How to Cook a Perfect Beef Roast in a Toaster Oven

If you have a toaster oven, you probably only use it to toast bread and reheat leftovers or frozen meals. Did you know, though, that this is a waste of potential? There are models for every need, price range, and room. They work great in small apartments, college dorms, and kitchens with limited counter space (because, let’s face it, those are already full of other gadgets).

Toaster ovens are efficient. They heat up faster and use less energy than regular ovens. Plus, they won’t heat up your room, which is nice in the summer. Theyre electric, so if your gas is down, you can still use them. The toaster oven is also there in case you need it for a big turkey or ham. It’s a handy little extra for cooking or warming up desserts and side dishes. But did you know that a toaster oven can make a whole meal for you? Like a fancy roast dinner? Keep reading to learn how this simple appliance can change the way you cook.

A toaster oven may seem too small to cook a beef roast, but with the right techniques you can make a delicious roast using this handy appliance. The key is choosing the right size roast and following some simple steps for browning, seasoning, and monitoring the meat.

Benefits of Using a Toaster Oven

Cooking a roast in a toaster oven has many advantages

Saves energy and preheats quickly compared to a large oven
Concentrated heat cooks food faster
Cooks small roasts perfectly
Lets you easily monitor the meat through the glass door
Frees up the main oven for side dishes
Adds convenience with shorter cook times

Tips for Roast Success

Follow these tips for the best results when roasting beef in a toaster oven:

Choose a 3-4 lb roast that fits, like a chuck, rump, or rib roast
Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature
Place the oven rack in the center position
Roast in a shallow broiler pan or roasting pan
Baste the roast every 20-30 minutes with pan drippings
Cook to 125°F for medium-rare doneness
Allow the roast to rest at least 10-15 minutes before carving

Step-by-Step Method

Follow this simple process for a tender, juicy roast:

Prepare the Roast: Pat the roast dry and rub all over with oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, etc. Coat with herbs or dry rub for flavor.
Preheat Toaster Oven: Preheat to 400°F. Allow to fully preheat for 10 minutes.
Brown the Roast: Cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes until browned.
Roast at Lower Temp: Reduce heat to 300°F. Roast for 15 minutes per pound until 125°F.
Baste and Tent: Baste with drippings every 20-30 minutes. Loosely tent with foil if top browns too quickly.
Let Roast Rest: Remove roast and let rest 15+ minutes before slicing.
Make Gravy: Use drippings to make a simple gravy to serve.

Roasting Tips

Choose a roast short and wide vs. long and narrow for best results
Use a meat thermometer to prevent overcooking
Add vegetables like carrots and potatoes during the last 30 minutes
If roast is done early, switch toaster oven to “keep warm” mode
Let roast rest to allow juices to redistribute
Make gravy from the flavorful pan drippings

Toaster Oven Models

Nearly any toaster oven can accommodate a small 3-4 lb beef roast. Look for one with at least 1500 watts of power and interior dimensions of at least 12 inches wide x 12 inches deep. Convection settings help roast meat evenly. Some good options include:

Cuisinart Convection Toaster Oven: Provides convection technology and 7 functions including convection bake. Fits up to a 5 lb chicken or 12 inch pizza.
Breville Smart Oven Pro: Features an interior light and convection setting. Large enough for a 14 lb turkey or 13 inch baking pan.
Hamilton Beach Countertop Oven: Budget-friendly option with convection and rotisserie functions. Fits a 5 lb chicken or 12 inch pizza.

Serving Suggestions

The sliced roast beef makes a beautiful main course for dinner or holidays. Pair it with:

Yorkshire pudding or rolls
Mashed or roasted potatoes
Roasted vegetables like carrots, parsnips, Brussels sprouts
A simple salad like spinach, arugula, or mixed greens

Leftovers also make wonderful sandwiches, tacos, soup, or pasta dishes. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.

With minimal effort, you can use a toaster oven to make delicious roast beef any night of the week. The concentrated heat helps infuse it with flavor and tenderness in less time than the traditional oven.

how to cook a beef roast in a toaster oven

Dinner for ten in the toaster oven

how to cook a beef roast in a toaster oven

The Americas Test Kitchen, a place where new and exciting food is put to the test, made a roast dinner recipe for 10 people that can be cooked in a toaster oven. A four-pound top sirloin roast of beef is rubbed with fresh herbs, butter, and Dijon mustard. It bakes at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for just under two hours. That’s two hours of an empty oven that you can use to make all your other dishes, like pies or side dishes in those great but heavy oven-to-table casserole dishes. Toaster ovens are small, but they heat up quickly and work well. They also let you cook food slowly, which is perfect for getting a medium or medium-rare roast with a pink middle that looks great in pictures.

But thats not all you make in a toaster oven. You can fit a whole chicken in there if you butterfly it. You can also use the toaster oven for bread, fish that doesn’t make a mess, and bacon. Plus, you probably already make toaster oven quesadillas, grilled cheese, and many iterations of toast. After all, toast is in the name of the thing. So you know what they can do. But how do toaster ovens do it?.

How to Cook a Pot Roast in the Toaster Oven

FAQ

What is the roast setting on a toaster oven?

Perfect for cuts of meat, veggies, or even full rotisserie chickens, the roast setting turns up the heat to deliver succulent results. Similar to the bake setting, this setting uses both top and bottom elements for consistent heat. Unlike the bake setting, roasting typically uses higher temperatures.

Should you bake a roast beef covered or uncovered?

To give your meat a flavourful crispy exterior, cook uncovered on a rack set in a shallow roasting pan.

Can you cook raw beef in a toaster oven?

Raw meat can be cooked in most toaster ovens if they are able to reach high enough temperatures. It is important to make sure that the meat is cooked to the correct internal temperature and that you follow proper food heating guidelines. Steak, for example, should be cooked to an internal temperature of 145°F.

Can you roast something in a toaster oven?

Whether it’s too hot to use your regular oven or you’re looking for a solution for small-batch cooking and baking, your toaster oven is up to the task. Sure, it’s great for making toast but it can also cook meat, bake pastries and roast veggies.

Can you cook a pot roast in a toaster oven?

My toaster oven did a nice job of cooking this pot roast. The ingredients are a chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, and mushroom soup. For more easy cooking and recipes, be sure to check out my easy cooking channel. In this easy recipe, I cook a pot roast in my toaster oven. My toaster oven did a nice job of cooking this pot roast.

How do you cook meat in a toaster oven?

1. Direct Roasting: Place the food directly on the baking sheet and roast until desired doneness. 2. Convection Roasting: Most toaster ovens have a convection setting that circulates hot air, resulting in faster and more even cooking. Use this setting for crispy or browned vegetables and meats. 3.

Can you cook steak in a toaster oven?

Single-serve beef cuts like steak work best in the toaster oven, cooked on the broiler setting to give it that crusty, grill-like sear. Turn your toaster oven on to the broil setting. Place the toaster oven’s baking tray inside the oven to preheat, as well. Rub your steak with olive oil and season with salt and pepper on both sides.