25 Delicious Ways to Use a Beef Roast

A beef roast can be an incredibly versatile and budget-friendly cut of meat. With a little creativity, you can transform a humble chuck roast or rump roast into a mouthwatering family meal. Here are 25 tasty ideas for what to do with a beef roast.

Slow Cook or Braise

Low and slow cooking is ideal for tougher cuts of beef like chuck roast or rump roast. The long cooking time helps break down the connective tissues, resulting in fork-tender meat. Here are some ways to cook a beef roast in a slow cooker or Dutch oven:

• Pot Roast – The classic! Brown the roast then simmer with vegetables like carrots, onions, and potatoes in broth until meltingly tender.

• BBQ Pulled Beef – Cook the roast in a sauce of ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, and spices. Shred and serve on buns.

• Beef Bourguignon – Braised in red wine with bacon, mushrooms, and pearl onions for a French classic.

• Beef Stroganoff – Simmered in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and onions. Serve over egg noodles.

• Swiss Steak – Pounded thin, then braised with tomatoes, carrots, celery, and onion.

• Ropa Vieja – A Latin American shredded beef stew spiced with garlic, oregano, and cumin.

Turn into Sandwiches

Shredded or sliced roast beef makes an easy and delicious sandwich filling. Some ideas:

• French Dip – The classic sandwich of thinly sliced rare roast beef and melty Swiss cheese on a roll. Serve with beef jus for dipping.

• Philly Cheesesteak – Load up shaved roast beef with cheese whiz, peppers, and onions.

• Italian Beef – Simmer roast beef in an Italian seasoned broth, then pile it high on a roll with giardiniera.

• Barbacoa – Mexican-style shredded beef tacos and burritos.

• Sloppy Joes – Mix shredded roast with tomato sauce and seasonings for a saucy sandwich.

Enjoy Roast Beef Dinner

For special occasion meals, oven-roasted beef is a winner. Try:

• Roast beef with Yorkshire pudding
• Roast beef with horseradish sauce and au jus
• Roast beef with roasted vegetables
• Herb-crusted roast beef with red wine jus

Slice against the grain for tender, rosy slices to serve with your choice of sides like mashed potatoes, rolls, and salad.

Turn Leftovers into New Dishes

Got leftovers? Get creative with these ideas:

• Roast beef hash – Dice and pan fry with potatoes and peppers. Top with eggs.

• Beef and barley stew – Simmer cubed roast beef in broth with veggies and barley.

• Beef fried rice – Toss shredded roast beef with rice, soy sauce, sesame oil, eggs, and veggies.

• Roast beef Caesar salad – Top chopped romaine with shaved roast beef, croutons, and Caesar dressing.

• Nachos – Pile high with shredded roast beef, beans, cheese, and peppers.

• Beef tacos – Dice or shred roast beef and use as filling for soft or crunchy tacos.

• Roast beef pasta – Toss cubed or shredded beef into tomato sauce for a quick pasta dinner.

Make Bone Broth

Don’t throw out the bones and trimmings! Simmer them in water with aromatics like onion, celery, carrots, herbs, and vinegar to extract all the nutritious collagen and gelatin. Strain and use the beef broth for soups, stews, gravy, or just sipping.

Freeze for Later

Cooked roast beef freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Portion into bags or containers. Thaw in the refrigerator before using. Shredded or cubed roast beef can go straight from freezer to slow cooker or skillet without thawing first.

Having pre-cooked roast beef on hand makes assembling meals so much faster. Keep some in the freezer for sandwich nights, stir fries, tacos, and more!

Beef Roast Cooking Tips:

• Choose roasts with good marbling for flavor and tenderness. Look for USDA Choice or Prime grade.

• Allow 1/2 to 1 lb per person for bone-in roasts, slightly less for boneless.

• Browning adds flavor. Be sure to sear roasts before braising or roasting.

• Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness. Cook to at least 145°F.

• Rest roasts at least 10-15 minutes before slicing for juicy results.

• Slice against the grain for the most tender texture.

• Add aromatics like garlic, onions, carrots, celery, and herbs to boost flavor.

• Roasting at lower temps (250-300°F) results in a more evenly cooked roast.

From fast weeknight meals to impressive holiday centerpieces, a beef roast is one of the most flexible and budget-friendly cuts. With so many delicious options for cooking beef roasts, you’ll never get bored! Which recipe will you try next?