Home | Diet | Dairy-Free

VIRAL CHUCK ROAST

By Olivia Adriance

on Apr 07, 2023, Updated Jun 14, 2024

5 from 8 votes

Hands down, this Viral Chuck Roast is my most popular recipe to date! And ironically, it’s one that I’ve been eating since I was a kid. My mom would make this for us growing up and I’m absolutely obsessed with it. 

Want to save this recipe?

Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

First Name *

Email *

Save Recipe

This is one of the simplest meals you can whip up with literally only three ingredients. It’s incredibly versatile and is just as good for a weeknight when you’re looking for something low-maintenance, as it is for a gathering or even a holiday dinner! It’s the first thing I think to make when we’re going to have friends over.

In the Wild West of social media algorithms, we can’t control what goes viral, but out of all of my recipes, I’m so glad this easy chuck roast recipe took the bait! So many of you have fallen in love with this meal too, and I’ve received hundreds of messages and photos of how you enjoy it with your family and friends. It’s become a weekly staple for so many people! 

If you’re intimidated by cooking a roast, give this one a try! The technique couldn’t be easier and it requires zero prep. Can’t wait to see what you make out of it! 

Ingredients for This Viral Easy Chuck Roast Recipe

• 1 boneless beef chuck roast, about 4 lbs 
• Salt 
• Pepper

How to Make the Viral Chuck Roast  

Preheat your oven to 325°F. Season the chuck roast generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Be generous here! Add the roast to a Dutch Oven or baking dish with a lid. (Alternatively, you can use aluminum foil if you don’t have a baking dish with a lid). Bake for 1 hour per pound of meat, so a 4 lb chuck roast will bake for around 4 hours. 

When the roast is done, remove it from the oven and shred into large chunks using two forks. If the roast isn’t literally falling apart, put it back in the oven for another 30 minutes or so. 

Increase the oven temperature to 425°F. Toss the shredded pieces in the rendered fat and place back in the oven, uncovered for about 25 minutes. This will crisp up the edges and make it truly irresistible. Serve and enjoy! 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Now, as this is one of my most popular recipes you can imagine that I’m asked a lot of questions about it. Thankfully, cooking a chuck roast is really forgiving so there really isn’t much that can go wrong! 

Cookware

If you have a Dutch Oven (I love my Le Creuset Heritage Rectangular Casserole), definitely use that. If not, you can absolutely use a baking dish with a lid. Or, use a baking dish and cover with aluminum foil. Others have found success making this in a crockpot. Just cook it on high heat for 6 hours or on low heat for 8 hours. You won’t get the crispy bits like you do in the oven, but the flavor will still be amazing!

Cooking Method

Now, I think this meal is a viral hit because you don’t have to take the extra step to brown the meat. That said, if you want to sear it ahead of time you certainly can. Because a chuck roast is a nice fatty cut of meat, there’s no need to add any additional oil, broth, or water to the pan either. The meat will roast slowly in the oven and all those delicious juices will help keep the meat tender and moist.  

Portions and Serving

A 4-pound roast will typically serve 6 to 7 people. I typically account for 1/2 pounds of meat per person. So even if you’re not hosting people, you’ll have plenty of leftovers throughout the week for easy lunches and dinners. 

Type of Roast

When picking a roast I like to look for a fatty cut with a lot of marbling. I don’t always have the best of luck with grass-fed roasts — most are just too lean and tough. The important thing is using a nice fatty roast or else it will never get to the point where it shreds easily. If you’re finding that it isn’t shredding as easily as you’d like, it’s likely a tougher cut of meat. Next time, just look for something that is more on the fattier side.  

Try This With: 

• Viral Chuck Roast Tacos
• Honey Glazed Carrots 
• Herb and Maple Roasted Cauliflower
• Crispy Baked Salt and Vinegar Potatoes

5 from 8 votes

VIRAL CHUCK ROAST

By Olivia Adriance

Prep: 10 minutes mins

Cook: 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Pin Print

Three ingredients are all you need for this one-pot recipe. No wonder it’s a viral hit!

Save this recipe!

Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Email *

Save

Ingredients 

• ▢ 1 boneless beef chuck roast  about 4 pounds (see note 1)
• ▢ Salt and pepper to generously season

Instructions 

• Preheat your oven to 325°F. Season your roast generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Add to a baking dish, cover, and bake for 1 hour per pound of meat.
• Remove the roast from the oven and shred it into large chunks using two forks. If the roast is not pulling apart easily, put it back in the oven for 30 min.
• Raise the oven heat to 425° F.
• Toss the shredded pieces of roast around in the rendered fat and place it back in the oven, uncovered, for 25 minutes until you see some nice crispy.caramelized ends 
• Serve and ENJOY!! 

Notes

1. Pick a nice fatty roast otherwise it won’t shred easily. 
2. While this recipe only requires salt and pepper, I make different versions depending on what else I’m serving. Taco seasoning, for example, is a great addition especially if you’re planning to make my Viral Chuck Roast Tacos. Season however you like — the important thing here is the cooking technique.
3. I like to cook my roast in an enameled cast iron that has a fitted lid but you are welcome to use a glass baking dish and can cover with aluminum foil.
4. I like to serve this with roasted potatoes and carrots. Just cube them up, toss with olive oil, salt, pepper and roast at 425°F for 45 minutes. 

Like this? Leave a comment below!