This Herb-Rubbed Top Round Roast Beef recipe is the perfect way to cook top round roast. It’s slathered in a flavorful herb and mustard rub, braised to get that crispy exterior, then cooked low and slow until fall-apart tender.
Want a perfect feast that tastes like it was made by the best professional chefs but that’s actually made by you, super affordable, and about as simple as it gets? This herb-rubbed top round roast beef is the answer to your prayers.
This recipe is ridiculously easy to make, super simple with just a few pantry staples, and will leave your guests totally impressed!
What is top round roast beef?
Top round roast beef is a lean cut of meat that comes from the rear leg of the cow. The great thing about a top roast is that it’s more affordable than other cuts of beef. However, since it’s a leaner cut of meat, it also has a reputation for being tough.
The good news? Even leaner cuts of meat like top round can rival the best filet mignon in flavor, juiciness, and tenderness…and the key is in the preparation!
What you need to make this recipe
- Parsley, Thyme, and Shallot – the herbs/aromatics used for the herb rub. I highly recommend using fresh herbs for the best flavor. However, dried will work as well if that’s all you have.
- Dijon Mustard and Olive Oil – the base for the herb rub. Olive oil adds moisture while dijon mustard adds a kick of spice.
- Unsalted Butter – mashed with a portion of the fresh herbs to make homemade herb butter. Be sure to bring the butter to room temperature so it can be incorporated with the herbs easily.
- Top Round Roast – trim the fat first if needed.
- Salt and Pepper – enhances flavor and gives the meat a subtle kick of heat.
How to make herb-rubbed top round roast beef
First, you’ll mix the parsley, thyme, and shallot together in a small bowl. Remove two tablespoons of the herbs, then set aside.
To the main herb mixture, add in dijon mustard and olive oil, then stir to combine. To the two tablespoons of reserved herbs, add in butter and mash with a fork until mixed well.
Butterfly the roast by cutting down the center and folding the cut end back, flattening it until you have cut almost entirely through.
While spread flat, season with salt and pepper on all sides, then use your fingers to spread the mustard mixture evenly over the interior of the meat.
Fold the meat up and tie with kitchen twine, then cover and let rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
When you’re ready to cook, sear the beef on all sides until just browned, then transfer to the oven and cook for 1.5-2 hours or until the internal temp is 125ºF.
Once it’s done cooking, transfer the beef to a cutting, spread a generous dollop of herb butter over the roast, cover with foil, and let it rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Should you sear roast beef before cooking?
Yes! I definitely recommend searing the beef on all sides before cooking it in the oven. This locks in the moisture and creates that delicious crispy exterior.
How do you tenderize a top round roast?
The key to a tender top round roast is to cook it low and slow. In this case, 275ºF for 1.5-2 hours. The slower cook time helps infuse flavor into the meat while it becomes ultra-tender.
If you want to take an additional step to tenderize your top roast, try marinating it in buttermilk for 30 minutes to 2 hours. The acidity helps break down the meat so it’s extra tender. I don’t recommend going longer than 2 hours because you risk losing the texture and the meat might become too tender. (Yes, there is such a thing.)
Tips, tricks, and notes for this recipe
- Let it rest before cooking. Make sure you let your meat rest for 4 hours in the fridge after you add the herb rub and before you cook it. This gives it time to soak in the flavor from the mustard and herbs and the moisture from the olive oil.
- Let it rest after cooking. After the beef is done cooking, top it with the herb butter and let it sit for 20 minutes before slicing into it. This gives the juices and flavor a chance to redistribute throughout the meat. If you cut into it too soon, the moisture will seep out.
- Use other herbs. I use a combination of parsley, thyme, and minced shallot for the herb rub, but if you prefer other herbs, like rosemary, sage, basil, cilantro, etc., feel free to use those instead.
- Check the internal temperature. I recommend using a meat thermometer to verify that the internal temperature of the meat is at least 125ºF before serving it.
- Don’t overcook. After the beef is fully cooked, take it out of the oven right away to avoid overcooking it. Since top round roast is lean meat, it can dry out very quickly.
What to serve with herb-rubbed top round roast beef?
Once the main dish is in the oven, you can use that time to whip up a couple of quick and easy sides! I love mashed chipotle cheddar potatoes, easy thyme-infused biscuits, BBQ glazed smoked brussels sprouts with bacon, or roasted root vegetables!
How to store
The cooked round roast will last in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen, then reheat wrapped in foil in the oven at 275ºF until warmed through.
More roast beef recipes to try
- Perfect Eye of Round Roast
- Stout Braised Short Ribs
- Perfect Oven Roasted Rack of Pork
- Perfect Pan Seared Rib Eye
- Steak and Potato Soup
If you’ve tried my Herb Rubbed Top Round Roast recipe, or any other recipe on GirlCarnivore.com please don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know where you found it in the comments below. I get inspired by your feedback and comments! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram @girlcarnivore as well as on Twitter and Facebook.
