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Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

The ultimate comfort food, this Slow Cooker Pot Roast is tender, flavorful, and easy to prepare. With savory ingredients that meld beautifully, it’s an ideal dish for a cozy family dinner. Come home to a delicious, hearty meal that warms the heart!
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 450

Ingredients
  

  • 4-5 pounds beef chuck roast
  • salt
  • 3 tablespoons oil vegetable or canola oil
  • 1 envelope dry onion soup mix
  • 2 cans cream of soup mushroom or chicken
  • carrots, red or Yukon Gold potatoes, pearl onions, mushrooms, parsnips, celery

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker

Method
 

  1. 1. Start by seasoning the beef chuck roast generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides. This is essential for building flavor from the very beginning.
  2. 2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add oil. Once it’s hot, carefully place the roast in the skillet. Sear each side for a few minutes until you achieve a rich, brown crust. This step is crucial for locking in the moisture and flavor.
  3. 3. After searing, take the roast and place it in the bottom of your prepared slow cooker. It helps to lightly grease the slow cooker with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
  4. 4. In a separate bowl, stir together the cream of soup mixture and dry onion soup mix. This will form the delicious sauce that seeps into the meat and vegetables.
  5. 5. Pour the sauce mixture over the roast in the slow cooker, ensuring it's evenly covered. This will create a lovely gravy as it cooks.
  6. 6. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. It’s important to check the roast; when it’s done, it should shred easily when poked with a fork. If it doesn't, give it more time.
  7. 7. If you want to add vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or mushrooms, do so about 1.5 to 2 hours before the cooking time is complete for perfectly tender results.
  8. 8. Once the cooking time is up, carefully remove the roast and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing. This will help keep it juicy!
  9. 9. Serve the Slow Cooker Pot Roast with the cooked vegetables and a generous ladle of the sauce over the top. Enjoy the hearty meal that you’ve created!

Notes

  • Canned Soup: I highly recommend my homemade canned cream of chicken soup recipe (double it) and my homemade dry onion soup mix! They are both quick and easy, healthier, and will taste better.
  • Adding Veggies: Add carrot chunks, mushrooms, potatoes (baby gold or red), and white pearl onions the last 1.5-2 hours of cooking. Or, you can serve this yummy pot roast on top of a bed of mashed potatoes.
  • Make Ahead Instructions: You can prep this whole recipe (but not cook it) 1-2 days in advance, depending on the freshness of your meat. Assemble everything in the pot then cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.
  • Freezing Instructions: Transfer any leftover pot roast to a freezer-safe container or bag and place in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
  • Instant Pot Pot Roast: Slice the roast in half, then season generously on all sides with salt and pepper. Sear roast on all sides on the sauté setting, until browned. Deglaze the pot with 1 cup beef broth. Pour sauce over roast. Secure lid and cook on high pressure for 60-80 minutes or until tender (depending on size of roast). Natural release for 15 minutes.
  • Oven Baked Pot Roast: Sear the roast in a Dutch oven pot. Add 2 ½ cups beef broth. Pour sauce on top. Cover and bake at 350°F for 4 hours, or until meat is tender.