When the holidays roll around, there’s always that big question. What will be the star of the show on the dinner table? It’s a fun puzzle to solve, isn’t it?
If you’re looking for something that truly stands out, I have just the thing. This honey glazed beef roast with a crackly sugar crust is one of those fantastic Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes that guests will talk about for years. It looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this dish is a feast for the senses. The aroma of sweet spices fills your home while it bakes, creating such a festive atmosphere. It’s pure holiday magic.
The flavor is just incredible. You get the savory, rich taste of the beef roast paired with a sweet honey and dijon glaze. It’s a classic combination that just works so well.
But the real showstopper is the texture. The meat is tender and juicy, practically melting in your mouth. Then you get that amazing crunch from the torched sugar crust. It’s a delightful surprise.
This recipe is one of those brilliant Holiday Meals Christmas is famous for. It looks like you spent all day in the kitchen, but the process is straightforward. It’s a great way to impress without the stress.
Plus, it makes for a stunning centerpiece. When you bring this glistening roast to the table, you’ll get plenty of oohs and aahs. It’s what memories are made of, and a wonderful choice among Christmas Dinner Entrees.
Ingredients
For The Roast And Glaze
- 1 half spiral cut beef roast, with the bone in (7 to 8 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup honey
For The Dry Rub
- 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ginger
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Get Everything Ready
First things first, let’s talk about the roast. You’ll want to start with a really high quality beef roast. I always go for a spiral cut roast that has the bone in.
Why the bone? It adds so much flavor during cooking. A boneless roast just can’t compare. Look for one that is already fully cooked and labeled as smoked. This saves you a ton of time.
Now, preheat your oven to 325 degrees. Go ahead and place the oven rack in the lower third of the oven. This positioning helps the roast cook evenly without the top getting too brown.
Unwrap your beautiful roast. Take off all the netting and any plastic wrap. You might find a little glaze packet inside. We have bigger plans for this roast, so feel free to toss that packet away.
Sometimes there’s a small plastic cap over the bone. Make sure to remove that too before it goes into the oven. We don’t want any melted plastic in our amazing Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes.
Place your roast with the flat side down on a roasting rack inside your roasting pan. If you don’t own a roasting pan, no worries. A metal cooling rack set over a rimmed baking sheet works just as well.
The rack is important because it elevates the roast. This keeps it from sitting in its own juices and getting soggy on the bottom. We want that delicious crust all around.
Step 2: Make The Honey Glaze
Time to make the sweet and tangy glaze. Grab a small bowl. Melt two tablespoons of butter in it. You can do this quickly in the microwave.
To the melted butter, add one tablespoon of dijon mustard. Then pour in one third of a cup of honey. This combination is just heavenly.
Step 3: Glaze and Bake The Roast
Now for the fun part. It’s time to get your hands a little messy. Use your hands to massage that delicious honey mixture all over the roast.
Make sure you cover the top, bottom, and all the sides. Gently work some of the glaze in between those spiral cuts. This ensures every single bite is packed with flavor.
Don’t worry if some of the mixture drips down into the pan. That’s perfectly fine. You can just scoop it up and pat it back onto the roast.
Next, pour about a cup of water into the bottom of your roasting pan. This creates steam in the oven, which helps keep the beef roast moist and juicy. It’s a simple trick with great results.
Cover the roast and the entire pan completely with foil. This traps the steam and heat, helping it cook through without drying out. It’s an essential step for tender meat.
Bake at 325 degrees for about 2 hours and 20 minutes. A good rule of thumb is about 20 minutes per pound of roast. This timing works well for most Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes.
The internal temperature should reach about 140 degrees F. Remember, the roast is already cooked. We are just heating it all the way through to the center.
Step 4: Let The Roast Cool
Once it’s done baking, take the roast out of the oven. Let it cool for about 15 to 20 minutes. This is a crucial step for any roast.
Keep the foil on while it rests. This helps the juices redistribute throughout the meat, making it extra tender. If you cut it too soon, all that goodness will run out.
Step 5: Mix The Spiced Sugar Rub
While the roast is cooling, it’s time to make the dry rub. This is what will create that fantastic crunchy crust. It’s a key element in many Holiday Meals Christmas recipes.
In a bowl, combine one and a half cups of granulated sugar with all the spices. That’s the nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, paprika, ginger, and allspice. Mix it all up.
Pour half of this sugar mixture, which is about three fourths of a cup, onto a rimmed baking sheet. Spread it out into an even layer.
Take the other half of the sugar mixture and put it into a small saucepan. Just set it aside for now. We’ll use it later to make a serving glaze.
Step 6: Coat The Roast With Sugar
Now, uncover your rested roast. If the edges seem a little dry, you can brush them with some of the pan juices. This will help the sugar stick.
Using hot pads for safety, carefully transfer the roast to the baking sheet with the sugar mixture on it. It’s time to create that crust.
Roll the roast in the sugar. Avoid rolling the flat side. Use your hands to pat more sugar onto the surface as needed. Keep rolling and patting until the sugar has formed a nice, crunchy exterior.
Step 7: Torch The Crust
Here comes the most exciting part of making this Christmas Dinner Entrees! It’s time to light up the kitchen torch. This is what creates that crackly, caramelized shell.
Hold the flame about an inch away from the roast’s surface. It’s very important to keep the torch moving continually. You don’t want the flame to stay in one spot for too long, or it will burn.
Move the torch in small circles. You’ll see the sugar grains transform into bubbly little bits of deliciousness. Once an area is bubbly, move on to the next spot.
Within a minute or two, that liquid sugar will harden into a shiny, crackly shell. Continue this process until the entire roast has a beautiful, hardened sugar coating.
