# What you need:
→ Beef and Seasoning
01 - 3.25 lb beef chuck roast or blade roast, well-marbled
02 - 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more to taste
03 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or gluten-free flour
→ For Searing
05 - 3 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil, divided
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
→ Vegetables and Aromatics
07 - 1 large yellow onion, sliced into thick wedges
08 - 4 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
09 - 4 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
10 - 3 ribs celery, cut into 2-inch chunks
11 - 1.5 lb baby potatoes or small waxy potatoes, whole or halved if large
→ Braising Liquid and Herbs
12 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
13 - 1 cup dry red wine or extra beef broth for non-alcoholic version
14 - 2.5 cups low-sodium beef broth
15 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
16 - 2 sprigs fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
17 - 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
18 - 2 bay leaves
→ Optional
19 - 1.5 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water for thickening
20 - Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 300°F. Pat the beef roast dry and season all sides generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Lightly coat the roast with flour, dusting off any excess.
02 - Heat 2 tablespoons oil and butter in a large heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for 4 to 5 minutes per side until deeply browned on all edges. Transfer the roast to a plate.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil if needed. Add onion wedges and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened and golden. Add smashed garlic and cook for 30 to 60 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Stir in tomato paste and cook for 1 to 2 minutes until darkened and caramelized.
05 - Pour in red wine while scraping up browned bits from the pot bottom. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to reduce slightly and concentrate flavors.
06 - Add beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, stirring thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
07 - Add rosemary sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaves. Return the roast and any accumulated juices to the pot, nestling it into the liquid so it comes halfway up the meat.
08 - Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover tightly and reduce heat to low, or transfer to the preheated oven. Cook for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
09 - Turn the roast over. Add carrots, celery, and potatoes around the roast, submerging them in the braising liquid. Re-cover and continue cooking for 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours until beef is very tender and vegetables are soft but intact.
10 - Remove the roast and vegetables to a serving platter and tent with foil. Skim excess fat from the surface of the braising liquid.
11 - For thicker gravy, bring the liquid to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Stir in the cornstarch slurry and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the sauce reaches desired thickness. Thin with additional broth if needed.
12 - Discard herb stems and bay leaves. Shred beef into large chunks or slice against the grain. Return beef to the pot or arrange over vegetables and spoon sauce generously on top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
13 - Serve hot, ideally accompanied by crusty bread, buttered noodles, or mashed potatoes.
