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    Home » Recipes » Main Dishes

    Tender Beef Bottom Round Roast

    Published: Dec 1, 2023 · Modified: Oct 8, 2024 by Dane & Becky · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This juicy, flavorful and tender beef bottom round roast is a budget friendly, yet elegant dish. If you love savory meals with simple ingredients that are easy to make, this recipe is the one for you.

    An herb crusted, juicy and tender beef bottom round roast partially sliced on a wood cutting board with a spring of fresh rosemary and a two pronged serving tool and a sharp knife.

    This inexpensive roast recipe, is easy to make and seasoned to perfection. We include two different marinade recipes to ensure your bottom round roast is tender and juicy.

    For another easy, inexpensive dish, make our 4 ingredient potato soup to serve before bringing out the roast.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Key ingredients
    • How to cook a bottom round roast in the oven
    • Expert Tips
    • FAQ's
    • Best ways to tenderize a beef bottom round roast
    • Storage tips
    • More recipes for Sunday dinner
    • 📖 Recipe
    • Vinegar based marinade recipe
    • Herbed Balsamic Butter recipe
    • Creamy horseradish dipping sauce recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    Cost effective cut of meat - a beef roast that won't break the bank that is still juicy and flavorful.

    Versatile - can be a delicious pot roast for family gatherings or made into roast beef to be used in sandwiches, gyros, or tacos.

    Serve with our 5 minute gravy, whipped potatoes and sauteed zucchini for the perfect Sunday dinner. Or use the roast to make sandwiches and serve with a side of our sugar free coleslaw or broccoli salad.

    Key ingredients

    Ingredients for making a beef bottom round roast, all in individual bowls.
    • Bottom Round Roast - Inexpensive lean cut really shines in this dish.
    • Olive oil - For rubbing down the roast. You can also use Avocado oil.
    • Garlic - Fresh minced garlic adds depth.
    • Herbs - Dried herbs, basil, parsley & rosemary create a fragrant mix.
    • Salt - We like to use Kosher salt. The larger salt crystals really enhance the flavor of this roast.
    • Black Pepper - Fresh cracked pepper is best.

    If you have any questions about the ingredients in this recipe, please leave a comment below and we will get back to you.

    This roast paired with our creamy scalloped sweet potatoes and sauteed zucchini would make a great holiday feast.

    How to cook a bottom round roast in the oven

    A bottom round roast and a small bowl with all of the seasonings mixed together, on a wooden cutting board

    Step 1: In a small mixing bowl combine olive oil, garlic, basil, rosemary, parsley, salt, and pepper.

    A bottom round roast heavily coated in a herb seasoning mixture on a wooden cutting board.

    Step 2: Rub the mixture evenly over the roast.

    An herb coated beef bottom round roast on a rack in a roasting pan ready to be placed into an oven.

    Step 3: Place in a roasting pan fitted with a rack.

    A juicy and tender beef bottom round roast carved on a wooden cutting board.

    Step 4: Roast for 15 minutes at 450 F, then drop the oven temperature to 325 F (163 C) and continue roasting for 1 ½-2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 125 F or 52 C (for medium rare)

    For the complete list of ingredients and instructions, please see the printable recipe card below.

    For dessert, make our easy no bake biscoff cheesecake.

    Expert Tips

    Rest for Success - you want to rest your roast before and after cooking for peak tenderness. Resting at room temperature before cooking, raises the internal temperature of the rump roast allowing it to cook more evenly. Resting for 15 minutes after cooking, allows the natural juices to redistribute resulting in a tender, juicy roast.

    Carve against the grain - by slicing against the grain, you are reducing the length of the muscle fibers and connective tissue. Resulting in a delicious roast that is more tender and easier to chew.

    Thinner slices - similar to carving against the grain, thinner slices are easier to chew. 

    Don't overcook - use an instant-read thermometer to ensure your roast does not go past 135 degrees F or 57 C (medium). We prefer to roast to 125 degrees F or 52 C, as the internal temperature will continue to increase as it rests.

    FAQ's

    What is Bottom Round Roast used for?

    A Bottom Round Roast is a budget friendly cut of meat that can be used as a traditional oven roast or made into roast beef for sandwiches. This lean cut of beef is best cooked at low heat to prevent drying out. 

    Is a Bottom Round Roast Tender?

    Even though this roast is one of the leaner cuts of beef, if prepared and cooked properly it can be tender. Follow our best tips and maybe use one of our marinades to ensure success.

    Should I add water to my roasting pan, when cooking a roast?

    You should not add water to the bottom of your roasting pan as you do not want to steam your roast.

    Aerial view of cooked and sliced herb crusted beef bottom round roast arranged on a white plate with sprigs of fresh rosemary layered on a round wooden cutting board  with forks, a natural colored kitchen towel and a wooden pepper mill in partial view, all resting on a white stone surface.

    Best ways to tenderize a beef bottom round roast

    A Bottom Round roast can be a tougher cut of meat. One of the easiest ways to tenderize this lean cut of beef is with an acidic marinade.

    Soaking the roast in a vinegar based marinade will break down the meat fibers, making your roast tender while bringing out the flavor of the juicy meat. We like to do this with our marinated sirloin tip roast recipe.

    Marinating overnight (12 hours) is ideal for optimal tenderness. In a time crunch? Marinate for a minimum of 4 hours.

    Vinegars that can be used: White wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and apple cider vinegar.

