’t be intimidated by oven roast. It couldn’t be easier! There are just a few tricks to getting that buttery, melt-in-your-mouth roast beef you love:
- Bring the meat to room temperature. Take it out of the fridge and let it relax a little before roasting.
- Start with the right pan or pot. A heavy duty roasting pan or a Dutch oven works best. It needs to be able to transfer from stove top to oven.
- Sear that meat! Using hot oil, sear all sides of your roast until there’s a nice brown crust. This step will ensure all those delicious juices stay locked in and give it a gorgeous color.
- For tantalizing fall-apart meat remember these two words: LOW and SLOW. Simmering at a lower heat for a longer period of time will give even tougher types of meat that tender texture your family will die over!
- Make sure your meat never roasts dry. Keep it covered in its natural juices and beef broth for maximum juicy tenderness.
How Long Does it Take to Cook a Roast Beef in the Oven?
Depending on the size of roast, plan to keep that meat snug in the oven for at least three hours (remember low and slooooow) for a three pound roast. Then add about an hour per extra pound on top of that.
But even better than watching a clock is using a meat thermometer. Oven roast is ready when it’s 160-165 degrees inside for a well done roast, or when it easily pulls apart with a fork. For medium rare, internal temperature should reach 125-130 degrees. For medium, internal temperature should reach 140-150 degrees.
Which Roast Beef Cut is Best for an Oven Roast?
Choosing a cut of meat can seem confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. With the low and slow method, most any cut can be roasted to tender perfection. But here are a few options to look for at the grocery store:
- Rump Roast
- Chuck Shoulder Pot Roast
- Rib Roast
- Ribeye Roast
- Tenderloin Roast
- Top Sirloin Steak
- Tri-Tip Roast (try this Rosemary Tri-Tip Roast!)
- Round Tip Roast
- Bottom Round Roast
- Eye Round Steak
Optional Roast Beef Cooking Methods
Growing up, Sunday just wasn’t Sunday without the waft of savory roast permeating the house. But sometimes during the summer, our mom refused to heat up the house using the oven. This Slow Cooker Roast Beef came to the rescue during those hot months and is so delicious! And now with the popularity of the Instant Pot, a homemade roast can be on the table in a fraction of the time. Try our Instant Pot Sunday Pot Roast for a quick and easy roast dinner.
How to Make Beef Gravy from Beef Drippings
Don’t forget about the show-stopper topper: gravy! Those delectable drippings from the pan make the richest, creamiest gravy you’ve ever had. It’s delicious over roast, mashed potatoes, veggies, rice, just about anything. Just use our simple tips for How to Make the Best Beef Gravy. It’s easy, fool-proof and oh so yummy.
How to Make Roast Beef in the Oven
Ingredients
- 3 pounds rump roast (see notes above for meat options)
- kosher salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 (2-ounce) package dry onion soup mix
- 1 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Remove roast from refrigerator and allow to come to room-temperature (about 30-40 minutes). Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Trim excess fat from roast and generously rub all sides with Kosher salt.
- In a heavy roasting pan or Dutch oven, over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add roast to pan and sear on all sides for about one minute per side. You want the roast to be brown all over.
- Sprinkle onion soup mix over the roast and pour beef broth over the top and around the inside of the roasting pan.
- Cover and roast in the oven for 3 hours or until beef is fall-apart tender (add 40-60 minutes per pound over 3 pounds).
- Allow roast beef to rest 10-15 minutes, still covered or wrapped in foil, before carving.
Equipment
- Conventional Oven
Ronda Riley says
Can I add vegetables around the roast while it’s cooking?
Echo Blickenstaff says
Yes! We often add potatoes, onions, and carrots.
Stacy Turner says
Need a little advise…I’m using this recipe on Sunday, I have a 6# rump roast, how many hours should I cook it at 300 degrees? Want it tender but not dry!
Thank you for your help
Echo Blickenstaff says
Rump roast is tricky because it is a tougher piece of meat. Read through the entire post for tips. Make sure you bring the roast to room temperature, or close to it, before cooking. Remove it from the fridge an hour before you prepare it. Also, use a heavy roasting pan or Dutch oven and a meat thermometer. As far as cooking time, I would roast your 6 lb roast for 4 hours and then check the internal temperature. If you like it more on the medium side, you will want the temperature to be around 150. If you like it more well done, you will want the internal temperature to be between 160-165.
Erin says
Very good recipe, I put some of the trimmed off fat atop the roast for added moisture.
Ann says
Your oven is Celsius, the recipe is in Farenheit. You need to convert to suit.
Cindy says
Have a question can I sear the roast in a cast iron skillet and then just transfer skillet to oven , if so do I cover it and still cook on 300 for 3hrs?
Favorite Family Recipes says
Yeah that should work!
Heather Markham says
You say cook low but suggest an oven temp of 300. That is extremely high? My oven only goes to 260 which is very, very hot. Please explain?
Emily Walker says
This is for 300 degrees fahrenheit. What temperature system are you using, celsius? If so that would be about 149 degrees celsius.
joanne says
300 F. I think you have an oven that is in celsius.
Nancy says
This turned out to be the best roast I’ve ever made. It was tender and very tasty. Thanks for sharing this recipe.