Cozy Holiday Comfort Food - French Onion Chuck Roast

Hey Friends! Bring comfort and cheer to your table with this French Onion Chuck Roast—a festive holiday meal that’s rich, cozy, and surprisingly affordable. Slow-cooked to tender perfection and filled with deep, savory French onion flavor, this roast is the kind of dish that makes the kitchen smell amazing and brings everyone together.
Perfect for Christmas dinner, holiday gatherings, or a cozy winter night at home, this hearty meal feels special without the stress or high cost. I served it with mashed potatoes, roasted broccoli, and an apple cranberry salad, but it could be served with buttery noodles and crusty bread as well.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly holiday dinner that still feels homemade, warm, and celebratory, this French onion chuck roast is sure to become a seasonal favorite. 🎄🧅❤️

French Onion Chuck Roast
2.5 lb Beef Chuck Roast
Salt & Pepper
2 TBSP Olive Oil
3 Large Onions, cut into strips
2 TBSP butter
1 1/4 cup Water
2-3 two Beef Bouillon Paste
1 TBSP Fresh Garlic
1 TBSP Worcestershire Sauce
2 tsp Dried Thyme (sub Herb De Province)
1 bay leaf
Season both sides of roast with salt & pepper, sear in a hot skillet on both side until a brown crust forms, about 3-4 minutes. Set in crock on low while preparing onions. Cut onions into strips by halving the onion and chopping into small strips. Add to the same skillet with 2 tbsp butter, cook on medium low heat for 20-30 minutes until onions are browned (stir frequently so they don't burn). Then add the rest of the ingredients, mix and dump over meat in crock pot - set on high for about 5 hours or until meat is tender. At about 45 minutes left, defat by using a shallow spoon or measuring cup and skimming the fat off the top. Let cool and separate. Once meat is removed, separate the fat off the top and add 2 tbsp flour to the liquid, stir and pour into onions and broth in crockpot to make gravy. Let that cook about 20 minutes. Make mashed potatoes or noodles and serve with beef and gravy.

Mashed Potatoes
7 Russet Potatoes, peeled and chopped
1/2 block Cream Cheese
1/2 stick Buttter
Salt/Pepper
Splash of Milk
Boil potatoes in water until fork tender. Drain. Set cream cheese and butter in the bottom of pot and pour hot potatoes over, let sit a few minutes. Mash with masher or mixer. Add salt, pepper, and splash of milk until desired taste and consistency.

Roasted Broccoli
3 Broccoli Crowns
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt
Garlic Powder
1 TBSP Butter
Preheat oven to 400*. Break up broccoli crowns into florets. In a bowl, swirl them up with olive oil and spread onto cooking sheet. sprinkle with salt and garlic powder, mix. Set the florets with leaves down for effective browning. Roast in the oven for 18 minutes or desired softness. Add butter to sheet, let melt and mix into broccoli.

Apple Salad
1 lrg Red Apple
1 lrg Green Apple (I used 4 small reds)
1/2 cup each mayo & sour cream
1 tsp lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
1/2 cup dreid cranberries
1/2 stalk of celery, finely chopped
1/4 cup chopped pecans, plus extra
Add all ingredients to bowl and swirl it up:) Best if chilled for a few hours to let cranberries soften.

#holidaymeals #bugetfriendly #chuckroast #familydinner #cozyvibes

Thank you Friends for a Wonderful 2025!
Jeni