10+ Pot Roast Crock Pot Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

Pot roast is a classic comfort food that many enjoy for its rich flavors and hearty ingredients. Crock pot recipes make it simple to prepare this dish. They allow you to enjoy tender meat and flavorful vegetables with minimal effort.

Using a slow cooker gives you the freedom to set it and forget it, making it a perfect choice for busy days.

In this article, you’ll discover various pot roast crock pot recipes that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you prefer a savory gravy or a simple herb seasoning, there’s something here for everyone. Get ready to create a delicious meal that your whole family will love!

1) Brown the roast before adding to slow cooker

Browning your roast first makes a big difference in flavor. When you sear the meat, it develops a nice crust that adds delicious richness to your dish.

Heat some oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the roast for about four minutes on each side. This simple step enhances the taste of your pot roast, making it even more enjoyable.

Once browned, transfer the roast to your slow cooker. Add your favorite vegetables and seasonings around it. This will create a cozy, flavorful meal that warms everyone’s heart.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 pounds chuck roast
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional: vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the roast with salt and pepper.
3. Brown the roast for about 4 minutes on each side.
4. Transfer the roast to the slow cooker.
5. Add vegetables and seasonings as desired.

2) Use onion soup mix for extra flavor

Using onion soup mix in your pot roast is a simple way to boost the flavor. This mix adds a rich depth that enhances the meat and vegetables. The combination of spices and seasonings in the soup mix works wonders.

Just one packet can transform a basic pot roast into a savory dish. It pairs well with chuck roast, potatoes, and carrots. You’ll love the tender results after slow cooking.

The soup mix brings out the natural flavors of the ingredients while adding its unique taste. If you want to save time, using the mix means less prep work for you.

Ingredients

• 1 chuck roast (3-4 lbs)
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 4 cups beef broth
• 4 potatoes, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker.
2. Mix the onion soup mix with beef broth and pour it over the roast.
3. Add the chopped potatoes and carrots.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 93°C) or until tender.

3) Add potatoes and carrots for a classic touch

Adding potatoes and carrots to your pot roast gives it a classic flavor and texture. They soak up the rich broth as they cook, making every bite delicious.

Use peeled and chopped potatoes and carrots. You can add them to the slow cooker at the same time as the roast. This way, they become tender and full of flavor by the end of the cooking time.

For a great taste, try using baby potatoes or golden potatoes. Carrots add a nice sweetness that balances the savory meat.

Ingredients

• 2-3 medium potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2-3 large carrots, peeled and sliced

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the chuck roast in the crock pot.
2. Add the chopped potatoes and sliced carrots around the roast.
3. Pour in beef broth and seasoning as desired.
4. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 93°C) or high for 4 hours (about 149°C).

4) Incorporate mushrooms for added texture

Mushrooms are a great addition to your pot roast. They bring a unique flavor and a pleasant texture that blends well with tender meat. You can use a variety of mushrooms, such as cremini or button mushrooms, to suit your taste.

When you cook mushrooms in the slow cooker, they become soft and absorb the flavors of the broth and spices. This enhances the overall dish. Add them in during the last few hours of cooking for the best results.

You can slice or chop the mushrooms before adding them to your pot roast. This helps them mix nicely with the other ingredients and adds to the overall taste.

Ingredients

• 3-4 lbs beef roast
• 1-2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 4 cups beef broth
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 3 potatoes, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the beef roast with salt and pepper.
2. Place roast in the slow cooker.
3. Add mushrooms, carrots, potatoes, and onion.
4. Pour beef broth over the top.
5. Cook on low for 8-10 hours (about 93-100 degrees Celsius).

5) Include red wine for depth of flavor

Adding red wine to your pot roast can truly enhance its taste. The wine brings out rich flavors and helps tenderize the meat. You should choose a dry red wine that you enjoy drinking.

When cooking, pour in the wine after browning your meat. It will deglaze the pan, lifting all those tasty bits off the bottom. This process adds even more flavor to your dish.

You don’t need a lot—just a cup (about 240 ml) will do. Let it simmer with the roast to allow the flavors to blend beautifully.

