Cooking a perfect Sunday roast beef for the family is satisfying enough. But roasting two beef roasts at the same time to feed a crowd – and having both turn out mouthwateringly delicious – now that takes skill!
I’ve roasted my fair share of beef over the years for large gatherings. Through trial and error, I’ve learned the ins and outs of how to nail cooking two beef roasts simultaneously in a home oven
You can roast two beef roasts at the same time and get them both perfectly juicy and tender. In this guide, I’ll show you how to do it. Let’s get started!.
Choosing the Right Roast Beef Cuts
The first key step is selecting quality cuts of beef that are well-suited for roasting. Here are my top recommendations
-
Ribeye Roast – This prime rib is the king of beef roasts. It’s succulent, beefy, and full of flavorful marbling. The bone helps the meat stay juicy.
-
Top Sirloin Roast – A budget-friendly option that is lean yet tender when roasted. Easy to carve into slices.
-
Tri-Tip Roast – Flavorful with a nice marbling balance. The tapered shape can fit in oven nooks.
-
Eye of Round Roast: This meat is very lean, so it needs extra care not to dry out. Best choice for fans of rare roast beef.
-
Chuck Roast – A nicely marbled shoulder cut that turns out pull-apart tender when roasted low and slow.
No matter what cut you choose, look for roasts around 3-5 lbs each to feed a crowd. Uniform, compact shapes will cook most evenly.
Prepping the Beef for the Oven
To prep the roasts for the oven:
-
Pat the roasts dry with paper towels. Letting them air dry for 15-30 minutes helps too.
-
Coat all over with olive oil and generously season with salt and pepper. Add any other dried herbs or spices if desired.
-
For deeper flavor, rub with minced garlic. Rosemary, thyme, oregano also add nice aroma.
-
Searing the roasts first is optional but adds caramelization. Use a hot skillet to brown all sides.
-
Tie roasts with butcher’s twine to maintain an even shape and cook evenly.
-
Place each seasoned roast in its own roasting pan, with the fattier side up.
How to Time Roasting Two Beef Roasts
To calculate roasting times for two roasts:
-
Preheat oven to 350°F. For chuck roast or other tough cuts, use 300°F.
-
Roast the smaller roast first. Figure 12-15 minutes per pound for medium-rare doneness.
-
Say Roast #1 is 3 lbs. Roast for 36-45 minutes, until it reaches 125°F internally.
-
After removing Roast #1, tent it with foil to rest. Place Roast #2 in the oven.
-
Roast #2 will likely take 45-60 minutes total. Check temperature periodically.
-
Let roasts rest 30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute internally.
Oven Placement Tips When Cooking Two Roasts
To prevent burning or uneven cooking when roasting two beef roasts:
-
Stagger roasts on upper and lower racks to promote airflow. The convection fan helps too.
-
If roasts are crowding each other, rotate their positions halfway through cooking.
-
You can also swap their oven positions fully when removing Roast #1 and adding Roast #2.
-
Use a meat thermometer to monitor doneness instead of only relying on time.
-
If upper roast seems to be cooking too fast, tent it with foil to deflect heat from top heating element.
Serving Perfectly Cooked Two Beef Roasts
To serve two properly roasted beef roasts for a crowd:
-
Let roasts rest at least 30 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
-
Slice roasts across the grain into 1/4-1/2 inch thick pieces. Goes farther than carving big chunks.
-
If desired, make au jus from roast drippings to serve alongside for dipping.
-
Horseradish sauce, mustard, or chimichurri also pair great with roasted beef.
-
Round out the meal with rustic sides like roasted potatoes, sautéed greens, roasted carrots, Yorkshire puddings.
-
Leftover roast beef is excellent for sandwiches
Prime Rib Cooking Tips: The Tale of Two Rib Roasts
How to cook two beef roasts at once?
When cooking two beef roasts at once, it’s important to choose the right cuts of beef. The first step is to consider the purpose of each roast. If you want really tender meat as your main dish for a nicer meal, prime rib is a popular choice. It is well-marbled and full of flavor and tenderness.
How long does it take to cook a 2 lb roast?
How long does it take to cook 2 pounds of roast? Start checking doneness at 2 hours. The meat is done when it is very tender and starts to fall apart when you lift it, about 2 hours and 20 minutes. Learn how to make the best tender 2 lb pot roast for two using root vegetables and cooking it low and slow in a rich, red-wine gravy.
Does cooking time double when roasting two hunks of meat?
Despite lore to the contrary, the cooking time doesn’t double when you’re roasting two hunks of meat in the oven. Chances are one roast will be smaller than the other, so approximate the cooking time based on its weight and start testing it for doneness when the kitchen thermometer rings.
How long should a roast rest after cooking?
The lower cooking temperatures allow, in part, for the fact that the temperature will rise as the meat rests after cooking. A roast is usually allowed to rest 15 to 30 minutes once it is taken out on the oven.