Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to cook a beef roast? Look no further than your Traeger grill!
Whether you prefer a classic pot roast or a smoky, BBQ-style roast, your Traeger can handle it all. With a few simple steps and some basic ingredients, you can have a mouth-watering roast that will impress your family and friends.
In this article, we’ll explore different methods for cooking beef roast on a Traeger grill, including tips and tricks to ensure your roast turns out perfectly every time.
So grab your apron and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook A Beef Roast On A Traeger Grill?
Method 1: Classic Pot Roast
For a classic pot roast, you’ll need a beef top round, rump, or sirloin tip roast, vegetable oil or extra-virgin olive oil, Traeger Prime Rib Rub, beef broth, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, and thyme.
1. Rub the roast on all sides with the vegetable oil and season well with Traeger Prime Rib Rub.
2. Pour beef broth into the bottom of a Dutch oven or roasting pan and place the roast on a rack, fat-side up.
3. Preheat your Traeger grill to 500°F and insert a probe into the thickest part of the roast.
4. Place the Dutch oven on the grill grates and cook for 25-30 minutes until the outside is seared.
5. Reduce the temperature to 225°F and add the vegetables and thyme to the Dutch oven around the roast.
6. Cover with foil and continue cooking until the internal temperature reaches 135°F for medium-rare (2-3 hours).
7. Remove from grill and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain.
Method 2: Smoky BBQ Roast
For a smoky BBQ-style roast, you’ll need a beef chuck roast, BBQ dry rub, beer, and your favorite BBQ sauce.
1. Trim excess fat off of your roast and coat liberally with BBQ dry rub.
2. Smoke on your Traeger grill for an hour, flipping every hour for 3-4 hours.
3. Place into a braising vessel with beer (enough to come up halfway on the roast) and braise until fork-tender.
4. Shred beef and remove excess fat or connective tissue.
5. Return reserved braising liquid to pan and add BBQ sauce.
6. Keep warm until serving.
Method 3: Garlic Pepper Roast
For a garlic pepper roast, you’ll need a beef roast (such as sirloin), kosher salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, garlic cloves, and a digital thermometer.
1. Preheat your Traeger grill to 250°F.
2. Season your roast with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Insert garlic cloves into holes in the roast.
4. Smoke on your Traeger grill for 4 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F for medium-rare.
5. Remove from grill and wrap tightly in foil and a towel to finish cooking.
6. Slice against the grain for a tender roast.
Choosing The Right Cut Of Beef For Your Roast
Choosing the right cut of beef is key to achieving a delicious and tender roast. Here are some of the best cuts for roasting on a Traeger grill:
1. Prime Rib Roast: This is one of the most popular cuts for a roast and is known for its tenderness and marbling. It’s best cooked on medium heat until it reaches your desired doneness.
2. Chuck Roast: This cut comes from the cow’s shoulder and is heavily exercised, which gives it good flavor but also makes it tough. Chuck roast is perfect for a pot roast or stew because the connective tissue melts as it braises, making it tender.
3. Top Round Roast: This lean cut from the round primal is one of the best cuts for roast beef, especially when prepared low and slow for maximum tenderness and flavor.
4. Rump Roast: Another lean cut that can be roasted or slow-cooked at home for an everyday meal. It’s flavorful and easy to carve with its fine texture.
5. Sirloin Tip Roast: This cut is lean and flavorful, often used for roast beef at the deli. It should be slow-cooked to improve its tenderness and then sliced thinly across the grain.
When choosing your cut of beef, look for marbling and a nice outer layer of fat to ensure a juicy and flavorful roast. Don’t hesitate to ask your local butcher for a recommendation if you’re unsure which cut to choose.
No matter which cut you choose, remember to preheat your Traeger grill to the appropriate temperature and use a digital thermometer to ensure your roast reaches the desired internal temperature before slicing against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Preparing Your Traeger Grill For Roasting
Before you start roasting your beef on a Traeger grill, it’s important to properly prepare your grill. Here are the steps to follow:
1. Season and burn-in phase: The first time you use your Traeger grill, you need to go through the season and burn-in phase. This ensures that any oil is burnt off and your auger is primed and ready. Traeger has a helpful video that runs through the entire process.
2. Pellets: Pour some pellets into the hopper. You don’t need to fill it up at this stage.
3. Plug in and turn on: Plug in your grill and turn it on by pressing the temperature control dial.
4. Prime the auger: Select “Auger” from the menu and then choose “Prime Auger”. Once you see pellets start to fall into the fire pot, select “Done” to turn off the Auger.
5. Set temperature: Turn the temperature dial to 350°F and press the dial in to set the temperature. Don’t worry if your grill smokes a lot coming up to temperature, this is normal.
