This Easy Pot Roast Crock-Pot Recipe Will Melt in Your Mouth
Perfect pot roast is hard to beat. It’s rich and flavorful, filled with soft root vegetables and ultra-tender shreds of meat that basically melt in your mouth. And the gravy—made by thickening the cooking liquid—is so good, I could smother just about anything in the stuff. Put it all together, and this meaty one-pot meal is one of our favorite comfort foods.
A lot of people swear that pot roast is impossible to mess up, but I hate to admit that I’ve made a few versions that turned out chewy, stringy, and tough.
What’s the solution? The slow cooker, a temperature-controlled method that ensures your pot roast will turn out perfect, every time. Our easy pot roast Crock-Pot recipe is super simple to make, and you get to walk into your house after work to the incredible aroma of a ready-to-eat dinner. Win, win!
In the market for a new appliance? You may be surprised to find out what the best slow cooker brand is according to our Test Kitchen.
What’s the Best Roast for Pot Roast?
Any type of beef roast that contains a lot of connective tissue is a good candidate for pot roast. At low-and-slow cooking temperatures, connective tissue releases gelatin, infusing both the meat and the cooking liquid with rich, juicy flavor. Our go-to choice is chuck roast (also called chuck-eye roast or chuck shoulder), followed by round roast (also called rump roast). The chuck contains slightly more connective tissue than the round, so we find it results in a moister-tasting pot roast. You could also use brisket, but this cut contains a lot more fat, which some people find unpleasant.
Do You Have to Brown a Roast Before Putting It in a Crock-Pot?
Do you have to brown a roast? No. Browning the roast has nothing to do with making it juicy and tender, so your pot roast will turn out just fine if you don’t feel like dirtying a second pot or you’re running short of time. That said, you definitely should brown a roast before cooking it in a slow cooker. Searing all the sides goes a long way to making a more flavorful pot roast, caramelizing the meat’s exterior and infusing extra-savory flavor into the braising liquid. It takes about five minutes per side, but it’s totally worth it in the end.
How to Make Easy Crock-Pot Pot Roast
Ingredients
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 boneless beef rump or chuck roast (3 to 3-1/2 pounds)
1/4 cup red wine, beer, beef broth or water, for deglazing
6 medium carrots, cut into thirds
6 medium potatoes, peeled and quartered
1 large onion, quartered
3 teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning
1 (32-ounce) box beef broth
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3 tablespoons water
Yield: 10 servings
Directions
Step 1: Brown the roast
If you’re running short on time, you can skip this step, but we recommend browning the roast to make the pot roast more flavorful. Start by heating the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the roast and brown it on all sides, about five minutes per side. When it’s finished, remove the roast to a platter and deglaze the pan with the wine, beer, broth or water, using a spoon to release any burnt bits.
Step 2: Prepare the slow cooker and cook
While the meat is browning, place the carrots, potatoes and onion in the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker. Place the roast on top of the vegetables and sprinkle it with the steak seasoning. Add the deglazing liquid and the broth and cook, covered, on low for 10 to 12 hours, until the beef and vegetables are tender.
Editor’s Tip: Since we’ve cut the vegetables into such large chunks, they should be able to stand up to this long, low-and-slow cooking time. If you’re using smaller cut vegetables, you’ll want to add them during the last three hours.
Step 3: Make the gravy
Transfer the roast and vegetables to a serving platter and keep warm by tenting them with aluminum foil. Pour the cooking juices through a fine-mesh strainer into a fat separator. (If you don’t have one, use one of these tricks for removing extra fat.) Skim off the excess fat, pour the juices into a small saucepan and heat over medium-high heat until the juices are boiling.
Combine the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Stir the cornstarch slurry into the juices and return the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook until the mixture is thickened, about 1 to 2 minutes. Serve the gravy over top of the roast.
Why Is My Crock-Pot Roast Tough?
It’s possible that your roast is tough because it’s undercooked. The pot roast is done when a fork goes in easily and twists of tender threads of meat. If it can’t twist easily, it needs extra cook time. That said, the main reason that most pot roasts turn out tough has to do with cooking temperature.
The tough muscle fibers and connective tissue in the roast require low temperatures and long periods of time to break down. If you try to speed up the cooking process by blasting the roast with high temperatures, the muscle fibers will seize up and become extra tough. On the low setting of a slow cooker, this roast takes anywhere from eight to twelve hours, but it’s totally worth the wait.
