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Home » Recipes » Beef Recipes

Bottom Round Roast (Garlic Herb)

Published: Jan 22, 2025 by Chef Ryan Littley

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Perfect for entertaining or family dinners, my Bottom Round Roast, seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic, is guaranteed to yield flavorful, tender, juicy roast beef every time!

My easy roast beef recipe is made with simple ingredients, letting the beef roast be the star of the show.

Sliced bottom round roast on a white platter with roasted vegetables.


 
Table of Contents:
  • Audio Player
  • Ingredients to make Garlic Herb Bottom Round Roast
  • What cut of beef is a Bottom Round Roast?
  • How to make Bottom Round Roast
  • Recipe FAQ’s
  • More Recipes You’ll Love!
  • Recipe: Bottom Round Roast

Audio Player

For a perfect roast every time, follow my easy instructions, and you’ll be rewarded with perfectly seasoned delicious slices of beef that your whole family will love.

This easy bottom-round roast is definitely one of my favorite beef recipes, second only to my Prime Rib Roast recipe and my Oven Baked Beef Brisket recipe.

Sliced bottom round roast on a white platter with roasted vegetables.

Serve this delicious bottom round roast with au jus made with the pan drippings and my creamy horseradish sauce for a meal you soon won’t forget.

Ingredients to make Garlic Herb Bottom Round Roast

Ingredients to make the recipe.

Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make my Garlic Herb Bottom Round Roast recipe. In Chef Speak, this is called the “Mise en Place,” which translates to “Everything in its Place.”

Not only does setting up your ingredients ahead of time speed up the cooking process, it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

Made with simple ingredients

  • Bottom round roast
  • Garlic cloves
  • Fresh thyme
  • Fresh rosemary
  • Cracked black pepper
  • Kosher salt or coarse sea salt
  • Dried oregano
  • Dijon mustard
  • Extra virgin olive oil

You can use all dry spices if you prefer, such as garlic powder in place of the fresh garlic cloves and dried thyme and rosemary instead of the fresh herbs. I prefer using cracked black pepper to season the roast, but regular black pepper works well, too.

If you don’t have kosher salt or coarse sea salt, use one teaspoon of table salt to replace the two teaspoons of kosher salt.

You can add other fresh herbs and aromatics to the seasoning blend that you enjoy the flavor of.

What cut of beef is a Bottom Round Roast?

The beef bottom round roast, also known as a “Rump Roast,” is a lean cut of beef taken from the outer part of the upper thigh on the rear legs of a steer. Because it comes from a part of the cow that’s frequently used for movement, it tends to be a leaner and tougher cut of meat. Which also means it’s one of the less expensive cuts of beef.

Because it’s a tougher cut of beef, it’s best cooked slowly to give the connective tissues time to break down; roasting at low temperatures and braising (pot roast) are two of the best ways to cook a bottom round. It can also be cut up and used as stew beef.

Compared to a chuck roast, it doesn’t have the amount of fat marbling that a chuck roast has, but it does have less connective tissue. Almost an even trade-off. The bottom round roast is more closely compared to a top round roast. The top round roast comes from the inside of the steers leg, so it can be perceived as a more tender cut of meat.

How to make Bottom Round Roast

Collage showing how to prepare the seasonings.
  • Add the chopped garlic cloves, fresh thyme, fresh rosemary, dried oregano, kosher salt, and black pepper to a small bowl.
  • Mix the seasonings until well blended.
  • Add the olive oil and Dijon mustard to a small bowl.
  • Mix to combine
Collage showing how to make the recipe.
  • Remove the roast from its container and pat down the entire roast with paper towels.
  • Coat the roast with the olive oil-mustard mixture.
    *If there is a fat cap, keep the fat side up during the roasting process.
  • Spread the seasoning mixture over the roast and place the roast on a wire rack in the refrigerator uncovered to marinate for 2-4 hours (overnight is best).
    *Leaving the roast uncovered will help the surface dry out, which will help the beef achieve a better crust on the outside of the roast. The roast can be covered if you’d rather not leave it uncovered in the fridge.
  • Remove the bottom round from the refrigerator and set it on the counter for 30 minutes, allowing it to come to room temperature. The meat will cook more evenly if it’s allowed to come to room temperature before roasting.
  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. and place a thermometer probe in the thickest part of the roast.
  • Place the roast on the center rack of the preheated oven and cook for approximately 30 minutes per pound.