Herb Rubbed Top Round Roast Beef
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley chopped fine
- 2 tablespoon minced fresh thyme
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 4-5 lbs top round roast fat trimmed if needed
- 1 tablespoon salt
- 1 tablespoon pepper
Instructions
- Mix the parsley, thyme, and shallot in a small bowl.
- Remove 2 tbs of the herb mix to another bowl and set aside.
- Add the mustard add 1 tbs of the oil to the remaining herb mix and stir to combine.
- With the previously reserved herbs, mash in the butter with a fork to mix everything well.
- Butterfly the roast by carefully cutting down the center of the roast, folding the cut end of the beef back, flattening, until you have cut almost entirely through. This allows for a better seasoning application throughout the beef.
- While spread flat, season liberally with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Using your fingers, spread the mustard mixture evenly over the interior of the meat.
- Fold the meat back up and tie with kitchen twine.
- Cover and allow the beef to rest in the fridge at least 4 hours.
- When ready to cook, preheat the oven to 275 degrees F.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat the remaining oil.
- Sear the beef on all sides, until just browned, about 5 minutes per side.
- Transfer to oven and allow to cook 1 ½ to 2 hours, or until the meat temps at 125 degrees F.
- Carefully transfer the beef to a cutting board to rest.
- Spread a generous dollop of the herb butter over the roast and cover with foil.
- Allow to rest for 20 minutes before slicing and serving.
Amy says
I’ve never had too much luck with top round. I think it’s time to try again.
Amanda Titi says
I am going to try this next week! Am I right to assume to bake uncovered? Also the roast in my freezer is only a 2lb, I’m assuming it will still turn out good as long as I cut back the cooking time. Thanks for this recipe!
Kita says
Hi Amanda, I am sorry for not seeing this sooner! I was traveling and just am now going through comments on the site. Please let me know how this turned out for you!
Ameera Adeyola says
This was Delish!! Will make again. Thank you
Sarah says
Made this for Sunday dinner tonight – I used a different rub (I started prepping according to the certified angus recipe and then saw this after I had already covered the meat in it), but the low and slow cooking was spot on. I’ve never had such a tender roast, and my kids were shocked that this was roast beef – usually it’s so tough, but tonight’s meat was like butter. 275 til 135 is the only way I’ll ever cook rump/round roast from now on, and will definitely try the herb rub next time. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe – amazing!
Kitty says
Outstanding! Tender, medium rare, sliced thin…served with garlic mashed Yukon gold potatoes and gravy!
My husband raved about it!
And easy to prepare. I had a 2 1/2 pound roast and it took about an hour with the same technique.
I can’t wait for French dip sandwiches with the leftovers.
Thanks for the recipe.
stephen dicerbo says
Followed the parasmeters here for a top round, and had great success . Can’t wait for the sandwiches !
pics here:
https://www.facebook.com/A-Retirees-Recipe-Test-Kitchen-504859156294635/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1205107872936423
Linda says
Came out great tender with a wonderful flavor thank you
Mike says
So roast uncovered or covered?
Kita says
I roasted uncovered, however keep an eye on it, you know your oven. Be sure to cover if you feel things are getting too crispy. Enjoy!
Mike says
Thanks so much Kita looks like it’ll be a hit!
Molly says
Made this for dinner tonight & YUM! It was fabulous! The meat was tender & delicious. We did use fresh rosemary instead of thyme. I discovered too late that the thyme was killed by frost. So snipped some rosemary & delish.
Christy says
Outstanding flavor, but really tough. Could it be prepared the same way, but cooked in a crock pot?
Kita says
Hey Christy, I am a huge fan of my slow cooker, however, I do not feel that this recipe would be the same if cooked in a slow cooker. I tend to find that crock-pots tend to make beef perfect for that fork fall apart texture, like a pot roast or shredded beef, but not perfect for a sliced meat. Check the slow cooker recipe archives on here as well as PasstheSushi.com for some great slow cooker beef recipes. Thanks!
Aaron Paolino says
This roast beef recipe is one of the best that I have tried! Great Post!
Sharon says
Omg I’ll never make this roast any other way 😊 Thank you
Christina Williams says
I have a 2.5 lb top round roast in the oven now, it smells heavenly, I can’t wait to taste it! Will post on results later. I love this website, so many great recipe ideas!
Jenn MacDonald says
This was so good and easy to make. I screw up most cooking recipes, so if I managed it, anyone can.
Jennifer says
What if you don’t like mustard?
Kita says
Hey Jennifer, the mustard acts as a binder and really leaves no flavor. However, if you want, you could just use more oil. It wont be as tacky as the mustard though.
Christina says
HI,
Looking forward to trying this recipe tomorrow. I was wondering, are we suppose to put the reserved herb butter on the roast before searing? You said to reserve 4 TBS and mix with herbs, but only mention a big dollop at the end, wondering what to do with the rest. The know the herbs mixed with mustard go inside. Thanks so much!
Kita says
Yes, as the meat rests finish with all of the hreb butter to melt over top! Thanks for that catch. I’ll update the recipe card 😀 Let me know how this one turns out for you!
Christina says
Thanks so much! It turned out great!