Does the Pot Roast Need to Be Covered in Liquid?
Pot roast is a braised dish, so the roast doesn’t need to be covered in liquid. You only need enough to come up about halfway up the side of the roast. As the pot roast cooks, it’s important to peek in from time to time, ensuring that all the liquid hasn’t evaporated. If the liquid level drops below a quarter of the way up the roast, the roast can turn out dry, so you’ll want to add more. Plus, you want to make sure there’s enough liquid to make that tasty gravy!
Recipes to Make with Leftover Pot Roast
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Machaca Beef Dip Sandwiches
The winning combination of beef, cumin, chili powder and the spicy heat of chipotle peppers makes these sandwiches game-day food at its finest! —Karol Chandler-Ezell, Nacogdoches, Texas
Roast Beef and Gravy
This is by far the simplest way to make roast beef and gravy. On busy days, I can put this main dish in the slow cooker and forget about it. My family likes it with mashed potatoes and fruit salad. —Abby Metzger, Larchwood, Iowa
Flavorful Pot Roast
On hectic days, this is so quick and easy to prep! Convenient packages of dressing and gravy combine to create a sauce worthy of a fall-apart roast. For a filling meal-in-one, serve with mashed potatoes and ladle the juices over top. —Arlene Butler, Ogden, Utah
Tangy Barbecue Sandwiches
Since I prepare the beef for these robust sandwiches in the slow cooker, it's easy to fix a meal for a hungry bunch. The savory homemade sauce assures I come home with no leftovers. —Debbi Smith, Crossett, Arkansas
Slow-Cooked Beef Enchiladas
Enchiladas get a beefy boost of goodness from slow-cooked roast. When the meat is done, assemble with tortillas and bake. Top with lettuce and tomatoes if desired. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Slow-Cooker Faux Prime Rib Roast
This is my first original recipe, inspired by a great holiday dinner with friends. I wanted to see if I could do something similar with a less expensive cut of meat. The Faux Prime Rib Roast can also be baked in a covered Dutch oven at 350° for about 1-1/2 hours or until 165°. The beef is also delicious served with regular or horseradish mashed potatoes. —Kimberly Kuhlman, Bryan, Texas
Shredded Green Chile Beef
This Tex-Mex pulled beef roast is tender, slightly spicy, juicy, and so delicious served over mashed potatoes or rice. The beef also makes the best soft tacos you've ever had. Save any leftover pulled beef in the liquid to prevent it from drying out. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Lone Star Pot Roast
Pot roast becomes especially delicious with the addition of chopped green chilies and taco seasoning. —Helen Carpenter, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Dilly Beef Sandwiches
My younger sister, Jean, shared this recipe with me. It puts a twist on the traditional barbecue sandwich, and it has been proven to be a crowd-pleaser. Plus, it's incredibly convenient to make in the slow cooker. —Donna Blankenheim, Madison, Wisconsin
Hominy Beef Chili
Hunker down for the night and get cozy with this filling chili. Loaded with beef chuck roast and convenient staples, such as diced tomatoes, green chilies and seasonings, it’s a satisfying supper that would be yummy served with a side of warm tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping. —Steve Westphal, Wind Lake, Wisconsin
Mom's Italian Beef Sandwiches
My mom made the best Italian beef. I’ve added to it over the years, but it’s still her recipe. She made these sandwiches for family reunions, and there were never leftovers. —Mary McVey, Colfax, North Carolina
Shredded Beef Burrito Filling
Make your next office party a taco bar or burrito bar! Set out the beef in the slow cooker on warm, along with tortillas, bowls of shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, and chopped lettuce, jalapenos, onions and tomatoes. For a variation, I make Beef & Bean burritos by mixing a can of refried beans into 3 or 4 cups of cooked beef filling. —Hope Wasylenki, Gahanna, Ohio
Mediterranean Pot Roast Dinner
I first made this recipe one cold winter day. My family (adults, kids and dogs) were having a blast sledding and playing in the snow all day, and when we came inside supper was ready! This pot roast is perfect served with mashed potatoes, rice or dinner rolls. —Holly Battiste, Barrington, New Jersey
Pressure-Cooker Thai Coconut Beef
My husband and I love Thai food, but going out on weeknights can be challenging with busy schedules. I wanted to create a Thai-inspired dinner that could double as an easy lunch the following day. The beef is fantastic in this dish, but chicken or pork would be equally delicious!—Ashley Lecker, Green Bay, Wisconsin
