Whole 30 Whole30 Lemon-Pepper Pot Roast with Root Vegetables
Few things hit harder on a cold evening than a fork-tender pot roast that's been slowly braising in a bright, savory liquid for nearly three hours. A bold rub of cracked black pepper, lemon zest, garlic powder, thyme, and rosemary gets pressed into every surface of the chuck roast before it's seared to a deep, caramelized crust in a Dutch oven — that step alone builds the kind of flavor that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible. Tomato paste, beef broth, and fresh lemon juice form the braising liquid, which keeps everything completely compliant without relying on any added sugars, dairy, or off-limits thickeners. Carrots, parsnips, and turnips get nestled in during the final hour, soaking up all those savory, citrusy juices as they turn perfectly tender. The result is a rich, pull-apart roast surrounded by hearty root vegetables — satisfying in a way that never feels like you're eating around restrictions. It serves six, making it an ideal Sunday cook that sets you up with leftovers worth looking forward to all week.
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Learn more →Ingredients
6 servings
For the roast
- 3 lb beef chuck roast
- 2 tsp coarse kosher salt
- 2 tsp coarsely cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon zest (from about 2 lemons)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp olive oil
For the braise
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice (from about 1 lemon)
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
For the vegetables
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 medium parsnips, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- 2 medium turnips, peeled and cut into 1 ½-inch chunks
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
- lemon wedges, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Pat the chuck roast completely dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the salt, cracked black pepper, lemon zest, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and dried rosemary. Press the spice rub firmly onto all sides of the roast.
- 2
Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the roast and sear undisturbed for 4–5 minutes per side, until a deep brown crust forms and the meat releases easily from the pot. Transfer the seared roast to a plate.
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