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Perfect Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Published March 28, 2019. Updated October 1, 2024
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Perfect Slow Cooker Pot Roast is the ultimate comfort food! It’s a super hearty, deliciously flavorful meal in one that’s sure to satisfy even the pickiest of eaters.
This is just classic, homestyle, stick-to-your-ribs good food made with basic, real ingredients. Plus it’s the best thing to come home to, cooked in the crock pot and ready to eat after a long day! My perfect slow cooker pot roast is an excellent option for lazy Sundays or busy winter workdays.
Crock Pot Roast Recipe
I’ve been making slow cooker pot roast for as long as I can remember. But in the beginning, I was doing it all wrong.
We’ve all had the super easy, lazy slow cooker roast that skips the browning in a skillet, but once you try it browned you’ll never look back! Browing helps to seal in the moisture and creates the most delicious texture for a juicy pot roast.
Perfect Slow Cooker Pot Roast Video
Another mistake was using onion powder and garlic powder in place of the real thing. Those have their place, but not here. The fresh onion and garlic add so much flavor to a pot roast.
And have you ever tried crock pot roast with fresh herbs? It’s so much better than dried, so it’s worth the splurge. You can often even find them bundled together in a blended package to make this slow cooker pot roast recipe even easier.
Last but not least—the vegetables. I was always adding potatoes in cubes and using Russet potatoes. How does that turn out in the end? Potato soup! Instead, using a waxier potato (Yukons) and keeping the potatoes whole will help keep your potatoes moist and fork-tender, but not gluey. Cut them up at the end if you’d like, or just serve them whole.
Everyone will be too busy savoring each bite to care about the potato size details. This is the ultimate pot roast recipe! Simple ingredients yet layers of rich, satisfying flavor.
Ingredients for Perfect Crock Pot Roast
- Chuck roast – I like to use a wider shorter roast here, then the bed of vegetables can just lay atop.
- Olive oil – for searing the roast and sautéing the aromatics.
- Salt and pepper – season roast with a fair amount of salt, otherwise it can taste a little flat.
- Yellow onion – I prefer to saute the onions before adding to slow cooker remove the raw bite. Then I like to take the onion slices out after cooking since they do get mushy but leave them if you like.
- Garlic – be sure to use fresh garlic for best flavor here. Use a garlic crusher if you hate mincing.
- Beef broth – I know they say not to use canned beef broth but chicken broth just doesn’t seem right here. I personally like the flavor just fine.
- Worcestershire sauce – if you don’t have this you can skip it. It just adds a little hint of depth.
- Fresh thyme, rosemary and parsley – fresh herbs do taste best here but if you don’t want to pay the higher price use 1/3 the amount listed of dried herbs.
- Yukon gold potatoes (AKA yellow potatoes) – red potatoes will work great here as well. I just prefer the appetizing color of the yellow.
- Carrots – thicker carrots work better here as they won’t get mushy with this lengthy cook time.
- Cornstarch – this is optional but preferred for best results. It’s turns a broth with an almost water-like consistency into a perfectly thickened gravy that clings to the meat and vegetables.
How to Make the Best Pot Roast in the Crock Pot
- Brown roast, add to slow cooker: Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
- Dab roast dry with paper towels, season all over with salt and pepper.
- Sear roast in the pot until browned on both sides, about 4 – 5 minutes per side. Transfer roast to slow cooker.
- Saute aromatics, and layer them over roast: Add remaining 1/2 Tbsp olive oil to pot. Add onion and saute for 2 minutes, add garlic and saute 30 seconds longer.
- Pour onion mixture over roast in slow cooker.
- Make the most of those browned bits: Return pot to heat, pour in beef broth, Worcestershire, thyme, and rosemary, and cook about 15 seconds, just long enough to scrape up browned bits from the bottom of the pot, this will add lots of flavor to the broth. Remove pot from heat.
- Layer vegetables into the slow cooker: Layer potatoes and carrots over onion layer in the slow cooker, pour beef broth evenly over top then season with salt and pepper.
- Cook low and slow: Cover slow cooker and cook on low heat until roast and vegetables are tender about 8 – 9 hours.
- Remove roast and veggies, shred roast, and cut up potatoes if desired.
How to Thicken Gravy for Pot Roast
I prefer a thick gravy, so I always thicken the broth after cooking. I’ve tried several different methods for thickening, and I prefer the cornstarch route since you don’t have to add extra fat (butter for flour) and I prefer to thicken after cooking.
If you try to thicken with flour or cornstarch from the beginning it doesn’t thicken properly and can leave a floury or cornstarch flavor behind. Here’s how you’ll thicken the gravy:
- Whisk cornstarch with 3 Tbsp beef broth then pour into saucepan. Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly, and let simmer for 30 – 60 seconds.
- Plate roast and vegetables, pour gravy over the top, and sprinkle with parsley.
Can I use a Different Cut of Meat for a Perfect Slow Cooker Pot Roast?
For best results stick with the chuck roast for this recipe. Other roasts (rump roasts or round roasts are popular) won’t be as tender. Pork roast is common, but cooking times are different so use a thermometer.
Can I Use Baby Carrots in My Slow Cooker Pot Roast?
I have also made this using a bag of baby carrots but only go for a bag of thick baby carrots. You know what I mean. We’ve all seen those pencil-thin worthless bags of baby carrots. Use the hearty thick ones (check the organic section, they aren’t much more expensive and they taste better). This is the same reason I don’t always use celery—it can get a little weak and soggy compared to the root vegetables.
Can I Add Wine to my Slow Cooker Pot Roast?
If you’d like you can also add 1/2 cup red wine to this recipe along with the beef broth.
Can I Cook my Crockpot Pot Roast on High Heat?
I only recommend low-heat cooking for the most tender results. I’ve tested with high heat cooking and it’s just not the same.
Can I Cook this Pot Roast recipe in the Oven?
I have an oven method shared HERE.
When should I make a Slow Cooker Pot Roast?
Slow cooker meals are especially good for busy days where you can get everything started early and have a delicious dinner ready for you at the end of the day. I like pot roast on cold and cozy Sundays through the fall and winter.
How many people can I feed with a Slow Cooker Pot Roast?
This slow cooker pot roast calls for a 3 lb chuck roast and should serve 6 people. Larger roasts can feed more people, as long as you have a large enough crock pot or roasting pan.
What Should I Serve with Crock Pot Roast?
Really you don’t need anything else to go with this it’s such a hearty dish on it’s own, but if you’d like serve it with a side salad, some steamed asparagus for a nice green color, or some buttered homemade bread.
More Delicious Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love:
- Beef Stew
- Rotisserie Style Chicken
- Slow Cooker Ribs
- Pulled Pork
- Slow Cooker Chili
