This Slow Cooker Pot Roast has incredible flavor and the best gravy! Creamy potatoes, tender carrots, fall apart roast beef — it’s pure comfort food!
Looking for more ways to cook pot roast? Try my Easy Pot Roast recipe (the BEST gravy!) or my Perfect Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe!
Table of Contents
- See what people are saying!
- Why we love this recipe:
- How to make Slow Cooker Pot Roast:
- What’s the best cut of meat for pot roast?
- How to make this Pot Roast recipe in the Instant Pot:
- Variations on this Crockpot Pot Roast:
- Do you have to brown your roast before adding it to the slow cooker?
- What to serve with pot roast:
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast (the BEST gravy!) Recipe
- More slow cooker comfort food recipes you’ll love!
There are days when you just need a simmering slow cooker full of comfort food, and this Slow Cooker Pot Roast is just the ticket.
The roast beef is fall apart tender, and a couple special ingredients give this roast beef so much incredible flavor!
The gravy on this pot roast, you guys… it’s the best.
It’s not just thickened beef broth or drippings or onion soup mix. You might not think the tomato paste and balsamic vinegar would do that much, but they really pack in a lot of flavor!
The potatoes and carrots come out perfectly tender and coated in that delicious sauce. You really need to try it to believe it!
See what people are saying!
“Didn’t have as much time so i did 5 hours on high. Followed the recipe exactly. My boyfriend said it tasted better than his moms pot roast. *saving recipe*” — Sarah
Why we love this recipe:
- The slow cooker works its magic: this roast is so tender and cooks mostly hands off! I love crockpot meals for busy days.
- The flavorful gravy! I know some of you might feel skeptical about some of gravy ingredients… but trust me on this one! They add the perfect pop of flavor to finish before serving.
- It’s a meal in one: no side dishes needed! (But I wouldn’t turn down one of Mom’s Homemade Buns or these golden Brioche Buns 😉)
With school starting again and the days turning cloudier, there’s nothing I’d rather curl up with after a busy day than a big bowl of this pot roast! (But if I had to choose a second and third, this Crockpot Mac and Cheese and this Crockpot Potato Soup would be right up there!)
How to make Slow Cooker Pot Roast:
- Combine your seasoning and sprinkle it all over the roast. Press it in so it sticks well!
- Brown your roast in a skillet over high heat, just so you have a nice golden crust. (Can you skip this part? Yes, sort of. See my tips below)
- Add onion, and then the other gravy ingredients to the same pan — they will cook down and suck up all of that browned beef flavor at the same time!
- Throw everything into the slow cooker and let it all hang out until fall apart tender and full of flavor. Before serving, finish your gravy and thicken further if needed.
What’s the best cut of meat for pot roast?
- You don’t have to spend big money on a great cut of meat to make a pot roast — the slow cooker can tenderize almost any cut of beef as it cooks through the day.
- That being said, a chuck roast (as it will be called in the United States) or blade roast (as it is called in Canada) — often labelled “pot roast” is the most common choice for pot roast.
- It is not an expensive cut, but it has great marbling which leads to very tender meat.
- You can use other varieties, but one that is labelled “pot roast” in Canada will be your best bet!
How to make this Pot Roast recipe in the Instant Pot:
Would you believe I already have an Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe here? And would you believe that I based this recipe off of that one because it was so.dang.good.
Believe it.
If you want to make this in your pressure cooker, click here for my Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe.
Variations on this Crockpot Pot Roast:
- This crock pot roast recipe is already naturally gluten and dairy free, just be sure to wash your vegetables and check your labels before serving to anyone with food allergies or sensitivities.
- To brighten the flavors even more after such a long cook time, throw in some fresh chopped parsley or an extra tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
- You can swap the potatoes for cauliflower for a lower carb version, just remember that cauliflower cooks more quickly than potatoes so you may want to add them halfway through the cook time.
Do you have to brown your roast before adding it to the slow cooker?
The short answer? No.
