Chuck roast is a thick cut of meat that comes from the shoulder of the cow. It has a rich, delicious flavor that makes it a classic dish for a home-cooked meal. Prep, season, and brown your meat over a stove for a juicy, soft roast. For tender, pull-apart meat, you can either slow cook or oven cook the roast.

Ingredients

  • 3–4 pounds (1.4–1.8 kg) chuck roast
  • 4 tablespoons (59 mL) olive oil
  • 2 onions, peeled and chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped
  • 1  fl oz (30 mL) dry onion soup seasoning mix
  • Salt, pepper, and paprika to taste
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Seasoning and Browning the Roast

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    with salt, pepper, and paprika. Place the chuck roast on a flat surface and season the top liberally with an even mixture of salt, pepper, and paprika. Flip the chuck roast over and season the bottom side as well, leaving the sides bare.
    • If the chuck roast is frozen, defrost it in your fridge or microwave before cooking it.
    • Leave the seasoned chuck roast in your fridge overnight for a stronger flavor.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Chop the onions, carrots, and potatoes and place them in an airtight zip-top plastic bag. Add 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil and the dry onion soup mix to the bag and shake to coat the vegetables in the seasoning.[1]
    • For a milder seasoning, you can toss the vegetables with a mix of salt and pepper instead.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Place a skillet over your stove and turn it to medium heat. Coat the skillet in the remaining 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of olive oil and let the pan heat up until the surface begins to crackle.[2]
    • Choose an oven-safe skillet if you plan to bake your chuck roast so you can put it directly in the oven.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Place the roast in the pan and sear the bottom side for 4-5 minutes or until it turns brown, Then, flip the roast over and sear the other side for 4-5 minutes or until it browns as well.[3]
    • This will create a crust over the roast that helps keep in moisture and flavor while you cook it.
    • At this stage, the center of the chuck roast will still be raw. You will cook the entire roast by baking or slow cooking it later on.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Remove the seared chuck roast from the skillet and set it on a plate. If you won't be finishing the roast in the oven or slow cooker within 2 hours, wrap it in tin foil and put it in the fridge
    • Do not leave the chuck roast out at room temperature for any longer than 2 hours to prevent food poisoning.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Place the chopped vegetables in the skillet for about 5-10 minutes or until the onions become translucent, and the carrots and potatoes have a softer texture.[4]
    • Like the roast, the vegetables will have more time to cook thoroughly while you bake or slow cook them.
  7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Finishing the Roast in the Oven

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    While searing your chuck roast, turn on your oven so it has time to heat up before you cook the meat. Try to preheat the oven at least 30 minutes before you cook the roast so it reaches 350 °F (177 °C) when your roast is ready to bake.[5]
    • You can use a slow cooker instead of an oven for a juicier, more tender roast. Keep in mind, however, that slow cooking meats may take several hours longer.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Place your chuck roast and vegetables in a baking pan or oven-safe skillet. Cover the top of the chuck roast and vegetables in tin foil, pressing the ends of the foil with your fingers to secure it tightly on top.[6]
    • Make sure your skillet is oven-safe before you cover it in tin foil. Not every skillet is oven-safe, and you may ruin your chuck roast if you use the wrong skillet.
    • You can also put your chuck roast in a dutch oven as an alternative to covering a pan in tin foil.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Set the pan or skillet in the oven and close the door, setting a timer for 3 1/2 hours. Take the roast out of the oven when the meat browns and develops a tender, pull-apart texture.[7]
    • Use a meat thermometer to make sure the roast is done cooking before you take it out. To prevent foodborne illnesses, the center of the roast should reach at least 145 °F (63 °C).
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Take the pan or skillet out of the oven and set it on the stove top. Let the chuck roast rest, covered, for 30 minutes and then serve alongside the potatoes and vegetables.
    • This lets the juices redistribute throughout the roast so the end result is a softer, more flavorful piece of meat.
    • When removing the tin foil, turn your face away to shield it from the hot steam emitting from the roast.[8]
  5. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Using a Slow Cooker Instead

