Save to Pinterest A classic comforting dish featuring tender beef pot roast slow-cooked with vegetables and rich gravy served alongside creamy mashed potatoes.
Slow cooker pot roast has always been my go-to for cozy weekends at home. I love how simple ingredients transform into something so delicious with hardly any effort required.
Ingredients
- Beef chuck roast: 3 lbs (1.4 kg)
- Kosher salt: 1 tbsp
- Black pepper: 1 tsp
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Onion: 1 large, sliced
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Carrots: 4 large, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
- Celery: 3 stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
- Beef broth: 2 cups (480 ml), gluten-free if needed
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp, gluten-free if needed
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp
- Dried rosemary: 1 tsp
- Bay leaves: 2
- Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes: 2 lbs (900 g), peeled and cut into chunks
- Unsalted butter: 4 tbsp
- Whole milk: ½ cup (120 ml) plus more as needed
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Black pepper: ½ tsp
- Chopped fresh parsley: Optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Prep the beef:
- Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear the roast:
- In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned (about 3 – 4 minutes per side). Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables:
- Add onion garlic carrots and celery around the roast in the slow cooker.
- Mix the sauce:
- In a bowl whisk together beef broth tomato paste Worcestershire sauce thyme rosemary and bay leaves. Pour over the roast and vegetables.
- Slow cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beef is fork-tender.
- Make the mashed potatoes:
- About 40 minutes before serving place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very tender (15 – 20 minutes). Drain well and return potatoes to the pot. Add butter and milk; mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more milk if needed for consistency.
- Finish the roast:
- Remove the roast from the slow cooker and let rest for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Shred or slice the beef.
- Serve:
- Serve pot roast and vegetables over mashed potatoes. Drizzle with pan juices and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Save to Pinterest My family always gathers around the table when this meal is simmering in the slow cooker. Even picky eaters love digging into that creamy pile of mashed potatoes and savory roast.
Make Ahead and Storage
Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat gently and add a splash of broth or milk to revive mashed potatoes.
What to Serve With Pot Roast
This hearty dish pairs well with a crisp green salad or buttery dinner rolls. For a lighter side try steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts.
Dietary Adaptations
This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. For a dairy-free version substitute olive oil for butter and a non-dairy milk in the mashed potatoes.
Save to Pinterest Savor every bite of this easy slow cooker pot roast – perfect for comforting nights in. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser you'll want to make again and again.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I ensure the beef is tender?
Slow cooking the beef chuck roast on low heat for 8 hours allows the connective tissue to break down, resulting in tender, juicy meat.
- → Can I use different types of potatoes for the mash?
Yes, Yukon Gold potatoes provide a creamy texture and buttery flavor, but Russet potatoes also work well for fluffy mashed potatoes.
- → What is the purpose of searing the roast before slow cooking?
Searing the roast creates a flavorful browned crust through the Maillard reaction, enhancing overall taste and appearance.
- → How can I thicken the cooking liquid into gravy?
Remove half a cup of the cooking liquid, whisk in cornstarch, then stir back into the pot and cook on high for 10 minutes to thicken.
- → Are there gluten-free options for this dish?
Using gluten-free beef broth and Worcestershire sauce ensures the dish meets gluten-free dietary needs.