The long answer? Yes and no.
Yes, if you want to seal in the juices and add extra flavor to your pot roast. Browned food equals flavor, so any time you are browning meat, you’re adding more flavor to the recipe. It also keeps the juices inside the meat and doesn’t dilute your gravy.
No, if you just plain don’t have time or you are making the recipe with a one year old on your hip like I sometimes do.
Your gravy will be more diluted with the juices from the meat, but it will be fine and good. Taste test at the end, and add a splash of balsamic vinegar or extra seasoning at the end if need be. It will be fine.
What to serve with pot roast:
This recipe has protein, carbs and vegetables so it really is a meal in one.
That being said, I’ll never turn down some crusty No Knead Bread or a Homemade Dinner Roll to mop out all of that gravy!
You can serve something green on the side for a pop of freshness if you like — I’d recommend this easy Broccoli Salad, Roasted Green Beans or Cheesy Baked Asparagus.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast (the BEST gravy!)
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 1½ teaspoons seasoning salt (I use Lawry’s)
- 1½ teaspoons garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1.2 kg beef roast about 2.5lbs (chuck or blade is best)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- ½ medium onion finely chopped
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon liquid honey
- 1½ tablespoons corn starch
- 1 tablespoon water
- 2 large carrots peeled and sliced
- 1.5 lbs baby potatoes halved if large
- 2 tablespoons ketchup optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine seasoning salt, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, onion powder and pepper. Rub over roast completely.
- Heat a frying pan over high heat and add oil. Sear roast on all sides, just until browned. Place roast in 4-6 quart slow cooker.
- Add onion to the same pan and cook over medium heat until translucent. Add broth, tomato paste, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and honey to the pan with the onions. Whisk together corn starch and water and add to the pan.
- Cook and stir over low heat, scraping any bits off the bottom of the pan, for 2-3 minutes.
- Place potatoes and carrots around roast in slow cooker and pour the sauce over top. Cook on low for 8 hours (low is better, but you can also do high for 4 hours), until roast shreds easily and potatoes are tender. (*For firmer vegetables, you can add them about 2-3 hours in to the cook time)
- Remove roast to slice or shred. Stir in ketchup if desired (it just brightens the flavor after a long cook time) and serve juices with roast and vegetables. If desired, you can place the juices in a small saucepan and thicken with additional corn starch slurry.
Notes
Nutrition Information
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Tag @thereciperebelMore slow cooker comfort food recipes you’ll love!
- Crockpot Creamy Garlic Chicken — this sauce is dreamy over some mashed potatoes or pasta!
- Crockpot Lasagna Soup (quick & easy!) — perfect for dunking some Cheesy Garlic Bread!
- Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast — a family favorite.
- Crockpot Tuscan Chicken — full of flavor!
James Rathel-White says
Tried this today with a 2.5 lb bottom round roast, yellow potatoes and carrot sticks.
Cooked on high for 5 hours and it came out perfect. So tender and juicy.
Lisa says
Followed recipe almost exactly. Used a chuck roast. Only had baby carrots, so used those. Didn’t have tomato paste and did not add ketchup. Think I used about 1-1/3 c beef stock. Roast was done on low at 7.5 hours. Veggies were soft but not mushy. Spooned out about a cup of gravy from crockpot and put in saucepan on stove with a bit more cornstarch slurry to thicken up a bit more. Very yummy!
Ashly Grantham says
Such a delicious meal! And so great to have it all done at once in one pot! Thank you so much for this recipe. I did need an extra cornstarch slurry at the end to thicken the gravy while I let the roast rest, tented, and the vegetables cool slightly. Next time I won’t leave the vegetables in for the full 8 hours. They were probably done in 5-6. Didn’t need the ketchup at the end and I added hot pepper flakes and garlic for our tastes. The chuck roast was phenomenal, fell right apart and was so flavorful. We usually do a spoon roast (sirloin roast) and this is so much more economical and actually probably better.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Ashly! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
Debbie says
This is so delicious it turned out perfectly. I have a large crockpot, so I put two Chuck roasts in,a tad over 5 pounds,and then quadrupled the sauce directions.
