Roast Beef Recipe | EASY & Classic Oven Roasted Roast Beef (2024)

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This is an easy, fail-proof way to make a classic roast beef in the oven. It's simple to make with only 4 ingredients but always looks and tastes impressive!

Roast Beef Recipe | EASY & Classic Oven Roasted Roast Beef (1)
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  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Cuts of Beef to Use
  • Roast Beef Cooking Time
  • Roast Beef Temperatures
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Recommended Tools
  • Comments

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Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this recipe. The full recipe card and ingredient list can be found at the bottom of the page.

  • 3 ½ - 4poundboneless roast
  • ½cupolive oil
  • 2teaspoonskosher salt
  • 1teaspoonground black pepper
Roast Beef Recipe | EASY & Classic Oven Roasted Roast Beef (2)

Instructions

Step 1: Bring roast to room temperature

Let the roast sit uncovered at room temperature for 1 to 1 ½ hours.

Step 2: Preheat Oven

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

Step 3: Make salt and pepper rub

In a small bowl, combine oil, salt, pepper. Rub on all sides of the roast except for bottom.

Step 4: Tie the roast

Optionally, use twine to tie the roast. This is optional but helps the roast keep its shape. See notes for a quick video of how to do this.

Roast Beef Recipe | EASY & Classic Oven Roasted Roast Beef (3)

Step 5: Place on pan or rack

Place the roast in a roasting pan fitted with a roasting rack. Or place it directly on your oven rack with a pan beneath to catch drippings. If your roast has a fat strip it should be on top.

Step 6: Roast at high heat

Roast for 15 minutes at 450°F. Do not cover while roasting.

Step 7: Roast at reduced heat

Reduce the heat to 325°F. If your roast is 4 pounds, roast it for 1 hours 45 minutes more for medium, or 2 hours for medium well done.

If your roast is more or less than 4 pounds, roast it for approximately 25 to 30 minutes per pound for a medium roast. The temperature for a medium roast (pink all the way through) is 135°F - 145°F; the temperature for a medium well roast (tan with some pink) is 145°F - 155°F.

Step 8: Remove

Remove the roast when it is about 5 - 10 degrees below your desired temperature because it will continue to cook as it rests.

Roast Beef Recipe | EASY & Classic Oven Roasted Roast Beef (4)

Step 9: Rest

Let your roast rest 15 to 30 minutes before serving. Tent with foil to keep warm.

Step 10: Serve

Cut the roast into slices and serve, optionally with a side of gravy. For leaner cuts of meat, slice thinner.

Cuts of Beef to Use

Roast beef can be made with a variety of cuts of beef. You can pick which cut you want to use depending on budget and what's available at your grocery store.

Here are some popular cuts of meat to use:

  • Rump Roast
  • Top or Bottom Round Roast
  • Eye of Round
  • Prime rib (more expensive)
  • Beef tenderloin (more expensive)

This recipe calls for a 3 ½ - 4 pound cut of meat; but you can also use a cut larger or smaller than this — just follow the recipe's instructions on how to cook per pound of meat.

Roast Beef Cooking Time

This roast cooks at 450°F for 15 minutes and then 25 - 30 minutes per pound at 325°F for a boneless, medium cooked roast. For a 4 pound roast, this is 1 hours 45 minutes for medium, or 2 hours for medium well done.

Roast Beef Recipe | EASY & Classic Oven Roasted Roast Beef (5)

Roast Beef Temperatures

Most traditionally, roast beef is cooked to medium doneness (pink all the way through).

Use a thermometer to tell when your beef is cooked to your preferred doneness:

  • Medium (pink all the way through): 135°F - 145°F
  • Medium Well (pink with some tan): 145°F - 155°F
  • Well Done (little to no pink): 155°F - 165°F

NOTE: You'll want to remove your roast 5 - 10 degrees before your desired temperature because it will continue to cook as it rests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to cover my roast while it cooks?

No, you do not need to cover the roast while it is in the oven.

Do I need a roasting pan to cook roast beef?

