Are you looking for an easy and delicious way to cook a rump roast? Look no further! This recipe is perfect for beginners, resulting in a juicy and flavorful roast beef that everyone will love.

It costs approximately $32.00 to make this Roast Beef. The recipe serves eight, which costs about $4.00 per serving.

The finished Roast Beef in which some of it has been cut into slices.

Did you know that roast beef has been a beloved meal for centuries, dating back to medieval times? Today, roast beef is one of the most popular dishes in the world, and it’s a staple of many cultures.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of cooking flavorful roast beef at home. Even as a beginner, you’ll be able to confidently cook this timeless favorite.

Rump Roast

Rump roast is the cut of beef I choose for making roast beef. It’s well-suited for roasting because it is relatively inexpensive, versatile, and has a good amount of marbling.

  • Inexpensive: Rump roast is a relatively inexpensive beef cut, making it a good option for budget-minded cooks.
  • Versatile: Rump roast can be cooked in various ways, so you can find a recipe that fits your taste and dietary needs. You can roast it in the oven, braise it in a pot, or grill it.
  • Marbling: Marbling is the term used to describe the fat distributed throughout the meat. Rump roast has a good amount of marbling, which helps keep the meat moist and flavorful when cooked.

What You’ll Love About This Beginner Roast Beef Recipe

  • No-Fuss: This recipe only requires a few ingredients and steps, so it’s easy to follow even for beginner cooks.
  • Tender Texture: Cooking the roast in the oven allows the roast to slow cook and become melt-in-your-mouth tender. 
  • Comfort Food: A roast is total comfort food that brings many of us warm memories of Sunday dinners with family. 
  • Perfect For Holidays: This simple recipe is elegant enough for holiday dinners and special occasions.
Slices of roast been on a white dinner plate.

Ingredients and Estimated Cost:

Per Serving Cost: $4.00

Recipe Cost: $32.00

  • 3-4 pounds rump roast – $30.96
  • 3 cloves garlic – $0.21
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary – $0.06
  • 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme – $0.17
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt – $0.02
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper – $0.10
  • ¼ cup olive oil – $0.48

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated by using grocery store websites. The recipe cost is calculated by the amounts needed for the recipe. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in September 2023.

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How To Cook A Rump Roast:

***For complete recipe instructions, see the recipe card below.

  1. First, remove the roast from the fridge one to two hours before cooking. This is an essential step that will help the meat cook evenly. 
  2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 
  3. Then, stir the garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  4. Mix in the oil until well combined and rub the mixture over the roast. 
  5. Set the roast in a roasting pan and cook for thirty minutes at 375 degrees F to brown the roast. 
  6. Then lower the oven temperature to 225 degrees F and cook for an additional 1 ½ hours to 2 hours. 
  7. Finally, remove the roast from the oven and cover it with foil. Allow the roast to rest for fifteen to thirty minutes before slicing and serving.

A picture collage showing how to make this recipe.

Roast Beef Tips For Succes:

  • Marbling: When choosing a rump roast, look for one with good marbling, as it will be more tender and flavorful.
  • Season: Season your meat generously, but don’t overdo it. Simplicity can be key with roast beef.
  • Cooking Time: The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the roast. Utilizing a meat thermometer ensures precision in your cooking. Aim for an internal roast temperature of 135ºF for medium rare, 145ºF for medium, and 150ºF for medium well. The internal temperature will continue to increase by 5-10ºF as the meat rests!
  • Rest the Meat: Let the roast rest for 15-30 minutes before slicing to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Roast Beef Recipe Variations

  • You can also add a splash of red wine to the pan before cooking the roast.
  • If you don’t have olive oil, you can use any other cooking oil, such as vegetable or canola.
  • If you don’t have a meat thermometer, you can test for doneness by inserting a knife into the thickest part of the roast. The meat should be slightly pink in the middle for medium-rare.

