Prepare a Perfect Roast Beef this Holiday Season

You know you’re a true Dr. Seuss fan when you prepare the “roast beast” for your family during the holiday season.  Roast beef is a deliciously hearty meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare with a few quick tips.  Buy a roast that’s bigger than what you need because you’ll want to enjoy the yummy leftovers for days afterward.  The team at The Butcher Shop has everything you need and can answer all your questions about preparing the perfect roast beef for the holidays.

Quick Tips for Cooking the Perfect Roast Beef:

1. Unwrap the meat and dry it off with a paper towel.  Place the roast beef on a tray and place it in the refrigerator uncovered for at least an hour.  This process helps to remove moisture from the outer edges of the meat, so when you cook it in the oven it develops a nice, flavorful crust.  Once you take it out of the refrigerator, allow it to warm up to room temperature before you place it in the oven.  This will help the meat to cook more evenly.
2. Use the combination of herbs you like best.  You can get creative when you make roast beef.  Recipes will come with their recommendations for herbs, but you can really use any combination that fits your preferences.
3. Use a meat thermometer.  Large pieces of meat can be difficult to judge for doneness by sight or feel.  It’s much easier to use a corded thermometer so you can monitor the internal temperature by watching a device on your countertop.
4. Let it rest before you slice it.  After the meat is done, allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes before you cut into it.  Resting gives the cellular structure of the meat to close and will keep the juices in the meat.  Slice too soon, and you’ll have “roast beast juice” all over your counter.
5. Ask your butcher for help.  There are several cuts of roast beef, including top-round, bottom-round, top-sirloin, and eye-of-round.  Your butcher can help you decide between the different cuts and can also trim and tie up the cut so it’s all ready to go once you get it home.

Ingredients:

These measurements are for a 4-pound roast beef.  Adjust the amounts proportionally to match the cut of beef you purchase.  A good rule of thumb is to prepare one pound of roast beef for each guest.

• 1 4-pound TBS roast, trimmed and tied.
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped or minced
• 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme, leaves pulled from stems
• 4 teaspoons of salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Prepare your roast first by drying, refrigerating, and then allowing it to warm to room temperature, as noted in the tips above.
2. Preheat the oven to 350F.
3. Prepare a rub for the roast beef.  Mix the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.  Apply the rub generously over the exterior surface of the meat.
4. Place the beef on a roasting rack.  Cook at 350F for 15 minutes.  Then, turn the temperature down to 325F for another hour and 45 minutes. Rather than relying on the time, however, you want to monitor the internal temperature to determine when it’s done.  Here’s a quick guide:
   1. Rare = 125F.
   2. Medium Rare = 135F.
   3. Medium = 145F.
   4. Medium Well = 150F.
   5. Well = 160F.
5. Remove the roast from the oven and allow it to rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving it.

Stop by The Butcher Shop for the Freshest Meats and Local Produce

Why purchase meat and produce from a grocery store that comes from who knows where?  We have such excellent, fresh meat and produce available to us locally!  The Butcher Shop is your one-stop-shop for locally sourced meats and produce from farms right here in Southern Oregon.  At TBS, you’ll find the perfect cut of meat for your meal, plus fresh-baked loaves of bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, local wine and beers, and even quality food specifically for your canine.  Stop by today or call ahead to pre-order your ingredients.