This post was sponsored by Better Than Bouillon as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Today we’re preparing Top Round Beef Roast, which we’ll be pairing with a thick brown gravy. This classic combination is perfect for small holiday gatherings or as a satisfying Sunday dinner.
We’ll be putting together today’s roast and gravy with a little help from our new friends over at Better Than Bouillon, but more on them in just a second.
Getting Started – Primary Ingredient Notes and Tips
1) The Top Round Roast. As the name implies, Top Round Roast comes from the ‘round’ of the cow, which is the hind area just above the shanks. This area of the cow is used for movement and support, and thus is under constant ‘tension’ when the cow is standing still, and receives exercise whenever the cow moves. Thus, the area tends to contain very, very little fat, while the ‘muscle meat’ tends to be very well developed. This leads to the area being tough (developed muscles), and being short on flavor (low fat), in comparison to other areas of the cow. However, this also has the effect of the making the meat perfect for ‘low and slow’ roasting. Regardless, there are a few ways to get around the meat’s general toughness and lack of fat. The first and most common method is to rub the roast down – thoroughly – with butter. This has the effect of introducing ‘fat’ into the roast, which it lacks naturally on its own, whilst also giving the outside of the roast just a hint of crispness during roasting. The second method is what we’re doing today, which to blend together oil and herbs, and then rub the roast down with that. While this doesn’t add quite as much ‘fat’ back into the roast, it does make for a much more flavorful roast, in my opinion.
2) Better Than Bouillon Beef Base. This is the ‘secret weapon’ of today’s gravy. Better Than Bouillon offers a long line of premium paste concentrates, all of which give your recipes a ‘cooked all day’ flavor without actually having to take the time to roast or simmer anything for hours on end. I’m using the Beef Base flavor, which packs a full ‘punch’ of roasted beef with a full bouquet herbs in just a single serving, which is equivalent to a bouillon cube or broth. Better than Bouillon products come available in a range of flavors, including Roasted Turkey Base, Roasted Chicken, Roasted Garlic, Seasoned Vegetable Base, and a host of others. They also have Reduced Sodium Options, a line of organic products, and Vegetarian and Vegan options as well, ensuring there’s something for everyone and every recipe. These products can add flavors to main courses, such as today’s gravy, or be used in soups, appetizers, sauces, or as the seasonings for roasted or grilled vegetables, or as rubs for steaks, roasts, or poultry – the possibilities really are endless. For more info, or to order, check the Better Than Bouillon website, and be sure to use their product locator to find convenient vendors near you, or simply order online!
Roux Primer – The Basics
Since a good gravy is so important for today’s roast, I decided to cover some of the basics of ‘roux.’
1) Roux – What Is it? In its most basic form, roux is simply fat and flour that has been heated together to form what used to be called a ‘table sauce.’ In ages past, ‘table sauce’ was simply a very basic ‘gravy’ that people would apply to things like meat, potatoes, or roasted vegetables ‘at the table.’ These table sauces would often feature the drippings from the main course as flavorings – and very little else. Today, the phrase ‘table sauce’ has largely fallen out of use, and gravy has become less and less common on everyday dinner tables. Roux, however, remains a foundational ‘ingredient’ to this day. It’s the starting point of ‘sauce espagnole,’ ‘tomate,’ ‘bechamel,’ and ‘velouté,’ which are three of the five sauces dubbed the ‘Mother Sauces’ of French cuisine. Here in the New World, roux is a cornerstone of Creole and Cajun cooking (where bacon or pork fat typically takes the place of butter or oil), and even in ‘homestyle’ recipes like macaroni and cheese. Shockingly, roux also features more prominently than one might think in several Mediterranean cuisines, including Northern Italian, Turkish, and Greek cooking (especially on the island of Crete in the form of ‘staka’).