A roasting pan and roasting rack are convenient but not needed! You can place the roast directly on your oven rack with a pan/baking sheet beneath it to catch any drippings instead.

What should I serve with roast beef?

This recipe is tasty served with a vegetable or salad side. Since the roast will take up your oven, try stovetop side dishes like Classic Mashed Potatoes or Honey Glazed Carrots.

These are all optional but make cooking a roast easier:

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Roast Beef Recipe | EASY & Classic Oven Roasted Roast Beef (6)

Easy Oven Roast Beef

★★★★★5 from 2 reviews
  • Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x
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Description

This is an easy, fail-proof way to make a classic roast beef in the oven. It's simple to make with only 4 ingredients but always looks and tastes impressive!

Ingredients

Scale

  • 3 ½ - 4 pound boneless roast*
  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Instructions

  1. Bring roast to room temperature: let the roast sit uncovered at room temperature for 1 to 1 ½ hours.
  2. Preheat the oven to 450°F.
  3. Make salt and pepper rub: in a small bowl, combine oil, salt, pepper. Rub on all sides of the roast except for bottom. If your roast has a fat strip it should be on top.
  4. Tie the roast: optionally, use twine to tie the roast. This is optional but helps the roast keep its shape. See notes for a quick video of how to do this.
  5. Place on pan or rack: place the roast in a roasting pan fitted with a roasting rack. Or place it directly on your oven rack with a pan beneath to catch drippings.
  6. Roast at high heat: roast for 15 minutes at 450°F. Do not cover while roasting.
  7. Roast at reduced heat: reduce the heat to 325°F. If your roast is 4 pounds, roast it for 1 hours 45 minutes more for medium, or 2 hours for medium well done. If your roast is more or less than 4 pounds, roast it for approximately 25 to 30 minutes per pound for a medium roast. The temperature for a medium roast (pink all the way through) is 135°F - 145°F; the temperature for a medium well roast (tan with some pink) is 145°F - 155°F.
  8. Remove: remove the roast when it is about 5 - 10 degrees below your desired temperature because it will continue to cook as it rests.
  9. Rest: let your roast rest 15 to 30 minutes before serving. Tent with foil to keep warm.
  10. Serve: cut the roast into slices and serve, optionally with a side of gravy. For leaner cuts of meat, slice thinner.

Notes

  • Popular cuts of meat to use include: more economical ⁠— rump roast, top round roast, bottom round roast, eye of round. More expensive ⁠— beef tenderloin or prime rib.
  • How to tie a roast: here's a quick video tutorial of how to tie a roast.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: British

Keywords: bottom round, oven baked, prime rib, roast, roast beef, top round

Roast Beef Recipe | EASY & Classic Oven Roasted Roast Beef (2024)

FAQs

Do you cook roast beef in the oven, covered or uncovered? ›

Do not add water or liquid and do not cover the roast. Covering the roast would result in more steaming than roasting in the oven so we cook a beef roast uncovered. Test Kitchen Tip: A roasting pan is a shallow pan specifically designed for roasting.

How do I cook a beef roast without drying it out? ›

Do you cover roast beef when cooking? You should cover a beef roast with kitchen foil for at least part of the cooking time. This stops the roast beef from drying out too much during cooking.

How do you make a tough roast beef tender after cooking? ›

Simmering in a little bit of liquid or broth is a great way to tenderize. Acidity can also be your friend here. A little bit of vinegar and lemon juice in the liquid can help you tenderize the meat. It adds moisture, but it also cooks the meat.

Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350? ›

When roasting meat and poultry, set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) or higher. Explore the charts below to learn how to get great results every time you cook.

Do you put water in the pan when cooking roast beef? ›

How to Roast Beef Like a Pro. Don't crowd your meat in the pan – leaving some space around and under the meat allows it to heat evenly. To give your meat a flavourful crispy exterior, cook uncovered on a rack set in a shallow roasting pan. Don't add water!

