Sunday Roast Beef Recipe

A traditional Sunday roast has been enjoyed for hundreds of years: a British staple and a tradition yet to be shaken. Everyone’s Sunday roast will differ slightly with a variety of households claiming to have the perfect Sunday roast beef recipe. Some love peppery beef, while others prefer a thyme and rosemary herby roast, and others just plain with a sensational gravy. However, the best Sunday roast beef recipe will always depend on your personal tastes, but there are a few things everyone can agree on that makes for a fabulous Sunday roast. 

Ingredients needed to make Sunday Roast Beef

To make a beef Sunday roast, you’ll need an assortment of delicious root and green vegetables, some type of potato, and delicious accompaniments such as Yorkshire Puddings and tasty gravy. The ingredients are listed below:

Beef Roast:

• Beef joint (such as rib, sirloin, or topside)
• Salt, pepper, dried thyme (or fresh), dried rosemary (or fresh), garlic bulbs, onions, oil, carrots 

Roast Potatoes:

• Potatoes (such as Maris Piper or Russet)
• Vegetable oil or beef dripping
• Salt and pepper for seasoning

Stuffing:

• Stuffing mix (can be shop bought or homemade)
• Water or chicken/beef stock (as per stuffing mix instructions)

Yorkshire Puddings:

• Plain flour
• Eggs
• Milk
• Salt

Gravy:

• Beef dripping (from the roast)
• Flour
• Beef stock (can be homemade or shop bought)
• Salt and pepper for seasoning

Vegetables:

• Carrots
• Parsnips
• Brussels sprouts

Your vegetable selection can vary depending on your own personal preference. Feel free to include other vegetables like peas, green beans, broccoli, whatever you fancy. 

• Horseradish sauce
• Mustard
• Mint sauce
• Cranberry sauce

Step-by-step instructions to make Sunday Roast Beef

Step 1: Preparing the Beef

1. Preheat the oven to the appropriate temperature based on the type of beef and desired doneness (usually around 180°C/350°F for medium-rare).
2. Take the beef joint and season it generously with salt and pepper, rubbing it into the meat.
3. Place the seasoned beef joint in a roasting pan, fat side up.
4. Add the vegetables to the pan also to cook up and be used alongside the beef fat for the gravy. 
5. Add the fresh herbs to infuse into the flavours. 

Step 2: Roasting the Beef

1. Put the roasting pan with the beef in the preheated oven and roast it according to the recommended cooking time for the specific cut and desired level of doneness. Generally, it’s around 20 minutes per 500g for medium-rare.
2. Baste the beef occasionally with its own juices to keep it moist and flavorful.
3. Take out the fresh herbs before they have burnt so they don’t add a bitter flavour. 

Step 3: Preparing the Roast Potatoes

1. Peel the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized chunks or quarters.
2. Place the potatoes in a large pot of salted water and bring them to a boil. Let them cook for about 8-10 minutes until they are parboiled (partially cooked).
3. Drain the potatoes and let them sit in the colander for a few minutes to dry.
4. Meanwhile, in a separate roasting tray, heat some vegetable oil or beef dripping in the oven until it’s hot.
5. Carefully transfer the parboiled potatoes into the hot oil, turning them to coat evenly.
6. Return the tray to the oven and roast the potatoes for about 45 minutes to an hour, turning them occasionally until they are crispy and golden brown.

Step 4: Making the Stuffing

1. Prepare the stuffing mix according to the instructions on the packaging, using water or chicken/beef stock instead of plain water for added flavour.
2. Shape the stuffing into balls or place it in a greased baking dish, depending on your preference.
3. Cook the stuffing in the oven for the specified time mentioned on the packaging, usually around 20-30 minutes or until it’s golden and crispy on the outside.

Step 5: Preparing the Yorkshire Puddings

1. In a mixing bowl, combine equal parts plain flour and eggs and whisk them together until you have a smooth batter.
2. Gradually add milk while whisking until the batter has a consistency similar to a pancake batter.
3. Season the batter with a pinch of salt and let it rest for about 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to a high temperature, usually around 220°C.
5. In a Yorkshire Pudding tray or muffin tin, pour a small amount of vegetable oil into each compartment and place it in the preheated oven for a few minutes until the oil is hot.
6. Carefully pour the batter into the hot oil, filling each compartment about halfway.
7. Place the tray back in the oven and bake the Yorkshire puddings for 20-25 minutes until they have risen and turned golden brown.

Step 6: Making the Gravy

1. Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the roasting pan and let it rest on a cutting board for about 15 minutes before carving.
2. Pour off most of the fat from the roasting pan, leaving behind the meat drippings.
3. Place the roasting pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Sprinkle some flour into the pan and whisk it into the drippings, creating a paste.
4. Gradually add beef stock while whisking continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
5. Keep whisking til the desired consistency. 

Step 7: Carving the Beef

1. After the beef has rested for about 15 minutes, it’s time to carve it. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a more tender and juicy roast.
2. Use a sharp carving knife and slice the beef against the grain into thin or thick slices, depending on your preference.

A tasty Sunday Roast Beef

Your Sunday roast beef recipe can be gathered from the family archives, a random recipe site, or a personal exploration. The best thing about cooking is that it’s personal and explorative, so try a few recipes and see what you think works well with your delicious roast beef dinner. 

Just what you need

A Sunday roast isn’t just confined to a Sunday, enjoying a delicious roast dinner can be enjoyed any day of the week and is the perfect dinner for getting all the family (and large groups) together. 

Whether you’re hosting a birthday dinner for your friends, getting the family together for a Sunday catch up or keen to try out a brand new potato recipe, your roast dinner is sure to please (and impress) everyone. 

Sunday Roast Beef in the New Forest

If you don’t fancy cooking up yourself but still craving the homely comfort of a delicious Sunday roast beef dinner, join us in one of the restaurants in our collection and enjoy a decadent Sunday dinner in the perfect location. 

New Forest Collection has a variety of restaurants offering a juicy and tender roast dinner with the perfect potatoes, tasty gravy and a selection of fresh vegetables. Join us Sunday and beyond and enjoy the home comforts of a roast dinner with us across our restaurants: The Drift and Bartley Lodge Restaurant.

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4. Meanwhile, in a separate roasting tray, heat some vegetable oil or beef dripping in the oven until it’s hot.
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4. Preheat the oven to a high temperature, usually around 220°C.
5. In a Yorkshire Pudding tray or muffin tin, pour a small amount of vegetable oil into each compartment and place it in the preheated oven for a few minutes until the oil is hot.
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