Ingredients:
- 3 lb beef chuck roast
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 lb yellow onion, quartered
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2.5 lb Russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions:
- Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper. Note: Dry meat sears better than damp meat
- Heat vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium high heat. Sear the meat on all sides until a deep mahogany colored crust forms (about 3-5 minutes per side), then remove meat to a plate.
- In the same pot, sauté quartered onions and smashed garlic for 2 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Return the meat to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, ensuring the liquid comes halfway up the sides of the roast.
- Nestle the rosemary and thyme sprigs around the beef.
- Cover and transfer to a 300°F (150°C) oven for 3 hours until the meat shreds easily with a fork. Note: For slow cooker, cook on Low for 8 hours
- Add the carrots during the last 60 minutes of cooking.
- While the roast finishes, boil the cubed Russet potatoes until tender. Drain and mash with butter and whole milk until smooth.
- Prepare the gravy by melting 2 tbsp butter in a pan, whisking in flour to create a roux, and gradually stirring in 2 cups of reserved braising liquid until thickened and glossy.