Pot roast is a classic comfort food. When you imagine pot roast you likely think of fork-tender chunks of beef surrounded by carrots, potatoes and onions all bathed in a rich savory gravy or broth. While pot roast cooked in the oven certainly fits the bill, utilizing a slow cooker takes the ease and convenience up a notch. With just a few easy steps, you can make the most delicious, melt-in-your-mouth beef pot roast recipe in a crock pot.
Why Make Pot Roast in a Slow Cooker?
Cooking pot roast in a crock pot has some key advantages over oven braising
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Convenience – Simply prepare ingredients the night before and turn on the slow cooker in the morning. Dinner cooks hands-free all day.
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Moisture – The sealed environment traps moisture, resulting in very tender meat.
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Flavor – Long cook times allow seasonings and aromatics to fully permeate the meat.
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Affordability – Inexpensive cuts like chuck roast shine when slow cooked for hours.
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Flexibility – Start with frozen meat if needed. Cook on low while you’re out or high if you’re in a hurry.
Tips for the Best Crock Pot Pot Roast
Follow these tips and tricks for exceptional crock pot pot roast every time:
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Choose the right cut – Select a well-marbled 3-4 lb chuck, rump or bottom round roast.
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Give it a sear – Quickly browning the meat first adds depth of flavor.
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Go big on seasonings – Pot roast can handle lots of herbs, spices and umami flavors.
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Add veggies – Potatoes, carrots, onions, celery and garlic complement the meat.
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Make a flavorful liquid – Cook in a combination of broth, wine, Worcestershire, etc.
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Let it rest before serving – Tent meat with foil and let juices redistribute after cooking.
Simple Crock Pot Pot Roast Ingredients
To make crock pot pot roast, you’ll need:
- 3-4 lb chuck, rump or bottom round roast
- Potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic
- Beef broth
- Dry herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, paprika
- Tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce
- Cornstarch or flour to thicken
- Salt and pepper
That’s all you really need for perfect no-fuss crock pot pot roast!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Crock Pot Beef Pot Roast
Follow this simple step-by-step method for the ultimate crock pot roast dinner:
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Season the Roast – Pat roast dry and rub all over with a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika.
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Brown the Meat – Sear roast on all sides in a skillet with oil until nicely browned, about 2 minutes per side.
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Sauté Aromatics – Cook onions, carrots, celery and garlic in the skillet for 3-4 minutes.
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Add Liquid – Place meat in crock pot and top with sautéed veggies. Pour in 2 cups beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
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Cook on Low – Cover and cook for 8-10 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high.
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Make the Gravy – Remove roast and veggies. Whisk cornstarch with broth, add to pot, and simmer until thickened.
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Carve and Serve – Slice roast, spoon gravy over meat and veggies, and enjoy!
It’s ready when the meat shreds easily with a fork. The gravy brings all the components together for a deeply satisfying meal.
Recipe Variations for Crock Pot Beef Pot Roast
Once you master basic crock pot pot roast, try these fun flavor variations:
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Italian Pot Roast – Use Italian dressing mix, red wine, rosemary, tomatoes, olives.
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French Onion Pot Roast – Cook onions until caramelized before adding to pot. Finish with grated Gruyère.
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BBQ Pot Roast – Rub roast with chili powder and cumin. Finish with BBQ sauce.
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Creamy Mushroom Pot Roast – Use cream of mushroom soup and add sliced mushrooms.
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Southwestern Pot Roast – Season with cumin, chili powder and cayenne. Serve in tortillas.
The possibilities are endless for customizing crock pot roast recipes to suit your tastes!
FAQs for Making Crock Pot Beef Pot Roast
What cut of beef is best for pot roast? Chuck roast is ideal, but rump roast or bottom round also work very well. Look for nice marbling.
Do you really need to brown the meat first? It’s an optional step but highly recommended. Browning adds richer flavor as the meat sears.
What vegetables go best in pot roast? The classic combos are potatoes, carrots and onions. Celery and garlic add great flavor too.
How long should you cook pot roast on low? 8-10 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high. Check for fork-tender meat around 6 hours mark.
Can you use frozen meat? Yes, you can cook from frozen. Just add 1-2 hours to the cook time as needed.
Tips for Serving and Storing Leftover Pot Roast
Pot roast tastes even better the next day! Follow these tips:
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Let meat and gravy cool completely before refrigerating in shallow containers.
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Shred and use leftovers for sandwiches, tacos, casseroles, soups.
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Add leftover gravy to mashed potatoes or a new pot roast recipe.
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Freeze sliced meat and gravy together for up to 3 months.
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When reheating, add moisture with broth or gravy to prevent dryness.
With the ease of a crock pot, you can enjoy pot roast any night of the week. Follow this guide for tips, tricks and recipe ideas to make your best pot roast yet. This hearty, old-fashioned one-pot meal is sure to become a new family favorite.
