5-Star Reader Comment
This is a great recipe. The meat comes out juicy and tender. It’s easy, but tastes like you spent a lot of time prepping and cooking it.
Daisy
Why Pot Roast Will Always Be a Favorite in My House
Grab your crock pot because I’m showing you exactly how to make a melt-in-your-mouth roast with rich, savory gravy.
When I think of comfort food, this Crock Pot Beef Roast is one of the first recipes I think of. It’s the kind of meal I turn to on busy days or Sunday supper when I still want something hearty and homemade on the table. The slow cooker does all the work, and by suppertime, I’ve got tender roast beef with rich gravy that my family always looks forward to. It’s one of those recipes that just feels like home.
Enjoy!
Donya’s #1 Tip For Easy Slow Cooker Beef Roast
Don’t overdo the broth. A slow cooker holds in moisture, so the roast and onions will release juices as they cook.
Best Cut Of Beef For Pot Roast
For the most tender and flavorful pot roast, I recommend using a beef chuck roast. It’s well-marbled and becomes wonderfully tender after hours in the crock pot. Brisket is another good option with rich flavor, while rump roast is a bit leaner but still works well. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly cut, bottom round roast can work too, but it may need a little extra time to get tender.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Beef chuck roast – My go-to cut for pot roast. It’s well-marbled and turns incredibly tender after slow cooking.
- Onion – I usually grab a sweet Vidalia, but red or yellow onions work just as well and add great flavor.
- Beef broth – This keeps the roast juicy and provides a rich base for gravy.
- Seasonings – A simple mix of kosher salt, cracked black pepper, garlic salt (or fresh garlic), and thyme. Fresh or dried herbs both bring that cozy, home-cooked flavor.
Change It Up: Variations and Flavor Add-Ins
You can easily tweak the flavor of your pot roast with these ideas:
- Add 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce and a packet of onion soup mix for extra richness.
- Toss in Yukon gold potatoes and carrots for a full one-pot meal.
- Substitute red wine for part of the beef broth.
- Sprinkle in rosemary, oregano, or Italian seasoning for a different twist.
Step-By-Step: How to Make Crock Pot Pot Roast
- Prep the roast – Pat the beef dry with paper towels.
- Layer the crock pot – Slice the onion and place it in the bottom of a 6- or 8-quart crock pot. Place the roast on top and sprinkle on the seasonings. Pour the beef broth around the roast.
- Cook – Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 hours, until the beef is tender.
- Rest & serve – Remove the roast, let it rest for 15 minutes, then serve with the drippings or homemade gravy.
Crock Pot Beef Roast Cook Time: Low vs. High
For the best Crock Pot Beef Roast, I recommend cooking it on LOW for 8 hours. That low-and-slow method helps the beef roast turn tender and juicy while building rich flavor in the broth. If you’re short on time, you can cook the roast on HIGH for about 6 hours, but LOW is my preferred method for the most tender slow cooker pot roast. You’ll know it’s done when the beef is easy to pull apart with a fork.
How To Make Gravy From Pot Roast Drippings
- Skim off any excess fat and pour the drippings into a sauté pan.
- Heat over medium-low and reduce the liquid by about one-third.
- If needed, whisk in a slurry (thickening agent) made with 2 tablespoons of flour and ¼ cup of cold water. Simmer and whisk until thickened.
- Taste and adjust with salt and pepper before serving.
Craving More? Try These Crock Pot Recipes
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 2-3 lb beef roast
- 1 large onion sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- ½ teaspoon thyme
Instructions
- Take the roast out of the packaging and pat dry with paper towels.
- Cut onion into thick slices and place in the bottom of the slow cooker. Place roast on top of onions.
- Season with salt, pepper, garlic, and thyme. Pour beef broth around the sides of the roast.
- Put the lid on the crock pot and, cook on high for 6 hours or 8 hours on low.
- Remove the roast from the slow cooker, and let it rest for 15 minutes. Place on a serving platter and spoon over drippings or gravy, then serve.
