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Perfect Pot Roast

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Perfect Pot Roast

Materials

  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground fennel
  • 1 3-pound chuck roast
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 large carrots peeled and cut into 2-inch-long chunks
  • 1/2 pound cipollini onions peeled, or 1 large Vidalia onion, cut into 1/4- to 1/2-inch dice
  • 3 garlic cloves smashed
  • 1 1/4 cups hard cider or apple cider if you prefer nonalcoholic
  • 3 1/2 cups beef broth
  • 6 fresh thyme sprigs
  • 1 fresh rosemary sprig
  • 1 fresh or dried bay leaf
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325ºF.
  • Combine the salt, pepper, and ground fennel in a small bowl. Generously season the roast with the spice mixture.
  • Add enough oil to a large Dutch oven to coat the bottom. Heat it over medium-high heat, add the roast, and sear 8 to 10 minutes total, turning to brown all sides. Transfer the roast to a bowl.
  • Add the carrots, onions, and garlic and season lightly with salt and pepper. Sauté the vegetables until browned, 5 to 8 minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic. Remove the vegetables and place in a clean bowl.
  • Deglaze the pot with 1 cup of the cider. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up any brown bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pot. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Add 2 cups of the broth and bring it to a boil again.
  • Add 4 sprigs of the thyme, the rosemary, bay leaf, and roast to the pot (reserving the vegetables in the bowl). Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer.
  • Cover the pot, place it in the oven, and roast for 2 hours. Add the reserved vegetables and roast for 1 more hour, until the roast is fork-tender but not mushy.
  • Remove the roast and vegetables to a large bowl or platter and cover to keep warm. Let the braising liquid cool slightly, then strain the liquid into a bowl (discard the solids).
  • Skim off any fat that has risen to the top.
  • Purée the braising liquid in a blender.
  • To make the sauce, heat 2 tablespoons oil in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the flour and stir to combine with the oil. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup cider and the tomato paste and mix well.
  • Return the braising liquid to the pot along with the remaining 1 1/2 cups beef broth and the remaining 2 thyme sprigs. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, until the sauce is thickened.
  • Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Remove the thyme sprigs.
  • To serve, slice the pot roast, arrange the vegetables around it, and pour the sauce over the top.
  • In many pot roast recipes, there is an element of alcohol. In mine, I use hard cider, but you can also try red wine, a heavy beer, or—for your Irish friends—Guinness. The booze gives the meat an extra dimension but won’t get the family hammered.