Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This post has affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.
Slow cooker pot roast is a hearty and comforting dish that has been a family favorite for years. It’s a meal that evokes memories of Sunday dinners and family gatherings. Since it cooks all day, it fills your house with the tantalizing aroma of tender beef, aromatic herbs, and savory gravy that really tends to draw people to the dinner table.
Why cook a chuck roast in a slow cooker?
The slow cooker, also known as a crock pot, is designed to cook dishes over low heat for an extended period. This slow and gentle cooking process allows tough cuts of meat, like chuck roast or rump roast, to transform into succulent, fork-tender delights. Slow cooker pot roast, is often referred to as the best way to cook a pot roast because of that long slow cook that makes tender beef.
Besides making the most tender pot roast another primary advantages of using a slow cooker is convenience. You can prepare your ingredients in the morning, set the slow cooker, and return home after a long day to a delicious, home-cooked meal. This is especially valuable for those busy weeknights when time and energy are in short supply.
And if you need one more reason to love slow cookers
Another reason to opt for a slow cooker is the depth of flavor it imparts to the dish. As the pot roast simmers in its own juices along with flavorful seasonings, herbs, and liquids like beef broth and red wine, it absorbs all the rich flavors, resulting in an incredibly flavorful pot roast. The low temperature and extended cooking time work in tandem to break down connective tissues in tougher cuts of beef, rendering them tender and juicy.
Before you make this recipe
One note on using your slow cooker for this recipe. Know your slow cooker. Does it cook really hot on low? Maybe start with 6 hours on low then. Does it not get that hot on low, maybe cook it on high for a couple hours and switch to low.
Don’t make this recipe for the first time when you’re going to be in a hurry or have guests coming over. All slow cookers cook differently at different temperatures. So make this the first time when you have a little extra time, like on the weekend, then if it’s done early or late it won’t hurt your schedule.
What do I need to make a pot roast in the crock pot?
- beef chuck roast-see below for notes on using other cuts of beef roasts
- yellow onion
- ranch dressing mix (or homemade seasoning mix)OR see notes below to skip this ingredient
- Italian dressing mix (or homemade seasoning mix)OR see notes below to skip this ingredient
- beef gravy mix or au jus mix, powdered mix, you can skip this and add powdered beef broth
- *Optional* espresso powder, coffee really kicks up the flavor of beef so try it once and see if you like it
- condensed beef consomme (Campbells) OR beef broth
- potatoes
- carrots
- slow cooker
- fat separator for making gravy
Substituting Seasoning Packets
Sometimes, this version of a pot roast is called a three-pack pot roast. It calls for three seasoning packets: ranch dressing, Italian dressing, and beef gravy. These packets are convenient and add a burst of flavor to the dish. In that regard, this roast reminds me a bit of the Mississippi Pot Roast. However, if you prefer using simple ingredients you already have, you can create your own seasoning mix and still make this 3 packet roast.
For a homemade seasoning mix, combine the following in a small bowl:
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Use this mixture in place of the three seasoning packets listed in the recipe. It will provide the same depth of flavor without the need for pre-packaged seasonings.
Which Cuts of Beef Are Good for Pot Roast?
Choosing the right cut of beef is crucial for a successful pot roast. Tougher cuts with a good amount of marbling work best because they benefit from the slow, long cooking process. Chuck roast, rump roast, or round roast are excellent choices for pot roast. These cuts have enough connective tissue and fat to keep the meat moist and flavorful throughout cooking.
What to Serve with a Pot Roast
A well-prepared pot roast is a complete meal in itself, but serving it with complementary side dishes can elevate the dining experience. Classic accompaniments included in this recipe are the potatoes and carrots, which absorb the flavors of the roast and the seasonings in the slow cooker. Pearl onions are also a delicious addition, adding a touch of sweetness to the dish.
If you like you can make a loaf of quick dutch oven bread or a pan of garlic knots for serving with your pot roast.
Get wild with it!
Or skip the potatoes and add extra carrots in the slow cooker. When it’s time to serve the roast whip up a batch of my creamy whipped potatoes. Serve the roast with the carrots and mashed potatoes and everyone will race about dinnertime! Who deosn’t love mashed potatoes?
If you’re short on time you can also make the mashed potatoes in the Instant Pot. While they don’t save you a lot of time, you can walk away from them while they cook in the Instant Pot and just come back to them when you’re ready to mash them.
If you’re looking to balance the hearty flavors of the pot roast, consider serving it with a fresh arugula salad or steamed green vegetables.
Our Favorite Slow Cooker Recipes
We love a good slow cooker recipe. I just adore having it cook dinner while I’m out getting things done (and getting sore lol.) Our favorite slow cooker recipe list starts with this Sausage and Potatoes Casserole and definitely this Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole, ok and one more this Slow Cooker Chicken and Wild Rice.
How to Store leftovers
Leftover pot roast can be stored in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or freeze them for use later. Luckily pot roast flavor improves over time so your roast will actually taste better on the 2nd or 3rd day. Leftover crock pot roast makes wonderful lunches as well.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb beef chuck roast
- 1 large onion
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- 1 packet beef gravy mix
- 1 can 10.5 ounces condensed beef consommé (or beef broth)
- 3-4 large potatoes
- 3-4 large carrots
Instructions
- Peel the onion and slice it across into three rounds, all equal in thickness. Place the three onion rounds (leave them whole, don’t separate into rings) in one even layer across the bottom of a large slow cooker
- Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker on top of the onions
- Pour the can of condensed beef consommé or the beef broth over the roast
- In a small bowl, combine the ranch dressing mix, Italian dressing mix, and beef gravy mix1 packet ranch dressing mix, 1 packet Italian dressing mix, 1 packet beef gravy mix
- Spread half of the seasoning mixture all over one side of the roast, then flip over and spread on the rest of the mixture
- Peel the potatoes and cut into 1 ½ inch chunks; place on top and all around the roast in the slow cooker.
- Peel the carrots and cut into 1 ½ inch pieces; place on top of the potatoes in the slow cooker.3-4 large potatoes, 3-4 large carrots
- Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on low for 8-10 hours until the meat and vegetables are fork tender.
- Remove the meat and shred with forks. Place the meat and vegetables on a serving plate.
- Set a mesh strainer over a medium heat-safe bowl and pour the gravy from the slow cooker into the strainer so the gravy goes into the bowl while the strainer catches the scraps
- use a fat separator if the au jus in the cooker is too greasy
- Serve the roast, potatoes, and carrots along with the au jus juice
Notes
- Placing the large pieces of onion in the bottom of the slow cooker is to lift the roast up off the bottom so it’s less likely to end up completely submerged in liquid while it cooks. The onion also gives great flavor to the roast and gravy
- The roast can be cooked on high for about 6 hours instead of on low for 8-10