You can serve the roast right away. Or, if you need to wait, place it back in the oven on the ‘keep warm’ setting, which is about 170 degrees F. This is a great tip for planning your Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes.
If it’s going to be more than a few minutes, cover it with foil again so it doesn’t dry out before serving. This is such a great choice for your Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes.
Step 8: Make The Serving Glaze
Finally, let’s make the serving glaze. Remember that saucepan with the remaining sugar mixture? It’s time to use it. This is a nice finishing touch for your Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes.
If you have enough drippings in the roasting pan, pour them into a fat separator. Once the fat rises, pour about one third of a cup of the beef drippings into the saucepan.
If you don’t have enough drippings or prefer not to use them, you can simply use one third of a cup of water instead. It will still be delicious.
Stir the sugar and liquid together. Bring it to a boil over medium heat. Let the mixture boil for about two to five minutes, until it has thickened to a glaze consistency.
Remove it from the heat and serve it alongside the roast. This mixture will start to harden as it cools. If it does, just pop it in the microwave or gently heat it on the stove until it’s liquid again.
How To Store Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers from this amazing roast, storing them is easy. Allow the roast to cool down to room temperature first.
Wrap the leftover portions tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. You can also place them in an airtight container. This helps keep the meat from drying out in the refrigerator.
Properly stored, the roast will stay fresh in the fridge for up to four days. It makes for fantastic sandwiches or a quick weeknight meal. It’s one of those Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes that keeps on giving.
Tips
Choosing the right roast is the first step to success. A smoked, fully cooked, spiral cut roast with the bone in gives you a huge head start on flavor and convenience.
Don’t have a kitchen torch? You can use the broiler setting on your oven. Place the sugar coated roast on a pan and broil for just a minute or two. Watch it very closely as sugar can burn in an instant.
You can also use a slow cooker for this recipe. Cook on low for 4 to 5 hours. Then, proceed with the sugar coating and torching steps right before you serve it.
Feel free to adjust the spices in the dry rub to your liking. If you love cinnamon, add a little extra. If you’re not a fan of cloves, you can reduce the amount. Customizing is part of the fun of making your own Christmas food dinner main courses.
Conclusion
There you have it. A showstopping centerpiece that is sure to make your holiday gathering extra special. It’s one of the most memorable Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes you can make.
The combination of tender beef, sweet glaze, and that unbelievably crunchy crust is something your family will love. Enjoy the wonderful meal and the happy memories you’ll create!
FAQ
What Kind Of Beef Roast Is Best For This Recipe?
For the best results, I recommend a fully cooked, smoked, spiral cut beef roast with the bone still in. The bone adds a ton of flavor, and the spiral cut makes serving so easy.
Can I Make This Without A Kitchen Torch?
Yes, you can. After coating the roast in the sugar mixture, place it under your oven’s broiler for 1 to 3 minutes. You must watch it like a hawk because the sugar can go from caramelized to burnt very quickly.
Can I Prepare Any Part Of This Ahead Of Time?
Absolutely. You can mix the dry rub ingredients and the honey glaze ingredients a day or two in advance. Store them in separate airtight containers. This saves you a few steps on the big day.
What Should I Serve With This Roast?
This roast pairs beautifully with classic holiday side dishes. Think creamy mashed potatoes, roasted green beans, glazed carrots, or a fresh winter salad. Anything you’d serve as part of your Christmas meal ideas dinner main dishes will work well.
Honey Glazed Beef Roast with Crackly Sugar Crust
This honey glazed beef roast with a crackly sugar crust is a fantastic Christmas meal idea that looks impressive but is surprisingly simple to make. Enjoy a tender, juicy roast with a delightful sweet and crunchy exterior, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F and place the oven rack in the lower third. Unwrap the beef roast, remove any netting, plastic wrap, or bone cap. Place the roast flat side down on a roasting rack set inside a roasting pan or on a rimmed baking sheet.
- In a small bowl, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Stir in 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard and 1/3 cup of honey until well combined and syrupy.
- Use your hands to massage the honey mixture all over the roast, ensuring to work some into the spiral cuts. Pour about 1 cup of water into the bottom of the roasting pan. Cover the entire pan tightly with foil and bake for 2 hours and 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 140 degrees F.
- Remove the roast from the oven, keeping the foil on, and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- While the roast cools, prepare the dry rub. In a bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar with 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon cloves, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice. Mix well. Pour half of this mixture (about 3/4 cup) onto a rimmed baking sheet, spreading it evenly. Transfer the other half to a small saucepan for the serving glaze.
- Uncover the rested roast. If any edges are dry, brush them with pan juices. Carefully transfer the roast to the baking sheet with the sugar mixture. Roll the roast in the sugar, avoiding the flat side, and pat extra sugar onto the surface to create a nice, crunchy exterior.
- Using a kitchen torch, hold the flame about an inch from the roast’s surface and move it continually in small circles. Watch as the sugar bubbles and hardens into a crackly shell. Continue until the entire roast is coated. Serve immediately or keep warm in the oven at 170 degrees F, covered with foil if waiting more than a few minutes.
- To make the serving glaze, add about 1/3 cup of beef drippings (from a fat separator) or water to the saucepan with the reserved sugar mixture. Bring to a boil over medium heat and simmer for 2 to 5 minutes until thickened to a glaze consistency. Serve alongside the roast. If the glaze hardens, gently reheat to liquefy.
Notes
Choosing a smoked, fully cooked, spiral cut roast with the bone in saves time and adds flavor.
If you don’t have a kitchen torch, you can use your oven’s broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch closely to prevent burning.
Adjust the dry rub spices to your preference; customize amounts of cinnamon, cloves, etc.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
Fat
Carbs