Ingredients

• 3 to 4 lbs (1.4 to 1.8 kg) beef roast
• 1 cup (240 ml) dry red wine
• 4 cups (960 ml) beef broth
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 3 potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1 onion, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Brown the roast in your crockpot.
2. Add onion, carrots, and potatoes.
3. Pour in the red wine and broth.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Cook on low for 8 hours (93°C) or high for 4 hours (118°C).

6) Finish with a homemade gravy

Making homemade gravy is a wonderful way to elevate your pot roast. Start by using the flavorful liquid left in your slow cooker. Strain it into a saucepan to remove any solid bits.

Next, you can thicken the gravy by adding a mix of cornstarch and water. Stir it in gently while heating the liquid on medium.

Let it simmer until the gravy thickens to your liking. Add salt and pepper to taste for extra flavor.

Serve this delicious gravy over your pot roast and enjoy every bite!

Ingredients

• Liquid from slow cooker
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 2 tablespoons water
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Strain the liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan.
2. In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water until smooth.
3. Stir the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan.
4. Heat on medium, stirring until thick.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

7) Add garlic and onion powder for seasoning

Garlic and onion powder are great choices to enhance the flavor of your pot roast. These seasonings add a savory depth that makes the meat delicious.

You can sprinkle these powders directly onto the roast before cooking. This helps to ensure the flavors penetrate the meat as it cooks.

Feel free to adjust the amounts according to your taste. A little goes a long way, so start with a teaspoon of each and add more if needed.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder

Cooking Instructions

1. Rub the roast with garlic powder and onion powder.
2. Place the seasoned roast in your crock pot.
3. Continue with your favorite recipe, adding other ingredients as desired.

8) Use a chuck roast for best results

When making pot roast in a crock pot, a chuck roast is your best choice. This cut of meat is known for its rich flavor and tenderness when slow-cooked. The marbling in the chuck roast helps keep it juicy throughout the cooking process.

You can use different cuts, but the chuck roast stands out. It breaks down beautifully when cooked on low heat, making it easy to shred. This gives you a delicious texture for your pot roast.

For perfect results, be sure the chuck roast is thawed before cooking. Some recipes even suggest searing the meat to enhance its flavor. This step adds a tasty crust and extra depth to your dish.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds chuck roast
• Salt and pepper
• Vegetables (carrots, potatoes, onions)
• Beef broth or stock
• Herbs (thyme, rosemary)

Cooking Instructions

1. Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper.
2. Optional: Sear the roast in a pan for extra flavor.
3. Place the roast in the crock pot.
4. Add chopped vegetables and herbs around the roast.
5. Pour in beef broth to cover the ingredients.
6. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-6 hours.

9) Try adding celery for additional flavor

Adding celery to your pot roast can enhance the dish’s flavor. Celery has a mild taste that complements the beef well. It also adds a nice crunch when cooked.

Chop up a few stalks and mix them in with your other vegetables. This could be carrots and potatoes or any other veggie you like. The celery will cook down and infuse your pot roast with a savory taste.

You can also sauté the celery in oil before adding it to the slow cooker. This will help release its natural flavors. Give it a try next time for a delicious twist!

Ingredients

• 1 beef roast
• 4-5 stalks of celery
• 2-3 carrots
• 3-4 potatoes
• Seasonings of your choice
• Beef broth or water

Cooking Instructions

1. Sear the beef roast in a hot skillet.
2. Chop the celery, carrots, and potatoes.
3. Place the roast in the slow cooker.
4. Add the chopped veggies and beef broth.
5. Cook on low for 7-9 hours (about 165°F or 74°C).

10) Consider using cream of mushroom soup

Using cream of mushroom soup in your pot roast recipe can add great flavor and moisture. This ingredient helps create a rich gravy that keeps the meat tender.

You’ll find that it works well with other flavors, like onion soup mix. This combination can really boost the taste of your dish.

It’s perfect for a simple, hearty meal. You only need a few ingredients to achieve a delicious, comforting pot roast that everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients

• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 3-4 pounds chuck roast
• 4 carrots, chopped
• 4 potatoes, quartered
• 1 cup water

Cooking Instructions

1. Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker.

2. Add carrots and potatoes around the roast.

3. Mix the cream of mushroom soup and onion soup mix with water.

4. Pour the mixture over the roast and vegetables.

5. Cook on low for 8 hours (about 120°C).