Beef is a juicy and flavorful meat that’s easy to cook with. Because it tastes great and can be used in many different ways, beef can be used in a lot of different dishes from different cultures. Cooking full joints of beef can feel a little intimidating if you aren’t an experienced cook. Whether you’re worried about cooking the beef too much or too little, this page has many ways to cook topside beef and many tasty beef recipes that the whole family will love.
Topside beef can seem like an intimidating cut to cook since it tends to be lean and low in fat. However with the right techniques you can transform this affordable cut into fork-tender perfection every time. In this article, I’ll share all my secrets for cooking irresistibly tender and delicious topside roast beef.
What is Topside Beef?
Topside beef comes from the inner thigh of the cow It’s a large, lean muscle that runs along the back of the animal. Topside is often sold as roasts or steaks. While it lacks the rich marbling of pricier cuts like ribeye or tenderloin, it makes up for that with its beefy, savory flavor
Compared to other cuts, topside is relatively inexpensive. But don’t let its budget-friendly price tag fool you – with proper preparation, topside can be just as tender, juicy and delicious as more expensive beef.
Benefits of Cooking Topside Beef
Here are some of the advantages of cooking with topside roast or steak:
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Cost-effective – Topside offers great value and lets you serve a crowd without breaking the bank
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Lean and Healthy – With little marbling, topside is lower in fat and calories compared to fattier cuts.
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Full-Flavored – What topside lacks in tenderness, it makes up for with its rich, beefy taste.
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Versatile – Topside takes well to roasting, braising, stewing, slicing for steaks, and more.
Tips for Tender Topside Roast Beef
Follow these simple tips and tricks to cook tender, mouthwatering topside roast every time:
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Tie it up – Tying your roast with kitchen string helps it hold its shape and cook evenly.
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Generously season – Rubbing the roast all over with oil, salt, pepper and herbs amps up flavor.
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Brown it – Searing the meat builds a tasty crust and seals in juices.
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Cook low and slow – Roasting at 250°F for at least 2-3 hours breaks down connective tissue.
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Rest it – Letting the roast rest after cooking allows juices to redistribute.
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Slice against the grain – Cutting against the grain shortens the muscle fibers for tenderness.
How to Cook Topside Roast Beef
Now let’s get into the nitty gritty of how to cook tender, foolproof topside roast beef:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lb topside roast, tied
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh thyme leaves
Directions:
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Prep: Pat roast dry and tie at 1-2 inch intervals with kitchen string.
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Season: Coat all over with oil, salt, pepper, garlic, rosemary and thyme. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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Sear: Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet. Brown roast on all sides, 5 min per side.
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Roast: Place seared roast in a 250°F oven on a roasting rack over a baking sheet. Roast 4-5 hours until very tender.
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Rest: Let roast rest 15 minutes before slicing.
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Carve: Slice roast against the grain into 1⁄4 inch thick pieces. Serve warm.
The low and slow roasting method allows the meat time to become fork tender. Be sure to let it rest so juices can redistribute. Slicing against the grain shortens the muscle fibers for a tender bite.
Cooking Times for Topside Roasts
To ensure tender topside roast beef, use these cooking times as a guide:
- 2 lb roast: Cook at 250°F for 2-3 hours
- 3 lb roast: Cook at 250°F for 3-4 hours
- 4 lb roast: Cook at 250°F for 4-5 hours
- 6 lb roast: Cook at 250°F for 5-6 hours
Larger roasts need more time. Test for doneness by piercing with a fork – it should slide in easily when done. For bone-in roasts, allow extra cooking time.
Tips for Tender Topside Steaks
For tender topside steaks, opt for 1-1.5 inch thick steaks. Follow these tips:
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Season well with salt, pepper and olive oil.
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Sear in a hot skillet, 2-3 min per side, for a flavorful crust.
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Don’t overcook – Cook to medium-rare or medium doneness for best texture.
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Let rest for 5 minutes after cooking so juices redistribute.
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Slice against the grain for the most tender bite.
Slow Cooking Methods for Topside Beef
In addition to roasting low and slow, here are some other hands-off ways to cook super tender topside beef:
Slow Cooker Topside Roast
Brown roast all over, then add to a slow cooker with beef broth and aromatics. Cook on low 8-10 hours until melt-in-the-mouth tender.
Topside Beef Stew
Cut roast into chunks, sear, then simmer with broth, wine and veggies for 2-3 hours until beef is fall-apart tender.
Braises and Pot Roasts
Braise topside roast slowly in flavorful liquid like wine, broth or barbecue sauce for incredible tenderness.
Pressure Cooker
Pressure cooking topside cuts cooking time drastically. Follow standard pressure cooker timing for beef roasts and stews.
No matter which method you use, the keys are browning first for flavor, and cooking low and slow or using a moist cooking method. This breaks down collagen for meat that is tender and juicy.
Serving Suggestions
Tender topside beef is delicious on its own, but here are some tasty ways to serve it:
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With gravy – Rich gravy made from the pan juices is a classic pairing.
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With roasted veggies – Carrots, potatoes, parsnips all complement roasted topside.
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Yorkshire pudding – These puffy baked sides are perfect with roast beef.
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Horseradish sauce – The tanginess cuts through the richness of the beef.
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On sandwiches – Sliced topside piled high on a crusty baguette makes an amazing lunch.
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In salad – Turn leftovers into a hearty main dish salad.
Common Questions
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about cooking tender topside roast beef:
What is the best cut of topside beef? Look for a well-marbled whole topside roast preferably with the fat cap on top. Or choose 1-1.5 inch thick steaks.
Can you cook topside beef rare? Yes, roasting to rare or medium rare doneness results in the most tender, juicy meat. Cook to no more than 135°F internal temp.
Should I sear my topside roast? Absolutely! Browning adds tons of flavor and helps keep juices in.
What roast size feeds how many people? Plan on 0.5 lb topside roast per person. A 3 lb roast feeds 6, 4 lb feeds 8, etc.
Can I freeze topside roast? Freezing is fine for up to 4 months. Thaw in the fridge before cooking.
With these tips and techniques for preparing tender, delicious topside roast beef, you can serve this budget-friendly cut with total confidence. Enjoy melt-in-your-mouth tender topside beef any night of the week!
How long to cook topside beef
How long your topside beef takes to cook depends entirely on the size of your cut. For larger joints, expect a longer roasting time. You should also think about what kind of cooker you have and how done you like your meat, like whether you like it rare, medium-rare, or well done.
When cooking a 1 kg piece of topside beef, you can cook it for any of the following amounts of time:
- 40 minutes (rare)
- 50 minutes (medium-rare)
- 1 hour, 5 minutes (medium-well)
- 1 hour, 20 minutes (well done)
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of your beef, to ensure it’s safe for eating. It is safe to eat beef that has been at 60°C for 45 minutes, 65°C for 10 minutes, 70°C for two minutes, 75°C for 30 seconds, and 80°C for six seconds. This is because the meat has reached its ideal temperature.
How to prepare topside beef
Make sure your topside joint of beef isn’t too cold before you cook it, because that could change how it cooks. Take it out of the fridge at least one hour before you plan to start roasting it. To get the most flavor out of your beef joint, make sure the meat is well seasoned. Drizzle the joint with olive oil and season with a generous sprinkling of salt and pepper. Rub and massage this into the meat to ensure all parts of the joint are covered and seasoned.