My husband and son made them into French dips and then ate the vegetables on the side
I also think this would be wonderful for shredded beef enchiladas with all the gravy I have left.
I put the crockpot on high for 4 1/2 hours.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Debbie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Kristen says
Loved this recipe. I only have a 3.5quart crockpot. I add the same amount of ingredients but have to stir it around some to cook all the potatoes throughly. This is my second time making it. I loved the taste and the gravy. The roast was tender and delicious. I would like a bit more gravy to drizzle so I’m trying one of recommendations from another review and adding more broth. Hoping it goes well. Thanks for the recipe!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kristen! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
The Recipe Rebel says
Sorry to hear this wasn’t to your taste, Jamie. The amounts have worked well for myself (and others) so I wished they would of been a hit for you too.
Art Lindsey says
Where’s the gravey? Too dry!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Art! The gravy comes from the remaining liquid in the slow cooker after you cook the roast. With the liquids that you add and the liquid that comes off of the roast as it cooks, there should of ben plenty of liquid left in the slow cooker.
Nancy says
Have tried this recipe twice now with unfavourable results. Followed the recipe to a T. My roast turns out tough and lacking in flavour 🙁
The gravy on its own is delightful though!
Unfortunately, I have yet to find a good slow cooker roast recipe. Will just keep the old fashioned tried and true method of cooking in oven…
The Recipe Rebel says
Sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe, Nancy. The timing and seasonings have work well for myself (and others) so I wished it would of been a hit for you too.
kalaniangelva@gmail.com says
This is by far the very best pot roast we’ve ever had. MY whole family loves it. It’s my go to meal for cooler weather and my bring a meal choice that recieves raves.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
k volk says
Have you ever tried Bison Chuck Roast??
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi K! No, I have not tried this with bison before.
Sarah says
Didn’t have as much time so i did 5 hours on high. Followed the recipe exactly. My boyfriend said it tasted better than his moms pot roast. *saving recipe*
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Sarah! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for tis review!
Candace says
Hi! Really want to make this tonight but not sure what the measurements would be if I have an 8-quart crock pot.. would you be able to advise? Thank you so much in advance, looks delish!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Candace, you would use the same amount of ingredients, it might just need to be cooked in less time or you could just double the ingredients. I haven’t tried either one of these methods so you would be experimenting. If you do try it, let me know how it goes!
Ian says
My word! This was just wonderful and so full of taste and flavour! Just lovely. Thank you for this recipe Ashley.
AB says
Hi Ashley, tried the instant pot version and loved it and now I want to try the crockpot version. Do you think I could prep it the night before (sear, saute onions, mix juices), put everything in the crockpot liner and place it in the fridge, and then turn it on the next morning? Trying to minimize the prep in the morning. Thanks!
Ashley Fehr says
Yes definitely! I just wouldn’t cut any potatoes because they turn brown.
Pam says
I’ve cooked this roast twice and both times the family loved it! I added 1 1/2 cups of broth because I needed more gravy. Count on Prep being 30-45 minutes if you don’t have everything prepared to put in the slow cooker. Didn’t use the ketchup.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Pam! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Bee says
Made it last night. Can’t wait to get home and try it. I did put everything in the fridge before I left for work and has a little taste. It was great. I need to add more seasoning for my liking but hopefully my kids & hubby will enjoy.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Bee! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Daniela says
So easy and SOOOO DELICIOUS
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Daniela! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Robin says
It was tender, juicy, and delicious! My friends and family loved it. The recipe was very easy to make. I will definitely make this recipe again.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Robin, so glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this review!
Mary says
For a freezer meal, can I sear the meat then bag everything and freeze it?
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Mary! I haven’t tried it out, but if you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Andrea says
I
What did I do wrong. I had very little liquid. Ended up adding beef broth to the crockpot.