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Oven-Braised Pot Roast

I don’t think I fully appreciated a good oven-braised pot roast until I turned 40. It’s a great thing. Pot roast is a generic term for browned meat cooked with vegetables in a covered pot.  It began appearing in cookbooks in the late 19th century. But this cooking method known as “braising” (or slow cooking in liquid) has been around for centuries.

Proper pot roast technique requires pan-searing the beef before slow-cooking it in a covered dish with liquids. In North America, when vegetables and potatoes are added the dish becomes a “Yankee pot roast”. Cuts such as chuck steak are popular for this technique because they are tougher. While the toughness of the fibers makes the cuts less desirable for roasting, braising allows the meat to break down, all while creating a rich flavorful beef broth in the process. The end result is tender, juicy meat that no one can pass up.

oven braised pot roast

I can’t be sure but maybe the name “pot roast” itself was off-putting to me as a child. The French call their version of this classic dish boeuf a la mode; to me, that kinda sounds more enticing. The real tricks to making a great pot roast are (1) proper seasoning (most common issue), (2) using good quality wine and beef stock, and (3) time.

Braising the perfect pot roast is not complicated at all, but you can’t rush it. Once assembled, all you need to do is place it in the oven and let it cook; it’s that simple, and it’s almost foolproof.

About the Author

Andrea Potischman

I am a professionally trained NYC chef turned CA mom and food blogger. I post about real food, with doable ingredient lists that are family friendly.

5 thoughts on "Oven-Braised Pot Roast"

  1. Avatar photo David Shattuck says:

    I have made this many times, it is great. And when Kroger (the store) does a BOGO (discount) on the roast, we’re going to make twice as much.

    1. Thanks so much for dropping a comment David about this recipe. I’m really glad you like it. This has been a favorite of mine for years and it could not be easier to make. Happy holidays. Stay safe out there!

  2. Avatar photo Julie Hadidi says:

    Made this awesome dish. My first time ever making pot roast. Everyone loved it!!!
    The step by step instructions made it so simple & easy to follow. Crowd pleaser. Looked & tasted fantastic. Thank you ??

    1. Love hearing this Julie!!!!! You are awesome.

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