6. Wait: Once your grill reaches 350°F, leave it for 20 minutes before increasing the temp up to 450°F and leaving for an additional 30 minutes.
7. Shut down: Shut down the grill by pressing and holding the temperature dial for 3 seconds.
8. Ready to use: Once the shutdown cycle finishes, your grill has been seasoned and is ready for use. If you plan on cooking straight away, you don’t need to go through the shutdown cycle. Just add your food after the 30-minute period ends.
By following these steps, you’ll ensure that your Traeger grill is properly prepared for roasting beef, resulting in delicious, wood-fired flavor every time.
Seasoning And Preparing Your Beef Roast
Before cooking your beef roast on a Traeger grill, it’s important to season and prepare it properly to ensure maximum flavor and tenderness.
For the classic pot roast method, start by rubbing the roast on all sides with vegetable oil and seasoning it well with Traeger Prime Rib Rub. This will help create a flavorful crust on the outside of the roast. Next, pour beef broth into the bottom of a Dutch oven or roasting pan and place the roast on a rack, fat-side up. This will help keep the meat moist and tender during cooking.
If you’re going for a smoky BBQ-style roast, trim any excess fat off of your beef chuck roast before coating it liberally with BBQ dry rub. This will help create a smoky and flavorful crust on the outside of the roast. Smoke it on your Traeger grill for an hour, flipping every hour for 3-4 hours. Once it’s fork-tender, shred the beef and add your favorite BBQ sauce to the reserved braising liquid.
For a garlic pepper roast, season your beef roast with kosher salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Insert garlic cloves into holes in the roast for an extra burst of garlic flavor. Smoke it on your Traeger grill for 4 hours or until it reaches an internal temperature of 130°F for medium-rare. Once it’s finished cooking, wrap it tightly in foil and a towel to finish cooking before slicing against the grain.
No matter which method you choose, be sure to let your beef roast rest for 10 minutes before slicing against the grain for maximum tenderness.
Cooking Your Beef Roast On The Traeger Grill
Cooking your beef roast on a Traeger grill is a great way to infuse smoky flavor into your meat. Whether you prefer a classic pot roast, a smoky BBQ-style roast, or a garlic pepper roast, the Traeger grill can handle it all.
To cook your beef roast on a Traeger grill, follow these simple steps:
1. Preheat your Traeger grill to the desired temperature according to your recipe.
2. Season your roast with your desired dry rub or spices.
3. Insert a digital thermometer probe into the thickest part of the roast.
4. Place the roast on the grill grates and close the lid.
5. Cook until the internal temperature reaches your desired level of doneness.
6. Remove from grill and let rest before slicing against the grain.
Remember that cooking times will vary depending on the size of your roast and your preferred level of doneness. Use a digital thermometer to ensure that your meat is cooked to perfection.
Experiment with different rubs, spices, and sauces to find the perfect flavor for your beef roast on the Traeger grill. With its consistent heat and smoky flavor, the Traeger grill is sure to become your go-to cooking method for beef roasts.
Checking For Doneness And Resting Your Roast
After cooking your beef roast on a Traeger grill, it is crucial to check for doneness and rest it before slicing. To check for doneness, use a reliable digital meat thermometer and insert it into the thickest part of the roast. For medium-rare, the internal temperature should reach 135°F, while a medium roast should reach 140°F.
Once your roast has reached the desired temperature, remove it from the grill and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. Resting allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful roast. For best results, cover the roast loosely with foil to keep it warm while resting.
It is important not to cut into the roast immediately after cooking, as this will cause all the juices to escape onto the cutting board. Instead, allow the roast to rest at room temperature for up to 30 minutes. This will also allow the internal temperature to continue rising by about 5-10°F.
When you’re ready to slice your roast, use a sharp knife and cut against the grain for maximum tenderness. Serve with your favorite sides and enjoy!
Serving And Enjoying Your Delicious Beef Roast
Once your beef roast is cooked to perfection on your Traeger grill, it’s time to enjoy it! Here are some tips for serving and enjoying your delicious beef roast:
1. Let the roast rest: After removing the roast from the grill, let it rest for at least 10 minutes before slicing. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, resulting in a more tender and flavorful roast.
2. Slice against the grain: When slicing your roast, be sure to cut against the grain. This means cutting perpendicular to the lines of muscle fibers. This will result in a more tender and easier-to-chew slice of meat.
3. Serve with sides: Beef roast pairs well with a variety of sides such as mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. Choose your favorite sides to complement your delicious beef roast.
4. Save leftovers: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Leftover beef roast can be used in sandwiches, salads, or as a topping for pizza.
5. Enjoy with friends and family: A beef roast is a great centerpiece for a family dinner or gathering with friends. Enjoy your delicious meal with loved ones and savor every bite of your perfectly cooked Traeger-grilled beef roast.
