Embark on a journey to culinary excellence with my Ultimate Easy 5-Ingredient Roast Beef, a recipe that celebrates the rich, succulent flavors of one of the most cherished cuts of beef. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner or simply treating yourself to a luxurious meal, this dish is the epitome of simplicity meeting sophistication.
With just 5 ingredients, you’ll unlock the full potential of this magnificent roast, creating a centerpiece that’s as effortless as it is impressive. Perfect for any occasion and any time of year, this dish promises to deliver a mouthwatering experience. Join me as I delve into the art of perfecting the roast beef, where minimal ingredients bring out the maximum flavor.
FAQ
Navigating the nuances of a carnivore or keto lifestyle doesn’t mean you have to compromise on flavor or tradition, especially when it comes to a classic dish like roast beef. I’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions tailored to your dietary needs.
These answers will ensure that every aspect of your roast beef experience is both delicious and diet-compliant. Let’s dive into those burning questions to help you perfect your meal and keep it strictly carnivore and keto-friendly.
What are the ingredients needed in this recipe?
The ingredients needed for this roast beef recipe are a 3-pound roast cut of beef, 1 tablespoon of dried thyme, 1 teaspoon of unrefined sea salt (or to taste), 1 teaspoon of onion powder or 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of freshly ground white pepper.
Which beef cuts are the best for this recipe?
In general, you can use top round, bottom round, or eye of round, of which the top round is generally considered the best choice for roasting. The top round, also known as the inside round because it comes from the inside of the hind leg, is relatively tender compared to the other cuts from the round section and has a decent amount of flavor.
Naturally, you can use prime rib roast for an even more tender result. It’s just not that widely available here in Finland — unfortunately — so that’s why I had to settle with the top round.
How do I ensure tender result?
When roasting your meat, it’s important to not overcook it, as it can become tough. Cooking it to medium-rare or medium and then slicing it thinly against the grain can help ensure tenderness. It’s also beneficial to use a meat thermometer to achieve the desired level of doneness.
Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?
Absolutely! Fresh herbs bring a vibrant flavor to the roast. If you’re using fresh thyme, the general rule is to use three times the amount of dried herbs called for in the recipe.
Can I use black pepper instead of white pepper?
Well, yes. But. The choice of white pepper is intentional. Black pepper contains high levels of oxalates, which many individuals following carnivore and ketogenic diets prefer to avoid. White pepper, on the other hand, has a significantly lower oxalate content, which is why I’ve chosen it to add that peppery flavor with less harmful substances.
Should I cover my roast beef while it’s roasting?
There’s no need to cover the roast during the initial high-temperature searing. When you reduce the heat, you can roast it uncovered. Just tent it with foil after removing it from the oven to keep it warm as it rests.
How can I get a crusty exterior on my roast without using non-carnivore/keto ingredients?
The key to a crusty exterior is the initial high-heat blast in the oven. Make sure your oven is fully preheated to 450 °F (230 °C) before roasting. The dry rub of herbs and spices will also help form a delicious crust without the need for any non-keto-compliant ingredients.
How do I know when my roast is done?
The best way to determine doneness is to use a meat thermometer. For medium-rare, aim for an internal temperature of 130-135 °F (54-57 °C) before resting. Remember, the temperature will continue to rise a few degrees as the roast rests.
How long should the roast rest before slicing?
Let your roast rest for at least 15-20 minutes before carving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring a moist and flavorful roast — as you see in the photo.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Wrap any leftovers tightly in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. Consume within 3-4 days for the best quality.
Can I make gravy with the pan drippings?
Certainly! The drippings from the roast are perfect for making a flavorful gravy. Use the remaining juices — including the fat — as a base for your gravy. I love to add heavy cream and cook the sauce until thick and reduced. Like that, you don’t need any added (plant-based) thickeners.
What sides can I serve with this roast on a carnivore or keto diet?
On a strict carnivore diet, you’d stick to animal products, so consider serving your roast beef with a side of scrambled eggs or a dairy-based sauce like hollandaise. For those on a less strict keto diet, consider low-carb vegetable dishes like Parmesan-Dusted Daikon Fries, Steamed Broccoli with Bacon and Butter, Mascarpone and Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower, or Easy Fried Keto Eggplant.
Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Make This Ultimate Roast Beef
So, 5 ingredients and a little bit of time are all you need to make this satisfying meal. The preparations take just mere minutes, the roasting naturally a bit longer. Without further ado, let’s take a closer look at how to prepare this scrumptious dish:
The most important step is to preheat the oven to 450 °F (230 °C) and take the meat out of the refrigerator to bring it to room temperature. Then, make the rub: in a small bowl, combine 1 tablespoon dried thyme…
…1 teaspoon (or to taste) unrefined sea salt…
…1 teaspoon onion powder or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder…
…and 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper.
Mix until well combined.
Place the meat in a roasting pan or ceramic or glass baking dish.
Rub the entire surface of the roast with the seasoning mixture.
Roast the meat in the preheated oven for 15 minutes to sear the outside.
Then, reduce the oven temperature to 325 °F (165 °C) and continue roasting. Plan for about 15-20 minutes per pound (450 g) for medium-rare doneness. My 3 lbs (1.4 kg) roast took 40 minutes.
Once the desired doneness is reached, remove the roast from the oven.
Tent the roasting pan or baking dish loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
Carve your roast into thin slices and serve immediately. Enjoy your simple yet flavorful meal!
How I Came up with This Easy Roast Beef Recipe
In the heart of a Finnish winter, with Christmas around the corner, I craved a change from our usual festive ham. It’s a tradition here, but my stomach just doesn’t agree with too much pork. So, there I was, cozy by my brand-new electric heated blanket, dreaming up a beef dish that could steal the holiday show.
I wanted something simple but grand, a dish that felt like a celebration. And then it hit me: roast beef. It’s fancy, sure, but it’s also perfect for any big day. Plus, you can switch it up however you like.
I got to work, picking just a few ingredients from my pantry to let the beef shine. And wow, did it work! This roast beef was easy to make and versatile for any season’s spices or herbs.
This wasn’t just dinner; it was the start of a new Christmas tradition, one that fit my beefy preference and felt every bit as special as the holiday itself. It was a hit — also, my son raved about it and asked me to make more of this divine dish — a new favorite that felt like home and brought joy to the table. Just like that, a fresh Christmas classic was born right in my kitchen.
Here’s the recipe for you to enjoy:
Ultimate Easy 5-Ingredient Roast Beef
Embark on a journey to culinary excellence with my Ultimate Easy 5-Ingredient Roast Beef, a recipe that celebrates the rich, succulent flavors of one of the most cherished cuts of beef. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner or simply treating yourself to a luxurious meal, this dish is the epitome of simplicity meeting sophistication.
With just 5 ingredients, you’ll unlock the full potential of this magnificent roast, creating a centerpiece that’s as effortless as it is impressive. Perfect for any occasion and any time of year, this dish promises to deliver a mouthwatering experience. Join me as I delve into the art of perfecting the roast beef, where minimal ingredients bring out the maximum flavor
Ingredients
- 3 lbs = 1.4 kg beef cut suitable for roasting (top round, bottom round, eye of round, or prime rib)
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon (or to taste) unrefined sea salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 450 °F (230 °C). Take the meat out of the refrigerator to bring it to room temperature.
- In a small bowl, mix the thyme, salt, onion or garlic powder, and white pepper to create the seasoning rub.
- Place the meat in a roasting pan and rub the entire surface of the roast with the seasoning mixture.
- Roast the meat in the preheated oven for 15 minutes to sear the outside, then reduce the oven temperature to 325 °F (165 °C) and continue roasting. Plan for about 15-20 minutes per pound (450 g) for medium-rare doneness.
- Once the desired doneness is reached, remove the roast from the oven, tent it loosely with foil, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
- Carve the roast into thin slices and serve immediately. Enjoy your flavorful meal!
