Cooking Times for a 3lb Roast beef
| Weight | Rare | Medium | Well done |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 lb | 1 hr 14 min | 1 hr 33 min | 1 hr 52 min |
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Other Weights
How This Calculator Works — Formula & Method
Source: standard US roasting guidance · applied deterministically · verify with a thermometer
| Constant | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rare — time per lb | 18 min/lb (range 15–20/500 g) | US roasting guides |
| Rare — internal temp | 126°F / 52°C | USDA / thermometer |
| Medium — time per lb | 23 min/lb (range 20–25/500 g) | US roasting guides |
| Medium — internal temp | 140°F / 60°C | USDA / thermometer |
| Well done — time per lb | 27 min/lb (range 25–30/500 g) | US roasting guides |
| Well done — internal temp | 158°F / 70°C | USDA / thermometer |
| Base offset | 25 min | Standard |
| Oven | 430°F sear for 20 min, then 350°F | Method |
| Resting | 15 min | Best practice |
— Beef cooking time —
total_min = min_per_500g × (weight_lb × 453.592 / 500) + base_offset
range = [lo_per_500g … hi_per_500g] × (weight / 500) + base_offset
conventional_oven = fan_temp + 10–20°C (same time)
celsius = derived table from °F
— algorithm —
lookup(meat, cut, doneness) → point_estimate → guidance_range
→ internal_target_temp → verify_with_thermometer()
total_min = min_per_500g × (weight_lb × 453.592 / 500) + base_offset
range = [lo_per_500g … hi_per_500g] × (weight / 500) + base_offset
conventional_oven = fan_temp + 10–20°C (same time)
celsius = derived table from °F
— algorithm —
lookup(meat, cut, doneness) → point_estimate → guidance_range
→ internal_target_temp → verify_with_thermometer()
Public roasting guidance applied deterministically — this is not a food-safety authority. Always cook to the stated internal temperature, measured with a meat thermometer.
Frequently Asked Questions
A 3 lb roast beef takes about 1 hr 33 min for medium (1 hr 14 min rare, 1 hr 52 min well done) at 350°F.
Roast at 350°F / 180°C. Sear at 220°C for 20 min, then reduce to 180°C for the rest. Rest loosely covered 15–20 min before carving.