Easy Slow Cooker Pot Roast
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The best, classic, easy slow cooker pot roast recipe, made with simple ingredients like cream of mushroom soup, onion soup mix, chuck, potatoes and carrots.
This moist roaste only requires 5 minutes of prep time. You just dump everything in a crockpot and let everything cook for a few hours. The meat simply melts in your mouth and this roast is so tender that it easily falls apart. My favorite part is that you don’t need to make a separate gravy. The cream of mushroom soup and juices of the roast combine together to create a delicious gravy.
I am finally adding this classic slow cooker pot roast recipe to my growing collection of roast recipes, which my family and friends love, which include my Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast, Easy Pot Roast Recipe (Stovetop and Oven), and One Pot Italian Pot Roast.
Table of contents
Key ingredients
- Chuck roast- Make sure to trim the fat.
- Soup mix- I like dry onion soup mix the best.
- Spices and seasonings- Use salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
- Garlic– Be sure it is well minced.
- Onion– Pairs well with the overall flavor profile.
- Cream of mushroom soup- Adds creaminess and flavor.
- Carrots– I like to slice them into circles.
- Potatoes– Best if cut into 2 inch cubes.
Variations
- Use different soup mix- Onion is probably one of the most popular versions of pot roast. Some people have modified it to their tastes by using different soup mixes for a unique flavor profile. You can also make your own homemade soup mixes for this recipe.
- Add red wine- If you want to add wine, use only 1 can cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup red wine.
- Mix in other vegetables- Such as celery, tomatoes, asparagus, or peppers. Or if you are not fond of vegetables, you can omit them entirely.
- Make it into a sandwich- Like this Loose Meat Sandwich (Tavern Sandwich).
- Try a chicken version- Now, this would completely change this recipe, but still be delicious.
How to cook a pot roast in a slow cooker?
- Place the roast– In the slow cooker.
- Mix in- Dry onion soup mix, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, garlic, onion, and cream of mushroom soup.
- Add in- The potatoes and carrots.
- Cover and cook– Until meat is fully cooked and tender.
What to serve with slow cooker roast beef?
Enjoy it with my One Pot Creamy Mashed Potatoes, because you will end up with an amazing gravy that develops from the cream of mushroom soup and juices of the roast mixing together. You can also pair it with a side of Oven Roasted Vegetables (One Pot).
Tips and techniques
- For an enhanced flavor– Heat oil in a nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the chuck roast and season one side with salt and pepper. Sear it until golden brown. Then, flip it over and season the other side with salt and pepper. Sear it. Sear and brown the sides of the roast too. Then, place it in the slow cooker and follow the rest of the steps, as explained below in the recipe card.
- Use low sodium cream of mushroom soup– So as to prevent the roast from becoming too salty.
- Adjust the amount of seasonings– Based on your preference.
- Use 2 forks to shred to meat– This is the most simple and easy way.
- Don’t add additional liquid- Because this recipe does not require it and you will end up with a dish that is too watery.
- Cream of mushroom substitute- I really don’t think there is a very good substitute for cream of mushroom soup but some people have tried cream of celery soup and said it wasn’t bad.
- Prevent mushy vegetables- Then add them halfway through cooking so they will have the perfect texture.
- Other cuts of beef can be used– But I think boneless chuck is best.
- If sauce is too thick- This likely won’t be the case, but you can always stir in more broth.
- If sauce is too thin- Use a turkey baster to remove all the liquid into a saucepan and cook of medium heat to reduce it further. You can also add cornstarch or flour to thicken it.
Recipe FAQs
It’s highly recommended and my mom does it because it enhances the flavor of the roast.
No, don’t do it because that will make the gravy very thin. The only liquid you are adding in this recipe is cream of mushroom soup.
For a 2.5 lb. roast, it takes 6 to 8 hours on low. I used a bigger roast that was about 4 pounds and cooked on low for 8 hours. You can also make this simple slow cooker pot roast on high for 5 hours but it’s not going to be as tender, as when it’s cooked low and slow.
Storage
- Make ahead–
- Refrigerate– Place in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freeze– Allow to cool completely, then store in a sealed container for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge overnight, reheat, and serve.
- Reheat– Warm in the microwave or over a stovetop.
More one pot beef recipes
- Instant Pot Shredded Beef
- Instant Pot Italian Beef
- Instant Pot Ginger Beef
- Instant Pot Mongolian Beef
- Instant Pot Beef Curry (Indian)
Best Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe
Ingredients
- 4-5 pound Chuck roast, Trimmed of excess fat
- 1 packet Dry onion soup mix
- Salt, To taste
- Pepper, To taste
- 1.5 tsp Paprika
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1.5 tbsp Garlic, Finely minced
- 1/2 cup Onion, Finely chopped
- 2 cans Cream of mushroom soup, Low sodium
- 3-4 Carrots, Medium size, Cut into circles, Optional
- 2-3 Potatoes, Large, Cut into 2 inch cubes, Optional
Instructions
- Place the roast in a slow cooker.
- Sprinkle dry onion soup mix, salt, pepper, paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic.
- Add onions.
- Pour cream of mushroom soup and mix everything until roast is fully coated.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Add the carrots and potatoes (if you are using them) at 4 hours to prevent them from becoming too soft and “mushy.” You can add them in the beginning too when you added everything else but I am not fond of the “soft and mushy” vegetable texture.
- Use 2 forks to shred the beef and enjoy!
Notes
- Read all my tips above.
- Leftovers can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- If you are short on time, this can be cooked on high for 4-5 hours but it’s not as tender as when you cook it on low for 8-10 hours.
Always my idea of a perfect Sunday dinner!
Oh my, this looks SO warm, hearty and incredibly delicious!! The perfect dinner!!
Slow Cooker meals are always a good idea! This Pot Roast looks incredible!
This pot roast looks really amazing! I’d love to give this a try!
I like the simple list of ingredients. That’s what I love. This is so delicious and it makes my mouth watering. Thank you!
Can I use pork for this recipe?
I haven’t tried it. The seasonings would all work very well on pork too but I am not sure about the cooking time. If you try it out, I would love to hear how it goes.
Hi! Do you recommend the wine add in or two cans of mushroom soup? Whats the difference in flavor and gravy thickness? Newbie cook here!
Cream of mushroom soup makes a thicker gravy compared to just using wine. If you really want to add some red wine for flavor, reduce some of the quantity of the mushroom soup and replace that with red wine. I don’t recommend just using wine and omitting the mushroom soup completely.
Best pot roast we have ever had!!! Will never make it any other way now. Loved, loved this recipe and the yummy gravy that it makes.
This has been my go-to roast recipe for years. It’s so amazing! It’s my husbands and kiddo’s favorite dinner!
Can I use a frozen Chuck roast?
Also, if I’m using a 1 pound roast, how do I adjust the ingredient amounts?
Thanks
I have not used a frozen roast to know what would happen. I have made the recipe many times but only in the manner stated above.
This is a wonderful recipe!! With mine, I add fresh garlic, cr. of mushroom, cream of celery (soups), chopped onion, celery, carrots, and beef bouillon.
It is a hit every time I cook it. I have always cooked slowly, covered tightly with foil, in oven. I love your recipe showing how to get the same results in a crock pot!! Thank you and happy cooking!!