🇮🇹 Tuscan-Style Slow-Cooked Beef Roast (Stracotto)
Savor the rich and hearty flavors of this Italian-style pot roast, perfect for a cozy family dinner.
🥩 Ingredients:
- 2 lbs (900g) beef chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup (240ml) dry red wine (Chianti or similar)
- 1 can (14 oz / 400g) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
🍲 Instructions:
- Sear the meat
- Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Season the beef roast with salt and pepper.
- Sear the meat on all sides until browned (about 3–4 minutes per side). Remove and set aside.
- Sauté vegetables
- In the same pot, add chopped onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
- Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Deglaze with wine
- Pour in the red wine and scrape the bottom of the pot to release the brown bits (flavor!).
- Let it simmer for 3–5 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Add remaining ingredients
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, rosemary, thyme, and bay leaf.
- Return the beef to the pot, spoon some sauce over the top.
- Slow cook
- Cover and cook on low heat for 3–4 hours on the stovetop, or
- Bake at 300°F (150°C) for 3 hours in the oven, or
- Slow cooker: 7–8 hours on low or 4–5 hours on high.
- Serve
- Once the beef is tender and falling apart, remove the bay leaf.
- Shred the meat gently with forks or slice it thickly.
- Serve with mashed potatoes, polenta, pasta, or crusty bread.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
📜 Description:
This Tuscan-style beef roast (Stracotto) is melt-in-your-mouth tender and infused with deep Italian flavors from wine, tomatoes, and herbs. It’s rustic, comforting, and perfect for a hearty meal.