This recipe will teach you how to make perfect roast beef. It includes instructions on how to cook your roast to any temperature you choose, so it will be a hit at any event you host. Whether it’s family or guests, I’ve got you covered for a gorgeous dinner table centrepiece.
Roast beef is a classic main dish that is beloved for its rich, beefy flavor and tender, mouthwatering texture when done right. However, cooking roast beef can seem daunting, especially when dealing with a 3lb size. Determining the right roasting time is key to achieving roast beef that is perfectly cooked from edge to edge without drying out
Here is a comprehensive guide to roasting a 3lb roast beef in the oven including tips and techniques for seasoning monitoring doneness, and troubleshooting to help you nail tender, juicy roast beef every time.
Choosing the Right Roast
Selecting a high-quality cut of beef is the first step to succulent roast beef. The most suitable cuts include:
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Ribeye roast: Taken from the rib section, this cut has beautiful marbling that keeps it tender and flavorful. The bone-in ribeye roast is also known as prime rib.
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Top loin roast: Cut from the short loin, this is a leaner roast that is still fairly tender. It offers great beefy flavor.
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Chuck roast: A shoulder cut that benefits from slow roasting to become fork-tender. It has more connective tissue than pricier roasts.
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Rump roast: This cheap cut comes from the round primal and tastes good when roasted slowly. Slice across the grain when serving.
Seasoning the Roast
Proper seasoning is key for enhancing flavor. Try:
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Dry rub: Coat the roast all over with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and herbs.
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Slathering mustard: Spreading spicy mustard helps the seasoning adhere.
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Herb paste: Mince garlic, rosemary, thyme and rub it all over the meat.
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Marinade: For a boost of flavor, marinate the roast overnight in a blend of oil, vinegar, and seasoning.
Preparing for Roasting
Trussing, searing, and using a meat thermometer are important prep steps:
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Trussing: Tie kitchen string around boneless roasts to maintain their shape.
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Searing: Brown the roast in a hot skillet before roasting to develop a flavorful crust.
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Meat thermometer: Insert a probe thermometer into the thickest part without touching bone. This allows you to monitor the internal temperature.
How Long to Roast a 3lb Beef Roast
For a 3lb roast, calculate roasting time as follows:
- Rare: 15-20 minutes per lb (45 – 60 minutes total)
- Medium Rare: 18-22 minutes per lb (54 – 66 minutes)
- Medium: 22-25 minutes per lb (66 – 75 minutes)
- Well Done: 25-30+ minutes per lb (75 – 90+ minutes)
Roast at 325°F, checking temperature periodically. Remove it from the oven when it’s 5°F below the target temperature to account for carryover cooking.
Monitoring Doneness
Always rely on temperature over time. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the roast to check for doneness. Target temperatures are:
- Rare: 120-125°F
- Medium Rare: 130-135°F
- Medium: 140-145°F
- Well Done: 155-160°F
The meat will continue cooking slightly after removal from the oven.
Letting the Roast Rest
Letting the roast rest is crucial for juicy, tender meat. Here’s how:
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Transfer roast to a cutting board and tent loosely with foil.
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Allow to rest for 15-20 minutes before carving.
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The temperature will climb 5-10°F during this time as juices redistribute.
Roasting Techniques
Along with proper seasoning and cooking times, technique is key:
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Use a roasting pan fitted with a rack to allow air circulation. The rack prevents steaming.
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Place roast fat-side up to allow self-basting.
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Halfway through roasting, you can brush with pan juices or broth to keep the meat moist.
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For a sear, increase the heat at the very beginning then lower it for the remainder.
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Letting the meat rest afterwards is mandatory for retaining moisture and tenderness.
Troubleshooting Roast Beef
Follow these tips if your roast beef turns out undercooked, overcooked or too dry:
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Undercooked: Return to oven and continue roasting until desired temperature is reached.
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Overcooked: Slice very thinly and serve with gravy or sauce to add moisture. Use leftovers for sandwiches.
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Too dry: Make a sauce with the pan drippings to moisten the meat after slicing. Prevent dryness next time by basting during roasting and not overcooking.