Savory Beef Sandwiches
Before heading to work in the morning, I'll get this going in the slow cooker. Then it's all ready to serve—usually with hard rolls and potato salad or another salad—as soon as my husband and I walk in. When my son moved to another state recently, I cut up beef roast in smaller portions, repackaged it and sent seasonings for a two-person slow cooker as his housewarming present. —Lynn Williamson, Hayward, Wisconsin
Garlic Lover's Beef Stew
Wine gives a mellow flavor to this beef and carrot stew. We like to serve it over mashed potatoes, but you could also use noodles. —Alissa Brown, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania
Slow-Cooker Chipotle Beef Carnitas
I came up with this recipe while trying to figure out what I could do with a pot roast that had been in the freezer. Now I keep the rub in a plastic bag, ready and waiting in my cupboard, and I can get the roast in the slow cooker in less than 15 minutes. —Ann Piscitelli, Nokomis, Florida
Melt-in-Your-Mouth Chuck Roast
My husband and I like chuck roast recipes, so this slow-cooked recipe is terrific. You'll also love how flavorful and tender this comforting beef chuck roast turns out. —Bette McCumber, Schenectady, New York
Special Slow-Cooked Beef
This hearty entree is easy to prepare for Sunday dinner. While the beef is slow cooking, the cook has lots of time to attend to the other details. With mashed potatoes on the side, it’s comfort food for the cool months ahead. —Juli George, Grandville, Michigan
Chile Colorado Burritos
When I was growing up in Southern California, this was one of my favorite Mexican dishes. It's hard to find now that I live in the Midwest—except in my kitchen! —Kelly McCulley, Des Moines, Iowa
Philly Cheese Sandwiches
I'm a big fan of cheesesteaks, and in this throw-together recipe my slow cooker does all the work. It's a win-win. —Christina Addison, Blanchester, Ohio
Slow-Cooked Caribbean Pot Roast
This dish is definitely a year-round recipe. Sweet potatoes, orange zest and baking cocoa are my surprise ingredients. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Mexican Shredded Beef Wraps
The first time I served these wrap sandwiches was at the party following my son’s baptism. Everyone liked them so much that it’s become one of my go-to slow-cooker recipes. —Amy Lents, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Top-Rated Italian Pot Roast
I'm always getting recipe inspiration from newspapers and magazines. Here’s a tender roast with aromatic spices that give it a Moroccan feel. —Karen Burdell, Lafayette, Colorado
Beef Barbecue
We like to keep our freezer stocked with plenty of beef roasts. When we're not in the mood for pot roast, I fix these satisfying sandwiches instead. The meat cooks in a tasty sauce while I'm work. The meat cooks in a tasty sauce while I'm at work. Then I just slice i thinly and serve it on rolls. —Karen Walker Sterling, Virginia
Spicy Shredded Beef Sandwiches
If you like your shredded beef with a little kick, then this recipe is for you. For an even zestier version of this recipe, add another jar of jalapenos or use hot peppers instead of the pepperocinis. —Kristen Langmeier, Faribault, Minnesota
Beef Stew Provencal
When I was young, my favorite food to order in a restaurant was beef stew. My mother and I decided to create our own and experimented with different ingredients until we came up with this recipe. Everyone liked this slow cooker version so much that now it's a tradition every time the whole family is together. —Chelsey Larsen, Sparks, Nevada
Country Chuck Roast with Mushroom Gravy
This tender, savory roast practically melts in your mouth. It looks a bit more complex, but the hands-free oven time makes it my go-to company recipe on a cold day. —Mary Kay LaBrie, Clermont, Florida
Soy-Ginger Pot Roast
My husband really likes roast beef, and I really like my slow cooker. I brought in Asian influences for an all-day pot roast with some oomph. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Favorite Italian Beef Sandwiches
I'm a paramedic/firefighter, and slow-cooked recipes like this one suit my unpredictable schedule. My husband and children and the hungry bunch at the firehouse love these robust sandwiches that have a little zip. —Kris Swihart, Perrysburg, Ohio
Slow-Cooker Pot Roast
I work full time, so this slow cooker roast beef is my go-to when I want a hearty, home cooked meal. It’s a comfort to walk in and smell this simmering slow cooker pot roast that I know will be fall-apart tender and delicious. —Gina Jackson, Ogdensburg, New York
Chipotle Shredded Beef
