Pot roast. It’s a dish that conjures images of mom’s cooking, cozy Sunday dinners with family, and cold wintery weather.
In other words, it’s the perfect thing to make for dinner right now, whether you’re looking for an easy Christmas meal or just a big vat of deliciousness for lunch or dinner any time this holiday week. My usual pot roast recipe is pretty traditional, involving red wine, herbs, and tomatoes. Today, though, I’m sharing a new “Asian Pot Roast” recipe, using many of the flavors from my own childhood.
This Asian pot roast shares a lot in common with the versions you’re probably familiar with. A thick, boneless chuck roast is first seared in a pan, and beef stock is added for braising. Instead of red wine, however, I used Shaoxing wine (you can also use a different rice wine or dry sherry if you can’t find Shaoxing wine).
The addition of ginger, scallions, and soy sauce give it an additional hint of “Asian” flavor, though the effect isn’t at all overpowering. In fact, I find that what the soy sauce does is add an extra layer of umami––rather than making the overall dish taste Chinese. Make it, and you’ll see what I mean.
Obligatory in my mind, however, is that this Asian pot roast be served over rice. You could serve it with potatoes or egg noodles, but me being me, rice is my starchy vehicle of choice.
The whole Asian pot roast idea was a huge hit in my house, and with my parents’ friends, when they made it for a dinner party recently. Give it a try, and let us know what you think of this twist in the comments!
You’ll need:
- 4-pound boneless beef chuck roast
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 3 slices ginger, mashed
- 2 medium onions, thinly sliced
- 5 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1/3 cup shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 5 medium carrots
- 3 scallions, cut into 2-inch lengths
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved into ¼ cup water
Pat the beef dry with a paper towel. Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the roast and sear for 5 minutes on each side, until browned.
Add the ginger and cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the onions, garlic, beef stock, wine, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar.
Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
After an hour and 30 minutes has elapsed, stir in the carrots, cover, and simmer for another hour.
Uncover, and stir in the scallions and cornstarch mixture.
Continue to simmer, stirring gently, until the sauce has thickened and the scallions have wilted (about 2-3 minutes).
Serve your Asian Pot Roast with rice or mashed potatoes!
Asian Pot Roast: A New Take on a Classic Sunday Dinner
Ingredients
- 4 pounds boneless beef chuck roast (1.8 kg)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or canola oil
- 3 slices ginger (mashed)
- 2 medium onions (thinly sliced)
- 5 cloves garlic (peeled and smashed)
- 2 cups beef stock
- 1/3 cup shaoxing wine or dry sherry
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon dark soy sauce
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 5 medium carrots
- 3 scallions (cut into 2-inch lengths)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch (dissolved into ¼ cup water)
Instructions
- Pat the beef dry with a paper towel. Heat the oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the roast and sear for 5 minutes on each side, until browned.
- Add the ginger and cook for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the onions, garlic, beef stock, wine, soy sauce, dark soy sauce, and sugar. Bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
- After an hour and 30 minutes has elapsed, stir in the carrots, cover, and simmer for another hour. Uncover, and stir in the scallions and cornstarch mixture. Continue to simmer, stirring gently, until the sauce has thickened and the scallions have wilted (about 2-3 minutes). Serve!
Nutrition
Diana says
This was delicious. I’ve been in sort of cooking/dinner burnout during shelter in place, and this recipe was a nice changeup to the regular rotation. It’s savory with a hint of sweetness, and there’s a lot of depth to the umami flavor.
At first I misread the recipe and thought it only took 1.5 hrs, and was dismayed when I got to the part where it says, “simmer for another hour.” Whoops! I’m typically literate, I swear.
Mistakes on my part aside, the meat turned out great with a melt-in your mouth, fall apart consistency. I used a really cheap 4lb. beef chuck roast that was under ten bucks and the fat and connective tissue transformed into an appetizing silkiness that really elevated the dish. The leftovers the next day still tasted wonderful. My roommate, who usually dislikes cooked carrots in things generally, gobbled it up with gusto. This recipe made it into my recipe binder and I will definitely make it again. Thank you so much for sharing it!
Sarah says
So glad you and your roommate enjoyed this, Diana. This is one of our family’s favorite recipes!
Jenn C says
Any Instapot directions for this?!!
Sarah says
Hi Jenn, I haven’t tried it in an instant pot, but I would say sear the meat first, and then put on the manual high pressure for no more than 20 minutes. You’ll also need less liquid. I haven’t tested it myself, so I don’t have exact amounts, but I would reduce the amount of stock to 1 cup.
Mitch says
Great recipe. I didn’t have dark soy, so I added Lee Kum Kee mushroom-flavored stir fry sauce. I didn’t have scallions, but I boosted the vegetables with celery, mushrooms, and Shanghai bok choy. I’m not on Instagram, but I’ll send you a picture by Facebook messenger.
Sarah says
Awesome, glad you enjoyed this recipe, Mitch! And that you were able to adapt it to your own tastes.
GC says
This recipe is great :) I’ve made it several times over the past couple years. Highly recommend and thanks so much !
Sarah says
You’re welcome!! This one’s a favorite in our family as well, especially at this time of year.
Sarah says
I added Chinese 5 Spice to mine to give it a more rich, spiced “Asian” flavor – so, so good for a cozy night in with a glass of red wine.
Bill says
Hi Sarah, a little extra 5 spice never hurts and this dish sounds even better served with a glass of red wine – yasss!
myearlyretirementjourney says
Anyone try this in a crockpot? That’s what I’m looking for this fall…new ideas for the crockpot…
Sarah says
This recipes does seem like a good fit for a crockpot, as long as it’s big enough to fit all the beef! If not, you could totally cut it into smaller pieces.
Susan says
Made this today for Sunday supper. To give it a more Asian taste added two star anise, cinnamon stick and three green cardamom pods to the simmer, tasted great. I suggest coconut rice and a sauté of Asians greens, garlic and oyster sauce as a side.
Sarah says
So glad you liked it, Susan! Thanks for sharing your experience. :)