A Sunday roast is the ultimate comfort meal—a time-honored tradition that brings warmth, delicious aromas, and hearty flavors to the table. Whether hosting a family gathering or simply indulging in a cozy meal, these five roast recipes will make your Sunday extra special.
1. Classic Roast Chicken with Garlic & Herbs
A perfectly roasted chicken with crispy, golden skin and juicy meat is a staple for any Sunday feast. This recipe uses fresh herbs, garlic, and butter to create a rich and flavorful dish.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken (about 2 kg)
- 50 g unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, halved
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C.
- Rub the chicken with butter, minced garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper. Place lemon halves inside the cavity.
- Roast for 1 hour 20 minutes, basting occasionally.
- Let rest for 10 minutes before carving.
2. Slow-Roasted Beef with Red Wine Gravy
A tender beef roast infused with red wine and aromatic herbs is a show-stopper on any Sunday table.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 kg beef rib roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 250 ml red wine
- 500 ml beef stock
- 2 sprigs rosemary
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 160°C.
- Rub beef with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Sear in a hot pan until browned.
- Transfer to a roasting pan, pour red wine and beef stock around it, and add rosemary.
- Roast for 2.5 hours. Let rest for 15 minutes before slicing.
3. Herb-Crusted Lamb with Roasted Vegetables
For a deliciously fragrant roast, this herb-crusted lamb pairs perfectly with seasonal root vegetables.
Ingredients:
- 1.2 kg leg of lamb
- 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- Mix mustard, garlic, herbs, oil, salt, and pepper. Coat the lamb with the mixture.
- Place in a roasting pan and roast for 1 hour 15 minutes (medium-rare).
- Rest for 10 minutes before slicing.
4. Pork Shoulder with Crispy Crackling
This slow-roasted pork shoulder features perfectly crispy crackling and tender, juicy meat.
Ingredients:
- 2 kg pork shoulder, skin scored
- 1 tbsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 sprigs thyme
- 500 ml apple cider
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 220°C.
- Rub pork with salt, pepper, and oil. Roast for 30 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Reduce heat to 160°C, pour apple cider into the pan, and roast for 3 hours.
- Let rest before serving.
5. Whole Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic & Tahini
A fantastic vegetarian centerpiece, this roasted cauliflower is rich, nutty, and deeply satisfying.
Ingredients:
- 1 whole cauliflower
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp tahini
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 190°C.
- Rub cauliflower with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper. Roast for 50 minutes.
- Drizzle with tahini and lemon juice before serving.
A cozy Sunday roast is the perfect way to wrap up the weekend. Whether you prefer juicy chicken, tender beef, or a vegetarian twist, these recipes will make your Sunday meal extra special.