Tips for Juicy, Tender Roast Beef
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Choose a well-marbled cut like ribeye for best flavor and tenderness.
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Roast slowly at a moderate 325°F temperature.
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Check temperature early and often to prevent overcooking.
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Let roast rest before carving to retain juices.
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Add liquid to the pan and baste during roasting.
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Slice across the grain for tenderness.
Cooking a 3lb roast beef in the oven delivers delicious results when you choose a flavorful cut, season it well, monitor the temperature, and employ proper roasting techniques. With the guidelines provided above for calculating cook times, tracking doneness, troubleshooting problems, and more, you can become a roast beef pro in no time.
How To Serve Roast Beef
Cut that beautiful, perfectly cooked roast into pieces with a nice, sharp knife and serve it with some of these tasty sides:
Any combination of these recipes will make a dinner you’ll never forget! They are the best ways to show off that roast.
If you think you might have some leftovers, I suggest cutting the roast into pieces as you eat them so that the leftovers stay whole. This way you can slice thin pieces off for leftover roast beef sandwiches!.
Store your leftover roast beef in an airtight container or large sealable freezer bag. It’ll last 3-4 days. If you don’t want to overcook your leftovers, you can enjoy the roast beef as a cold cut.
To reheat roast beef, preheat the oven to 250°F. Wrap the roast well with foil and place it on a baking sheet. Once the oven comes to heat, turn it off. Transfer the roast to the oven and let it sit in there for 10-15 minutes.
How To Make The Perfect Roast Beef
- Prep: Take the roast out 1-2 hours before cooking. Warm the oven up to 450F when you’re ready to begin. Basil, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper should all be mixed together in a small bowl with olive oil.
- Roast: Cut slits about 1″ deep into the roast. Put the thin slices of garlic into the holes and rub the herb mixture all over the roast. Put the roast in a roasting pan that has a rack for roasting. Put the pan in the oven and roast for 15 minutes. Then lower the heat to 325F and cook for 1 hour and 45 minutes, or until the meat is medium-done. Internal temperature should read 140F.
- Move the roast to a cutting board or serving plate to serve. Put a piece of foil over it and let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes before cutting it.
Classic Roast Beef
FAQ
How long does a 3 lb roast take to cook?
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Approx weight
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Rare (125 °F)
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Medium (145 °F)
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2 lb
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31 min
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42 min
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3 lb
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45 min
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55 min
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4 lb
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1 hr
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1 hr 10 min
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Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350?
What is the cooking time and temperature for roast beef?
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Cut
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Preheat Oven to…
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Roast For…
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Premium oven roast (prime rib, sirloin, tenderloin)
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425°F (220°C)
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30 min.; reduce heat to 300°F (150°C) and cook 2-2 ½ hours.
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Oven roast (inside round, outside round, sirloin tip, cross rib)
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425°F (220°C)
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40-50 min. (20 min per lb)
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How many minutes per pound for roast beef at 325 degrees?
How long do you cook a 3 lb roast?
Determining the cooking time for a roast primarily depends on the weight of the meat. A general rule of thumb for cooking a roast in the oven is to allow approximately 20 minutes of cooking time per pound of meat at 350°F (175°C). Therefore, for a 3 lb roast, you should aim for a total cooking time of around 60 minutes.
How long do you cook a pound of roast beef?
For any special occasion or Sunday dinner, you’ll have roast beef prepared to perfection. For rare, roast for 13–15 minutes per pound, for medium, 17–19 minutes, and for cooked through, 22–25 minutes. Make sure the meat is the desired temperature by using a thermometer: 145°F for medium rare, 160°F for medium.
How do you cook a 3 pound Chuck Roast?
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Season a 3-pound beef chuck roast with salt and pepper . Heat a couple tablespoons of canola oil in a large, oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. When the oil is hot, add the roast and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the meat is nicely browned. Transfer the seared beef to a plate and set aside.
What temperature should a 3 lb roast be cooked at?
In general, a moderate oven temperature of 325°F (163°C) is suitable for roasting a 3 lb roast. However, the following guidelines can help you achieve your desired level of doneness: Rare: 120-125°F (49-52°C) internal temperature – Achieved by cooking the roast for approximately 15-20 minutes per pound.