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Savory French Onion Pot Roast Recipe

Savory French Onion Pot Roast Recipe
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★★★★★

5.2 from 17 reviews

This Savory French Onion Pot Roast is a comforting and rich one-pot meal perfect for cozy dinners. Featuring tender, slow-cooked chuck roast infused with sweet caramelized onions, garlic, and fresh herbs, this dish combines the deep flavors of classic French onion soup into a hearty meat preparation. The pot roast is seared to develop a crust, then baked low and slow in a robust onion and beef broth mixture until meltingly tender. Ideal for serving alongside creamy mashed potatoes, polenta, or buttered noodles, this recipe is a comforting favorite for any time of year.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

  • 3 lb boneless pot roast (chuck)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt, divided
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
  • 3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided

Vegetables and Aromatics

  • 3 lbs yellow onions (about 8 medium-large), peeled and sliced
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

Liquids and Seasonings

  • 1 Tablespoon pure maple syrup or brown sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour or gluten-free AP flour
  • 1 cup red wine or additional beef stock
  • 2 1/2 cups beef stock
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Season: Preheat a Dutch oven over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Season the pot roast evenly with half of the sea salt and black pepper.
  2. Sear the Roast: Place the pot roast carefully into the Dutch oven and sear on all sides until a rich brown crust forms, about 10-12 minutes total. Use sturdy tongs to turn it. When browned, remove and set aside on a plate.
  3. Slice Onions: Using a food processor with a thin slicing blade, halve and peel the onions, then process them into thin slices. Reserve onion skins for stock if desired.
  4. Cook Onions: Add the remaining olive oil to the Dutch oven and add all sliced onions along with the remaining salt and pepper. Stir to coat and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently until onions become translucent and limp, about 5 minutes, allowing moisture to evaporate.
  5. Caramelize Onions: Lower heat to medium-low and continue cooking the onions, stirring occasionally to prevent burning and scraping the pot’s bottom for about 20 minutes until the onions are soft and lightly golden.
  6. Preheat Oven: Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300°F (150°C).
  7. Add Garlic and Maple Syrup: Stir in the garlic and maple syrup, cooking for 7-8 minutes over medium-low heat to soften the garlic and further caramelize the onions.
  8. Thicken and Deglaze: Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir well to coat. Deglaze the pot with the red wine by adding it and scraping any browned bits from the bottom, then pour in the beef stock and stir to combine.
  9. Return Roast and Add Herbs: Place the seared pot roast back into the Dutch oven, ensuring it is covered by the onion liquid. Add the rosemary sprig and bay leaf. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a gentle simmer.
  10. Bake Slow and Low: Seal the Dutch oven with its lid and place it in the preheated oven. Cook undisturbed for 3 hours.
  11. Turn and Continue Cooking: Carefully remove the Dutch oven from the oven, turn the pot roast in the juices and shred it into a few large pieces using two forks. Cover and return to the oven for an additional 30-45 minutes until the meat is meltingly tender.
  12. Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven, uncover, and allow to cool. For best flavor, refrigerate in the pot overnight and reheat before serving. Serve hot with mashed potatoes, polenta, or buttered egg noodles.

Notes

  • Using a food processor with a slicing blade helps achieve uniform onion slices quickly.
  • Maple syrup adds a subtle sweetness that helps caramelize onions, feel free to substitute with brown sugar.
  • Red wine can be substituted with extra beef stock for a non-alcoholic version.
  • Letting the roast cool overnight helps the flavors deepen and improves texture for reheating.
  • To make gluten-free, use gluten-free flour and ensure beef stock and other ingredients are gluten-free.
  • Use fresh herbs like rosemary and bay leaf for best aroma and flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: French onion pot roast, caramelized onions, braised chuck roast, comfort food, slow cooked beef, Dutch oven recipe

Find it online: https://kitchenbyrita.com/savory-french-onion-pot-roast-recipe/