Slow cooked oven roasts are my favorite comfort food because of their irresistible tenderness. When it is perfectly cooked, the meat literally melts in my mouth and creates a feeling of warmth and contentment that’s hard to beat.
The slow cooking process helps to break down the fibers, making the roast incredibly soft and juicy. Not only does this make for an enjoyable eating experience, but it also makes for a meal that will leave you feeling happy and satisfied.
However, as a novice cook, I lacked confidence when cooking oven roasts, especially since I wanted them to be perfectly tender. Luckily, my grandma taught me her secrets to cooking tender, juicy and irresistible slow-cooked oven roasts.
What is Slow Cooking and How Does it Make Delicious Oven Roasts?
Before I share my Nana’s secret to a perfectly tender slow-cooked roast, let’s dive into slow cooking and its magic first.
Slowly roasting meats in an oven is a method of cooking that requires patience and time. The low temperatures used for this type of cooking allow the roast to become incredibly tender and juicy while preserving its natural flavor. You can create a dish with unparalleled taste and texture by taking the extra time needed to prepare a slow-cooked roast.
This method of cooking not only results in flavorful entrees but also results in less shrinkage due to the lower temperature it uses. The end result is mouthwatering roasts with all their juices still intact – making them perfect for any special occasion or gathering!
How to Choose & Prepare the Perfect Cut of Meat for Your Slow Cooked Oven Roast
Nana believes that the key to achieving a perfectly tender oven roast is selecting the ideal cut of meat. She recommends carefully considering which type of meat you buy, as this decision can make or break your dish. Preparing an oven roast requires patience and skill, yet it is ultimately the quality of your ingredients that determines its success.
For cooking techniques that require prolonged and low heat, such as pot roasting, tougher yet lean cuts of beef are the most suitable choice. These types of meat can withstand longer periods of cooking due to their tough texture, while the lack of fat keeps them from becoming overly dry or tough when cooked for a longer duration.
Some of the most delicious and succulent cuts of meat for slow-cooked oven roasts are:
- Beef chuck from the shoulders, which is full-flavored and moist
- Beef shank, which has a robust flavor but can be a little tough
- Beef brisket, with its intense marbling that helps keep it juicy
- Meat from the rear, which is flavorful and tender.
All these cuts make great slow-cooked roasts when they’re properly prepared.
The Best Spices & Seasonings that Bring Out the Flavors in Your Slow Cooked Oven Roast
The delicious flavors of the oven roasts are not just derived from the meat itself but also from the proper seasoning. So, Nana recommends using only top-quality spices for seasoning to achieve a more flavorful outcome.
She warned against consuming store-bought dressings and seasonings, as they are often loaded with unhealthy additives and preservatives that could potentially be dangerous to our health. Such ingredients can disrupt our bodies natural balance, leading to various illnesses if consumed over a prolonged period. Therefore, making your own dressing or seasoning from scratch is best using fresh, natural ingredients for the healthiest outcome.
Nana uses a variety of spices and herbs that work well together, balance each other out, and improve the flavor. Adding ingredients like Sweet Paprika, Onion Powder, Kosher Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, and Garlic Powder will intensify the flavor of the slow-cooked oven roast.
You can also give your dish a delicious boost by rubbing a bit of brown sugar over the top. Also include some herbs like Rosemary, Oregano, Parsley, and Basil for additional flavoring and aroma. Combining these ingredients will create an irresistible flavor that will tantalize your taste buds!
The Secret Tips and Tricks to Make Your Oven Roast Extra Tender
My Nana was a master of the slow-cooked oven roast. She always knew exactly how to make it perfectly tender and juicy, every time. So here are some of her tips that I have learned along the way:
Step 1 – Choosing the Right Cut of Meat for Slow Cooked Oven Roasts
As mentioned, cooking an oven roast that is both flavorful and tender requires choosing the appropriate cut of meat is absolutely essential. Depending on the type of meat you are using, there are a variety of cuts available which can have a significant impact on the final outcome.
For example, if you select a leaner cut such as sirloin or top round, you will need to be mindful of not over-cooking it, as this could result in dry or tough meat. On the other hand, opting for something like chuck roast or bottom round will allow for more flexibility with timing and temperature because these cuts tend to be fattier and, therefore, more tender.
To ensure your roast turns out perfectly cooked each time, make sure you choose the right cut for your dish!
Step 2 – Browning the Meat before Putting it in the Oven
Nana said that cooking the meat to perfection requires browning it before oven roasting. This process entails searing the exterior of the meat with a high heat source such as a stovetop, griddle, or, in some cases, even an open flame.
Browning helps to create an appealing color and texture on the roast while also locking in its natural juices. Additionally, this step adds flavor to your dish by caramelizing the outside of the roast. This provides a depth of taste that is hard to achieve through baking alone.
Step 3 – Selecting the Right Temperature and Time Settings
Cooking oven-roasted beef at the right temperature setting is essential for achieving optimal results. The ideal temperature to roast beef is 350 degrees Fahrenheit, as it will ensure the meat has cooked through and evenly browned.
If you are looking to achieve a juicy and tender cut of beef, then be sure to set your oven slightly lower – around 325 degrees Fahrenheit – so that the fat can render slowly. Roasting at this lower temperature helps keep in the natural juices of the meat, which will result in an incredibly flavorful dish!
Step 4 – Adding the Vegetables Last
If you are striving for a perfectly cooked oven-roast dish, the best thing to do is to add the vegetables at the end of the cooking process. This will ensure that they remain crisp and full of flavor rather than being overcooked and losing their natural taste.