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Set the roast in the slow cooker and arrange the vegetables around the sides. Slice or cut any larger vegetable pieces that you notice into smaller, bite-sized pieces to help the vegetables roast evenly in the slow cooker.[9]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    Place the slow cooker lid over the roast and turn the slow cooker to low or high. Depending on which setting you choose, cook the chuck roast for the following time:[10]
    • Low: 6-8 hours
    • High: 3-4 hours
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook a Chuck Roast
    When the slow cooker's timer goes off, open the slow cooker's lid while turning your face away to shield it from steam emitting from the roast. Arrange portion-sized sections of the roast and vegetables on plates and serve while the roast is still warm.[11]
    • To prevent food poisoning, use a meat thermometer to make sure the center of the roast reaches at least 145 °F (63 °C).
  4. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I remove the leftover oil from the stock?
    Marcy Ragan
    Marcy Ragan
    Personal Chef
    Marcy Ragan is a Personal Chef based in Rumson, New Jersey. She has over 20 years of culinary experience and is currently the Owner and Operator of Relish Your Chef, where she offers bespoke personal chef services, catering, and cooking lessons. She runs a custom meal service for her clients, tailored to their dietary needs. She received her classical training in cooking at the International Culinary Center. She also attended Rutgers University, where she received a BA in Psychology.
    Marcy Ragan
    Personal Chef
    Expert Answer
    To remove oil from a stock, chill it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. As the stock cools, the oil will rise to the surface and solidify, making it easier to remove. Use a spoon to skim off the solidified oil and any other impurities that have accumulated on the top. Repeat the skimming process by using a fine mesh skimmer or cheesecloth to skim off the solidified oil and any other impurities that were accumulated on the top. Now, the stock is ready to be used in your recipe!
  • Question
    Can you cook a chuck roast without vegetables?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes. Cook the same as the recipe with vegetables with a can or two of beef broth (depending on how much gravy you might want to make). Use at least one can even if not making gravy.
  • Question
    Can I dry roast a small, 2lb. Roast in the oven with a little beef broth to make gravy?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Cheaper cuts are better "wet roasted" (with broth or stock) since they need the moisture to become tender. This method is easier for beginners to help ensure that the final result is not tough or dry.
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement

Tips

  • Store cooked chuck roasts in an airtight container and keep it in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or the freezer for 2-3 months.
  • After cooking the chuck roast, you can also cut it into smaller pieces and add it into stews.
  • Don’t poke the roast when you turn it over. It will release the juices and if done many times, it can dry out the roast.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Name
Please provide your name and last initial
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement

Warnings

  • The cooking times in this recipe are for a 3–4 pounds (1.4–1.8 kg) chuck roast. If your chick roast is larger or smaller, your cooking time may vary.
  • Wash your hands before and after cooking with raw beef to prevent food poisoning.
Advertisement

Things You'll Need

  • Kitchen knives
  • Skillet
  • Plate
  • Stirring stick
  • Baking pan
  • Tin foil or plastic wrap (optional)
  • Internal meat thermometer (optional)
  • Slow cooker (optional)

Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Marcy Ragan.

About This Article

Marcy Ragan
Co-authored by:
Personal Chef
This article was co-authored by Marcy Ragan. Marcy Ragan is a Personal Chef based in Rumson, New Jersey. She has over 20 years of culinary experience and is currently the Owner and Operator of Relish Your Chef, where she offers bespoke personal chef services, catering, and cooking lessons. She runs a custom meal service for her clients, tailored to their dietary needs. She received her classical training in cooking at the International Culinary Center. She also attended Rutgers University, where she received a BA in Psychology. This article has been viewed 1,600,490 times.
How helpful is this?
Co-authors: 23
Updated: August 1, 2024
Views: 1,600,490
Categories: Beef and Lamb
Article SummaryX

To cook a chuck roast in the oven, season the roast liberally on all sides with salt, pepper, and paprika. Brown the roast in a skillet with hot oil for 4-5 minutes on each side, then remove the roast and set it aside. Toss chopped onions, carrots, and potatoes with dry onion soup mix and olive oil, then saute them in the same skillet for 5-10 minutes. Place the roast and the vegetables in a roasting pan and cover them with foil, then roast them in a 350°F oven for 3-4 hours. Keep reading to learn how to cook your chuck roast in a slow cooker!

Did this summary help you?

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,600,490 times.

Reader Success Stories

  • Beth Zuercher

    Beth Zuercher

    Apr 10, 2018

    "Placing the meat in a slow cooker, adding the other ingredients and herbs will be easy enough! Then, placing it in..." more
Share your story

Did this article help you?

Advertisement