Perfect Roast Beef: Foil-Wrapped Cooking Times (2025)

Cooking roast beef in the oven wrapped in foil is a convenient and simple way to prepare a juicy, tender, and flavourful meal with almost zero clean-up. The low and slow cooking method ensures that the meat is moist and tender, and can turn cheap cuts of meat into a delicious meal. The cooking time depends on the weight of the roast and the temperature of the oven, but it typically takes around 3 to 5 hours to cook a roast wrapped in foil in the oven.

Oven temperature and cooking time

First, preheat your oven to the desired temperature. The temperature you choose will depend on the size and cut of your roast beef. For a 4-pound bone-in roast, preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). This temperature setting is ideal for a slow and steady cook, ensuring that the meat turns out juicy and tender.

If you're short on time and have a smaller cut of meat, you can opt for a higher temperature setting. For example, if you're preparing a chuck roast, preheat your oven to 400°F. This higher temperature will cook the meat faster, but you'll still want to ensure it reaches the desired internal temperature.

Once your oven is preheated, it's time to prepare the roast beef. Season the meat generously with salt and pepper, and garlic powder and dried minced onion to enhance the flavor. You can also add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms to create a complete meal with minimal cleanup. Wrap the roast beef and vegetables, if using, in a layer of heavy-duty aluminum foil, creating a sealed packet.

Place the foil-wrapped roast in a roasting pan and cook for the appropriate amount of time. For a larger roast at 300°F, you'll want to aim for around 3 to 4 hours. A smaller roast at 400°F will take less time, around 15 minutes per side or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reaches 140°F for medium doneness.

For a slow cooker or crockpot, you can also try a low and slow approach. Season and wrap your roast in foil, then place it directly into the slow cooker on the low setting. Cook for about 40 minutes per pound, and you'll have tender, juicy meat that falls apart with the touch of a fork.

Remember, the cooking time may vary slightly depending on your oven, the size and cut of your roast, and your desired doneness. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure your roast beef is cooked to your preference, whether that's medium, well-done, or somewhere in between.

Preparing the roast for the oven

Firstly, preheat your oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). You can place a piece of foil, about 30 inches long, into the bottom of a 9x13-inch roasting pan. Alternatively, you can place a large piece of heavy-duty foil on a cookie sheet.

Now, prepare the roast itself. Season both sides of the roast generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried minced onion. You can also try seasoning with salt and pepper only.

Place the roast on the foil. If you want to add vegetables, now is the time. You can add cubed potatoes and sliced carrots to the roast before sealing it in foil, or add root vegetables in larger chunks to the foil pack to roast along with the meat.

In a separate bowl, combine onion soup mix with either red wine or mushroom soup. Stir until well-blended or well-distributed, and pour the mixture over the roast.

Finally, fold the opposite corners of the foil toward each other to fully cover the meat and crimp the edges tightly to seal.

Ingredients to add to the roast

To cook roast beef wrapped in foil, you can use a variety of ingredients to enhance the flavour and texture of the meat. Here are some ideas for ingredients to add to your roast:

Herbs and Spices

Fresh or dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, sage, parsley, and oregano can be combined with olive oil and slathered over the roast. You can also use garlic powder, dried minced onion, or fresh garlic cloves. Black pepper is also a common addition.

Wine and Soups

Combining wine (red or otherwise) with onion soup mix or mushroom soup is a popular choice. This mixture is then poured over the meat before wrapping it in foil. You can also use French onion soup as a seasoning before wrapping the meat in foil.

Vegetables

Root vegetables such as carrots and potatoes can be added to the foil pack to roast alongside the meat. You can also add celery, or serve the roast with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Bacon and Butter

If your roast is lean, you can add fat by topping it with bacon or rubbing it with butter.

Worcestershire Sauce

A few dashes of Worcestershire sauce can be added to the roast before cooking.

How to wrap the roast in foil

To wrap the roast in foil, start by placing a piece of foil on a rimmed baking sheet or in a roasting pan. You can also use a double layer of regular foil. Place the roast on the foil and season it generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and dried minced onion. If desired, you can also rub the roast with olive oil and sprinkle it with onion soup mix or another dry rub of your choice.

Next, bring the sides of the foil up and fold them over to seal, then fold over the ends a few times to create a tight seal. Make sure all edges are crimped tightly to ensure that the juices are locked in. This will create a packet that will hold the juices that cook out of the roast, keeping it moist and tender.

If you are cooking the roast in a slow cooker, you can wrap it in two layers of foil and place it directly into the slow cooker. It is important to use the low setting for a longer period of time when cooking foil-wrapped roasts in a slow cooker.

Additionally, you can add vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, or onions to the foil packet to create a complete meal with minimal cleanup. Cut the vegetables into larger chunks to prevent overcooking.

Serving suggestions

There are several ways to serve roast beef wrapped in foil. Here are some suggestions:

Sides

A classic pairing is mashed potatoes with gravy made from the meat drippings. You can also serve roasted vegetables such as carrots or Brussels sprouts, or steamed vegetables such as peas. A fresh green salad can also provide a nice contrast to the hearty meat.

Sauces

A rich gravy made from drippings adds moisture, and horseradish sauce adds a spicy kick that complements beef.

Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, there are plenty of tasty ways to use them up. You can use the beef as a filling for tacos, taquitos, burritos, or enchiladas, or wrap finely chopped beef in pie crust or pizza dough to make empanadas. Thin beef slices can be stuffed into hoagie rolls with mozzarella cheese and baked until toasted and melted for delicious sandwiches. You can also sauté beef with diced potatoes, bell peppers, and onions for a hearty breakfast hash, or smother shredded beef with mushroom gravy and serve it over egg noodles for a quick beef stroganoff.

Presentation

To ensure an inviting presentation, make sure everything is warm when served. Garnishing with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme adds color and freshness. Slicing the meat against the grain ensures tenderness per bite.

Frequently asked questions