Comforting French Onion Pot Roast
A delightful dish that combines the rich flavors of beef and caramelized onions, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Meat
- 3 lb boneless chuck roast This is the main protein.
Seasoning & Oil
- 1/2 tsp fine sea salt Use for seasoning the roast.
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper Use for seasoning the roast.
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Used for browning the roast.
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Used for caramelizing onions.
Onions & Aromatics
- 3 lb yellow onions (about 8 medium to large) Key ingredient for caramelization.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Adds flavor to the onions.
Flavor Enhancers
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or brown sugar Adds a touch of sweetness.
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour or gluten-free all-purpose flour Thickens the sauce.
- 1 cup red wine or extra beef stock Choose wine for richer flavor.
- 2 1/2 cups beef stock Provides depth to the sauce.
- 1 sprig rosemary Fresh herb for flavor.
- 1 bay leaf bay leaf For additional aroma.
Instructions
Preparation
- Season the boneless chuck roast with fine sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- In a large pot, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chuck roast and brown it on all sides for about 10 minutes. Remove the roast from the pot and set it aside.
- In the same pot, add the sliced yellow onions and cook them until caramelized, about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Add the minced garlic to the onions and cook for an additional minute.
Cooking
- Sprinkle the maple syrup (or brown sugar) and flour over the onions and stir well to combine.
- Pour in the red wine (or extra beef stock) and let it simmer for a few minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the pot.
- Add the beef stock, rosemary, and bay leaf. Stir well.
- Return the browned chuck roast to the pot, cover it, and let it simmer on low heat for 3 to 4 hours until the meat is tender.
- Once done, remove the roast from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Notes
For extra flavor, marinate the chuck roast in red wine overnight before cooking. Caramelize the onions slowly for the best sweet flavor. If you like it spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the onions.