Roast beef is a classic centerpiece for holidays, special occasions, and Sunday family dinners. When seasoned well, it becomes fall-apart tender and bursting with juicy flavor. The key to taking an ordinary cut of beef and transforming it into a mouthwatering masterpiece lies in properly seasoning the meat before roasting. With the right blend of spices, herbs, aromatics, and techniques, you can easily achieve restaurant-quality roast beef right at home.
Choosing the Perfect Cut of Beef
The first step is selecting a high-quality cut of beef that is well-suited for roasting Here are some of the best options
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Rib Roast – This prime rib cut has the most marbling, ensuring tender, juicy results. The rib bones add even more flavor.
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Chuck Roast – Well-marbled and affordable, chuck roast is a top choice for pot roasts. The connective tissue breaks down into gelatin for tenderness.
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Sirloin Tip – Taken from the round primal, sirloin tip is lean yet still fairly tender. It benefits from bold seasoning.
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Eye Round – Very lean but not as tender. Compensate with heavy seasoning and slow roasting.
For the most foolproof roast, look for cuts with ample marbling, as the fat bastes the meat from within and keeps it moist. Bone-in cuts add even more beefy flavor.
Essential Seasonings for Beef Roast
A well-balanced blend of seasonings can take your roast beef from bland and boring to irresistibly delicious. Here are some all-star flavor boosters:
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Salt – Enhances natural flavor and aids in tenderizing the meat. Kosher salt is best.
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Black Pepper – Provides a bit of heat and spice aroma. Go for freshly cracked peppercorns.
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Garlic – Minced garlic or powder infuses an unmistakable richness.
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Rosemary – The woodsy fragrance complements beef perfectly. Use fresh or dried.
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Thyme – Earthy and aromatic. Dried thyme packs plenty of flavor.
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Paprika – Adds a touch of sweetness and beautiful color. Smoked paprika is especially tasty.
Don’t be afraid to get creative with spices like cumin, chili powder, oregano, sage, and cayenne pepper. Layering seasonings results in a more complex, intriguing flavor.
Top Tips for Seasoning Roast Beef
Follow these tips for roast beef that’s seasoned to absolute perfection:
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Coat Evenly – Rub the seasoning mixture thoroughly over all surfaces of the roast so flavor permeates the whole cut.
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Let Sit – After seasoning, let the roast rest for 15-30 minutes before roasting so the spices and herbs can penetrate deeper into the meat.
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Sear First – Before roasting, quickly sear the seasoned roast in a hot pan to lock in flavor.
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Baste – Frequently baste the roast with pan juices while it’s roasting to keep it incredibly moist.
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Rest Afterwards – Let roast beef rest for 10-15 minutes after cooking so juices can redistribute before slicing.
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Finish with Flavor – Right before serving, sprinkle extra seasoning over sliced roast beef for a flavor boost.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow this simple process for flawlessly seasoned roast beef:
1. Select Roast & Prepare
Choose a 2-3 lb chuck roast, rib roast, sirloin tip, or eye round. Rinse, pat dry, and trim off any excess fat.
2. Make Seasoning Rub
In a small bowl, combine ingredients like salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, paprika, oil, and spices of choice.
3. Coat Roast & Let Sit
Thoroughly rub seasoning mixture all over the roast. Cover entire surface. Let sit for 15-30 minutes at room temperature.
4. Quickly Sear Roast
In a hot skillet, sear roast on all sides just until browned, 1-2 minutes per side.
5. Roast in Oven
Place roast in 300°F oven and roast until internal temperature reaches 125°F for medium-rare doneness, about 1 hr 15 min.
6. Rest, Slice, and Serve
Allow roast to rest 10-15 minutes before slicing against the grain. Top with extra seasoning to taste.
Sample Seasoning Recipes
Try these flavorful seasoning blends on your next roast beef:
Simple Herb Rub
- 2 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp dried thyme
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Southwestern Spice Rub
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp brown sugar
Greek-Inspired Rub
- 1 tbsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried mint
- 1 tbsp lemon zest
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Experiment with your own spice combinations featuring your favorite herbs, aromatics, and global flavors. Tailor the blend to complement the specific cut of roast beef you are preparing.
