How to Cook Eye of Round Roast

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Eye of round roast is a cheap, lean cut of beef with a tendency to be tough if cooked improperly. However, when cooked the right way, this cut of meat transforms into a delicious, juicy roast. Try these three methods for cooking eye of round roast.

  • Prep time (Oven): 10-15 minutes
  • Cook time: 3-3.5 hours
  • Total time: 3-4 hours
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Cooking the Roast in the Oven

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    This method cooks the meat at a high temperature, turning off the oven, then letting the meat to remain in the heat of the oven. The result is similar to prime rib (pink and juicy inside, and crusty outside). This method takes roughly three hours.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Rinse the meat with cool water. Using hot water could promote bacterial growth that could make you sick. Pat the meat dry with paper towels.
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  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    For a basic, tasty combination, mix salt, pepper, ½ teaspoon of dried thyme, and garlic. You will want to aim for four to six chopped cloves of garlic. Mix all of these ingredients, then rub the mixture all over the meat. [1]
    • Some people prefer to use a steak seasoning (a mixture of herbs, salt and pepper.) Try adding a dash of olive oil to whatever seasonings you use. It will help the seasonings stick to the meat. [2]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Make sure the roast is fatty side up. If you do not have a roasting pan, you can also use a Dutch oven.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    For an evenly cooked roast, place the roast on the middle rack of the preheated oven.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    of meat (7 minutes per 453g). When you have cooked your roast to these specifications, turn the oven off but do not open the door or remove the roast. You want the heat to remain in the oven so that the meat still continues to cook slowly, allowing the surface to crisp and the meat to become moist and rosy pink. [3]
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Do not open the door. When 2 1/2 hours has passed, remove the roast from the oven and check that the internal temperature has reached 145ºF (65ºC). Slice the roast thinly, serve, and enjoy!
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Cooking the Roast on the Stove-Top

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Cooking roast on the stove top allows the roast to absorb the flavored liquid. Excess fat prevents the meat from completely absorbing all of the flavoring. After trimming the fat from the roast, season the entire roast with pepper. [4]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    The Dutch oven should generally be able to hold five quarts.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Heat it to a medium-high temperature.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Once the meat has browned, add 2 1/2 cups (567ml) of water, two beef bouillon cubes and a bay leaf to the Dutch oven until it boils. When the pot reaches a boil, cover the Dutch oven with a lid and simmer the eye round roast for 50 minutes over a low flame. While it simmers, the roast will become tender and infused with flavor. [5]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    If you would like to boil carrots and potatoes in the mixture with the roast, let the mixture and the roast simmer for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, add chopped carrots, potatoes, celery, etc. to the pot. Heat the liquid to boiling and once it boils, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 more minutes.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    If you have a meat thermometer, take the roast off when it reads 135ºF (57.2ºC). If you do not have a meat thermometer, cut into the meat. If the inside is still red, keep cooking it until it is a nice pink color.
  7. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Let the meat marinate in its juices, then slice the roast into thin portions.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Cooking the Roast in a Slow Cooker

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    This method will take roughly 8 to 10 hours and will result in an incredibly juicy roast. While the slow-cooker is warming up, season the eye round roast with salt, pepper and any other seasonings you prefer.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Slice one onion and use it to line the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the seasoned roast to the pot with 1 cup (237ml) of water, 2 tbsp. (28ml) soy sauce (optional) and two bay leaves for flavoring.
    • Other recipes call for garlic, thyme and wine to season the slow cooker. You can also slice up carrots and celery.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    Remove the roast after 8 hours. Allow the roast to marinate in the juices.
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
    The onion, seasonings and juices from the roast will create gravy when it is cooked slowly for a long period of time. For a thicker gravy, after removing the roast, mix 2 tbsp. (28g) cornstarch and 2 tbsp. (28ml) water together in a bowl, then pour the solution into the slow cooker gravy. Stir the ingredients together until they begin to boil and thicken.
    • You can use ⅓ cup flour instead of cornstarch.
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Cook Eye of Round Roast
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I achieve a good crust on a roast?
    Jennifer Levasseur
    Personal Chef
    Chef Jennifer Levasseur is a Personal Chef and the Owner of The Happy Cuisiniere based in Breckenridge, Colorado. She has over 12 years of culinary experience and specializes in Mountain and Contemporary Rustic cuisine. Moreover, she can craft dishes and modify menus to accommodate dietary restrictions, such as gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, and dairy-free diets. In addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from the University of Houston, Chef Jennifer holds Associate’s degrees in Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts from Houston Community College.
    Jennifer Levasseur
    Personal Chef
    Expert Answer
    Use Dijon mustard and spread it over the top of the roast then you can add some fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme. Finish it by liberally pushing salt into the mustard.
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  • Question
    How long do I cook a six and a half pound roast in a slow cooker, and on what temperature?
    Community Answer
    Cook it on low, and check after about seven hours. If the veggies look done, try taking a sample of the roast, and cook another hour if necessary.
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  • Question
    Can I use my pressure cooker to cook an eye of the round roast?
    Community Answer
    That's not the best method to use: a pressure cooker's steam is just not right for meat like this.
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      Tips

      • Always allow meat to settle before slicing, so that the juices can redistribute. The roast will be juicy and flavorful.
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      • Make small, deep incisions in the eye round roast to insert slivers of garlic before cooking. This will infuse the meat with more flavor.
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      Warnings

      • Do not cross-contaminate. Remember to always wash your hands, surfaces and cooking utensils with hot soapy water when they come into contact with raw meat.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Instant-read thermometer
      • Salt
      • Pepper
      • Water
      • Oil
      • Bay leaves
      • Onion
      • Soy sauce
      • Garlic
      • Carrots, potatoes, celery (optional)
      • Beef bouillon cubes
      • Roasting pan
      • Dutch oven


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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about cooking, check out our in-depth interview with Jennifer Levasseur .

      References

      1. ↑ http://thedomesticman.com/2012/01/10/perfect-eye-of-round-roast/
      2. ↑ http://www.fortheloveofcooking.net/2012/07/garlic-crusted-roast-beef.html
      3. ↑ http://thedomesticman.com/2012/01/10/perfect-eye-of-round-roast/
      4. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/stove-top-eye-round-spring-vegetables-1608
      5. ↑ http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/recipefinder/stove-top-eye-round-spring-vegetables-1608

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Before you cook an eye of round roast, preheat the oven to 500°F, rinse the roast with cool water, and pat it dry with paper towels. Then mix salt, pepper, dried thyme, and garlic with a dash of olive oil, and rub it on the meat to season it. Next, put the roast fatty side up in a roasting pan. Cook it for 7 minutes per pound of meat. When your timer goes off, turn off the oven but leave the roast inside for another 2½ hours, which will give your roast a moist inside and crispy outside. For more suggestions on cooking eye of round roast, including in a slow-cooker or on the stove, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Rose Kulikowski

        Mar 11, 2018

        "The roast was so soft to cut and tasted better than when I make it in the oven. I did use some garlic, a little ..." more
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