New York strip steak may be one of the most well-known cuts of steak on the planet, but many don’t know that this steak comes from a larger roast, aptly named a New York strip roast. As a roast, New York strip is exceptionally tender, and it’s an excellent cut of beef to use when cooking for multiple guests. Get ready to impress them and yourself after reading this New York strip roast cooking guide.
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What is New York Strip Roast?
You’ve likely heard of New York strip steak, one of the most popular cuts of steak that appears on just about every steakhouse menu. But what’s New York strip roast?
As you might guess, a New York strip roast is the larger section of meat from which butchers cut New York strip steaks. This section comes from the loin of a cow, which is in the back area. Specifically, New York strip roast is cut below the backbone from an area that’s not used much, so it’s not muscular or tough. Instead, this tender piece of meat is known for staying tender throughout the cooking process, as it has a good amount of marbling. It also is full of flavor, so it’s a go-to cut if you’re looking for the bold, savory flavors you expect from steak.
Because New York strip roast is a large cut of meat, it’s often cooked using longer cooking processes, like smoking or slow cooking. When it’s finished, slice it up and enjoy.
Selecting Your Meat — What to Look for in a Roast
Choosing the best New York strip roast is similar to buying high-quality New York strip steaks. Here’s what to look for:
- Coloring: Healthy beef is usually bright red in color as opposed to gray or light pink in appearance.
- Marbling: New York strip roast typically has a good amount of marbling, or white strips of fat, running through its meat. This is a good thing, as that fat gets cooked down to add moisture and flavor. Also, the fat cap on the outside should still be mostly intact, as it also will render down to enhance your roast while cooking.
- Pushback: If you press your fingers gently into the roast, the meat should bounce back slightly at you. If your fingerprints remain indented, the meat could be of lower-than-ideal quality.
Tips for Cooking a New York Strip Roast
We like making your job easier when it comes to cooking anything, so here are a few expert tips to learn about cooking New York strip roast.
First, get the right amount of roast. You should figure a ½ pound of roast for every guest you plan to feed. So, if you have 10 guests, you’ll need at least 5 pounds of roast.
Next, if you have time, leave the roast at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before cooking it. This helps the roast come closer to room temperature from the inside out, allowing it to cook evenly.
Finally, make your cleanup as easy as possible. Whether you’re slow-cooking your roast, grilling it, or roasting it in the oven, its cleanup can get messy. Consider lining an oven-safe pan with aluminum foil before adding your roast to make cleanup easier. You can also use a grill pan for the grill or line your slow cooker basket with foil to reduce the mess.
Methods of Cooking New York Strip Roast
Explore some of the best methods for cooking New York strip roast below.
In the Oven
If you’re looking for a straightforward way to make New York strip roast with little room for error, the oven is it. With this method, the crust is the key to incredible flavor and keeping the inside of the roast moist and tender. Otherwise, it’s just a matter of timing your roast properly by knowing what temperature it needs to come to.
Start by seasoning the outside with your choice of seasonings. We recommend our Chicago Steak Company Steak Seasoning, which has everything you need in one bottle, but feel free to use whatever herbs and spices you prefer, like salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic. Season generously on all sides; your seasoning will help that crispy, flavorful crust form.
Heat the oven to 450 degrees and cook the roast with its fat side up for 15-20 minutes until it begins to form a golden-brown crust. Then, reduce the heat to 325 degrees and cook until a thermometer reads 125-135 degrees. Depending on the size of your roast, this can take anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
Remove the roast from the oven and let it rest under loosely tented foil for 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
On the Grill
After seasoning your roast to your liking, place the roast in a grill pan with the fat side down. Heat the grill to high heat for 10 minutes before adding the roast to the grill. Sear the roast for 3-5 minutes on each side until they become golden brown.
Reduce the grill’s heat to medium to continue cooking the roast for another 30-60 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 125-135 degrees. Tent the roast loosely with aluminum foil to rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
In the Smoker
Start by placing your roast in a heat-safe pan with a rack, fat side down. Season the roast on all sides with your chosen spice rub, and leave the roast at room temperature for about 30-45 minutes. When this time is almost up, preheat the smoker to 225 degrees. Be sure to fill the water pan and wood chips box, too.
Smoke the roast until it reaches an internal temperature of 125-130 degrees. This can take anywhere from 3-6 hours, depending on the size of your roast. Remove the roast, tent it loosely with foil, and let it rest at room temperature for 15 minutes before slicing.
In the Crock Pot
Sear the strip roast in a large skillet with a drizzle of oil, using tongs to move the roast to sear on all sides until a golden-brown crust forms.
Slice an onion into thin strips and place the strips at the bottom of the slow cooker. Lay the roast on top of the onions with the fat side up. Pour about ¾ cup of beef or vegetable stock over the roast. Cook the roast on low for 3-4 hours. Then, move the roast to an oven-safe dish and broil for 4-5 minutes until the outside gets lightly browned and crispy.
Finally, remove the roast from the broiler, tent it with foil, and let it rest at room temperature for 15-20 minutes.
What to Serve With New York Strip Roast
So, you have your New York strip roast cooking but aren’t sure what to make with it to round out your meal?
Fortunately, there are many sides that can pair well with New York strip roast, from traditional mashed potatoes to a refreshing salad or roasted vegetables. Here are a few recipes to start with:
- Bacon-wrapped potato wedges
- Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon
- Homemade cole slaw
- Honey-roasted carrots
- Jalapeno cheddar cornbread
- Mediterranean chopped salad
- Vegetable gratin
Cooking New York Strip Roast
To sum up, a New York strip roast isn’t the same as a New York strip steak, but it does have similar qualities. You’ll get the flavor and texture you expect from strip steaks in a roast, but a roast can feed multiple people and be prepared in ways that differ from a traditional steak. Oven cooking, grilling, smoking, and slow cooking are popular ways to cook a strip roast, as they allow for the longer cooking times the roast needs for thorough cooking.
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