Why Is My Roast Not Falling Apart? [4 Tips For Your Success!]

A well-prepared roast should separate when it has finished cooking. If you recently cooked a roast that did not fall apart, we can help your next meal be a success. We researched expert cooking methods for roasts from multiple professional sources, so you'll know for sure what you should do.

A roast may not fall apart if it is not cooked long enough. Cooking it for the right amount of time is only one of the things you should keep in mind when preparing a roast. You should also do the following:

  • Brown the roast before you cook it
  • Cook it slow and low
  • Let the meat rest
  • Add more liquid

Now that we know some tips for cooking a roast, we'll take a deeper look into each one. You might also be wondering at what temperature a roast will begin to pull apart or if a roast should be covered in liquid while it cooks. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.

Roast beef on cutting board. Wooden background. - Why Is My Roast Not Falling Apart [4 Tips For Your Success!]

Four Tips For Making A Roast That Will Fall Apart

Roast beef on cutting board with salt and pepper. Top view.

Preparing a roast requires a certain technique so that the meat cooks just right. Many household chefs love roasts in the cold months because they can take all afternoon to cook and don't need to be tended to much.

But the work you put into preparing one will go a long way in making this savory meal more delicious. For the best results with your next roast and to ensure that it falls apart, consider following the four tips that we've outlined below.

Brown the roast before you cook it

Browning the cut of meat before placing it in the cooker is a helpful way to get a great roast started. Begin by bringing a skillet to medium temperature on your cooktop. Add cooking oil to the pan, then wait for it to get hot.

Rinse the roast in your sink and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut away the excess fat from the meat. Consider cutting the roast in half before browning it.

Once the oil is hot, place the roast in the pan. Brown each side carefully. This will seal in the juices and make the roast more tender and flavorful.

Cook it slow and low

Roasts are meant to be cooked at low temperatures for long periods. This gives the muscles and other parts of the animal enough time to slowly dissolve. Cooking a roast at a high temperature will get it done faster, but you'll be stuck with meat that's difficult to cut and chew.

Depending on its size, a roast can take anywhere from three to six hours to fully cook. It's a patient chef's game when it comes to this meal. But do it right, and your taste buds will be well rewarded in the end.

Let the meat rest

Once you pull the roast from the cooker, it will not be ready to eat just yet. Letting the meat rest is very important, as it helps give the meat not only the full flavor that you're looking for but also helps to further tenderize it.

Allowing the roast to rest for an hour will let the moisture redistribute itself. This can take some time but it will be well worth it. Larger roasts will need to rest for 45 minutes to an hour before you start to cut into them.

Add more liquid

Is your roast fully cooked but kind of tough when you test it? You can always add a bit of liquid to your roast and let it cook a bit longer. While you cannot "uncook" any cut of meat, you can get some vital moisture back into it, which will help it fall apart more easily when it is finished.

At What Temperature Will Roast Pull Apart?

A roast needs to be cooked at the right temperature to get done properly, but also so that it will fall apart. Once the internal temperature of the roast is 190 degrees, the meat will begin to fall away. But ensuring that this happens means that the oven must be set to the correct temperature.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Only place the roast inside once the oven has come to full temperature. Avoid covering the roast, as this will have some consequences that you might not expect.

Covering a roast will seal in all the moisture in the form of steam. This will steam cook the meat instead of roasting it. This will make the meat tougher and chewy when it's finished cooking.

sliceing roasted eye of round beef with knife

Should A Roast Be Covered With Liquid While Cooking?

You may have seen or heard contradictory methods regarding cooking a roast. One of the biggest debates is whether or not you should cover it with liquid when cooking this meat in a slow cooker. While doing so is fine, there are pros and cons to each method.

Why you might add liquid to the roast in the slow cooker

If you decide to cover your roast with liquid, it's best to use something other than water. Water isn't going to give the meat any flavor and can dilute some of the roast's natural flavoring. Beef broth is a popular option, but some chefs will use an inexpensive red table wine.

By using a liquid, you are keeping the meat from drying out. This is helpful, as you will not have to keep as watchful of an eye on your dinner while it is slowly cooking. But there are some benefits to not adding liquid.

Keeping the liquid at bay will result in more flavor

If you want an intense flavor, don't add liquid to the slow cooker. Allow the roast to cook in its natural juices, giving the meat an intense natural flavor.

If you go this route, you want to make sure that you do not let the roast dry out. Have the temperature set to the recommended setting. And don't cook it too long!

You will need to keep a closer eye on the roast if you cook it without liquid. But many feel that the flavoring you get from this method is well worth the little extra effort.

Prime Rib

Why Is My Roast Tough After Cooking?

It can be frustrating to cut into a roast after it rests, only to find that the meat is still tough. What could have gone wrong, and can it be fixed?

A roast will be tough usually because it has not been cooked long enough or because it has been cooked too hot. While those facts might not help your current situation, they will certainly help guide you in the future.

Is the meat too lean?

A cut of meat that has minimal fat will not make for a good roast. The leaner the meat, the tougher it will be when you cook it like a roast. A good roast needs some fat so that it not only gets excellent flavor but will also have something extra in it to break down the tissue.

Add some liquid, reduce the temperature, and try it again

If the roast has cooked for six hours and it's still tough, consider adding a can of beef broth or two to your roaster. Cover the roast with it and place it back in the oven. Reduce the temperature to 300 degrees and let it cook for another 20 minutes.

Check it again. Allow it to cook longer if necessary, checking the toughness of the meat in 10-minute increments.

Dry Aged Barbecue Roast Beef.

In Conclusion

If your roast has not fallen apart well enough, it has probably not been cooked long enough, or you have cooked it at too high a temperature. Use the four methods we outlined above to get a better roast from your oven, and don't be afraid to cook a roast without adding any extra liquid.

We hope this post answered all of your questions. For more information, we recommend reading the following posts:

Does Roast Need To Be Submerged In The Crock Pot?

Should You Put Water In The Bottom Of The Roasting Pan?

How Long To Roast Tomatoes [A Look At Various Factors & Considerations]

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