2) There are three types of roux…unless there are four. Roux comes in four classifications – white, blonde, brown, and dark brown. Some, however, consider dark brown roux to be ‘burnt roux,’ and only recognize the first three types. Regardless, they all contain the same base ingredients (flour and fat), but are differentiated by cooking time. White roux is generally cooked for about five minutes, sometimes not even that long, while brown roux is cooked for upwards of thirty minutes. Generally speaking, white roux is not eaten on its own, but is instead used as an ingredient, typically as a thickening agent in various white sauces, such as the aforementioned bechamel. ‘Blonde’ roux, also, is generally used as an ingredient, such as in velouté sauce, since it has a ‘darker’ or ‘nutty’ flavor and a heavier texture than white roux. Finally, brown and ‘dark brown’ roux are what you can begin to recognize as ‘gravy.’ Deeply flavorful and ‘pleasantly textured’ on its own, once you flavor it with pan drippings and herbs, you’ve got yourself a proper ‘table sauce.’ However, brown and dark brown roux are also sometimes used as an ingredient in dishes like gumbo.
3) How to Make It? Begin with equal parts flour and ‘fat’ (fat can be butter, oil, vegetable oil, or a combination of butter and oil). It is ‘very’ important that you divide these parts by weight. Thus, one cup of fat (butter and/or oil) requires one cup of flour, and so forth. Begin by melting the butter in a sauce pan, and then add in the flour (add the flour all at once). Whisk this mixture until a thick, paste-like mixture has come together. Continue whisking until it has achieved the color you desire. Brown roux needs to be stirred constantly and vigorously to keep it from burning. Thus, the longer you cook your roux the more attention you need to give it. Do not leave ‘any’ type of roux cooking unattended. Seasonings and/or pan drippings, are added in with the flour.
For Those Who Prefer A Less Thick Roux. It is worth noting that some people find the sheer thickness of brown (and dark brown) roux unpalatable. For this reason, many chefs suggest using vegetable oil as the ‘fat’ in roux that’s cooked for thirty minutes or more. Using vegetable oil results in a slightly thinner roux.
4) Sprucing It Up. Today, we’re sprucing up the roux with Better Than Bouillon Beef Base, which packs it with roasted beef flavoring. This is the easiest way to spruce up your roux, which in turn produces a deliciously seasoned, full-bodied gravy. So, be sure to spruce up your holiday by heading over to Better than Bouillon.
Herbed Top Round Roast with Gravy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
Ingredients
- 4½ lb. Top Round Boneless Roast
- 5 – 6 carrots, peeled – for a rack for the roast
For the Rub:
- 2 tbs. of fresh rosemary, about 2 – 3 inch sprigs of fresh rosemary, leaves removed from stems
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 2 small heads of garlic
- ½ cup red wine
- 2 tbs. olive oil
For the Gravy:
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons flour
- 2½ cups pan drippings (or water)
- 2 teaspoon Better than Bouillon Roasted Beef Base
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
For the roast & rub:
- Place the garlic, removed from its skin, in a small dry cast iron frying pan and allow the garlic to get a golden color.
- Add the rosemary and the seasonings and toss.
- Add the olive oil and toss.
- Place this mixture in a food processor and give a few good chops.
- Using a large cast iron frying pan, place carrots down as a rack for the roast.
- Rub the roast down with the garlic mixture. Filling all crevasses and thoroughly messaging the roast with the mixture.
- Add a cup of water, or ½ water and ½ wine, to the bottom of the pan about 15 – 20 minutes before removing the roast from the pan. These drippings make a beautiful gravy.
- Preheat Oven 350 degrees F.
- Place the roast in the oven and cook for 25 – 30 minutes per pound for a medium cooked roast. The internal temperature should be about 145 degrees F. For a medium rare cooked roast subtract about 5 – 7 minutes per pound and the internal temperature should read about 135 degrees F.
- When the roast is removed from the oven loosely tent the roast with tin-foil and let the roast rest for 10 – 12 minutes before slicing.
For the gravy:
- In a pan, melt down butter with oil. Whisk in the flour until a thick paste forms (the roux).
- Add the pan drippings or water if you don’t have pan drippings. Keep whisking until smooth and desired thickness is achieved.
- Add the bouillon and seasonings.
- Leave on low heat until ready to serve.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1
If You Enjoyed Today’s Recipe…
Be sure to follow us on Instagram to stay up to date with all things Living the Gourmet, and for more great recipes, tips and tricks.
Did you make this recipe?
