Description
Tender chuck roast slow-simmered in a caramelized onion and herb broth, this Savory French Onion Pot Roast is the ultimate comfort food. Perfectly balanced with balsamic, garlic, and thyme, it’s ideal for cozy dinners or hearty Sunday meals.
Ingredients
3 lbs chuck roast, boneless
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 cups beef broth
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
1. Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper. Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef on all sides until browned, about 3–4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
2. Add sliced onions to the same pot. Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until deeply golden and caramelized—about 25 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
3. Stir in the tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with white wine, scraping up any browned bits. Let it simmer until the liquid reduces by half.
4. Return the seared beef to the pot. Add balsamic vinegar, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook for 3 to 3.5 hours on low, until the meat is fork-tender.
5. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with mashed potatoes, polenta, or crusty bread.
Notes
Use a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven for the best sear and even cooking.
Don’t rush the onion caramelizing—slow cooking builds flavor.
For extra richness, finish with a splash of cream or butter at the end.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Braised
- Cuisine: French-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 39g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
Keywords: pot roast, onion pot roast, French onion beef