Family Favorite Pot Roast

Featured in: Lemon-&-Herb Home Dinners

This slow-cooked pot roast features tender beef chuck seared and braised with an assortment of root vegetables including carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Aromatic herbs like thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves infuse the dish with rich flavors. Cooking low and slow in a Dutch oven ensures meltingly tender meat and caramelized vegetables. The combination of red wine, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce creates a savory braising liquid perfect for cozy family meals. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the luscious pan juices.

Updated on Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:48:00 GMT
Tender, fall-apart Everyday Family Favorite Pot Roast surrounded by golden-brown root vegetables in a flavorful gravy. Save on Pinterest
Tender, fall-apart Everyday Family Favorite Pot Roast surrounded by golden-brown root vegetables in a flavorful gravy. | lemoncairn.com

A classic, comforting pot roast slow-cooked to tender perfection with hearty root vegetables and aromatic herbs—perfect for cozy family dinners.

This pot roast has been a beloved family dinner for years, bringing everyone together around the table with its rich aroma and tender meat.

Ingredients

  • Meat: 3 lbs (1.4 kg) beef chuck roast, trimmed, 1 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Vegetables: 4 large carrots peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces, 3 parsnips peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces, 3 medium russet potatoes peeled and quartered, 2 medium yellow onions peeled and quartered, 3 celery stalks cut into large pieces, 4 garlic cloves smashed
  • Liquids & Seasonings: 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth (gluten-free if needed), 1 cup (240 ml) dry red wine (or extra broth), 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed), 2 tsp dried thyme, 2 tsp dried rosemary, 2 bay leaves

Instructions

Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C).
Step 2:
Pat the chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt and pepper.
Step 3:
In a large Dutch oven or heavy oven-safe pot, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sear the roast on all sides until browned (about 3 to 4 minutes per side). Transfer to a plate.
Step 4:
Add onions, carrots, parsnips, celery, and garlic to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Step 5:
Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute.
Step 6:
Pour in wine to deglaze, scraping up browned bits. Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
Step 7:
Return the roast to the pot. Add potatoes, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Liquid should come halfway up the meat—add more broth if needed.
Step 8:
Cover tightly with a lid and transfer to the oven. Roast for 2.5 to 3 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
Step 9:
Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to allow the vegetables to caramelize slightly.
Step 10:
Discard bay leaves. Slice roast against the grain and serve with vegetables and pan juices.
A close-up of a steaming Everyday Family Favorite Pot Roast, showcasing the succulent meat and hearty vegetables. Save on Pinterest
A close-up of a steaming Everyday Family Favorite Pot Roast, showcasing the succulent meat and hearty vegetables. | lemoncairn.com

This dish always creates warm memories around our dining table with laughter and sharing stories.

Required Tools

Large Dutch oven or oven-safe heavy pot with lid, chefs knife, cutting board, tongs

Allergen Information

Contains none of the major allergens. Always check ingredient labels if you have specific allergies.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories 485, Total Fat 21 g, Carbohydrates 34 g, Protein 41 g

Enjoy a hearty bowl of Everyday Family Favorite Pot Roast, perfectly cooked, with aromatic herbs for a comforting meal. Save on Pinterest
Enjoy a hearty bowl of Everyday Family Favorite Pot Roast, perfectly cooked, with aromatic herbs for a comforting meal. | lemoncairn.com

Serve with crusty bread and your favorite robust red wine for a truly comforting meal.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What cut of beef works best for this dish?

Beef chuck roast is ideal for slow cooking because it becomes tender and flavorful when braised gently over a few hours.

Can I substitute the root vegetables?

Yes, sweet potatoes, turnips, or rutabaga can replace some or all of the carrots, parsnips, and potatoes for variation.

How do I thicken the cooking liquid for a richer sauce?

Remove meat and vegetables, then simmer the liquid while whisking in a slurry of cornstarch and water until thickened.

Is it necessary to sear the meat before braising?

Searing adds a deep brown crust that enhances flavor and helps develop complexity in the braising liquid.

What cooking vessels work best for this preparation?

A heavy oven-safe pot or Dutch oven with a tight-fitting lid ensures even heat and moisture retention during slow cooking.

Can this dish accommodate dietary restrictions?

Using gluten-free Worcestershire sauce and broth allows this to be gluten-free. Always check labels to confirm allergen status.

Family Favorite Pot Roast

Classic tender beef with carrots, parsnips, and potatoes slow-cooked with herbs and wine.

Prep Time
20 min
Time to Cook
210 min
Overall Time
230 min


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Portions

Dietary details Milk-Free, No Gluten

What You Need

Meat

01 3 lbs beef chuck roast, trimmed
02 1 tbsp olive oil
03 1 tsp kosher salt
04 1/2 tsp black pepper

Vegetables

01 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
02 3 parsnips, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
03 3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
04 2 medium yellow onions, peeled and quartered
05 3 celery stalks, cut into large pieces
06 4 garlic cloves, smashed

Liquids & Seasonings

01 2 cups beef broth (gluten-free if needed)
02 1 cup dry red wine or extra beef broth
03 2 tbsp tomato paste
04 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
05 2 tsp dried thyme
06 2 tsp dried rosemary
07 2 bay leaves

How to Make It

Step 01

Preheat oven: Set the oven to 325°F.

Step 02

Season the beef: Pat the beef chuck roast dry and coat all sides evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.

Step 03

Sear the roast: Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the roast on all sides until a deep brown crust forms, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.

Step 04

Sauté vegetables: Add onions, carrots, parsnips, celery, and garlic to the pot and sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 05

Add tomato paste: Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 minute to develop flavor.

Step 06

Deglaze and add liquids: Pour in red wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up browned bits, then add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.

Step 07

Combine ingredients: Return the roast to the pot; add potatoes, dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Ensure liquid comes halfway up the meat, adding more broth if necessary.

Step 08

Roast covered: Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and place in the oven. Roast for 2.5 to 3 hours until the meat is fork-tender.

Step 09

Finish roasting uncovered: Remove the lid for the last 30 minutes to allow vegetables to caramelize slightly.

Step 10

Serve: Discard bay leaves, slice the roast against the grain, and plate with vegetables and pan juices.

Equipment Needed

  • Large Dutch oven or oven-safe heavy pot with lid
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Tongs

Allergy Alerts

Review ingredients for allergens and contact your healthcare provider for guidance.
  • May contain anchovies and gluten if Worcestershire sauce is not gluten-free; verify ingredient labels for allergies.

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Nutritional content is for informational use and is not a substitute for healthcare advice.
  • Calorie Count: 485
  • Total Fat: 21 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 41 g