This beef is delicious whether you serve it all rolled up in a tortilla, with corn salsa in a burrito, in a bun or over rice or mashed potatoes. So many options! —Darcy Williams, Omaha, Nebraska
Slow Cooker Beef Vegetable Stew
Come home to warm comfort food! This vegetable beef stew is based on my mom’s wonderful recipe, but I adjusted it for the slow cooker. Add a sprinkle of Parmesan to each bowl for a nice finishing touch. —Marcella West, Washburn, Illinois
Shredded French Dip
A chuck roast slow-simmered in a beefy broth is delicious when shredded and spooned onto rolls. I serve the cooking juices in individual cups for dipping. —Carla Kimball, Callaway, Nebraska
Festive Slow-Cooked Beef Tips
We once owned an organic greenhouse and produce business. Weekends were hectic, so I made no-fuss meals like yummy beef tips to fortify us at day’s end. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Balsamic Beef Hoagies
All my boys (big and small) like sandwiches, and balsamic beef is a welcome change from pulled barbecue chicken. We use leftovers in quesadillas, on pizza or with rice. You can find more family-friendly recipes at my blog, theseasonedmom.com. —Blair Lonergan, Rochelle, Virginia
Slow-Cooker Barbacoa
My husband adores this beef roast simmered in lime juice, chipotle and cumin. He would eat it one a week if I would make it that often! We have it over rice with cilantro and a spritz of lime. —Aundrea McCormick, Denver, Colorado
Spice-Braised Pot Roast
Just pour these ingredients over your pot roast and let the slow cooker do the work. Herbs and spices give the beef an excellent taste. I often serve this roast over noodles or with mashed potatoes, using the juices as a gravy. —Loren Martin, Big Cabin, Oklahoma
Chipotle-Black Bean Chili
This thick slow-cooked chili is special to me because it cooks itself while I’m at work. My family and friends love it. It’s really nice served with corn bread. —Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California
Beef & Mushroom Braised Stew
Every spring, my family heads out to our timber acreage to collect morel mushrooms, and then we cook up this stew. We use morels, of course, but baby portobellos or button mushrooms or will work, too. —Amy Wertheim, Atlanta, Illinois
Sweet 'n' Tangy Pot Roast
I fixed this roast the first time I cooked for my husband-to-be more than 20 years ago. For dessert, I made chocolate pudding spooned over marshmallow. He thought he'd died and gone to heaven! —Carol Mulligan, Honeoye Falls, New York
Moroccan Braised Beef
Curry powder is a blend of up to 20 spices, herbs and seeds. Add a pinch of curry to your favorite soups, stews, salads and even rice for an exotic flavor. In this Moroccan stew, begin with 2 teaspoons of curry, then add more to your taste. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Traditional Yankee Pot Roast
Here's a traditional main dish that's tested and true. It's been a favorite with my family for many years. —Vera Burke, West Pittston, Pennsylvania
Roasted Poblano Beef Stew
I like to keep my son's heritage alive through cooking, and this recipe reflects my wife's Hispanic background. The first time I made it, she gave me high praise. Try serving it in flour tortillas. —Greg Fontenot, The Woodlands, Texas
Slow-Cooked Coffee Pot Roast
My family raves about my gravy when I prepare this recipe. Whenever I'm fishing for compliments, this pot roast is a sure hit! —Janet Dominick, Bagley, Minnesota
Sassy Pot Roast
I love walking into my home after a long day and smelling this lovely pot roast. You can add potatoes and carrots to round out the meal, and the leftover meat makes a comforting soup for the next night. —Susan Burkett, Monroeville, Pennsylvania
Tina's Pot Roast
This tender pot roast is a hearty, "feel good" meal. It's also kid-friendly. Even picky eaters usually gobble it up. The last time I made this for my family, the gravy was so tasty that we poured it over the entire meal—meat, carrots, and potatoes! —Tina Meyer, Lake Orion, Michigan
Mushroom Beef Stew
Top this hearty stew with crumbled blue cheese just before serving to add a burst of flavor. Serve some now and store the rest in the freezer for another meal. —Nancy Latulippe, Simcoe, Ontario
Slow-Cooked Hoisin Pot Roast
One day my husband commented that he loves plums and meat. The next time I put a roast in the slow cooker, I added some plums. He was onto something! —Jackie Cole, Dunnellon, Florida
Gone-All-Day Stew
This healthy, hearty stew is one of my husband's favorite meals. I always use fresh mushrooms and low-sodium bouillon granules. —Patricia Kile, Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania
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