Slow Cooker Pot Roast

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Craving a hearty and comforting meal that practically cooks itself? This Slow Cooker Pot Roast is the perfect solution! It takes 10 minutes to prep and yields the best melt-in-your-mouth, tender chuck roast you've ever had!

Roast beef, mashed potatoes and asparagus on a plate.

Looking for an easy, delicious way to impress your family at dinner? This Slow Cooker Pot Roast is the answer! With just a few simple ingredients and the magic of slow cooking, you’ll have a tender, flavorful roast coated in savory spices that practically falls apart on your fork. It'll be the best pot roast recipe you've ever made!

Except for the meat, you likely have everything you need for this crock pot roast beef recipe in your pantry! The oil and vinegar helps to tenderize the meat and the dried herbs, onion and garlic infuses the meat with so much flavor! At only 10 minutes to assemble in your crockpot, you’ll love how easy it is to throw this meal together!

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As a bonus, you can repurpose the leftovers throughout the week in tacos, on salads, or in your favorite soup or stew. It truly is the ultimate meal prep recipe for a busy week.

It's hard to beat an easy pot roast recipe! Be sure to check out our viral slow cooker Mississippi French Dip Sandwiches, Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef, and Crock Pot Beef and Noodles!

Roast beef and onions on a serving dish.

Table of Contents

Why You'll Like This Recipe

Effortless Preparation. With minimal effort, you can easily season this beef roast and set it in the slow cooker, freeing you for other activities.
Tender and Flavorful. Slow cooking transforms the chuck roast into fall apart beef and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness!
Great for Meal Prep. Enjoy it as a traditional roast, or shred the beef for sandwiches, tacos, or atop salads, making it adaptable for different meals. A great idea for weekly meal prep!
The BEST Comfort Food. This slow cooker roast beef served over mashed potatoes and a rich gravy on top brings the warmth and nostalgia of home-cooked comfort food!

Ingredients

Scroll Down to the Bottom of this Post for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card

Boneless Chuck Roast: The star of the dish—this cut of beef becomes tender and full of flavor when slow-cooked.
Olive Oil: Adds moisture and richness to the meat and helps the seasoning adhere.
Red Wine Vinegar: Provides acidity that enhances flavor while tenderizing the roast.
Seasoning Salt or Salt and Black Pepper: A nice simple seasoning blend of salt, pepper, and garlic usually. I prefer Livias Seasoning Salt.
Dried Parsley: Adds a fresh herbal note.
Dried Basil: Contributes a warm, slightly sweet flavor.
Garlic Powder: Infuses the dish with sweet garlic notes.
Yellow or Sweet Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
Garlic Cloves: Infuses the roast with aromatic garlicky goodness.

The ingredients to make crockpot roast beef.

Tools You'll Need

How to Make Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Using a sharp knife, make shallow incisions on all sides of the chuck roast to create holes for seasoning.

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil and red wine vinegar until well combined. Rub this mixture evenly over the entire surface of the roast.

Sprinkle seasoning salt, dried basil, dried parsley, and garlic powder evenly over both sides of the meat.

Place half of the sliced onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the seasoned chuck roast. Layer the remaining onion and sliced garlic on top of the roast.

Roast beef in a crockpot with sliced onion.

Cover and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours, or until the beef is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and transfer it to a cutting board. Using two forks, pull the beef apart into shreds or large pieces. Serve alongside your favorite sides or incorporate into other dishes as desired.

A pan of roast beef, mashed potatoes and asparagus.

Pro Tips and Substitutions

Choose the Right Cut: While boneless chuck roast is ideal, you can use other cuts such as brisket, rump roast, or round roast if desired. When you're cooking beef like these cuts at a low temperature for a long period of time, the tough connective tissue dissolves and the meat becomes extremely tender. At the meat counter, look for a good amount of marbling.
Customize the Seasoning: Feel free to add your favorite herbs or spices, such as fresh rosemary, thyme or even red pepper flakes for some heat. A dash of worcestershire sauce or soy sauce can also add depth of flavor.
Veggie Boost: Toss in baby carrots, potatoes, or celery to the slow cooker for a complete one-pot meal.
Make it Gluten-Free: Ensure your seasoning salt is gluten-free, and you’re good to go!
Low Cook versus High Cook: You can also cook slow cooked roast beef on high for about 4-5 hours. However, for the best tenderness and flavor, I recommend cooking it on low for the full 8-10 hours.
Red Wine Vinegar Substitute: If you don’t have red wine vinegar, you can substitute with apple cider vinegar, balsamic vinegar or white wine vinegar as they will provide a similar tangy flavor.
Make it in the Oven: You can also easily make this in the oven. Simply prepare the roast just as you would for the crockpot, placing half of the sliced onion n the bottom of a dutch oven, the roast on top, then the remaining onion and garlic. Cook covered at 300°F for 3-4 hours or until the beef is fork tender.

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Beef Chuck Roast

First, a flavorful gravy is essential for a beef roast in our family! To make gravy, strain the broth and pour the reserved crockpot juices into a small saucepan. In a small bowl make a slurry by whisking 2 tablespoon corn starch and 1 ½ tablespoon water. Whisk the slurry into the broth. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to low. The gravy will thicken as it simmers. Add seasoning salt or salt and black pepper to taste. For a faster gravy fix, simply make your favorite brown gravy mix.

As far as sides go, this crockpot roast beef can go with so many yummy things. Creamy mashed potatoes, rice or noodles are our traditional favorites, soaking up the delicious juices from the roast, while cooked vegetables like carrots, green beans, or Brussels sprouts add a fresh and vibrant touch.

For a lighter option, a crisp salad with mixed greens and a tangy vinaigrette can balance the meal. You can also serve it with garlic cheese biscuits or cornbread to mop up any remaining gravy!

Storage

Store any leftover beef pot roast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through.

For longer storage, freeze the shredded roast in airtight freezer bags with minimal air for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cook crock pot roast beef on high instead of low?

Yes, you can cook on high for about 4-5 hours, but the roast may not be as tender as when cooked on low.

Can I use frozen chuck roast in the crockpot?

It’s recommended to thaw the roast first, as cooking frozen meat can lead to uneven cooking and food safety concerns.

How do I know when the a crockpot roast is done?

The roast is ready when it becomes fork-tender and easily shreds apart. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached at least 195°F for maximum tenderness.

Do I sear the roast before cooking in the crock pot?

While most recipes say searing is optional, this recipe does not call for searing it first. Searing in a large skillet causes a Maillard reaction that enhances the beefs flavor. However, for this recipe, the massaging of the oil and vinegar followed by a generous coating of seasonings takes place of the searing step.

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