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| Nutrition information | In total | Per serving (makes 6 servings) |
| Protein | 237.7 g | 39.6 g |
| Fat | 117.9 g | 19.7 g |
| Net carbs | 2.1 g | 0.4 g |
| kcal | 2018 kcal | 336 kcal |
Tips for Carnivore Variations
For a strict carnivore variation of the roast beef recipe, you’ll want to eliminate any plant-based seasonings and focus solely on animal-based ingredients. Here are some ideas:
1. Salted Roast Beef:
Simply season your meat with a generous amount of high-quality sea salt before roasting. Salt is the only seasoning you need to enhance the natural flavors of the beef.
2. Butter-Basted Roast Beef:
As your roast cooks, baste it periodically with melted grass-fed butter or ghee. This will add richness and help create a deliciously crisp exterior.
3. Bone Marrow Baste:
Scoop out bone marrow from beef bones and melt it over low heat. Use this to baste your roast beef for an extra layer of meaty flavor.
4. Beef Tallow Rub:
Before roasting, coat the meat in beef tallow, which will render down and help form a crusty, flavorful exterior as the meat cooks.
5. Carnivore “Herbs” Roast:
While traditional herbs are plant-based, for a carnivore diet, you can create a “herb” crust by using powdered, freeze-dried liver or other organ meats. Pat the powder onto the meat before roasting for an extra nutrient-dense crust.
6. Pork-Rind-Crusted Roast Beef:
Take a bag of plain pork rinds and crush them into a fine powder using a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and roll them with a rolling pin. Rub the roast all over with egg whites or melted butter/ghee to help the pork rind “crust” adhere to the meat. Apply the pork rind crust: Press the ground pork rinds onto the coated meat, covering it as evenly as possible. Cook your roast beef as you normally would. The pork rinds will turn into a crispy crust as the meat roasts.
7. Bacon Wrap:
Wrap the entire roast in overlapping strips of bacon (or in bacon weave) before roasting. The bacon will render and baste the roast as it cooks, adding extra fat and flavor.
Remember, for a strict carnivore diet, stick to animal products only, and always ensure that any additional ingredients or garnishes are also from animal sources.
Tips for Keto Variations on the Recipe
For those following a keto diet, the roast beef can be adapted to include various keto-friendly ingredients that add flavor while keeping the carb count low. Here are some keto variations for the roast beef recipe:
1. Herb Butter Crust:
Mix softened grass-fed butter with dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and sage. Slather this mixture over the roast before cooking to infuse it with flavor.
2. Garlic and Herb Rub:
Combine crushed garlic with dried herbs and extra-virgin olive oil to create a paste. Rub this mixture over the meat for a fragrant and flavorful crust.
3. Parmesan Crust:
Grate some fresh Parmesan cheese and mix it with minced garlic and herbs of choice. Press this mixture onto the outside of the beef to form a cheesy crust as it cooks.
4. Spicy Mustard Crust:
Brush the meat with a layer of sugar-free and seed oil-free Dijon mustard before roasting, then sprinkle with a blend of crushed pork rinds and grated hard cheese for a tangy, crunchy exterior.
5. Creamy Horseradish Sauce:
Serve your roast beef with a side of creamy horseradish sauce made with sour cream or full-fat (EVOO or avocado oil-based) mayonnaise, horseradish, and a touch of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar for a tangy complement.
6. Rich Gravy:
Use the pan drippings to make a rich gravy. Thicken it with xanthan gum or guar gum instead of flour to keep it keto-friendly.
Each of these variations adds a unique twist to the roast beef while keeping your meal within the keto guidelines of low-carb, moderate protein, and high-fat.
General Prattling
Christmas has come and gone, and now we’re gearing up to ring in the New Year. I don’t have any grand plans—just looking forward to some delicious food and a leisurely stroll downtown to take in the fireworks display organized by Tampere’s local entrepreneurs. The weather is as cold as a freezer, so I make sure to dress warmly.
Lately, my time has been consumed by work on my online store, particularly focusing on the development of new products set to launch early in the coming year. Right now, I’m in the midst of conducting storage tests with a nearby laboratory. Keep an eye out for updates!
Happy New Year to all of my wonderful readers! As we bid farewell to another year and welcome the new possibilities that lie ahead, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued support and engagement. May the coming year bring you joy, health, and prosperity. Here’s to a fresh start, new adventures, and a year filled with content that inspires, entertains, and informs. Cheers to 2024!
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