Best 2 Light Pot Roast Recipes

If a hearty, comforting, and flavorful home-cooked meal is what you crave, then a light pot roast may be the answer. As its name suggests, a light pot roast is a classic dish made with beef chuck roast and a variety of vegetables, all braised in a flavorful liquid. With its tender, juicy meat and savory sauce, a well-prepared pot roast can be an absolute delight. However, creating a light pot roast requires careful consideration of ingredients and cooking methods, as the traditional recipe can be quite heavy. This article aims to guide home cooks in crafting a lighter version of this classic dish, offering tips and tricks to reduce fat and calories while maintaining the essence of this comforting meal.

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

COOKING LIGHT'S CROCK POT ITALIAN POT ROAST

Cooking Light's Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast image

Make and share this Cooking Light's Crock Pot Italian Pot Roast recipe from Food.com.

Provided by txghog

Categories Roast Beef

Time 5h5m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs boneless round roast
1 medium onion, sliced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 (8 ounce) cans no-salt-added tomato sauce (or regular)
1 (2/3 ounce) package Italian salad dressing mix

Steps:

Slice roast in half for even cooking; place in crock pot.
Add onion and remaining ingredients.
Cover and cook on high setting 5 hours or until roast is tender.
Or, cover and cook on high setting one hour; reduce to low setting, and cook 7 hours.
Slice meat to serve.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 335.9, Fat 21, SaturatedFat 8.1, Cholesterol 90.7, Sodium 157.3, Carbohydrate 5.6, Fiber 1.1, Sugar 3, Protein 29.4

LIGHT POT ROAST

Light Pot Roast image

A tasty comfort meal provided by Better Homes and Gardens: Family Favorites Made Lighter. This recipe recommends that you use half the meat for the meal, and chill the rest for sandwiches.

Provided by ChipotleChick

Categories Roast Beef

Time 2h20m

Yield 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

2 lbs beef round rump roast or 2 lbs chuck arm pot roast
nonstick cooking spray
1/2 cup water
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
4 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
4 small carrots, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 stalk celery, cut into diagonal 1 inch chunks
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 cup cold water
2 tablespoons flour

Steps:

Trim fat from roast.
Spray a dutch oven with cooking spray and preheat to medium.
Brown roast on all sides.
Drain fat.
In a small bowl mix the 1/2 cup water, Worcestershire sauce, bouillon granules, and basil.
Pour over the meat and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat, cover and simmer 1 hour.
Add potatoes, carrots, celery, and onion to the dutch oven.
Cover and simmer for another 45 to 60 minutes or until meat and vegetables are tender.
Add more water if needed.
Remove meat and vegetables to a platter and keep warm.
Pour the pan juices into a metal bowl and place the metal bowl in ice water to solidify the fat.
Skim off the fat.
You need 1 cup of pan juices, so add water if necessary to make the full cup.
Whisk together the 1/4 cup water and flour until smooth.
Stir in the pan juices and return to the dutch oven.
Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened and bubbly.
Cook another minute and serve the gravy with the meat and veggies.

Tips:

Choose the right cut of beef: Chuck roast, rump roast, and brisket are all good choices for pot roast. These cuts are tough, but they become tender when cooked slowly in liquid.
Sear the beef before braising: Searing the beef adds flavor and helps to brown the meat.
Use a good quality braising liquid: Beef broth, water, and red wine are all good choices for braising liquid. You can also add vegetables, herbs, spices, and aromatics to the liquid for extra flavor.
Cook the beef until it is fall-apart tender: The cooking time will vary depending on the cut of beef and the size of the roast. However, a good rule of thumb is to cook the beef for at least 2 hours per pound.
Serve the pot roast with your favorite sides: Mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, and green beans are all good choices.

Conclusion:

Pot roast is a classic comfort food that is easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious pot roast that your family and friends will love. So next time you're looking for a hearty and satisfying meal, give pot roast a try!