By Fraya Berg for Food Network Kitchen

Fraya is a chef and a contributing writer at Food Network.

Rump roast is an inexpensive cut of beef. Cooked the right way - low and slow - it melts into a very flavorful, tender roast. We’ve got all the steps outlined for you. Bonus: the leftovers make a delicious roast beef sandwich.

What Is Rump Roast?

A rump roast is a cut of beef from the top of the back end of a cow, as far back as you can go before reaching the tail. The entire rump and top of the back leg is called the round, but only the top is rump. Whole, it averages 15 pounds, but the entire rump is most often cut into three or four roasts that are 3 to 4 pounds each. Rump roast comes from a muscle group that gets a lot of exercise; therefore, it has little fat and is extra lean. It will be tough unless you cook it correctly.

What Are the Other Names for Rump Roast?

Various regions of the U.S. have local names for standard cuts of beef. What we call a rump roast is known by other names, including:

• Bottom Round Roast
• Round Tip Roast
• Bottom Round Oven Roast.
• Standing Rump Roast (if it has a bone)

Best Way to Use Rump Roast

Rump roast can easily be cooked unattended in an oven or slow cooker. It’s a good choice when you want to make pot roast, and leftovers are perfect for hot sandwiches with gravy or BBQ sauce. You can also cook it low and slow in chunks to make beef stew.

If you own a dehydrator and enjoy making beef jerky, rump roast is one of the best cuts you can choose: less fat means less prep time devoted to trimming and very flavorful beef.

How to Cook Rump Roast

Most rump roast recipes follow the same formula:

1. Dry off the rump roast and season it all over with salt and pepper
2. Sear it in a pot or pan on all sides to develop flavor
3. Cook it low and slow until it's falling apart

Read on for more info on each technique.

How to Braise Rump Roast In the Oven

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
3. Heat neutral oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Sear the meat all over, about 2 minutes per each side. Transfer the meat to a plate.
4. Add chopped celery, carrot and onion and brown the vegetables, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Add the rump roast back to the pot.
5. Bring the liquid to a slow boil, cover the pot and transfer to the oven.
6. Braise until the meat is fork-tender (insert a fork and give it a twist; the roast will come apart when it's done), 2 1/2 to 3 hours.

How to Cook Rump Roast In a Slow Cooker

The slow cooker was invented for cuts of beef like rump roast. Its purpose on the planet is to cook low and slow, which is exactly the method needed to tenderize a rump roast.

1. Add chopped carrots, celery and onion to a slow cooker.
2. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
3. Heat neutral oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Sear the meat all over, about 2 minutes per each side. Transfer the meat to the slow cooker.
4. Add 1 cup of stock to the pot to soften the browned bits, scraping them with a spoon. Dump the stock into the slow cooker.
5. Cover the rump roast with beef stock.
6. Set the slow cooker to 7 or 8 hours on low.

How to Cook Rump Roast In an Instant Pot

The Instant Pot is a great way to shave hours off of a rump roast's long cook time.

1. Season the meat with salt and pepper.
2. Heat neutral oil in the insert of the Instant Pot and sautee the rump roast on all sides until browned; transfer to a plate.
3. Add chopped celery, carrot and onion and brown the vegetables, stirring occasionally.
4. Put the roast back in the Instant Pot and cover it with beef stock.
5. Set the vent to seal and manual time for 1 hour on high.
6. Quick release the steam.
7. Test for doneness: if the roast isn’t tender, repeat the process with the time set for 10 minutes.

Rump Roast Recipes 

Italian Roast Beef

Yep, rump roast is the cut of beef that's typically used to make roast beef. Here's how to DIY.

Slow-Cooker Beef Stew

Here’s a great rump roast recipe for a homey stew: you cut the beef in 2-inch cubes and use a slow cooker so you have the day to do whatever you please.

Dry-aged Italian Beef Sandwich with Homemade Giardiniera, Sweet Peppers, Suet-Fried Chips and Broccoli Rabe

This Italian beef sandwich has so many people raving that it’s better than any Chicago Italian Beef sandwich you can get at a stand. It takes time, but it’s worth it.

Garlic-Stuffed Roast Beef for Po'boys

Here, a garlic-studded rump roast cooks uncovered in a roasting pan that's filled with water and even more garlic (1 pound of garlic total!). The resulting roast is tender on the inside and crisp on the outside.

Related Links:

Our Best Potato Recipes

Delicious Vegetable Side Dishes

Salad Side Dish Recipes