Top Round Roast {Extra Juicy And Tender}

This top round roast recipe turns a budget-friendly cut of beef into a flavorful and juicy roast. It’s a mostly hands-off meal that makes for an impressive main course or filling for beef sandwiches.

You can’t go wrong with a sirloin tip roast or ribeye roast for a fancy beef dinner, but when you need a more affordable alternative, turn to this top round roast recipe! It’s equally as elegant and incredibly easy to make.

This herb-crusted beef transforms a humble cut of meat into a masterpiece. First, the beef is coated in herbs and seasonings for extra flavor and a crisp, seared crust then roasted until it’s golden on the outside and fall-apart tender on the inside.

Why this recipe works

Top round roast beef may look intimidating to make, but honestly, it’s one of the most hands-off and foolproof roasts ever.

• Budget-friendly beef dinner. This beef is a delicious main dish that’s both cost-conscious and crowd-pleasing.
• Quick and easy. Besides a quick 5-minute prep, the oven takes care of the rest.
• Incredible texture and flavor. The texture of the meat is extra juicy and tender in the middle. It’s mild enough to dress up with some gravies or sauces but flavorful enough to enjoy as is.

Ingredients needed

This beef top round roast is so easy, and besides the meat and seasonings, there isn’t anything else needed to make. Here is what you’ll need:

• Top round roast. Buy a roast that has some fat marbled throughout and has a relatively uniform thickness to ensure that it cooks evenly.
• Dried herbs. I like to coat the beef in a generous layer of dried oregano, thyme, and rosemary. 
• Dry mustard. This helps tenderize the beef and gives it a tangy bite. 
• Salt and pepper. Use kosher salt or sea salt and coarsely ground black pepper to enhance the taste and texture of the crust. 

How to cook a top round roast

Fall-apart top round roast is easy to make: the only thing to remember is to mop up any excess moisture the meat naturally contains.

Season: Stir the herbs and spices together, then rub them all over the outside of the beef. 

Roast: Place the herb-crusted beef in a shallow roasting pan and roast to your desired doneness. 

Rest, then slice: Remove the beef from the oven and tent it loosely with foil. Let rest before slicing and serving.

Tips to make the best recipe

• Bring to room temperature. Remember to take the meat out of the fridge 30 minutes before cooking. This gives it a chance to come down to room temperature, helping it cook evenly.
• Cook it fat side up. Roast the beef with the thin fat cap facing up. This helps the fat render and distribute throughout the rest of the meat, giving you extra tender and juicy beef. 
• Cook to medium-rare. Stick a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the beef to ensure that it’s cooked to a perfect medium rare (135ºF to 140°F).
• Rest before slicing. When it’s done cooking, take the beef out of the oven and loosely place a large piece of foil over top. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes so the juices can redistribute throughout the meat.
• Slice against the grain. The best way to slice roast beef is against the grain and into thin, even slices. 

Flavor and recipe variations

Use different herbs and spices. Swap the seasonings in the herb coasting with your favorites! Dried parsley, dried sage, marjoram, granulated garlic, onion flakes, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes would all be delicious.

Use a seasoning blend. A great way to save time is to swap the seasonings in the recipe for a store-bought Italian, Cajun, or Montreal steak seasoning blend.

Make an herb paste rub. Replace the herb crust in the recipe with olive oil, freshly minced garlic, and fresh herbs (like parsley, oregano, sage, thyme, and rosemary). Stir them together, then rub the herb paste onto the surface of the beef before roasting. 

Roast with veggies. Turn this into an easy one-pan meal by roasting root vegetables, like potatoes, carrots, and parsnips, in the roasting pan alongside the beef.

Storage instructions

To store: Let the leftovers cool to room temperature and place them in an airtight container. The beef will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. 

To freeze: Wrap the beef in aluminum foil or place it in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for 2 to 3 months. Let the leftovers thaw in the fridge before reheating. 

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Frequently asked questions