Beef Round Bottom Round Roast How To Cook

Learn how to cook the cheap bottom round roast to be as tasty as a more expensive cut of beef.

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Ever been to the grocery store and saw a big chunk of beef on sale and threw it in your cart because it was the best deal?

Then you went home and cooked that hunk just like you always cook hunks of meat. But the end result wasn't what you were anticipating. This is why it's important to understand the cuts of beef available in the market (and there are alot).

I have been working my way through each one (check out my How to Cook Sirloin Filet Steaks). The next one on my to do list is the bottom round roast.

The bottom round roast is cut from the round primal, which is located at the back end of the cow. As suggested the bottom round comes from the bottom of the round.

This is a tough cut of meat, with a low price tag. Bottom round roasts range are on average about 2-4 lbs.

While the most common way to use bottom round is to braise it, or cook it slowly in some type of liquid. And that is a great way to go.

But what about roasting this roast? It can be done and it can be done well (but you wouldn't want it well done). It's all about the technique that you use. Follow the following steps and you can turn this tough, cheap cut into something good.

Steps On Cooking A Bottom Round Roast

Preparing the Roast

1. Bring to room temperature
Before you even begin, take the roast out of the fridge and bring it to room temperature. This will help the roast to cook more evenly.

2. Dry rub
A great way to add flavor is with a dry rub. Don't buy one that is already made for you. They are a huge waste of money and a lot of them are mostly salt.

Use what spices you have on hand. I like coriander, cumin, black pepper, white pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and of course some kosher salt. I also had a bit of dried rosemary. I think rosemary is the best herb for beef. I just mix all these flavors together and rubbed them into the meat, completely covering the meat.

3. A Roast Fit to Be Tied
Sometimes these roasts come already tied sometimes they don't. If it does come with some string around it or netting, thank your butcher.

Never remove this string before cooking. If it's on there then it's safe to cook in the oven. The purpose of the string is to help the roast keep a more uniformed shape resulting in more even cooking.

If your doesn't come tied, I would recommend getting some butcher's string and doing the tying yourself. Your end result will be better.

Cooking the Roast

4. Roast in a Dutch Oven
I like to roast in a cast iron dutch oven. The one I use and highly recommend is this Lodge dutch oven. It does a wonderful job of evenly distributing heat.

When I am done I can use the dutch oven on the stove top to make a sauce.

Also look to see if there is more fat on side of your roast than the other. Place in the dutch oven with the fatter side up. The fat will run down the sides of the roast, keeping it moist.

5. Low and slow
The best way to cook a roast like this is at a low temperature - 250 degrees.

This is the case for two reasons:

1) A lower temperature allows the meat to cook more evenly. If you cook it at a high temperature you end up with a nicely browned outside but the inside will contain a only small section of your desired doneness with most of it being overcooked.

2) The slower you take to cook it, the more time you have for the connective tissue in the meat to break down, giving you a more tender roast. As for the time it will take, I use a probe thermometer and forget the clock. I pull the roast at about 118 degrees, and then....

6) High heat to sear
The downside to a low temperature is that the meat won't brown well. You need high heat for that.

You could sear the roast before hand, but you will end up with a juicer roast if you sear in the oven, plus it's easier. You sear in the oven by turning your oven up to 500 degrees.

Take the roast out of the oven while you raise the temperature. It will continue to go up in temperature as it sits out (probably about 5-7 degrees). When the oven is nice and hot, place the roast back in the oven. Roast until you have some good color on the outside of the beef.

I pulled mine when it was brown and at a temperature of 131 degrees. The carry over heat brought it up to about 136 degrees, which is right at the border of medium rare and medium. This roast will be too tough if you cook it beyond medium. I think that 136 degree mark was ideal.

Finishing and Serving the Roast

7. Rest the roast
Don't cut into that roast until you let it rest for 10 mins. mininum, otherwise the juices will just run out. While you are waiting you can work on a sauce.

8. Making the sauce
Start by adding a bit flour (arrowroot can be used too) and mix to combine and cook the flour. You are making a roux. Then add about a 1 cup of beef stock or mushroom base.

I like using mushroom as it adds a nice dimension of flavor. I also add a splash of Worcestershire and balsamic vinegar for that little something extra. Simmer the sauce until it's your desired thickness.

9. Slice Thin
When carving this roast it is important to carve it as thinly as you possibly can. This is also great for making sandwiches with the leftovers which was part of my reason of making this roast.

Also when you are cutting the meat on your plate, cut against the grain. This will also make the beef seem more tender in your mouth.

For slicing what I find works really well is a simple electric knife. If you don't have, you can get the really cheap, under $20. This is a case where you don't need to spend the big bucks to get something that will get the job. The one made by Black and Decker will do it for you and it's under $15.

I hope with these tips you can turn a cheap, tough cut of meat into a delicious dinner with plenty of leftovers.

Beef Round Bottom Round Roast How To Cook

Posted by: damiendeens1956.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.eatlikenoone.com/how-to-cook-a-tender-flavorful-bottom-round-roast.htm

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