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.
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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-Tubbed 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!
If you’re a fan of beef roast, check out these beef roast recipes!
What Is Top Round Roast?
Top round roast beef is a leaner 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 is lean with connective tissue, it also has a reputation for being a tough cut of meat.
The good news? Even leaner cuts of beef, like top round, can rival the best filet mignon in flavor, juiciness, and tenderness… And the key is in the preparation! Taking the time to cook these budget-friendly cuts makes them flavorful roasts perfect for dinner.
Just like with our perfect eye of round roast recipe or smoked chuck roast, we love the challenge of these cheap cuts of beef becoming easy recipes your whole family will love.
Top Round Roast Ingredients
- 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 compound 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. We use a 4 to 5-pound roast. Adjust the cooking time for the size of your roast.
- Salt and Pepper – enhances flavor and gives the meat a subtle kick of heat. We always use kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
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.
Next, pat the beef dry with paper towels. Butterfly the roast on a cutting board by cutting down the center and folding the cut end back, flattening it until you have cut almost entirely through.
While spread flat, season the whole roast 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 it 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 in a Dutch oven or roasting pan, then transfer to the oven and cook for 1.5-2 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 125 degrees F or your desired temperature, with an instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest part.
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.
An optional step would be to deglaze the bottom of the pan while the roast rests with red wine. Over medium-low heat, use a wooden spoon to scrape up the stuck-on browned bits.
Then, add a bit of homemade beef broth or stock and allow the remaining liquid and pan drippings to simmer to a delicious au just to serve with every tender and juicy slice of this top round roast recipe.
After you’ve mastered this amazing Herb Stuffed roast beef, give our stuffed pork belly porchetta a try!
Girl Carnivore Expert Recipe Tips
- 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 of resting time before slicing into it. This gives the juices and flavor a chance to redistribute throughout for a juicy piece of 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., go for it! Use your favorite herbs for other flavorful combinations.
- Check the internal temperature. I recommend using a meat thermometer to verify that the internal temperature of the meat is at least 130ºF, a perfect medium-rare roast, 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, and where we respect everyone’s desired internal temp, we recommend not cooking this past medium rare for a tender slice of meat.
What to Serve With This Tasty Top Round Roast
Once the main dish is in the oven, you can use that time to whip up a couple of quick and easy sides! We love mashed chipotle cheddar potatoes, easy thyme-infused biscuits, BBQ glazed smoked brussels sprouts, or roasted root vegetables!
Leftovers & Reheating
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.
Turn thin slices of leftover roast beef into sandwiches, French Dips with au jus, pit beef sandwiches, and more!
More roast beef recipes
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Beef Recipes
Smoked Prime Rib
Whether saving this easy recipe for a special occasion or simply wanting to change up your weekly dinner routine, this Herb-Rubbed Top Round Roast is perfect for you! Tender beef slathered in a savory herb and mustard butter rub is the best way to enjoy this cut of beef.
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Herb Rubbed Top Round Roast Beef
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup fresh parsley chopped fine
- 2 tbsp minced fresh thyme
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 4-5 lbs top round roast fat trimmed if needed
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tbsp 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 1/2 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.
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Save Recipe BookmarkRecipe FAQs
Yes! We 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.
The key to a tender top round roast is to cook it low and slow. In this case, 1.5-2 hours at 275 degrees F. The slower cook time helps infuse flavor into the touch cut of meat while it becomes an ultra-tender perfect roast.
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. We 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.)
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!
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!
Thanks so much! It turned out great!
What if you don’t like mustard?
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.
This was so good and easy to make. I screw up most cooking recipes, so if I managed it, anyone can.
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!
Omg I’ll never make this roast any other way 😊 Thank you
This roast beef recipe is one of the best that I have tried! Great Post!
Outstanding flavor, but really tough. Could it be prepared the same way, but cooked in a crock pot?
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!
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.
So roast uncovered or covered?
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!
Thanks so much Kita looks like it’ll be a hit!
Came out great tender with a wonderful flavor thank you
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
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.
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!
This was Delish!! Will make again. Thank you
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!
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!
I’ve never had too much luck with top round. I think it’s time to try again.