Serving and Storage Tips

Serving:

  • Serve the roast beef sliced thinly with your favorite side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or Yorkshire pudding.
  • You can also use the roast beef to make sandwiches or wraps.
  • You can leave the beef out for no longer than two hours before it needs to be stored and refrigerated. 

Storing:

  • Store leftover meat in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
  • To store, wrap the roast beef tightly in plastic or aluminum foil.

Freezing:

  • Roast beef can be frozen for up to 3 months.
  • To freeze, wrap the roast beef tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, then place it in a freezer-safe bag.

Thawing:

  • To thaw frozen roast beef, place it in the refrigerator overnight.
  • You can also thaw it in the microwave, but cook it immediately after thawing.

Reheating:

  • To reheat roast beef, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Place the meat in a baking dish and cover it with foil.
  • Reheat for 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
An overhead picture of the finished Roast Beef recipe on a white platter.

Rump Roast Recipe FAQs

Should you cover a beef roast in the oven?

You do not need to cover the roast while it is cooking. If the roast is covered, it creates a steaming effect while it is cooking. Leave the roast uncovered so it will brown while cooking.

What temperature should roast beef be cooked in the oven?

With this recipe, you will set the temperature to two different heats. The first one will be at 375 degrees F to brown the roast for thirty minutes. Then, you will move the temperature to 225 degrees F to cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours.

Does cooking a roast at a lower temperature make it more tender?

Yes! This is the secret to getting a super juicy and tender roast. Cook it low and slow for the best results.

What to serve with roast beef?

Pair your roast beef with various side dishes such as roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, or a classic Yorkshire pudding.

 More Main Dishes For Holiday Dinners

A close up of the finished rump roast on a white serving platter.
5 from 6 votes

Easy Roast Beef Recipe For Beginners

Recipe Cost $ $32.00
Serving Cost $ $4.00
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 5 hours 15 minutes
8 people
Easy Roast Beef Recipe for Beginners: Learn how to make a juicy and flavorful roast beef at home, even if you're a beginner!

Equipment

  • measuring cups and spoons
  • mixing bowl
  • mixing spoon
  • 13×9-inch baking pan
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients
 
 

ROAST:

  • 3-4 pounds rump roast

RUB:

  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary chopped finely or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme chopped finely or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

PREP ROAST:

  • Remove roast from the refrigerator 1-2 hours before cooking to let it come to room temperature. This is an essential step that will help the meat cook evenly.

PREP OVEN:

  • Move the oven rack to the middle position.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

MAKE RUB:

  • Combine garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
  • Stir in oil until well combined.

RUB ROAST:

  • Rub the mixture all over the roast, ensuring it’s completely covered.

COOK ROAST:

  • Place roast in a roasting pan or 13×9 baking pan, depending on the size of the roast.
  • Cook for 30 minutes at 375 degrees F to brown the roast.
  • Then lower the oven temperature to 225 degrees F and continue cooking for 1 ½ to 2 hours or until an internal temperature reads 135 – 140 degrees F.

TO FINISH:

  • Remove the roast from the oven and cover with aluminum foil. Allow to rest for 15-30 minutes before serving.
  • Slice and serve with your favorite side dishes.

Notes

The internal roast temperature for medium-rare is 135ºF, medium is 145ºF, and well done is 150ºF. 

Nutrition

Serving: 0.4pound | Calories: 302kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 38g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 677mg | Potassium: 598mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 0.01g | Vitamin A: 52IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 4mg

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Recipe Rating




5 Comments

  1. Delicious yet simple recipe. Can’t wait to make it again!

  2. Jacqueline says:

    The rub sounds really tasty and thanks for all the tips.

  3. This was such a helpful guide to making roast beef perfectly every time!! Definitely saving this and will return to it every time we make roast beef at home!

  4. I’ve never made a roast like this, and it was great! Thank you so much!

  5. TAYLER ROSS says:

    This beef roast is one of my family’s new favorite recipes! We’ve made it a couple times and it always turns out perfectly!