Mom'S Yankee Pot Roast
A hearty Yankee pot roast slow-cooked with vegetables and savory tomato gravy, perfect for family dinners and comfort food lovers seeking tender, flavorful meat with rich sauce.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. bacon fat or salad oil ⓘ
- 5 to 5 1/2 lb. beef rump or round roast ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1 cup chopped carrot ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 bay leaf ⓘ
- water ⓘ
- 1 (10 1/2 oz.) can condensed beef broth ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. pepper ⓘ
- 1 lb. small white boiling onions, peeled ⓘ
- 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour ⓘ
Instructions
- In hot bacon fat in a 6-quart ovenproof Dutch oven, brown the meat, turning with two wooden spoons until well browned on all sides, about 20 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Put the roast to one side of the pan; add chopped onion, chopped carrot, minced garlic, and bay leaf; sauté for 5 minutes.
- Add water to the beef broth to make 1 1/2 cups; pour over the meat, along with tomato sauce.
- Add salt and pepper.
- Bake, covered, for 1 1/2 hours or until the meat is almost fork-tender; add peeled small white boiling onions.
- Bake for 20 minutes longer.
- Remove the roast and onions to a warm platter.
- Strain the pan liquids.
- In a small bowl, combine flour and 1/2 cup water, stirring until smooth.
- Return the strained liquid to the Dutch oven; stir in the flour mixture.
- Bring to a boil, stirring until slightly thickened.
- Pour the sauce over the meat.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, you can use a combination of bacon fat and olive oil. If you don't have white boiling onions, regular onions can be used as a substitute. To enhance the dish, consider adding root vegetables like parsnips or turnips. For a thicker sauce, let it reduce longer on the stove before serving. This recipe pairs beautifully with Very Easy Beef Casserole.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the pot roast with creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles to soak up the delicious sauce. A side of steamed green beans or a fresh garden salad complements the meal well. For a comforting variation, try pairing it with Spoonburgers for a hearty dinner experience.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the roast and onions in a baking dish, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 325°F until heated through, about 20-30 minutes. The sauce can be reheated on the stovetop, adding a splash of water if it thickens too much.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mom'S Yankee Pot Roast contains roughly 249 calories, with 8g protein, 52g carbohydrates, and 7g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (140% of the Daily Value), vitamin C (62% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (60% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1102mg per serving (48% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for a beef rump or round roast, you can use other cuts like chuck roast or brisket. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary depending on the cut's tenderness and size.
How can I make this dish ahead of time?
You can prepare the pot roast up to the baking step and store it in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to serve, simply bake it according to the instructions. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making it even more delicious.
What can I use instead of tomato sauce?
If you don't have tomato sauce, you can substitute it with crushed tomatoes or a blend of diced tomatoes and a small amount of sugar to balance the acidity. This maintains the flavor profile while providing a different texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).