    Vinegar based marinade recipe

    • ¼ cup red wine vinegar (or what you have on hand)
    • ¼ cup oil
    • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
    • ¼ cup chopped onion
    • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
    • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme
    • Pinch of black pepper

    Instructions for vinegar marinade:

    Place beef roast into a bowl or shallow dish. Mix all of the marinade ingredients in a small bowl until combined and pour the mixture over the roast -  turning the roast over once or twice to ensure all sides are coated. Cover and place into the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours. Marinating overnight is best.

    Mustard can also be used as a tenderizer. Instead of soaking the Bottom Round Roast in vinegar it can be coated in mustard and left to tenderize overnight. If you do not care for the flavor of mustard, simply rinse the meat to remove the mustard and pat it dry with paper towels. Once the roast is tenderized, follow the recipe instructions for cooking.

    Mustard Marinade Recipe

    • ⅓ cup mustard (Dijon or regular yellow mustard)
    • 2 Tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
    • 1 teaspoon dried sage or thyme
    • Pinch of salt
    • Pinch of black pepper

    Instructions for mustard marinade:

    Place beef roast into a bowl or shallow dish. Place all of the ingredients into a small bowl and mix to create a thick marinade. Spoon the marinade over the roast and rub into the meat, coating all sides.

    Chopped onion, garlic, Rosemary, Basil, and Parsley are examples of seasonings that you can include in your marinade.  For an extra kick, you can also add prepared horseradish.

    Diagonal view of a cooked and partially sliced bottom round roast on a wooden cutting board with sprigs of fresh rosemary.

    Storage tips

    If you have any leftovers, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

    To reheat, use the same low and slow method for the best results. Remove from the fridge and place in a roasting pan or iron skillet.

    To prevent from drying out, cover it tightly with foil and add a little liquid - approximately 2 ounces of either water or broth- to the bottom of the pan.

    Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F or 121 C, then transfer into the oven. Use a meat thermometer to tell when the inside of the roast has been heated to 125 F or 52 C.

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    📖 Recipe

    Tender Beef Bottom Round Roast

    Dane & Becky
    This flavorful, juicy and tender beef bottom round roast recipe creates an inexpensive yet elegant dish.
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
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    Prep Time 45 minutes mins
    Cook Time 2 hours hrs
    Additional Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 3 hours hrs
    Course Main Dishes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 405 kcal

    Equipment

    • Roasting pan with rack

    Ingredients
      

    • 3 lb bottom round roast
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 3 teaspoons minced garlic
    • 2 teaspoons dried basil
    • 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
    • 1 teaspoon dried parsley
    • 1 ½ teaspoon kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
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    Instructions
     

    • Take the roast from the fridge and remove packaging. Place the roast on a cutting board and let it rest at room temperature for 30-45 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450F.
    • In a small mixing bowl combine olive oil, garlic, basil, rosemary, parsley, salt, and pepper. Rub the mixture evenly over the roast, then place it in a roasting pan fitted with a rack.
    • Roast for 15 minutes, then drop the oven temperature to 325F and continue roasting for 1 ½-2 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 125F (for medium rare) to 135 (for medium).
    • Remove the roast from the oven and allow it to rest for 15 minutes before transferring it to a clean cutting board. Slice and serve.

    Notes

    Don't overcook - use an instant-read thermometer to ensure your roast does not go past 135 degrees f (medium). We prefer to roast to 125 degrees f, as the internal temperature will continue to increase as it rest.
    Rest for Success - you want to rest before and after cooking for peak tenderness. Resting at room temperature before cooking, raises the internal temperature allowing it to cook more evenly. Resting for 15 minutes after cooking, allows the natural juices to redistribute resulting in a tender, juicy roast.
    Carve against the grain - by slicing against the grain, you are reducing the length of the muscle fibers and connective tissue. Resulting in a delicious roast that is more tender and easier to chew.
    Thinner slices - similar to carving against the grain, thinner slices are easier to chew.

    Tenderize your roast by marinating overnight (minimum 4 hours).

    Vinegar based marinade recipe

      • ¼ cup red wine vinegar (or what you have on hand)
      • ¼ cup oil
      • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
      • ¼ cup chopped onion
      • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
      • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme
      • Pinch of black pepper
    Instructions for vinegar marinade:
    Place beef roast into a bowl or shallow dish. Mix all of the marinade ingredients in a small bowl until combined and pour the mixture over the roast -  turning the roast over once or twice to ensure all sides are coated. Cover and place into the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours. Marinating overnight is best.
    Make an Herbed Butter or Horseradish Sauce to take this roast to the next level:

    Herbed Balsamic Butter recipe

    • ½ cup of unsalted butter (one stick of unsalted butter)
    • ½ teaspoon of salt
    • 1 teaspoon of fresh thyme or rosemary, finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon of balsamic vinegar
    • A pinch of black pepper (optional)
    Allow butter to soften to room temperature. Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl until balsamic vinegar is fully combined with the other ingredients. Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator until set (approximately 30 minutes).

    Creamy horseradish dipping sauce recipe

    • 2 tablespoons of prepared horseradish
    • ¾ cup of sour cream
    • ¼ cup of mayonnaise
    • 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard (optional)
    • Pinch of salt
    • Pinch of black pepper
    Mix all ingredients together in a small bowl. Cover the bowl and chill this dipping sauce in the refrigerator until serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Calories: 405kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 45gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 145mgSodium: 296mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Thanks for sharing!

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