Doneness Tips
Using an instant-read thermometer is the only surefire way to test for perfect doneness:
- Rare – 120-125°F
- Medium-Rare – 130-135°F
- Medium – 140-145°F
- Medium-Well – 150°F
- Well-Done – 155°F+
For the most tender, juicy roast beef, remember to remove it from the oven when it’s 5°F below your target temperature since it will continue cooking as it rests.
Masterfully Seasoned Roast Beef
With the right cut of meat, flavorful homemade seasoning rub, and proper roasting technique, you can achieve exceptional roast beef worthy of any special occasion. Getting creative with global spices and herb combinations will take your roast to the next level. Before you know it, you’ll be able to season roast beef like a pro!
How to Make Pot Roast Seasoning
If you’re looking to make a delicious pot roast seasoning from home, you can easily rely on some spices and herbs you may already have on hand in your spice cabinet.
I love to make seasonings at home because I have so much control over the flavor profile, and it’s fun to play around with the ingredients to alter the results and experiment with your family.
While our spicy seasoning rub is not ideal for pot roast, it’s one of my favorites for fish or chicken, and of course our creole seasoning can be added to just about anything, from soups to salads to meat and seafood.
Seasoning is one often overlooked way to boost and improve the flavor in foods you already enjoy every day. When making pot roast seasoning, consider the end result you’re looking for.
If you want a savory, herbal flavor, combine the following ingredients in your spice mixture:
- Brown sugar (1/4 cup)
- Sea salt, coarse is best ( 1 ½ to 2 Tbsp)
- Black pepper (1 tsp)
- Dried thyme (1 Tbsp)
- Dried rosemary (1 tsp)
- Dried oregano (1 Tbsp)
- Dried parsley (1 Tbsp)
- Mustard powder (1 tsp)
- Onion powder (1 ½ Tbsp)
- Garlic powder (2 Tbsp)
Combine these delicious seasoning blend ingredients — that pack a ton of flavor — in a small bowl until combined.
You could also opt to use fresh herbs, or kosher salt if you prefer. Some people also add bay leaf or celery seed to their homemade spice blend.
To modify it to add some heat, try adding ½ tsp, or to desired flavor, of the following simple ingredients:
- Paprika
- Red pepper flakes
The variety of spices in this pot roast seasoning mix adds the perfect amount of flavor to your long slow cook beef pot roast, and only requires common ingredients!
This will season approximately two roasts in the 2.5 to 3 lb range.
You want to use about 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat. This will ensure that the meat is flavorful, without being overtaken by the spices and herbs.
Ready to use in just a few minutes, this simple pot roast seasoning recipe is easy to make and can be stored for several months at room temperature in an airtight container.
How to Season Pot Roast
Once you have made the pot roast seasoning recipe above, or created or purchased your own, the next step is to infuse the flavor.
To do this, you begin by patting the meat dry. Then you will sprinkle all sides of the meat with your seasoning, using about 2 tablespoons per pound of meat.
Dust lightly with flour if desired, then sear for about 2-3 minutes per side on all sides in a hot, oiled skillet to achieve a caramelized crust.
And if you’re actually making a prime rib roast, we have a different seasoning recipe you’ll want to use!
How to Cook Perfect Roast Beef | Jamie Oliver
FAQ
What should I season my roast beef with?
Mix together oil, rosemary, garlic, basil, salt, thyme and pepper in small bowl. Set mixture aside 5 to 10 minutes. Place beef Bottom Round Roast on baking rack in tall-sided roasting pan. Rub oil mixture on roast, covering all sides.
How do you season a roast before cooking?
The most basic seasoning is rubbing your roast liberally with kosher salt and pepper before setting it on a sheet tray or roasting pan in the fridge.
What seasonings are good for a roast?
- Salt: 1 tsp.
- Black pepper: 1/2 tsp.
- Garlic powder: 1/2 tsp.
- Onion powder: 1/2 tsp.
- Paprika: 1/2 tsp.
How do you add flavor to a roast?
Seasonings: Grandma’s pot roast was (let’s face it) a little bland sometimes. Ours is not! We add Italian seasoning, fresh thyme and a dash of brown sugar to make this recipe sing. Tomato paste: One of our favorite pantry staples, tomato paste adds a ton of flavor.