Chuck Roast Sucess

[Ken]

I made my first attempt at a chuck roast. Starting with the recipe attached here, I made my own version.  While I call it a success, I think I can do better.  My objective was juicy and tender and for the most part, that's what I got.  It was only slightly dry on the edges.  This was a test so I used a 2.25 pound angus chuck.
Loosely following the directions, I tied the roast to get a compact product.  After that I did a dry brine of kosher salt and coarse grind pepper for 20 hours. My model 1 was set at 215 as my smoker seems to run in a range of the set temperature plus 25 degrees.  Smoke came from 2.4oz of a 50/50 mix of hickory and pecan.  Maybe I'll substitute cherry for the pecan next time or just maybe add some cherry.  At 160 IT I wrapped it in foil.  Back in the smoker to an IT of 198. I turned off the unit and cracked the door to let the temp drop slowly.  Next time I'm going to stop the cooking at 190 to see of I can eliminate the slight dryness around the edges.  All in all It was a good first try.

 

[LuvMyQ]

Adding that to my list of inspiration for future smokes.  Looks good.

 

[barelfly]

I love chuck roast! And this looks wonderful! I have never sliced a chuck when cooking to that IT. But it looks great.

When I smoke to a temp as high you did, I will usually pull it. Yours doesn’t look dried out though like you mentioned, especially since you wrapped it at 160. If I want a sliced chuck, I will do a smoke for a few hours then bag it and into a water bath with my Sous Vide to a lower temp, usually 130* or so, for 2-3 days to get a great texture but that slight medium-rare cooked color.

But it looks great! What kind of run did you use?

 

[Ken]

After some research, I think the slight dryness that I mentioned will not be a problem at 190IT.

 

[Sirsmokesalot]

Late input but I do chuck roast burnt ends quite often and have done up to an 8lb chucky. I give it an olive oil and McCormick brown sugar bourbon spice rub and inject it with a cup of beef broth and let it sit til morning and I go 225 and pull It when I hit 185. Around 9.5-11 hours depending on size of the roast. Comes out awesome every time.

 

[prudentsmoker]

These are great suggestions and I look forward to trying them especially the sous vide. Having said that, if you are ever in need of one to do in the crock pot this recipe if from a local chef here in Wichita and is excellent!
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
Ingredients:
·        a good chuck roast
·        vegetable oil
·        beef broth
·        1 C. red wine
·        1 onion, diced
·        garlic, minced
·        1 C. carrots, chopped
·        2 russet potatoes, cubed
·        thyme
·        rosemary (optional)
·        salt and black pepper
Directions:


Brown the roast in the vegetable oil until very dark on both sides. Add it to the Crock-Pot, then pour in the red wine. Add vegetables, garlic, herbs and spices (except salt). Then add broth until everything is barely covered. Cover and set to high. Cook for 8 hours. Season with salt and additional pepper, if needed. Enjoy!

 

[old sarge]

I am a big fan of chuck.  Not smoked but as a pot roast.  I may give smoking one a try someday.

 

[EFGM]

Dave, have you done a roast in your Instant Pot?

 

[tomd8]

Ken - Looks great and moist.  I've considered smoking a roast to see how it would come out but would need the veges and the brown gravy to complete the dish.  This thread and the feedback is great info to give it a try.  I make a similar recipe stove top as was posted above but taking less time. Aprox 3.5 hrs total time, and I add potatoes (bag of small red or baby gold), carrots and a box of mushrooms after 2.5 hrs so they don't get too mushy.  Make brown gravy at the end and it's a great meal.  I even make small packets of meat and gravy and freeze for use on my Sunday egg sandwich....yes I love it that much.

 

[Ken]

I made another attempt with more success.  This time I used a mix of hickory and cherry and the flavor was better.  I stayed with a 24 hour dry brine of kosher salt, black pepper, paprika and brown sugar.  Next time I'll try a more complex rub that's worked for me before.  The cooking process was the biggest and best change.  I followed the suggestion of Sirsmokesalot.  Cooking at 225 to an IT of 185 was the magic number.  The meat was very tender and juicy.