Slow Cooker Pot Roast (Printable)
Tender beef slow-cooked with potatoes, carrots, onions, and flavorful gravy for a hearty meal.
# Ingredient List:
→ Beef & Vegetables
01 - 3 lb beef chuck roast
02 - 1 1/2 lb baby potatoes, halved
03 - 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
04 - 1 large yellow onion, cut into wedges
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Seasonings & Liquids
06 - 2 tsp kosher salt
07 - 1 tsp black pepper
08 - 1 tsp dried thyme
09 - 1 tsp dried rosemary
10 - 2 cups beef broth (gluten-free if needed)
11 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
12 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
→ For the Gravy
13 - 2 tbsp cornstarch
14 - 2 tbsp cold water
# Steps:
01 - Season the beef chuck roast evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried rosemary on all sides.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the roast on all sides until browned, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
03 - Arrange halved baby potatoes, peeled and cut carrots, and onion wedges in the base of the slow cooker. Add minced garlic on top.
04 - Position the seared beef roast on top of the prepared vegetables in the slow cooker.
05 - In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, and Worcestershire sauce; pour this mixture evenly over the roast and vegetables.
06 - Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours until the beef is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
07 - Carefully transfer the beef and vegetables to a serving dish, keeping them warm.
08 - Skim excess fat from the liquid remaining in the slow cooker to prepare for the gravy.
09 - Whisk cornstarch and cold water together in a small bowl until smooth to create a slurry.
10 - Stir the cornstarch slurry into the slow cooker liquid. Set slow cooker to high and cook, stirring occasionally, until the gravy thickens, about 5 to 10 minutes.
11 - Slice or shred the beef roast and serve with the cooked vegetables. Spoon the thickened gravy over the top.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The beef becomes so tender it falls apart without effort, and the gravy tastes like something you'd order at a restaurant.
- Everything cooks in one vessel while you go about your day, so dinner happens almost without you.
- It's naturally gluten-free if you choose the right ingredients, making it work for almost any table.
02 -
- Searing the beef isn't optional—it creates a flavorful crust that adds depth to the entire dish and is worth the extra 10 minutes.
- Don't skip skimming the fat from the cooking liquid, because it's the difference between elegant gravy and greasy gravy.
- Cornstarch lumps will float in your gravy like islands if you don't whisk the slurry completely smooth before adding it.
03 -
- Pat the roast completely dry before seasoning and searing—wet meat steams instead of browning, and browning is what builds flavor.
- Don't stir the slow cooker during cooking; let the meat and vegetables stay undisturbed so everything develops its own texture and flavor.
- Make the cornstarch slurry while the roast is cooking, so you're not fumbling with it at the last minute when you're hungry and impatient.