Description
Cider Braised Pot Roast is a cozy, one-pot comfort food classic where tender, fall-apart chuck roast is slow-braised in apple cider with caramelized onions and sweet butternut squash. Served with a light and herby sage brown butter cauliflower rice, this dish delivers a fresh twist on traditional pot roast—perfect for family dinners and chilly evenings.
Ingredients
For the Pot Roast:
3 lb Black Angus Chuck Roast
Kosher salt, black pepper, all-purpose flour (for seasoning and dusting)
Extra virgin olive oil
Sweet onions, sliced
Garlic, minced
Apple cider (fresh, unsweetened)
Butternut squash, cubed
For the Sage Brown Butter Cauliflower Rice:
Unsalted butter
Fresh sage leaves (or dried sage)
Riced cauliflower
Kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
Pat chuck roast dry, season with salt and pepper, and dust with flour. Sear in olive oil in a Dutch oven until browned on both sides (2 minutes per side). Set aside.
In the same pot, add more olive oil, sauté sliced onions and minced garlic with salt and pepper until caramelized (about 20 minutes). Deglaze with apple cider and cook until onions are jammy.
Place seared roast over onions, scatter butternut squash around. Cover and braise in the oven for 2.5 to 3 hours until meat is fall-apart tender.
In the last 15 minutes of cooking, prepare the cauliflower rice: Melt butter in a skillet, add sage leaves until crisp and butter is golden brown. Stir in riced cauliflower and cook until warmed through. Season with salt and pepper.
Shred the pot roast in the Dutch oven, mixing with caramelized onions and squash.
Serve over a bed of sage brown butter cauliflower rice, drizzling with pan juices.
Notes
Use fresh, cloudy apple cider for best flavor—not apple juice.
Braising cuts like brisket or bottom round can be substituted.
For a heartier base, quinoa or mashed potatoes work as alternatives to cauliflower rice.
Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
Reheat gently on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth if needed.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 hours
- Category: Mains
- Method: Braising
- Cuisine: American