How Do You Make a Roast Dinner in an Aga?

A roast dinner is a Sunday staple in thousands of households across the country, whether you favour roast beef or roast chicken. In this blog, we show you how simple it is to make your favourite Sunday roast in an Aga cooker, and how much less stressful an Aga can make it. 

So, how do you make a roast dinner in an aga? Use the roasting oven to roast your meat, potatoes, and cook Yorkshire puddings, and use the simmering plate for vegetables and for making gravy. Use the same methods as you usually would, but enjoy how easy it is to make a roast dinner with the additional space that an Aga offers. 

Read on to learn more about cooking your favourite Sunday roast dinner in an Aga cooker. 

How to Make a Classic Roast Dinner in an Aga

If you’ve never cooked a roast dinner in an Aga before, you’ll be amazed at how much easier it is than in a small, conventional oven; the spacious ovens make Sunday roasts a breeze, especially when you make the most of the versatility the whole cooker, not just the roasting oven. 

 

Below you’ll find information on how to cook (what we think are) the main elements of a classic roast dinner in an Aga, including a few different types of meat, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings and the pièce de résistance, gravy. 

How Do You Cook Roast Beef in an Aga?

First, take the beef out of the fridge about an hour before cooking to allow it to come up to room temperature. Season the meat as you usually would, then place chunks of onion onto the base of your roasting tin, sitting the prepared beef on top. 

Slide your tin into the roasting oven of your Aga (usually the top right oven), onto the lowest set of runners. You’ll want to cook it for around 12 minutes per lb. Once cooked, leave to stand for 10 minutes before carving. 

P.S. don’t get rid of the juices!

How Do You Cook Roast Chicken in an Aga?

Take the chicken out of the fridge about 45 minutes to an hour before cooking to allow it to come up to room temperature. Stuff the cavity with your choice of stuffing (onions, lemon, and herbs work great), brush the skin with a bit of olive oil, then season with salt and pepper. 

Chop some onions, carrots and celery into large chunks and place on the base of a roasting tin. Sit the chicken on top and slide onto the lowest set of runners in the roasting oven. Cook for around 1 hour 20 minutes or until the juices run clear. 

Leave the chicken to rest and cover with foil. Save the juices for the gravy. 

How To Make Roast Potatoes in an Aga

Peel enough potatoes to feed your guests (1 medium potato per person would be enough), and chop into even-sized chunks. Parboil the potatoes in salted water on the simmering plate for around 5 minutes, then drain. Fluff up the potatoes ready for roasting by shaking them about in the pan with the lid on. 

Heat the fat (goose fat, duck fat, or beef dripping works great) in the roasting tin on the flat floor grid of the roasting oven until very hot. Add the potatoes and roast for 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden and crisp. 

How to Make Yorkshire Puddings in an Aga

Make your Yorkshire pudding batter as normal and leave to stand for a minimum of 30 minutes before cooking. Heat a small amount of fat in each hole of the pudding tin until very hot (this is crucial!). Pour your batter into the holes immediately and place onto a low set of runners in the roasting oven. Cook for about 20 minutes until they have risen well and are golden. Don’t be tempted to keep opening the door and looking at them as the vibrations can make them sink (think of it like a cake!). 

How to Make Gravy on an Aga

Depending on where you are in the country (or indeed the world!), gravy will mean different things to everyone. But here, we’re going with a classic meat-juice gravy. Pour the meat juices from your roast into a saucepan and place on the simmering plate. Stir in the flour and water, stock, or wine. Stirring continuously, bring the mixture to the boil and let it simmer away until it reaches your desired consistency (don’t walk away from it - it will stick to the bottom of the pan!).

Reconditioned Aga Cookers at Range Exchange

Range Exchange is the home of showroom-standard reconditioned Aga cookers. Like-new and showroom standard, we offer a wide range of models that are all more than capable of creating the perfect roast dinner. Take a look at our traditional oil or gas models, or New Gen models like eControl and Total Control. 

Take a look at our range online today, or get in touch with us for more information. 

FAQs

Which is the Roasting Oven in an Aga?

Roasting ovens are features of all Aga models, and are located on the top right hand side of the cooker. This is the hottest part of the cooker.