When you think of wonderfully homey dinners, surely pot roast must be an all-time favorite. Slow cooking meat in the oven makes a tasty dish when roasted with herbs, spices and broth. Its the kind of meal your family will want to linger over and savor.
The best way to slow-cook a roast in the oven is to brown the meat on the stove and then put it in the oven with broth and spices for a few hours.
The Secret to Perfect Slow Roasted Beef Every Time
Forget rushing through dinner – slow roasted beef is a lesson in patience and passion. When you commit the time, this method rewards you with uniformly cooked, incredibly flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth tender roast beef.
Follow our guide to discover how long to roast beef at 250°F for impressive results We’ll review tips on choosing the right roast, prep steps, approximate cook times, and resting Read on to become a slow roast beef expert!
Picking the Best Roast for Slow Cooking
For optimal flavor and tenderness, choose a well-marbled roast like ribeye, tri-tip or sirloin tip. The intramuscular fat keeps the meat moist and adds richness. Bone-in roasts have more flavor as the bone marrow enriches the meat during cooking.
Aim for a 3-5 pound roast to feed 4-6 people. Larger roasts over 8 pounds will need extra time. Inspect the roast for deep red color without brown or gray spots. Some key roasts for slow cooking include:
- Standing rib roast (prime rib)
- Boneless ribeye roast
- Beef sirloin tip roast
- Tri-tip roast
- Eye of round roast
Preparing the Roast for the Oven
Proper prep ensures your roast cooks evenly and develops a flavorful crust:
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Place roast on a rack in a roasting pan to promote air circulation.
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Coat thoroughly with olive oil, then season generously with salt and pepper.
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For caramelization, score fat cap by cutting shallow diagonal slashes.
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Insert an ovenproof meat thermometer into the center of the thickest part.
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Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes while heating oven.
Determining Cook Time at 250°F
Due to differences in shape and density, approximate cook times can vary widely. Use these cooking guidelines for reference:
- 3-4 pound roast: 4-6 hours
- 4-5 pound roast: 5-7 hours
- 6-8 pound roast: 7-9 hours
Always check doneness early and continue roasting if needed. Cook time depends on your desired finish – rare, medium rare, etc.
Step-by-Step Slow Roasted Beef Oven Method
Follow these simple steps for flawless slow roasted beef:
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Prepare roast and insert thermometer as directed.
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Preheat oven to 250°F. Place roast in center of middle rack.
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Roast until thermometer reaches 118°F for rare or 125°F for medium rare.
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Remove roast, tent loosely with foil and rest 15-20 minutes.
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Heat oven to 450°F. Return roast and cook until it reaches perfect doneness.
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Remove from oven, tent again and let rest 10-15 minutes before slicing.
Pro Tips for Maximizing Flavor
Employ these expert tips for intensely flavorful oven roasted beef:
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Coat with mustard before seasoning to help crust adhere.
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Add aromatics like garlic and rosemary or use spice rubs.
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Baste with pan drippings hourly for increased moistness.
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Flip roast halfway through for even cooking.
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Make pan sauce from drippings to serve with sliced beef.
Mastering the Resting Step
Letting the roast rest after cooking is critical. Here’s why:
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Allows juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat.
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Allows meat to reabsorb any expelled moisture.
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Carries over cooking gently finishes roast without overcooking.
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Makes carving easier and neater.
Takeaway for Slow Roast Beef Perfection
When cooked low and slow, beef transforms from tough to succulently tender. With minimal hands on effort, your oven creates fork-tender, deliciously seasoned beef. For maximum convenience, season and sear meat a day ahead. Then simply pop in oven and walk away. In just a few short hours, enjoy perfect roast beef worthy of any occasion or celebration. Ditch the fast lane and savor the journey to slow roasted beef bliss!
Slow-Cook Roast in Oven
In an interview with LIVESTRONG. com, Ariane Resnick, CNC, gives an overview on how to slow cook a roast in the oven. First, thaw the roast in the refrigerator before cooking, she advises. “Don’t thaw a roast in the oven because germs can grow while the meat is getting hot from being frozen.” “.