What temperature should roast beef be cooked at in the oven? ›

Bring the internal temperature to 135°F (for medium rare meat), 145°F (for medium meat), or 150°F (for medium well). The size and shape of your roast makes a difference in cooking time. As a general rule of thumb, at 225°F, cook your roast for about 30 minutes per pound, after the initial browning (for a medium rare).

How do I make my roast beef juicy again? ›

Reheat with a liquid: One way to add moisture back into the beef is to reheat it in a liquid such as broth or gravy. You can do this by placing the beef in a pot or slow cooker with the liquid and heating it until it's heated through and tender.

How long does it take to cook a roast beef at 350 degrees? ›

Beef Roasting Guide
Type of roastOven temperatureCooking time
Rump roast Holiday short cut, half350°F17-20 mins / lb
Sirloin strip roast Whole350°F1½ – 1¾ hours
Sirloin strip roast Half (5-6 lbs)350°F1¼ hours
Top sirloin roast Whole350°F12-15 mins / lb
11 more rows

How do you keep a roast juicy? ›

Use a moist cooking environment: Add broth to the pot roast to create and cover with a lid or foil to trap in steam and moisture to prevent the meat from drying out. Cook long enough: If your chuck roast isn't as tender as you like, cook until tender!

Why is my roast still tough after 6 hours? ›

There are several reasons why this could have happened even after so much cooking. First, your choice of a rump roast could be a factor since cuts from the hind quarter are very muscular and, since muscles are the most resistant to breaking, this cut is quite stubborn when it comes to becoming tender.

What tenderizes beef roast? ›

Velveting is a simple process of using baking soda or a mixture of egg whites, cornstarch and oil to marinate and tenderize economical cuts of steak, chicken and other meats before cooking. Velveting meat softens fibers to reduce toughness and enhance juiciness for maximum flavor and tenderness.

How do I make my beef tender and not chewy? ›

7 Ways to Tenderize Steak
  1. Pounding. Using a meat mallet (or kitchen mallet) to pound steaks helps soften and tenderize the meat. ...
  2. Salting. Most cuts of steak benefit from being salted up to an hour in advance of cooking, but especially tougher cuts. ...
  3. Marinating. ...
  4. Velveting. ...
  5. Slow Cooking. ...
  6. Enzymatic Application. ...
  7. Scoring.
Oct 18, 2022

Should I cover roast beef in the oven? ›

Remember to reduce the temperature after 20 minutes and deduct the 20 minutes from the total cooking time - leave the oven door open for a couple of minutes to help it cool down. There's no need to cover your beef while it cooks; you want to get a good crust on the outside and foil won't help with this.

How long to roast a 2 lb roast at 325 degrees? ›

Oven Roasting Guidelines
beef cutSirloin Tip Center Roast
oven temperature (preheated)325°F
weight (pounds)2 to 2-1/2
Approximate Total Cooking TImeMedium Rare: 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 hours
Internal TEMPERATURE*135°F

What oven mode is best for roast? ›

Roasting, like baking, is a method of cooking that uses hot, dry air to cook food in the oven, but at higher temperatures. Roasting is typically used for foods with a solid structure such as vegetables and meats. Roasting uses the bake setting at 400ºF (204ºC) or higher to brown the surface and develop flavor.

Does covering a roast make it more tender? ›

If your cut of beef weighs over 8 pounds, you should partially cover the meat in the oven at the midpoint of roasting. This will ensure that your roast beef will be as soft and moist as possible to deliver flavorful, juicy bites. Why exactly should you cover your extra-large roast beef while it's roasting?

Do you put water in the bottom of the roasting pan? ›

"Often, consumers will inquire about adding water to the bottom of their roasting pans. We do not recommend adding water to the bottom of the pan. Cooking a turkey with steam is a moist heat-cook method and is acceptable, sure, but is not the preferred method for cooking your turkey."

Is roasting done covered or uncovered? ›

Also, roasting tends to be done in an uncovered roasting pan, whereas baked goods may sometimes be covered. When it comes to temperature, roasting requires a higher oven temperature of above 400°F for the cooking process, while baking takes place at lower oven temperatures around 375°F and below.

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