We’re cooking for temperature, not time. Cooking times will vary depending on the weight of the roast and your home oven, so make sure to use a meat thermometer or an instant-read thermometer.

Garlic Herb Bottom Round on a white platter with roasted vegetables.
  • When the beef has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and tent the roast with aluminum foil for 15- 20 minutes. This will give the juices time to redistribute through the beef.
    *The internal temperature will continue to rise by 5-10 degrees during the resting period.
  • Add ½ – 1 cup of water to the pan. Use a heavy spoon to scrape all the tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour the aujus into a saucepan and heat.
  • Slice the beef into ¼ – ½ inch slices against the grain. Slicing with the grain will make the meat tough and chewy.

*You can add red wine or beef broth to the pan drippings for added flavor or to stretch the au jus.

Sliced bottom round roast on a white platter with roasted vegetables.

Don’t wait for a special occasion to serve this delicious bottom round roast to your family. It takes very little work to prepare, and clean-up is easy.

Store any leftover roast beef tightly wrapped with plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to five days. You’ll be able to slice it more thinly for roast beef sandwiches after it’s completely chilled.

Serve the roast with mashed potatoes or roasted potatoes, green beans, horseradish sauce, and cowboy butter to enhance the flavor of the beef.

Recipe FAQ’s

Does a bottom round roast get more tender the longer you cook it?

Cooking a bottom-round roast slowly at a low temperature will help improve its tenderness. However, overcooking the roast in an attempt to make it more tender will cause it to become dry and tough.

How long should the roast rest before slicing?

Let the roast rest for at least 20 – 30 minutes after removing it from the oven. This will let the juices redistribute through the roast, helping to make a juicer slice of beef.

Can I cook the roast in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can. But it will be difficult to control the doneness, and the entire roast will be well done.

How should I slice the bottom round roast?

Slice the roast against the grain for maximum tenderness. Use a sharp knife to cut thin, even slices.

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Bottom Round Roast

Chef Ryan Littley
Perfect for entertaining or family dinners, my Bottom Round Roast, seasoned with fresh herbs and garlic, is guaranteed to yield flavorful, tender, juicy roast beef every time!
5 from 31 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Listen to the Post
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Marinating and Resting Time 2 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
Total Time 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Course Entree
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 357 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 3 -4 pound bottom round roast
  • 1 tablespoon garlic finely minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves finely chopped or 2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary finely chopped or 2 teaspoon dried rosematy
  • 2 teaspoon kosher salt or 1 teaspoon table salt
  • 1 teaspoon cracked black pepper or 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard

Instructions
 

  • Add the garlic, thyme, rosemary, oregano, salt, and black pepper to a small bowl. Mix the seasonings until well blended.
  • Add the olive oil and Dijon mustard to a small bowl. Mix to combine.
  • Remove the roast from its container and pat down the entire roast with paper towels.
  • Coat the roast with the olive oil-mustard mixture.
    *If there is a fat cap, keep the fat side up during the roasting process.
  • Spread the seasoning mixture over the roast and place the roast on a wire rack in the refrigerator uncovered to marinate for 2-4 hours (overnight is best).
    *Leaving the roast uncovered will help the surface dry out, which will help the beef achieve a better crust on the outside of the roast. The roast can be covered if you’d rather not leave it uncovered in the fridge.
  • Remove the bottom round from the refrigerator and set it on the counter for 30 minutes, allowing it to come to room temperature.
    The meat will cook more evenly if it's allowed to come to room temperature before roasting.
  • Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
  • Place a thermometer probe in the thickest part of the roast.
  • Place the roast on the center rack of the preheated oven and cook for approximately 30 minutes per pound. Cooking times may vary.
    *Cook to an internal temperature of 125 degrees F. for a medium-rare roast. 135 degrees for medium, 145 for medium-well, and 155 for well-done.
  • When the beef has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the oven and tent the roast with aluminum foil for 15- 20 minutes. This will give the juices time to redistribute through the beef.
    *The internal temperature will continue to rise by 5-10 degrees during the resting period.
  • Add ½ – 1 cup of water or red wine to the pan. Use a heavy spoon to scrape all the tasty browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Pour the aujus into a saucepan and heat.
    *To stretch the aujus, add a little beef base and additional water to the pan.
  • Slice the beef into ¼ – ½ inch slices against the grain. Slicing with the grain will make the beef tough and chewy.
  • Serve the roast with mashed potatoes or oven-roasted potatoes, green beans, horseradish sauce, and cowboy butter to enhance the flavor of the beef.