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Resnick says the best way to cook a roast is to sear it on the stove over medium-high heat until all sides are nicely caramelized. This takes several minutes for the first side and one or two minutes for each additional side.
Next, place the roast in a baking dish with aromatics, such as garlic, onion, celery and carrots. Also, include herbs, stock or water. “If you cook the roast at 250 degrees, it will take about 40 to 45 minutes per pound. It will take 45 minutes to an hour per pound to roast slowly at 200 degrees Fahrenheit, says Resnick.
How do you make a roast in the oven that is soft? “Some people say the roast should be covered, but others are very against it.” The most important thing is that the meat needs to be cooked longer if it’s not fork-tender, she says. “The meat will shred easily once the sinew is fully broken down. You have to be patient and leave it in the oven until that happens.” ” You can use this method for any cut of roast, including a chuck roast.
Read more: How to Cook a Chuck Roast Perfectly
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that raw or undercooked meat can contain many germs that can make you sick, like Salmonella and Escherichia choli. Some older recipes say to wash raw meat before cooking it, but this can make utensils, cutting boards, and other foods more likely to get bacteria on them.
CDC says to cook a 4- to 6-pound bone-in rib roast at 325 F for 23 to 25 minutes per pound. A round or rib roast that weighs 2 1/2 to 4 pounds takes a little longer to cook. Keep the temperature the same and cook it for 30 to 35 minutes per pound.
The internal temperature of meat should reach 145 F. Place the thermometer in the thickest part of the roast, away from the bone, advises the University of Illinois. Dont rely on color to indicate when a meat is thoroughly cooked, because many factors can affect this characteristic.
Shopping, Thawing and Storage Tips
For the best possible results of slow cooking meat in the oven, freshness counts, recommends Clemson University. When shopping, look for meat that is cool and firm to the touch with a bright red color. Make meat the last item you pick up before checking out, and take it straight home to put in the refrigerator or freezer once you leave the store.
Put the meat in the fridge about 24 hours before you need it. This is the best way to let it thaw. Never thaw it at room temperature. Because some parts of the meat will get warm, you need to cook it right away after letting it thaw in the microwave. You can cook meat on the stove or in the oven without letting it thaw, but it will take about half as long.
Use leftovers within two to three days. Cooked beef will stay good in the freezer for two to three months.
How long does it take to cook a roast at 200 degrees?
FAQ
How long to cook meat in the oven at 250?
For 1 1/2–Inch Steaks in a 250°F (120°C) Oven
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Rare
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105°F (40°C)
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20 to 25 minutes
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Medium-Rare
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115°F (46°C)
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25 to 30 minutes
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Medium
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125°F (52°C)
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30 to 35 minutes
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Medium-Well
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135°F (57°C)
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35 to 40 minutes
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How long do you cook a beef roast at 250 degrees?
The cooking time for a beef roast at 250 degrees will vary depending on the size of the roast and your desired level of doneness. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to cook your roast for about 25 minutes per pound of meat. However, it’s important to check the temperature of the roast 30 minutes early to ensure it doesn’t overcook.
How long do you cook a 3 pound roast?
The cooking time for roast beef at 250 degrees depends on the weight of the roast. As a general guideline, you can cook a 3-pound roast for approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. What temperature should I cook roast beef at? Cooking roast beef at 250 degrees is a low and slow method that helps to tenderize the meat.
What temperature should a roast beef be cooked at?
Slow roasting is one of the best ways to cook a roast beef at 250 degrees. This method allows the beef to cook evenly across its entirety, resulting in a roast that is tender and juicy with a perfect crust. To prepare your roast beef for slow roasting, start by letting it come to room temperature before cooking.
How long do you cook a rib roast in the oven?
Once your roast is seasoned and in the roasting pan, preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Slow roast your beef for 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 hours until it reaches an internal temperature of 125-130 degrees Fahrenheit for medium-rare. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.