How Long To Cook Roast Beef In A Weber Q Grill? The Complete Guide

Cooking roast beef to perfection in a Weber Q grill requires some knowledge and technique. With the right preparation and cooking time, you can achieve a tender, juicy roast beef that your guests will love. In this complete guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to master cooking roast beef on a Weber Q.

Choosing The Right Cut Of Beef

The first step is selecting the right cut of beef for roasting. Here are some tips:

• Go for cuts with good marbling, which keeps the meat tender and juicy during cooking Popular roasting cuts include ribeye, sirloin tip, tri-tip, top round, and bottom round

• Choose a thickness between 1.5-3 inches. Thinner cuts will cook faster while thicker ones need more time but stay juicier.

• For a Weber Q, stick to cuts between 2-3 lbs. Larger roasts won’t fit and smaller ones may cook unevenly.

• Grass-fed beef has a distinct flavor but cooks faster than grain-fed so monitor closely,

• Ask your butcher for roasting recommendations based on your grill size and taste preferences

Proper Seasoning

Seasoning is key for flavorful roast beef. For a simple but tasty rub:

• Coat the roast lightly in olive oil so the seasoning sticks.

• Generously season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

• Pat the rub all over the roast until fully coated. Let sit for 30 mins to absorb flavors.

• Avoid seasoning too early as the salts can start curing the meat. Right before cooking is best.

• For bolder flavor, try adding chili powder, paprika, cumin, or brown sugar. Get creative!

Maintaining Ideal Temperature

The cooking temperature is critical for perfect roast beef:

• Preheat your Weber Q with all burners on high for 10-15 minutes.

• Place roast on grill and keep burners on high for 5 minutes to sear.

• Turn burner(s) under the roast to low. Other burners can remain high.

• Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the roast, away from bone.

• Maintain a temperature between 250-325°F, adjusting burners as needed.

• Remove roast at 135°F for medium-rare or 145°F for medium.

• Let rest for 10-15 minutes; the temperature will rise 5-10° more.

• If flames flare up, reduce heat. If cooking too slow, increase heat.

• For charcoal, keep a 2-zone fire and move roast if needed.

Closely monitoring temperature is the best way to guarantee perfect doneness.

Calculating Cook Times

Cook times vary based on size, cut, and desired doneness:

• For medium-rare, estimate 15-20 minutes per pound.

• Thicker/fatty cuts take longer than thinner lean ones.

• Bone-in roasts cook slower than boneless.

• For medium or beyond, extend time to 18-25 minutes per pound.

• A 2-3 lb roast will need 30-90 minutes at most.

• Larger roasts over 10 lbs could need up to 4+ hours.

• Always rely on a meat thermometer over time to check doneness.

• If unsure, start checking temperature after half the estimated time.

• Let roast rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing into it.

With an accurate meat thermometer and using the estimated times per pound, you can learn exactly how long your preferred roast size and cut will take on your Weber Q grill.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

It’s easy to make mistakes that will dry out your roast or lead to uneven cooking. Here are some tips to avoid the most common pitfalls:

• Don’t pierce the meat with a fork, which can lead to juices leaking out.

• Avoid long pre-salting as it can start curing the outer layers. Lightly season just before grilling.

• Prevent flare-ups from high heat. Keep temperatures in the target range.

• Don’t cook too many roasts at once. Overcrowding leads to uneven cooking.

• Don’t forget to let the roast rest before slicing so juices can settle.

• Overcharring or burning will ruin the flavor. Adjust heat/position if needed.

Serving Your Roast Beef

Once your roast beef is cooked flawlessly, you’ll want to serve it for maximum enjoyment:

• Carve across the grain into thin slices for tender meat.

• Pair with classic sides like garlic mashed potatoes, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad.

• Make au jus from the resting juices for dipping or topping meat.

• Use leftovers for roast beef sandwiches, salads, or wraps later in the week.

• Top slices with blue cheese, caramelized onions, or horseradish sauce.

With the right cut, seasoning, temperature control, cook time, and resting, you can master cooking mouthwatering roast beef on your Weber Q grill. Follow this guide for perfect results every time. Let us know how your roast beef turns out!