Beef Pot Roast
Tender, slow-cooked, flavorful beef pot roast with golden potatoes and savory carrots. How to make the most flavorful, moist, and tender pot roast at home.
Growing up, every single Sunday after church, we ate beef pot roast, mashed potatoes, and homemade rolls. It was the classic Sunday meal and to this day...when I think of comfort food, this is my all-time go-to meal.
A tender, slow-cooked beef pot roast is one of the best meals on the planet, in my humble opinion. The fact that you can throw it all in a slow cooker and it is beyond easy is just an added perk. But after testing out all sorts of methods for cooking a beef pot roast, I am sharing the ultimate way to cook it for your roast to come out super tender and flavorful.
My husband's favorite way to eat beef pot roast is with creamy Yukon gold potatoes and carrots cooked with the roast. The potatoes and carrots soak in the juices from the meat and become so flavorful. He comes back for seconds every single time.
The key to making the best beef pot roast is to cook it low and slow. This is not to be rushed. My appliance of choice to cook a tender pot roast is definitely the slow cooker aka the crockpot. I like to cook it on low for about 8 hours. Before adding it to the crockpot, I suggest sprinkling both sides of the roast with salt and pepper and then searing the beef in a hot skillet.
What is a Beef Pot Roast?
According to the Kitchn, "Beef Pot roast isn’t really a specific recipe or cut of meat — it’s more of a method." It is about taking a beef roast, browning it in a skillet, and covering it with stock and spices, and cooking it at a very low temperature. It is usually cooked in a slow cooker, also known as a crockpot until tender.
What type of beef roast should you buy?
I will usually reach for a BONELESS CHUCK ROAST. You can also use a ROUND ROAST -- which may be called a rump roast or bottom round roast. All of these are good options as they are tougher cuts of meat but the collagen fibers break down as they slowly cook and become tender.
What types of liquid should you cook your beef pot roast in?
We are slow cooking or braising the beef pot roast in a liquid. I prefer to use a beef broth as it is infusing more flavor into the beef. You may also use half beef broth and wine. If you don't have beef broth on hand, you may use water but make sure to add more spices to compensate.
What types of vegetables to cook with Beef Pot Roast?
I always reach for small Yukon gold potatoes, carrots cut into larger pieces, onions, and garlic. You don't want the carrots to turn mushy so make sure to cut them into larger pieces. I found that baby carrots become too mushy. Also, if you use onions, I suggest finely dicing them or cutting them into large pieces and then removing them after cooking the roast and before serving.
How long to cook a beef pot roast?
The key when cooking a tough cut of meat is to cook it low and slow. I will set my slow cooker at the low setting and cook for 8 hours until it can be easily shredded with two forks. Many recipes will say you can cook it on high for 5 hours but it just won't be as tender.
Perfect Beef Pot Roast
Ingredients
- 1 Tablespoon Oil
- 3 to 5 lb. Beef Roast * (chuck, round, etc)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Pepper
- 2 medium Onions (finely diced)
- 6 Carrots (cut into large pieces)
- 1 lb. Yukon Gold Potatoes (bite-size pieces)
- 6 Garlic Cloves (minced)
- (1) 14-ounce can Beef Broth
- ½ teaspoon Thyme
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar (optional)
- Salt + Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Sprinkle beef roast with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil. Place beef roast in skillet and cook for 4-5 minutes per side.
- Place roast in a slow cooker. Cover with onions, carrots, yukon gold potatoes, and garlic. Pour beef broth over roast. Sprinkle with thyme and brown sugar.
- Cook on LOW setting for 8 hours. Remove lid and remove the roast from the slow cooker and place on a platter. Take two forks and shred the roast, removing any fat from the roast. Taste the carrots and potatoes and add more salt and pepper, if needed.
- When ready to serve, ladle some of the beef broth onto the beef roast to keep it moist and flavorful. May garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if so desired.
Notes
- I suggest a BONELESS CHUCK ROAST. You can also use a ROUND ROAST -- which may be called a rump roast or bottom round roast.
Sena G
I made this Beef Pot Roast for dinner tonight.
A few comments:
I used baby carrots and they did not get mushy.
It took longer for all the ingredients to be soft than what was in the recipe.
I had to add extra salt because I used low sodium beef broth.
Overall it is a great roast and I will make it again.
My cat loves pot roast and he loved his little sample also.
Carol Anne
This is the very best method for cooking a tough cut of beef that I have ever tried.Sometimes the last thing you want to face in the morning is vegetables to peel, but the time freed up in the afternoon when it comes close to meal time, is wonderful!
Made this pot roast yesterday and used some beautiful turnip as well as potatoes and carrot.Those vegetables just are so flavouful and still stay together after all that cooking time.My husband really enjoyed this and he is not a big vegetable eater.And he is fussy.
If a person is looking for a great way to use those tough cuts of beef on sale this is it! And keep a roast or two in freezer to use for days where something like this would come in so handy.
Ellie
My fav crockpot meal! So tender and flavorful.
Dean
One of my go to Sunday dishes! Throw it all in the crockpot go about your day and come back later to enjoy an incredible meal! It does start with a great cut of meat, your recipe and the rest is history. Thanks for tips to make me look like I know what I am doing in the kitchen! 🙂
Keri
Can you make this in an instant pot?
Resa
I made this in the IP just used another recipe to guide myself and followed the structure of seasoning and steps from this recipe. Came out amazing!
Jaime Myers
Have you tried this in an instant pot?
Susan S
This pot roast is amazing! So tender. And the cookies were gone in a day with two twenty - somethings here in the weekend. Thanks so much for the recipes. Every one of them is a winner!
Merrie
. Thrilled to see a new recipe from you. Thank you
Pamela
How can I make this in my oven? Love your recipes!
Angela
Bake a 2-3 lb Chuck roast 6 hours at 350 in a covered Dutch oven. Use same directions as posted regarding veggies and broth.
Peggy
I am so bummed out! For some reason I am unable to save your recipes to Pinterest. Any reason that you might know? I love all your dishes.
Roy
It was so good my kids ate it all. I’m looking for more recipes soon Thanks Roy
Donna
This looks AMAZING, I make pot roast all the time. Like you, it has been so hot this summer that I never turned on my oven at all except to clean it out. I can't wait, until it's nice enough weather to make this delicious roast.
Thank you so much for the recipe.