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 51gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 141mgSodium: 709mgPotassium: 808mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 60mgIron: 5mg
Tried this recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askchefdennis or tag #askchefdennis!

Comments

    5 from 31 votes (28 ratings without comment)

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    Recipe Rating




  1. K. Bell says

    March 30, 2025 at 2:48 pm

    This looks amazing and I’d like to try it this week. Do we want the fat cap on top when placing the roast on the rack in the pan in the oven?

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      March 30, 2025 at 6:08 pm

      When roasting any beef or pork, the fat cap should always be up. This lets the fat drip through the meat as it renders in the oven.

      Reply
  2. Carolyn says

    January 25, 2025 at 11:54 am

    How much dry mustard in the seasoning?
    Thanks. Making seasoning for marinating overnight.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      January 25, 2025 at 7:12 pm

      I am sorry, that was a mistake, there is no dry mustard in the seasoning mixture. If you added it, it certainly won’t hurt the roast.

      Reply
  3. Amy says

    November 23, 2024 at 11:25 am

    Would 200 degrees convection roast have the same time of 1 hour per pound and the same medium rare result? Thank you.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      November 23, 2024 at 11:35 am

      One hour per pound is at the high end of the estimate, so it might take the same time or It could take a little longer. Make sure to use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperatures.

      Reply
  4. Teresa Ghassemi says

    January 13, 2024 at 11:56 pm

    I’m having trouble with the refrigerator time. I’m thinking overnight, and I put it in at 8;30 pm, so 8 hours would be 4:00 am? Since it has to cook for so long I want to put it in the oven around 11:00 am. Will it hurt to stay in the fridge longer than 8 hours? Should I cover it when I wake up on the morning?

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      January 14, 2024 at 6:51 am

      It will not hurt the roast to sit uncovered for the additional hours you mentioned.

      Reply
      • Bubbie Jones says

        February 15, 2024 at 1:47 am

        5 stars
        Outstanding
        Followed the recipe exactly,
        3 lb roast so only cooked it two and a half hours at 225 before raising heat.
        . Came out perfectly.
        Best piece of beef I’ve ever cooked, short of a prime rib.
        I was actually amazed that I could get a tough piece of beef like a bottom round as tender and flavorful as I did

      • Chef Dennis Littley says

        February 15, 2024 at 6:42 am

        I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the roast!

  5. Andy Norris says

    December 16, 2023 at 8:19 pm

    5 stars
    Tried the bottom round roast today. Very Very pleased with the results! Will use this recipe with during th holidays and many times after. A real winner!!

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      December 17, 2023 at 9:43 am

      I’m happy to hear you enjoyed the roast!

      Reply
      • Heidi says

        May 14, 2024 at 7:18 pm

        Is there somewhere on this page that I’m missing what the desired temperature should be?

      • Chef Dennis Littley says

        May 14, 2024 at 7:35 pm

        Thanks for pointing that out, it was in the step by step instructions in the post but not in the recipe card. The target temperature is 125 degrees F.

  6. Chris says

    October 24, 2023 at 3:51 pm

    5 stars
    I never had cooked a bottom round roast before but I made this last night and it turned out a perfect. Very flavorful. Thank you so much for posting this recipe. It’s a keeper.

    Reply
    • Chef Dennis Littley says

      October 25, 2023 at 8:02 am

      You’re welcome Chris. Nothing beats a good bottom roast, it’s all about simple techniques when roasting meats.

      Reply


My name is Chef Dennis Littley, creator and owner of Ask Chef Dennis Productions. As a classically trained chef with 40+ years of experience in the kitchen, I share my time-tested recipes, knowledge, and chef tips to help you create easy-to-make restaurant-quality meals in your home kitchen.

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