How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (2024)

by Lauren

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Roast beef is the ultimate comfort food. If you’re looking for a great way to make your holiday dinner stand out or just want to serve a delicious Sunday roast that will knock your family’s socks off, you’ll love this melt-in-your-mouth rump roast recipe.

How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (1)

How to Cook a Rump Roast Just Like Grandma’s

There’s nothing better than a juicy roast beef dinner on a cold winter day.

Today, I’m sharing my favorite way to make roast beef in the oven. It’s perfect when you want something easy and delicious to serve for the holidays or to make a Sunday dinner a little more special.

There’s a reason roast beef is such a classic for family gatherings. You don’t need to be a professional chef or even have much experience cooking at all to make it. All you need is a rump roast, some common seasonings, and a baking pan. Once you have those things in place, it’s time to get cooking!

So how do you cook a rump roast? That’s what I’m here for! I’ve got all your answers—including what do to with those leftovers.

What you’ll love about this recipe:

  • Hands off method. Searing the roast in a hot oven and then turning the heat down to let it roast slowly means you don’t have to dirty a second pan.
  • Classic seasonings. We’re keeping things simple here with classic seasonings that let the flavor of the beef shine. That means the leftovers have maximum versatility!
  • Melt-in-your-mouth tender. No tough, chewy beef here!

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How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (2)

Ingredients You’ll Need

Rump roast. For this classic recipe, I like to use rump roast, which is an affordable cut of beef that’s very tender. You can also use a bottom round, sirloin tip, or go all out and splurge on a boneless prime rib roast. Whichever you choose, look for a cut that’s labelled choice or prime and has some visible marbling for the best quality.

Garlic. I use a few cloves of fresh garlic for the best flavor.

Rosemary and Thyme. Using fresh herbs in your rub gives this rump roast recipe a fresh, modern vibe. You can substitute dried herbs if they’re all you have, but you will sacrifice some flavor.

Salt and Pepper.

Olive Oil.

You’ll also need a roasting pan that’s large enough to fit your roast. A meat thermometer is also helpful for ensuring your roast is cooked perfectly.

How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (3)
How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (4)

How to make a tender beef roast in the oven

Mix the oil and herbs in a small bowl to create your rub. Let this mixture sit a few minutes to allow the herbs to soften and infuse the oil with flavor.

Rub the herb rub all over the beef, making sure it’s completely covered. In addition to adding flavor, this will ensure the roast gets a beautiful brown crust on the outside.

Sear in a hot oven to brown the roast

Reduce the heat and cook the beef rump roast low and slow for the most tender roast beef of your life

Rest the beef before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Pro tips for the best oven beef roast

  • Allow the roast to come to room temperature before cooking it. This requires a little pre planning but will ensure the meat cooks evenly throughout. That way you won’t have to overcook the outside in order to get the center up to temp.
  • Timing will vary depending on your oven as well as on the size and shape of your beef. Using a meat thermometer will give you the most accurate results. The internal temperature of your roast should reach 135ºF for medium rare, 145º for medium, and 150º for medium well. Remember that the temperature will rise another 5-10º as the meat rests!
  • Plan to cook your rump roast for 30 minutes, plus and additional 30 minutes per pound.
How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (5)

Commonly asked questions

How to store leftover roast beef

Leftovers will keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can also slice the beef and freeze it for up to 6 months.

What to serve with beef rump roast?

There are so many options!

I love serving roast beef with au jus, roasted or mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables (especially Brussels Sprouts) and Yorkshire pudding. And I always make sure I have prepared horseradish to serve on the side! You can also never go wrong with a big, leafy green salad.

For a stress-free side, toss baby potatoes, sliced carrots, and other root vegetables in a little bit of olive oil, salt, and pepper, then add them to the pan for the last hour of the cooking time. They’ll cook right along with the roast beef!

How to use leftover rump roast?

My absolute favorite way to use leftover roast beef it to make beef on weck sandwiches! You can also make delicious roast beef sandwiches with cherry pepper aioli. I also adore an Italian beef sandwich piled high with giardiniera.

For a more substantial meal, add the leftover roast beef to a salad, make hash and eggs, or add thinly sliced roast beef to pho broth to make a warm and delicious soup.

How to reheat roast beef (without drying it out)

Roast beef can dry out as it sits in the fridge, so you’ll want to add some liquid while you reheat it. The easiest way to reheat the beef without overcooking it is the add it to a slow cooker or roasting pan with 1/4 cup of beef stock and cook covered on low heat (325º if using the oven) until it’s warmed through.

