Easy French onion pot roast with fall-apart beef, deeply caramelized onions, and rich gravy, finished with melted Gruyère cheese.
Equipment
Braising Pan or Dutch Oven with a Lid
Wire Rack
Ingredients
3 1/2lbsBoneless Chuck Roast
1tbspKosher Salt
1 1/2tspBlack Pepper
2tbspOlive Oil
4tbspSalted Butter
4largeYellow Onions, (sliced thinly)
1tbspOnion Powder
2tspGarlic Powder
1/2tbspBrown Sugar
2tbspTomato Paste
6clovesGarlic, (diced)
2tspBeef Bouillon
1tbspAll Purpose Flour
1/2cupWhiskey
1/4cupRed Wine
3cupsWater
1tbspBalsamic Vinegar
6sprigsFresh Thyme
3Bay Leaves
12ozGruyere Cheese, (buy a block of gruyere and shred with a box grater, should be around 1 1/2 cups)
1Baguette, (sliced)
Instructions
Pat the chuck roast dry with a paper towel then sprinkle generously with kosher salt and black pepper. (optional step: Place onto a wire rack and allow the chuck roast to dry brine overnight in the refrigerator - this makes the roast nice and juicy!) 3 1/2 lbs Boneless Chuck Roast1 tbsp Kosher Salt1 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
Place a braising pan or dutch oven on the stove on medium-high heat. Let the pan become searing hot, about 5 minutes, then add olive oil. Place the chuck roast into the pan and sear on both sides until a golden brown crust forms on both sides. Remove from the pan and place back onto the wire rack. 2 tbsp Olive Oil
Reduce heat to medium heat and butter. Once melted, add sliced onions, onion powder, garlic powder, and brown sugar. Stir together and cook for 8-10 minutes, until softened, then add diced garlic, tomato paste, beef bouillon paste, and all purpose flour. Continue to mix together and cook for an additional 5 minutes, until jammy, then pour in whiskey, red wine, water, and balsamic vinegar. 4 tbsp Salted Butter4 large Yellow Onions1 tbsp Onion Powder2 tsp Garlic Powder1/2 tbsp Brown Sugar6 cloves Garlic2 tbsp Tomato Paste2 tsp Beef Bouillon 1 tbsp All Purpose Flour1/2 cup Whiskey1/4 cup Red Wine3 cups Water1 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
Place the chuck roast back into the pot and add bay leaves and fresh thyme. Bring to a boil and cover with a lid. Reduce heat to low heat and cook for 3 1/2-4 hours, until the roast is fork tender. 6 sprigs Fresh Thyme3 Bay Leaves
Set the oven to broil. Remove the thyme and bay leaf, then carefully shredded the beef (it should fall apart easily at this point). Sprinkle on gruyere cheese on top of the shredded beef and add sliced baguette pieces (optional). Broil in the oven for 4-5 minutes, keeping a watchful eye to ensure that the cheese doesn't burn. Remove from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving. 12 oz Gruyere Cheese1 Baguette