Easy Crock Pot Roast Recipe
This easy Crock Pot Roast recipe transforms an inexpensive beef chuck roast into a tender, flavorful family dinner with very little hands-on work. Simply add the roast, vegetables, and seasonings to your slow cooker, then let it cook low and slow until it’s fork-tender. Whether you call it a crock pot roast, slow cooker beef roast, or classic pot roast, this comforting meal is perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday dinner.
Serve this slow cooker pot roast over mashed potatoes or rice and a green vegetable for a complete meal. It’s also great for leftovers; the beef will be even more tender the next day. Simply reheat and serve!
This recipe is an updated version of a classic pot roast. The secret to the success of this dish is a packet (or two!) of onion soup mix. It adds incredible flavor to the beef and vegetables and really makes this dish special.
Let’s take a look at how to make this Crockpot roast.
Ingredients
First, you’ll need to gather your ingredients. You’ll need:
- 3-5 pound chuck roast
- 1 yellow onion
- 4 – 6 medium carrots
- 4 celery stalks
- 2 packets of onion soup mix
- 16-ounce bottle of beer
- beef broth or water
How To Cook a Roast in a Slow Cooker
- Start by preparing your vegetables. Dice the onion into small pieces. Peel the carrots and cut them into 1/2-inch thick “coins.” Slice or dice the celery.
- Place the prepared vegetables into the Crockpot. Top the vegetables with both packets of soup mix. Pour the beer over the soup mix and top with the roast.
- Cover the Crockpot/slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or until the roast is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the roast using two forks.
- Serve alongside or over mashed potatoes (or rice).
Store leftovers in an airtight freezer-safe container with some cooking liquid to help keep the meat moist.
- Refrigerator: 3 – 4 days
- Freezer: up to 3 months
Thaw overnight before reheating.
Best Beef for Crock Pot Roast
Not every roast cooks the same in a slow cooker.
| Cut of Beef | Fat Content | Texture After Slow Cooking | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chuck Roast ⭐ | Well-marbled | Fall-apart tender | Classic pot roast |
| Rump Roast | Leaner | Firm, slices well | Sliced roast dinners |
| Brisket | Moderately marbled | Tender and shreddable | Sandwiches, tacos, and shredded beef |
If possible, choose a chuck roast for the most tender results.
Add Even More Flavor
Instead of using all beef broth, replace about 1 cup with:
- Dry red wine
- Guinness stout
- Dark ale
The alcohol cooks off while leaving behind a deeper, richer flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This hearty roast pairs well with:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- Southern green beans
- Roasted Brussels sprouts
- Homemade dinner rolls
- Garden salad
If you can’t get enough slow-cooked comfort food, I’ve got plenty more Crockpot recipes you’ll love. My Crockpot Crack Potato Soup is creamy, cheesy, and perfect on a cold night, while Crockpot Chicken and Gravy delivers tender chicken smothered in rich gravy. For another cozy favorite, try my Quick and Easy Chicken and Dumplings – comfort food at its finest.
Easy Crockpot Pot Roast
Ingredients
Method
- Dice the onion into small pieces. Peel the carrots and cut into 1/2-inch thick "coins." Slice or dice the celery.
- Place the prepared vegetables into the Crockpot. Top the vegetables with both packets of soup mix. Pour the beer over the soup mix and top with the roast.
- Cover the Crockpot/slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or until the roast is cooked through and tender.
- Shred the roast using two forks.
- Serve alongside or over mashed potatoes (or rice).
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Heat 2 cups of the juices in a small pot over medium-high.
- Whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry.
- Once the juices have started to boil, whisk in the slurry mixture until it starts to thicken.
- Remove the gravy from the heat.
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Recipe Notes
- If celery isn’t your favorite, you can still toss it in whole for flavor while the roast cooks, then simply remove the stalks before serving. It adds depth to the dish without leaving big chunks on your plate.
- Want to dress it up a little? A garnish of fresh parsley gives the pot roast a nice pop of color and freshness.
- If you like gravy, you can make some homemade gravy with the cooking liquid from the pot roast.
- Heat 2 cups of the juices in a small pot over medium-high.
- Whisk together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 tablespoons of cold water to make a slurry.
- Once the juices have started to boil, whisk in the slurry mixture until it starts to thicken.
- Remove the gravy from the heat.
- There’s no need to season the beef with salt. The onion soup mix packets take care of all of the seasoning needs.
FAQs
No. Browning the roast before placing it in a slow cooker will help add depth and flavor, but it’s not a necessary step.
LOW produces the most tender roast. HIGH works if you’re short on time but may not yield quite the same fall-apart texture. However, if you are running short on time and have 5 hours before dinner, you can cook this on HIGH for 4-5 hours.
It almost always needs more cooking time
If your roast isn’t falling apart, one of these issues is usually to blame.
It hasn’t cooked long enough. – Contrary to what many people think, tough meat usually means it needs more time.
Too little liquid – Your slow cooker should have enough liquid to create steam without completely covering the roast.
Wrong cut of meat – Lean roasts don’t break down as well as chuck roast.
Cooked on High – Whenever possible, cook on LOW for the most tender roast.
Yes. Browning first adds flavor but isn’t required.
Last Bite
There’s nothing quite like coming home to the smell of a slow cooker pot roast that’s been simmering all day. If you try this recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out! Did you stick with the classic version or add your own twist with mushrooms, red wine, or extra herbs? Leave a comment below and don’t forget to rate the recipe. If you’re looking for more comforting dinners, be sure to check out my other slow cooker recipes.
