How Long to Cook Roast Beef on a Rotisserie BBQ

Cooking roast beef on a rotisserie BBQ results in incredibly flavorful, tender and juicy meat with a beautifully browned crust. But knowing exactly how long to cook the roast can be tricky. Here’s a complete guide to help you perfectly roast beef on your rotisserie grill or smoker

Choosing the Right Cut of Beef

The first step is selecting the right cut of beef for rotisserie roasting. The best cuts are those that come from the rib or loin section, as they have great marbling which keeps them tender and moist during the long cooking time. Some good options include:

• Ribeye Roast – Cut from the rib section, this is a very tender and flavorful roast.

• Top Sirloin Roast – Taken from the loin, a top sirloin is a great budget-friendly choice.

• Filet Mignon Roast – Extremely tender though less flavorful than other cuts.

• Tri-Tip Roast – From the bottom sirloin tri-tip has great flavor at a lower cost.

For most roasts, you’ll want a 3-4 lb piece of meat to feed 4-6 people. Larger roasts over 5 lbs may require longer cook times. Choose a roast with some fat marbling throughout to keep it juicy.

Trussing the Roast

Once you’ve selected your cut of meat, it’s important to truss it before seasoning. Trussing means tying the roast tightly into a uniform shape. This allows the meat to cook evenly on all sides. Use butcher’s twine to tie the roast every 1-2 inches. Make sure it is cylindrical and compact.

Seasoning the Roast

Next comes the fun part – seasoning the meat! For roast beef, you’ll want lots of salt and pepper as your base. Make sure to generously coat all sides of the meat. You can also add other dried herbs and spices like garlic powder, onion powder, thyme or rosemary.

For maximum flavor, it’s best to season the roast the night before cooking. Place it on a rack uncovered in the fridge so the salt can really penetrate into the meat.

Setting Up Your Grill

Now it’s time to prep your grill or smoker for rotisserie cooking. You’ll want to use indirect heat, with no flames directly under the roast. For a gas grill, turn the center burner off and outside ones to medium-high heat. For charcoal, bank coals on either side.

Place a drip pan in the center to catch drippings. Then mount the roast on the rotisserie spit and rod, securing it with forks. Be sure it’s centered and balanced. Insert the spit into the grill.

Calculating Cook Time

This is where things get tricky – determining exactly how long to cook the roast on the rotisserie. The total time will depend on several factors:

• Weight of the roast – Larger roasts over 5 lbs will take longer.

• Desired doneness – Rare roast beef will cook faster than well done.

• Grill temperature – Cooking at higher heat reduces overall time.

• Meat temperature – Colder roasts straight from the fridge require longer cooking.

As a general guideline, estimate 15-20 minutes per pound for medium rare roast beef. So a 3 lb roast will need 45-60 minutes. But don’t rely solely on time! Use an instant read thermometer to check for doneness instead.

Checking for Doneness

The most fool-proof way to know when your roast beef is cooked perfectly is to use a digital meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the meat, avoiding bone.

For medium rare, cook to an internal temperature of 120-125°F. Medium is 130-135°F and well done is 145°F or higher. Remember the roast will continue cooking after you remove it from the grill.

Check the temperature early, and monitor it every 10-15 minutes until it’s reached your desired doneness. Don’t rely on time alone!

Letting It Rest

This last step is crucial – be sure to let the roast rest before slicing into it! Tent it loosely with foil and let sit for 15-30 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute evenly throughout the meat.

If you skip this step, the roast will leak juices everywhere when you cut into it. Resting gives you juicy, tender sliced beef.

Carving and Serving

The moment of truth – it’s time to carve into that beautiful roast beef! Carefully slice across the grain into thick slices. Be sure to pour any accumulated juices from resting over the top.

Pair your tender, juicy rotisserie roast beef with roasted potatoes or vegetables, Yorkshire puddings, or au jus gravy for an incredible meal.

Rotisserie Roast Beef Tips

• If your grill doesn’t reach an initial high temp, cook solely at medium-high to brown the meat.

• Try adding a spice rub or herb crust for more flavor.

• Use hickory, mesquite or oak wood chips in a smoker box for extra smoky flavor.

• Cook to just under your desired temp, as the roast will keep cooking during resting.

• Let the roast rest for 30 minutes for very large cuts to allow heat to equalize.

• Slice across the grain of the meat for the most tender bite.

• Add compound butter to both season and baste the roast while cooking.

With the right cut of meat, proper seasoning and care to check temperatures, you can achieve amazing roast beef cooked low-and-slow on the rotisserie. In about an hour, you’ll have tender, juicy and flavorful roast beef for your family or guests to enjoy.