I Perfected Pot Roast | With Babish

beef chuck roast

🥗Healthier: lean beef cuts

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Lean beef cuts are lower in fat, while pork shoulder is often more affordable.

potatoes

🥗Healthier: sweet potatoes

💰Cheaper: instant mashed potatoes

Sweet potatoes are more nutritious, while instant mashed potatoes save time and money.

Introduce the concept of pot roast and the goal of perfecting it.

Select flat iron beef as the cut of choice for its marbling and tenderness.

Liberally season the flat iron beef with a tuxedo blend of black pepper and kosher salt.

Optionally wrap the seasoned beef in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally 1-2 days.

Prepare vegetables: peel and cut onions in half while maintaining the core, chop carrots, celery, and parsnip, and wash and chop leeks.

Cut a head of garlic in half widthwise to expose the cloves.

Make a bouquet garnier using a leek leaf, thyme, rosemary, bay leaves, and parsley, tying it with butcher twine.

Prepare the braising liquid by combining 4 cups of beef stock with unflavored gelatin, sprinkling it in gradually to avoid lumps.

Remove the beef from the fridge, towel off to ensure it's dry for searing.

Heat vegetable oil in a large high-walled Dutch oven until smoking hot, then sear the beef on all sides.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary