Although meat enthusiasts might prefer a proper rare steak from a top-quality restaurant, most budgets dont allow you to eat this way often. Although you will find a difference between rump roast and chuck roast, these cheaper cuts can both produce tasty and tender meat when properly cooked.
Round Roast Substitutes: This roast might be labeled as top round or bottom round (also called the rump roast). If you can’t find either, chuck roast makes a great swap, although it contains more fat. If you prefer a leaner swap, look to top sirloin roast or shoulder clod.
Cooking the Two Roasts
The key to making these tough roasts palatable is a prolonged cooking time over relatively low heat, which allows the connective tissues that make them tough to dissolve. Looking at the cooking methods of the bottom round roast versus chuck roast, both lend well to braising, either on the stovetop, roaster oven or slow cooker:
- Braising, according to the USDA FSIS, is roasting or simmering the meat with a small amount of liquid in a covered pan or pot. You can use your favorite type of wine, broth or juice to braise and flavor the meat.
- The USDA FSIS suggests braising round or rump roast at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 to 35 minutes per pound. Chuck roast should be braised at the same temperature. You can also oven roast a rump roast as long as you cook the meat low and slow, and cut the resulting roast into thin slices.
- When braising a chuck or rump roast, the beef comes out well done. You should always cook the cut to 145 F, the minimum internal temperature recommended by the USDA FSIS, which ensures the meat remains as tender as possible.
Once youve mastered the meat-cooking process, you can create additional side dishes. Potential options include this LIVESTRONG.com recipe for Farro With Charred Vegetables, providing healthy fiber and greens to your meal, or our simple Broccoli Salad for a crunchy complementary texture to the tender meat.
Hi. I want to make the cumin beef and sweet potato dish from the cookbook, but accidentally bought rump roast instead of chuck roast. Can I use it? If so, what adjustments should I make, if any? Thanks!
How To Turn Tough Meat Into Tender Perfection
FAQ
Can you substitute chuck roast for rump roast?
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