You typically cook chuck roast low and slow in a pot.
When cooked the traditional way, the lengthy cooking time will help break the tough fibers of this shoulder meat down.
If you’ve never tried it before, though, grilled chuck roast is a great alternative to pot-roasting.
This cut of meat is very affordable, so it makes a great entrée for a larger cookout if you’re trying to keep costs down.
Although chuck roast is tough, if you use some marinade – a simple vinaigrette is sufficient – and you use a meat tenderizer, 6 hours of waiting is enough to prime this cut perfectly for grilling over mainly indirect heat.
After just a little bit longer than you’d need to grill a steak, you’ll end up with deliciously tender beef that’s packed with juice and sure to wow your guests.
Serve chuck roast with your favorite veggies and roasted potatoes. Asparagus and steamed potatoes work especially well. Slice your chuck roast thin, and it will also work well for some sandwiches on the go – more on what do with chuck roast leftovers below.
Chuck Roast 101
Chuck roast comes by many names, including:
- Chuck center roast
- Center-cut chuck roast
- Chuck pot roast
- Pot roast
This is a large primal coming from the shoulder area of the steer. These cuts are known for their deep and rich flavor that has a distinct beefiness.
The properties of this cut of meat makes it an ideal candidate for slow cooking, but with the right marinade and a little patience, it also makes for great grilling.
How to Grill Chuck Roast the Easy Way
Grilling chuck roast really couldn’t be much easier, so there’s no excuse not to give this cooking method a try.
Firstly, some simple supplies.
What You Need for Grilled Chuck Roast
- Chuck roast (3 pounds)
- Olive oil (2 tablespoons)
- Brown sugar (1 tablespoon)
- Granulated garlic (1 teaspoon)
- Onion powder (1 teaspoon)
- Ground rosemary (1 teaspoon)
- Dried thyme (1 teaspoon)
- Smoked paprika (½ teaspoon)
- Kosher salt (½ teaspoon)
- Black pepper (½ teaspoon)
- Dry mustard (¼ teaspoon)
Grilling Chuck Roast Like a Pro
Here’s what you need to do if you fancy whipping up some juicy grilled chuck roast.
- Make sure you bring your chuck roast up to room temperature before anything else. Once you have removed it from the packaging, pat it dry using a paper towel.
- Pour a lug of olive oil over your chuck roast, making sure to rub it over all sides of the meat.
- Mix up your sugar, spices, brown sugar, salt, and black pepper in a bowl.
- Smear this rub over all sides of the beef, pressing it in firmly as you go.
- Set aside the beef until your grill is primed up and ready to go.
- Preheat your grill to 400F. Consider adding some hickory chunks or pecan chunks for an extra smokiness.
- Place your chuck roast over indirect heat. Close your grill lid and reduce the temperature to between 325F and 350F.
- Grill your chuck roast for 45 minutes. Make sure to check the internal temperature of your meat using a digital thermometer.
- Continue cooking the chuck roast until you hit your desired level of doneness.
- Allow your beef roast to rest on a cutting board for 15 minutes before slicing it. This cooking method generates beef that’s chewy like steak instead of resembling a traditional pot roast.
Storing and Reheating Your Roast Beef
You can store any leftover roast beef for up to 4 days in a refrigerator, as long as you pop it inside an airtight container.
If you have a vacuum sealer in the kitchen, you can keep refrigerated beef for a week and frozen beef for up to 6 months when vacuum sealed.
To reheat roast beef, pop it into a pan with some beef broth. Cook over a medium heat for 3 or 4 minutes.
Alternatively, chop up the beef and mix it up with your favorite BBQ sauce. Cook the resulting mix over a medium heat for 7 or 8 minutes.
Traditional Recipes for Pot Roast
If you miss the idea of a traditional pot roast, this couldn’t be easier either. Pop your beef into a pan and add a couple of cups of beef broth or some red wine. This will act as a liquid for braising the meat. Use some aluminum foil to cover the beef and grill or cook the beef in the oven for an hour or so, until the internal temperature hits 190F.
What To Do with Chuck Roast Leftovers
Make a roast beef stroganoff to get a hearty meal packed with flavor. Serve with a creamy mushroom sauce on a bed of egg noodles.
Try some cheesy beef rigatoni with some cooked pasta and a cheesy sauce to complement your leftover chuck roast.
It’s impossible not to mention roast beef sandwiches as well, so there’s no excuse at all to waste any of your grilled chuck roast.
Conclusion
If you’ve been stuck in a rut and pot roasting your chuck roast, why not give grilling this shoulder meat a try?
We have also included some quick and easy instructions on cooking this primal cut using the more traditional method of a pan in the oven. All that remains is to decide what you’ll do with all those leftovers!
Take a moment to bookmark Hempen Hill BBQ before you head off today. We have lots of great content coming your way over the coming months. Don’t let the rest of this grilling season go to waste, and take the opportunity to get yourself ready for next year. Check out our guide to the best time to buy a grill in preparation and pop back soon!