What’s the best way to slice beef rump roast?

For tender roast beef, use a sharp carving knife to cut the roast across the grain into very thin slices – try to keep them under 1/4 inch for that melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.

More delicious main course recipes for special occasions

  • Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
  • Baked Crab Cakes
  • Slow Cooker Red Wine Beef
  • Prosciutto Wrapped Pork Tenderloin
  • Baked Ham with Apricot-Mustard Glaze
How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (6)

How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (7)

Classic Oven Roast Beef Recipe

Whether you're hosting a big family gathering or having a quiet meal with your significant other, roast beef is a classic recipe that's a staple at holiday meals and for special occasions. This recipe will show you how to cook a rump roast perfectly so it comes out tender, juicy, and flavorful every time!

4.99 from 140 votes

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Course: Beef Recipes

Cuisine: American

Keyword: classic roast beef, how to cook a rump roast, oven roast beef, roast beef recipe

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 2 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Resting Time: 2 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 301kcal

Author: Lauren Keating

Ingredients

  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped finely (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme chopped finely (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • 3 pound rump roast

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F

  • In a small bowl, combine the garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Stir in the olive oil until well combined. Let sit for 5-10 minutes so the herbs soften and the oil takes on their flavor.

  • Rub the herb mixture all over roast, making sure it’s completely covered.

  • Place roast in roasting pan and cook for 30 minutes to brown the outside.

  • Reduce the oven temperature to 225°F and continue cooking for 1 ½ to 2 hours or until an internal temperature reads 135 – 150° F, depending on your desired level of doneness.

  • Remove the roast from the oven and cover with it aluminum foil. Let the roast rest for 15-30 minutes before serving.

Notes

Remove the rump roast from the refrigerator 1-2 hours before cooking to allow it to come to room temperature.

Nutrition Facts

Classic Oven Roast Beef Recipe

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 301Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 4g25%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 105mg35%

Sodium 677mg29%

Potassium 592mg17%

Carbohydrates 1g0%

Fiber 0.2g1%

Sugar 0.01g0%

Protein 38g76%

Vitamin A 49IU1%

Vitamin C 2mg2%

Calcium 39mg4%

Iron 4mg22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyDelish or tag #HealthyDelish!

Related Posts:

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  • Roasted Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Crust
  • Healthy Broccoli Casserole

How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (11)

Hi, I'm Lauren!

I'm a certified plant-based cook and enthusiastic omnivore who loves looking for creative ways to make weeknight meals more nutritious. I'm the author of Heathy Eating One Pot Cookbook and Healthy Meal Prep Slow Cooker Cookbook. I also blog at The Busy Foodie. Read more...

23 thoughts on “Classic Roast Beef Recipe”

  1. Will a chuck roast work for this recipe?

    Reply

    • Yes!

  2. Hello, I’m really looking forward to cooking this for my family on Boxing Day! Are your oven temps for a fan assisted oven please? I need to cook my roast potatoes at 200c and the beef needs to cook at a much lower temp. I was going to use my top oven for the beef, but it’s not fan assisted – will this be ok? Thank you

    Reply

    • The temps are for a traditional (non-convection/fan) electric oven.

  3. How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (12)
    Can you use an electric roaster with this recipe? Should the roast be placed on a rack, or sitting directly on the bottom of the roaster?

    Reply

  4. How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (13)
    I’m 54 and this was the first time I was successful making a roast beef. Mind you, I still screwed up, but not terribly so.
    I seared it on all sides, then put it on a rack in my dutch oven with a cup or so of water under the rack. The screw up was with the roasting temp vs the reheating temp. I roasted for 1.5 hours at 325 instead of 225. It was much more well done than I normally eat beef, but it was still very good and not dry.

    I’d give it 10 stars if I could.

    Reply

  5. Oh my, I oopsed and use rosemary and sage by mistake not time. Did I ruin it? It smells good and just finished the browning portion of the recipe.

    Reply

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How To Cook A Rump Roast | Classic Roast Beef Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cooking method for rump? ›

Rump roast is a lean and economical cut that is tasty yet tough. This cut typically takes a longer time to become tender (there are additional ways to tenderize tough meat, too). The best way to cook it is to braise it in the oven or to use a slow cooker.

