Trader Joe’s braised beef roast is one of my favorite shortcut meals! The beef roast comes pre-seasoned and ready to cook. All you need to do is pop it in the slow cooker and let it work its delicious magic.
This super easy and tasty braised beef roast only requires a few simple ingredients – the flavorful Trader Joe’s roast, low sodium beef broth, and whatever vegetables you want. It cooks low and slow in the slow cooker, leaving you with fork-tender, fall-apart beef in rich, beefy gravy.
The meat literally melts in your mouth, and the gravy is incredible ladled over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or rice. I love to serve this Trader Joe’s dump and go meal with crusty bread for dipping in the gravy. It’s TOTAL comfort food at its finest!
Keep reading for my simple steps on how to make the most insanely delicious braised beef roast using Trader Joe’s fully cooked roast. I’ll also share some tips and suggestions for getting the most flavor and making this a fantastic weeknight or weekend meal for your family.
What You Need To Make Trader Joe’s Braised Beef Roast:
- 1 Trader Joe’s Braised Beef Roast (2-2.5 lbs)
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- Your choice of vegetables (I love carrots, potatoes, onions)
- Salt, pepper, dried thyme or rosemary to taste
That’s it! Like I said, this easy recipe comes together with just a few ingredients.
The Trader Joe’s braised beef roast already has incredible flavor from being seasoned and braised at the store. We just need to add some beef broth and veggies to really bring out that flavor even more.
I like to use low sodium beef broth so I can control the saltiness. Feel free to use regular broth or stock if you prefer.
When it comes to vegetables, get creative! Cut potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, parsnips, etc into 1-2 inch pieces and scatter them around the beef roast. The veggies soak up all that delicious gravy as it cooks.
How To Make Trader Joe’s Braised Beef Roast In The Slow Cooker:
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Take the Trader Joe’s Braised Beef Roast out of the package and place it in your slow cooker.
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Pour 1 cup of low sodium beef broth over the roast. You want enough liquid to cover the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
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Add your choice of chopped vegetables around the roast I love doing red potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, and celery.
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Sprinkle some salt, pepper, thyme or rosemary over the roast and veggies. Go easy on the salt since the broth and roast already have sodium.
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Put the lid on your slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. (High for 5-6 hours works too).
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When finished, the beef will be fall apart tender. Use two forks to shred the beef right in the slow cooker.
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Taste the gravy and season again to your liking, I usually add a bit more pepper,
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Serve the shredded beef and gravy over mashed potatoes, rice, or egg noodles. Dip crusty bread in for ultimate comfort food!
It’s seriously that easy! The Trader Joe’s braised beef roast already has SO much flavor, so you don’t have to do much to make it absolutley amazing in the crockpot.
Let those flavors meld together for 8+ hours and the result is literally melt in your mouth beef with the most delicious gravy ever. Like beef pot roast and french dip had a baby!
Tips For Making The Best Trader Joe’s Braised Beef Roast
Here are some of my tips for getting max flavor and perfect texture when cooking this recipe:
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Make sure to leave the roast in the package until ready to cook. The vacuum sealed package locks in flavor and freshness.
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Cut your veggies to roughly the same size so they cook evenly. I aim for 1-2 inch pieces.
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Resist peeking! Every time you take the lid off, you lose heat and add time.
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If the gravy is too thin, remove the roast and veggies with a slotted spoon. Turn crockpot to high and reduce the liquid, then return meat and veggies.
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For thicker gravy, whisk together 2 Tbsp cornstarch with 2 Tbsp cold water. Stir into the hot gravy and cook on high for 10 minutes until it reaches your desired consistency.
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Shred the cooked meat right in the slow cooker to soak up all that yummy gravy. Use two forks to easily pull apart.
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Add more beef broth if the gravy gets too thick. You want it coat-your-spoon consistency.
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Season again at the end with salt, pepper or any additional herbs or seasoning to taste.
Follow these tips and you’ll have amazing fork-tender pot roast with rich gravy every time.
More Delicious Ways To Enjoy This Meal:
Part of what makes this such an easy recipe is that it’s versatile and perfect for meal prepping! Here are some ideas:
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Serve over mashed potatoes, egg noodles, rice, or roasted vegetables.
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Use the meat and gravy for hearty sandwiches. Pile it on rolls or bake french dip sandwiches.
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Make a cozy beef stew by dicing some carrots, potatoes and celery and cooking everything together in the slow cooker.
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Portion into freezer bags or containers. The roast and gravy freeze well for quick future meals!
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Shred the meat and use it for tacos, nachos, enchiladas, empanadas, etc.
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Cook a pot of rice to stretch the meat into a yummy beef fried rice or stir fry.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless with this braised beef roast recipe! It’s so versatile and perfect for using up leftovers into new dishes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooking Trader Joe’s Braised Beef Roast
If you’re new to cooking with Trader Joe’s fully cooked meats, you may have some questions. Here are answers to some of the most common ones:
How long is the shelf life on Trader Joe’s braised beef roast?
The roast will stay fresh in your refrigerator for 7-10 days after purchasing it. Make sure to keep it stored in the original packaging until you’re ready to cook.
Can I freeze the raw Trader Joe’s braised beef roast?
Absolutely! The vacuum sealed packaging makes it perfect for freezing. It will keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before cooking.
Is there a best by date or expiration date on the package?
Yes, there will be a printed best by date or sell by date on the packaging. Follow this date for best quality. Generally it will be 2-3 weeks out from the purchase date.
Do I need to thaw the roast before cooking in the slow cooker?
Nope, you can pop it in the slow cooker frozen! Just be sure to increase the cooking time by a few hours. Frozen roasts may take 10-12 hours on low.
Can I cook the roast from frozen in the oven instead?
Yes, absolutely! Roast at 325°F from frozen, increasing cook time by about 50%. Watch closely and use a meat thermometer for doneness.
What temperature should I cook the braised beef roast to?
Cook until it reaches an internal temperature of at least 145°F. The meat should shred easily when fully cooked.
Can I use bone broth instead of regular beef broth?
Bone broth would work wonderfully and adds extra flavor! You can also use beef stock, red wine, or just water if needed.
I hope these tips help answer any questions you may have about cooking with Trader Joe’s fully cooked braised beef roast. It’s such a simple, fuss-free way to make a flavorful pot roast any night of the week.
Time To Enjoy Fall Apart Slow Cooker Beef Roast
Trader Joe’s has made it so easy for us to whip up the mosttender, mouthwatering braised beef roast. With just a few minutes of prep time, you can start this in the morning and come home to a beautiful, ready-to-eat meal.
The beef shreds perfectly after cooking low and slow to juicy perfection. And smothering it in that incredible gravy takes it over the top!
Next time you’re at Trader Joe’s, grab one of these flavorful roasts to keep on hand for easy dinners. Trust me, it will become a regular in your meal rotation.