If so, let me know in the comments down below, or post a picture to Instagram, or to Pinterest, and I’ll give you a shoutout on Instagram, or post your pin to one of my Pinterest boards!
Lisa says
This roast and gravy would be great for an alternative Christmas dish. I will share it with my mother-in-law!
Yeah Lifestyle says
I am always looking to ‘up’ the taste of my gravy and would love to try using the Better Than Bouillon as I have never used it before.
Bella says
Oh this is so tasty!! I have to try this recipe. I have never tried Better Than Bouillon before is it gluten free.
angiesrecipes says
I love beef roast and can have it DAILY! This looks so good!
Heather says
I used this for the first time on my Thanksgiving turkey. It was so good! I’ll never go back to the cubes.
Sue-Tanya Mchorgh says
I want to try making roast beef this Christmas. I am so happy I found this post. I can’t wait to try this.
Melissa Dixon says
That looks amazing. I need to try this out, I love the idea of making it for lunches all week. I love having leftovers.
MELANIE EDJOURIAN says
That really does sound like a tasty recipe. I know my husband would really enjoy it and probably the kids too.
sherry brubaker says
This is the perfect holiday dinner! Better Than Bouillon is my favorite, too!
Toni says
I love using Better than Bouillon but never thought to use it in this way! This recipe is delicious and perfect comfort food for holiday meals. Yum!
DAVID J MYERS says
Catherine, That is a beautiful roast!! Cooked just right too… Do you cover the roast in the oven? How does it stay moist in the oven? I printed this recipe out for my better half… Stay Safe and Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Catherine Pappas says
Dear Dave, Thank you for your kind words. I don’t cover the roast in the oven. I tent it loosely when the roast comes out of the oven for about 10 – 15 minutes before I slice it. Please stay safe as well to you and Laurie.
Jess says
This will be perfect for our Sunday dinner!
Sue says
I was looking for something special for my Christmas menu, I’m so glad I found this!
Katie says
Made this for the family and it was a hit!
Heather says
This roast looks incredible! I’m definitely adding it to my holiday menu.
Romy says
This looks like a yummy tasty and perfect for winter recipe. I love the thick full flavored gravy too
Melanie williams says
Wow this really is the bees knees!! Perfect for a family dinner and well worth a go, my other half would love this x
Dan "Jay" Reyes says
You’re making me hungry with these foodie pictures 🙂
Gloria says
I used that brand of bouillon ALL the time. In fact, it is on my grocery list right now. This looks holiday worthy. My family would love it.
Kathryn Donangelo says
This roast is delicious and so flavorful! I love using Better than Bullion and it just enhances all of the flavors. I will be making this on repeat from now on, thank you!
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer says
Mmm this would be perfect any day of the week or even Christmas! I use Better than Bouillon too and LOVE it! Your roast looks truly stunning and something I need in my life right now! Thank you so much for sharing!
Denise says
I love Better than Bouillon products! This Herbed Top Roast with Gravy looks delicious, its the perfect meal!
Marta says
We absolutely loved this recipe. There nothing like a well seasoned & well prepared piece of beef. This recipe delivered on all fronts. Great flavor, super tender and awesome leftovers.
Thanks for sharing.
Eva says
What a roast fit for a festive table! I had considered ham for Christmas, but you are making me reconsider!
Elaine says
That gravy looks too good to be true. Yet it is. Not to say about the roast of course. It looks so delicious!
Jenny says
Such a classic, beautiful roast. I made it today for Sunday roast, and everyone loved it. So flavorful and tender. I think this will be my go-to recipe from now on. The rub is fantastic and made all the difference, and the gravy was my husband’s favorite, ever! Thanks so much!
Veronika Sykorova says
I wish I could reach through the screen and grab some! That gravy looks delicious too!
Jo says
The flavors on the roast and the roast itself looks so inviting. Nothing can beat roast and gravy for dinner.
Melanie C says
Mmmmmm, good home cooking at it’s best! I love a good roast and gravy, so I’ll be giving your recipe a try this weekend! It looks delicious!
Larissa says
What type of Wine would you use for the drippings?
Living the Gourmet says
Dear Larissa, for this recipe red wine works best though you could also use white wine if you have it on hand. Thank you for stopping by! Enjoy!