What temperature should a rump roast be cooked at? ›

Follow these temperatures to determine how well-cooked you want your rump roast to be:
  1. 125°F for rare meat.
  2. 130°F for medium-rare meat.
  3. 140°F for medium-well meat.
  4. 160°F for well-done meat.
Jun 24, 2020

Should rump roast be covered or uncovered? ›

When cooking a roast in the oven, keep it uncovered until roasted to the desired doneness. After removing from the oven, tent with foil and let stand 15 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, preventing them from draining out during carving—and preventing dry, disappointing meat.

Do you cook a rump roast fat up or fat down? ›

5. Place roast fat side up / bone side down on the rack. Placing your roast fat side up lets the fat melt and flow down, moistening the meat as it cooks. There are debates on whether the fat would be enough to baste the lean meat as it melts down, but it makes the surface crispier.

How to cook rump so it's tender? ›

Cook for three minutes on each side then transfer to a baking tray and finish in a hot oven for 10–15 minutes. Of course you can finish cooking your rump steak in the pan – give a 5cm piece of meat five minutes on each side for medium rare – but you'll get a more even and tender result by using the oven.

Does rump roast get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Tough cuts of meat like the rump roast require low heat for an extended time (in contrast to quick-cooking high heat for a ribeye steak). The long cooking time allows the tough connective tissue to break down and the firm collagen to liquefy into gelatin, which makes for a juicy and succulent pot roast.

Is it better to cook a roast at 325 or 350? ›

When roasting meat and poultry, set the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) or higher. Explore the charts below to learn how to get great results every time you cook.

Should a roast be covered in the oven? ›

To give your meat a flavourful crispy exterior, cook uncovered on a rack set in a shallow roasting pan. Don't add water! Invest in a digital thermometer that lets you monitor the temperature of your roast – or even alert you when it's done – without opening the oven door.

How do I cook a beef roast without drying it out? ›

Do you cover roast beef when cooking? You should cover a beef roast with kitchen foil for at least part of the cooking time. This stops the roast beef from drying out too much during cooking.

Why is my rump roast tough? ›

Whole, it averages 15 pounds, but the entire rump is most often cut into three or four roasts that are 3 to 4 pounds each. Rump roast comes from a muscle group that gets a lot of exercise; therefore, it has little fat and is extra lean. It will be tough unless you cook it correctly.

What is another name for a rump roast? ›

Rump roast, also affectionately known as bottom round roast, comes from the energetic hindquarters of the cow, where the muscles are regularly exercised. This cut of beef may be a bit more robust, but its developed muscle fibers give it an unparalleled depth of flavor.

What happens if you don't sear a roast before cooking? ›

The meat will cook just fine without searing. (And any surface bacteria will die during cooking anyway.) But I really believe that the depth and complexity of flavor we gain in this searing step is well-worth the extra effort.

Do you season roast beef before cooking? ›

Just rub the roast liberally with kosher salt and pepper (and whatever other spices you'd like to use), and set it, uncovered, on a sheet tray or roasting pan in the fridge. Don't even think about taking the meat directly from the fridge to the oven. It will take longer to cook, not to mention roast unevenly.

Should you salt a roast before cooking? ›

I think we're all looking for a little safety net of cooking, and salting ahead of time is it. Salting ahead of time is also the reason that restaurant steaks, chickens, and fish fillets always seem to have the crispiest, most perfectly browned exteriors and skin.

Should rump steak be cooked fast or slow? ›

Rump steak cooking times

Cook the steak for three minutes on each side then move to a baking tray to finish in a hot oven for around 10-15 minutes. Alternatively, you can finish cooking your steak in the pan, give a thicker piece of meat (5cm) five minutes on each side if you want medium rare.

How do you keep rump steak from getting tough? ›

Using acidic ingredients like lemon juice, vinegar or buttermilk not only add flavor but also break down tough proteins, giving the meat a “pre-cook” before it hits the grill. Just make sure you don't let it sit on the marinade for too long (30 minutes to two hours should be sufficient), or it'll become soft and mushy.

What is beef rump best for? ›

Beef rump needs no introduction. From stir-fries to steak, it is widely available and features in many favourite dishes. Rump steak is taken from the rump section of the hindquarter. The rump can produce traditional rump steaks or when seam cut it can also produce prime rump steak and bistro steak.

What cooking method makes meat most tender? ›

This is certainly true when it comes to notoriously tough cuts of meat like beef brisket and pork shoulder. Cooking these cuts of meat slowly, either by braising, stewing or grill roasting, is the best way to get these tasty cuts of meat meltingly tender.

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