Classic Roast Beef Recipe
Roast beef is the ultimate comfort food. If you’re looking for a great way to make your holiday dinner stand out or just want to serve a delicious Sunday roast that will knock your family’s socks off, you’ll love this melt-in-your-mouth rump roast recipe.
How to Cook a Rump Roast Just Like Grandma’s
There’s nothing better than a juicy roast beef dinner on a cold winter day.
Today, I’m sharing my favorite way to make roast beef in the oven. It’s perfect when you want something easy and delicious to serve for the holidays or to make a Sunday dinner a little more special.
There’s a reason roast beef is such a classic for family gatherings. You don’t need to be a professional chef or even have much experience cooking at all to make it. All you need is a rump roast, some common seasonings, and a baking pan. Once you have those things in place, it’s time to get cooking!
So how do you cook a rump roast? That’s what I’m here for! I’ve got all your answers—including what do to with those leftovers.
What you’ll love about this recipe:
- Hands off method. Searing the roast in a hot oven and then turning the heat down to let it roast slowly means you don’t have to dirty a second pan.
- Classic seasonings. We’re keeping things simple here with classic seasonings that let the flavor of the beef shine. That means the leftovers have maximum versatility!
- Melt-in-your-mouth tender. No tough, chewy beef here!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Rump roast. For this classic recipe, I like to use rump roast, which is an affordable cut of beef that’s very tender. You can also use a bottom round, sirloin tip, or go all out and splurge on a boneless prime rib roast. Whichever you choose, look for a cut that’s labelled choice or prime and has some visible marbling for the best quality.
Garlic. I use a few cloves of fresh garlic for the best flavor.
Rosemary and Thyme. Using fresh herbs in your rub gives this rump roast recipe a fresh, modern vibe. You can substitute dried herbs if they’re all you have, but you will sacrifice some flavor.
Salt and Pepper.
Olive Oil.
You’ll also need a roasting pan that’s large enough to fit your roast. A meat thermometer is also helpful for ensuring your roast is cooked perfectly.
How to make a tender beef roast in the oven
Mix the oil and herbs in a small bowl to create your rub. Let this mixture sit a few minutes to allow the herbs to soften and infuse the oil with flavor.
Rub the herb rub all over the beef, making sure it’s completely covered. In addition to adding flavor, this will ensure the roast gets a beautiful brown crust on the outside.
Sear in a hot oven to brown the roast
Reduce the heat and cook the beef rump roast low and slow for the most tender roast beef of your life
Rest the beef before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.
Pro tips for the best oven beef roast
- Allow the roast to come to room temperature before cooking it. This requires a little pre planning but will ensure the meat cooks evenly throughout. That way you won’t have to overcook the outside in order to get the center up to temp.
- Timing will vary depending on your oven as well as on the size and shape of your beef. Using a meat thermometer will give you the most accurate results. The internal temperature of your roast should reach 135ºF for medium rare, 145º for medium, and 150º for medium well. Remember that the temperature will rise another 5-10º as the meat rests!
- Plan to cook your rump roast for 30 minutes, plus and additional 30 minutes per pound.
Commonly asked questions
How to store leftover roast beef
Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also slice the beef and freeze it for up to 6 months.
What to serve with beef rump roast?
There are so many options!
I love serving roast beef with au jus, roasted or mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables (especially Brussels Sprouts) and Yorkshire pudding. And I always make sure I have prepared horseradish to serve on the side! You can also never go wrong with a big, leafy green salad.
For a stress-free side, toss baby potatoes, sliced carrots, and other root vegetables in a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then add them to the pan for the last hour of the cooking time. They’ll cook right along with the roast beef!
How to use leftover rump roast?
My absolute favorite way to use leftover roast beef it to make beef on weck sandwiches! You can also make delicious roast beef sandwiches with cherry pepper aioli. I also adore an Italian beef sandwich piled high with giardiniera.
For a more substantial meal, add the leftover roast beef to a salad, make hash and eggs, or add thinly sliced roast beef to pho broth to make a warm and delicious soup.
How to reheat roast beef (without drying it out)
Roast beef can dry out as it sits in the fridge, so you’ll want to add some liquid while you reheat it. The easiest way to reheat the beef without overcooking it is the add it to a slow cooker or roasting pan with 1/4 cup of beef stock and cook covered on low heat (325º if using the oven) until it’s warmed through.
What’s the best way to slice beef rump roast?
For tender roast beef, use a sharp carving knife to cut the roast across the grain into very thin slices – try to keep them under 1/4 inch for that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
More delicious main course recipes for special occasions
Classic Oven Roast Beef Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped finely (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
- 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme chopped finely (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 3 pound rump roast
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F
- In a small bowl, combine the garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Stir in the olive oil until well combined. Let sit for 5-10 minutes so the herbs soften and the oil takes on their flavor.
- Rub the herb mixture all over roast, making sure it’s completely covered.
- Place roast in roasting pan and cook for 30 minutes to brown the outside.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 225°F and continue cooking for 1 ½ to 2 hours or until an internal temperature reads 135 – 150° F, depending on your desired level of doneness.
- Remove the roast from the oven and cover with it aluminum foil. Let the roast rest for 15-30 minutes before serving.
What temp do you set the oven?
I made my roast exactly as you described and it was fantastic! We enjoyed it so much, we decided to make it for Christmas dinner instead of our usual turkey.
This may be a dumb question. Do we cover the roasting pan with the lid while cooking, or do we leave the lid off? Thank you! I’m making this for my daughter-in-love’s birthday dinner! 🙂
lid off!
do I cover the roast while roasting?
When you set the oven to 375 degrees to brown the roast for 30 minutes do you remove the roast after the 30 minutes to let the oven cool down to 225 degrees then put it back in or do you lower the temperature and leave the roast in the whole time?
leave it in
Best I’ve ever made! Full of flavor and very easy recipe!
When you say “Place roast in roasting pan and cook for 30 minutes to brown the outside,” does it go on the rack or does it directly on the pan? Is a roasting pan by definition always going to use the rack?
I’ve the roast sitting out coming to room temperature and plan to put it on the rack, unless you tell me not to (no pressure).
Thank you.
p.s. I agree I should have to done search yesterday, but alas I got busy and it slipped my mind.
I’m so sorry I only just saw this! On the rack is perfect if you’re pan has one.
Do you add water or broth to the pan when cooking??
no!
My roast always comes out dry bc I have to cook it so long to get it tender ???? But I cook it in a Dutch oven with it covered in beef broth? So I guess I’m boiling it????
yeah, you’re boiling it or steaming it
This was so good that I couldn’t believe I made it. I roasted the potatoes and carrots at the end, adding parsley and a bit more rosemary and thyme.