Slow Cooker Pot Roast

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This Slow Cooker Pot Roast is slowly simmered to fork-tender perfection along with carrots and onions.  It’s a comfort food classic that the whole family will love.

Jump to:

• Best Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• What to Serve with Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• Slow Cooker Pot Roast Seasoning Ideas
• Ingredients in Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• How to Make the Best Sunday Slow Cooker Pot Roast
• How to Make Slow Cooker Pot Roast Gravy
• How Long to Cook Slow Cooker Pot Roast on High or Low
• Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe Tips and Tricks
• Can I Cook Roast Ahead of Time?
• Best Roast Recipes
• Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe

Best Slow Cooker Pot Roast

If you are looking for the perfect simple Sunday pot roast, this Slow Cooker Pot Roast is the only recipe you need.  Our recipe calls for slow cooking either chuck, sirloin or rump roast on a bed of veggies along with cream of mushroom soup and some simple seasoning.  There’s no browning or searing the roast in olive oil ahead of time - just dump and go!

This is a great way to turn an inexpensive cut of meat into something unbelievably tender and delicious.  Serve with your favorite veggies, mashed potatoes and rolls and you have a complete dinner that everyone will absolutely love.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Pot Roast

If you are looking for some of the best sides to serve with pot roast, be sure and try:

• Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes or Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes
• Mashed Root Vegetables
• Oven-Roasted Red Skin Potatoes
• Oven-Roasted Brussels Sprouts
• Best Cornbread Muffins
• Garlic Herb Twist Bread
• Homemade Crescent Rolls

Slow Cooker Pot Roast Seasoning Ideas

Let’s get real - slow cooked beef tastes amazing all on its own.  It really doesn’t take much.  But, if you want to kick things up a notch, try adding some simple seasoning.  Some of our favorites are:

• Fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, parsley and bay leaf)
• Minced Garlic (or garlic powder and onion powder)
• Worcestershire sauce 
• Red wine (about ½ cup should do)

Ingredients in Slow Cooker Pot Roast

• Beef Roast - the best cuts of beef for pot roast are chuck, sirloin or rump roast.
• Carrots - use either large carrots that have been peeled and cut into 2” chunks, or baby carrots would work.
• Onion - we like to use white or yellow onions, cut into 2” chunks.
• Italian Dressing Mix - we like to use Good Seasons brand, but any type of dry Italian Dressing Mix that you can find will work.  Good Seasons packets are 0.7 oz each.
• Cream of Mushroom Soup - this adds great flavor and a bit of extra moisture to cook the roast in.
• Garlic - fresh minced garlic tastes best.
• Cornstarch - this will be mixed with cold water and stirred into the gravy to thicken.
• Water - make sure and use cold water for your slurry.

How to Make the Best Sunday Slow Cooker Pot Roast

1. Place the beef roast in the bottom of a large slow cooker.  Add carrots, onion, Italian Dressing Mix, cream of mushroom soup and minced garlic. 
2. Cover with the lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the meat can easily be shred.
3. Transfer the roast onto a plate or dish and use two forks to shred the beef.
4. Once you have shred all of the beef roast, transfer to a serving dish and cover with foil until ready to serve.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pot Roast Gravy

1. Using a fork, remove the onions, carrots, and any large chunks or gristle or fat out of the slow cooker.  Transfer the drippings to a blender, adding in a chunk or two of onion for sweetness.  Blend until smooth.  
2. In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the blended drippings and bring to a low boil.
3. Taste your gravy and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt, beef broth or onion and garlic powder as needed.
4. In a small bowl, add 2-3 tablespoons of cornstarch to 3 tablespoons of cold water, stirring until combined and smooth.
5. Slowly whisk the cornstarch slurry into the gravy while heating and stirring until the gravy thickens and coats the back of a spoon. If you over-thicken the gravy, add a bit more beef broth and if your gravy needs to be thicker, add a bit more of the cornstarch and cold water slurry.
6. Taste again and adjust seasoning as needed.
7. Remove from the heat and serve immediately along with your pot roast, veggies and side dishes.  Enjoy!

How Long to Cook Slow Cooker Pot Roast on High or Low

The cook time for your pot roast depends on the size of the slow cooker, the size of the pot roast and how many vegetables you are cooking at a time.

For a 3-5 pound roast, cook on high for 4-5 hours or cook on low for 6-8 hours, depending on the factors mentioned above.  

If you are serving this for lunch, you can always start the crockpot just before going to bed the night before and let it cook until mid-morning.  Once it’s finished, just set it to warm until you are ready to eat!  Always error on the side of having the roast done early as it's easy to turn the crock pot on low and keep the meat warm while the other components of the meal are being prepared. 

Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe Tips and Tricks

• You can add different vegetables based on your family’s preferences.  For example, you can add potatoes or use all carrots.
• The key to a great rump roast is to allow it to cook low and slow so that the connective tissue can soften and melt.  If your rump roast seems touch, it probably hasn’t had a chance to cook long enough yet.
• Always give yourself extra time than you think you will need to cook the pot roast.  If it finishes early, you can let it sit in the crockpot on warm while the rest of the meal is being prepared.
• Be sure and cut your veggies large enough that they won’t turn into mush during the low and slow cooking time.
• If you aren’t a fan of smelling beef cook for 6-8 hours, you can always cook this in the garage or on the patio!

Can I Cook Roast Ahead of Time?

Yes!  You can cook this the day before and reheat in a preheated 350 degree oven the following day.  Just cover a baking dish with aluminum foil and add in your roast and vegetables with a few tablespoons of water or gravy and let them warm for about 20 minutes, or until warmed through.

Best Roast Recipes

Here are some more of our favorite roast recipes:

• Mississippi Pot Roast
• Crockpot Mississippi Pork Roast
• Herb Crusted Top Round Roast
• The Best Rump Roast in the Crock Pot
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Roast