To Make Gravy
- Skim off the fat and pour the dripping into a saute pan. Heat pan to medium-low and reduce liquid by ⅓. If needed, thicken the gravy with a slurry made with two tablespoons of flour and ¼ cup of cold water. Whisk the slurry into the drippings and bring it up to a simmer to thicken. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper.
Video
Nutrition
What To Do With Leftover Slow Cooker Beef Roast
Don’t let those leftovers go to waste! They’re a lifesaver for busy weeknights.
- Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Portion into freezer-safe bags or containers and store up to 3 months.
- Reinvent meals: Use shredded beef in sandwiches, salads, tacos, and sliders.
Frequently Asked Questions With Answers
No, you can add the beef straight to the crock pot. While searing adds flavor, this recipe turns out tender and delicious without it.
It is not recommended to use frozen meat in the slow cooker. Thaw the beef in the fridge before cooking it in the crock pot to ensure it is evenly cooked and prevent food safety risks.
If the beef is not tender, it has most likely not been cooked long enough. If possible, cook the roast on low for the full time.
What to Serve With Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy
- For easy weeknight dinners, I like to keep things simple with Air Fryer Baked Potatoes, Fried Corn, and a comforting Broccoli Casserole.
- If I’m serving it for Sunday Supper, I’ll round out the meal with Southern Candied Yams, a fresh Tomato Cucumber Salad, Skillet Green Beans, and warm Parmesan Garlic Rolls. No matter how you serve it, these sides make pot roast feel extra special.
If you tried this Slow Cooker Beef Roast Recipe or any other recipe, please leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks!
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Made this for dinner last night and it was a huge hit! I love a crock pot meal, and the glaze was the perfect addition! So flavorful, and so easy!
Thank you, Stephanie! I am thrilled you enjoyed the recipe and so glad you are cooking with me.
~Donya
This is a great recipe. The meat comes out juicy and tender. It’s easy, but tastes like you spent a lot of time prepping and cooking it
Thank you so much, Daisy!
~Donya
Extremely comfortable cooking in the kitchen; rarely do I refer to recipes, until it’s a giant beautiful cut of red meat 😁 I found myself drawn to your recipe bcz I already knew how I wanted to make it but I really needed a bit of guidance on the best appropriate method in arranging ingredients inside crockpot…& your’s got straight to it which I value immensely ☺️ I’m positive you are talented in the beauty/flavors of cooking. I’ve got my meat atop the layers of multi onions drizzled w/ touch of 🫒 oil 👏 I’m excited simple seasonings were noted (they’re favs & I rarely keep it simple & savory) so thank u. I do wonder if I should add the fresh rosemary in sprigs or pulled leaves?! Anyways, this recipe is 🔥
Thank you so much, Alexia! I appreciate your kind words.
~Donya
This was the easiest and most delicious pot roast recipie ever! My whole family loved it. The only thing I did different was sear the roast before putting it in the crock pot. Definitely my go to recipie now.
Wonderful! Thanks.
~Donya
I made this last night in the crock pot and it was delicious! I believe it benefitted from being a quality piece of meat from a 1/4 cow we purchased from a local purveyor.
I seasoned the night before and put all the sliced onions over it before refrigerating, assuming the flavors would penetrate the meat a little more. I lightly steamed some carrots and celery and added to them to the crock pot 2 hours before the 8-hour low-temp time frame was up. Used about half of the broth with corn starch for gravy, over the meat and mashed potatoes. Fed 6 people and the plates were cleaned of every delicious bite! Will make again when we get more beef.
Thank u so Much gonna try to make it tonight I added some red wine to it also and garlic for the cooking
This was super easy and was nice and tender! I added some small potatoes and carrots to the crock pot too for a full meal.
Very delicious. Good for a leftover.
Thanks, Karen!
I found the onions were too greasy to eat. I poured the stock into a defatter and made gravy adding a cornstarch slurry to thicken. Next time, I’ll add vegetables on top of the meat – carrots, celery, onion and small whole potatoes so it is a complete meal. Onions gave the broth a great flavor.
That could happen depending on the amount of fat in the roast. Sounds like you did a great job making the recipe your own! Way to go, Judy.
~Donya
Great recipe that is easy to make