Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy is a classic comfort food that is full of hearty beef, tender vegetables, and a rich gravy.  It's a delicious meal that is perfect for cold winter nights or busy weeknights. And with the help of a slow cooker, it's now easier than ever to make this delicious dish.

Jump to:

• Pot roast recipe
• Ingredients you'll need
• Adaptable recipe – variations!
• Before you begin: essential tools
• Step by step: instructions
• Your questions answered: FAQs
• My notes
• Storage and reheating
• Make ahead
• Perfect pairings: what to serve with
• 📣 Related Recipes
• Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy

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Pot roast recipe

• With a slow cooker, you can just set it and forget it. There is no need to constantly monitor the pot roast as it cooks, giving you more time for other things.
• Cooking with low heat allows the beef to become incredibly tender and juicy, making every bite delicious.
• Pot roast leftovers are perfect for easy lunches because they reheat well. 

Whether you are looking for new ideas for your Sunday dinners or want to meal prep for the week, this pot roast recipe is a great option. 

Ingredients you'll need

Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.

📋 Ingredient Notes / Variations

• Roast - You will need a chuck roast for this recipe. Other cuts of beef, like brisket or rump roast, also work well.
• Seasonings - To make this easy pot roast recipe, you will need salt, black pepper, Italian seasoning, ground cinnamon, and bay leaves. 
• Oil - For this recipe, you can use your favorite type of oil. I like to use olive oil or vegetable oil for searing the beef. 
• Fresh onion - Sweet or yellow onion is best for cooking. 
• Fresh garlic cloves - Fresh garlic always gives the best flavor. However, if you don't have any on hand, you can also use garlic powder. 
• All-purpose flour -  This is used to thicken the sauce and give it a rich consistency. 
• Tomato paste - Tomato paste adds depth and rich tomato flavor to the sauce. 
• Lime -  You'll need a lime to add brightness and acidity to balance the flavors. 
• Red wine vinegar -  This ingredient adds a tangy, acidic flavor to the sauce. If you don't have red wine vinegar, you can also use white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar. 
• Sugar - Granulated sugar will help balance out the acid from the vinegar, lime juice, and tomato paste in this recipe. 
• Beef bouillon - I like to use bouillon instead of broth. However, you can leave the water out and use beef broth or even chicken broth if needed. 
• Celery -  This adds a subtle flavor to the sauce and helps to enhance the overall flavor of the dish. 
• Carrots - I like to use large carrots, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces. However, you can also use baby carrots or skip them altogether if you prefer. 
• Potatoes - Yukon gold potatoes are always great for slow cooking.  Baby red potatoes would also work in this recipe. 

Adaptable recipe – variations!

• Adjust the seasoning to your taste by adding spices like smoked paprika, cumin, fresh thyme, or rosemary.
• You could even add a little bit of chili flakes or cayenne pepper for heat.  
• Add other vegetables, such as mushrooms, sweet potatoes, or parsnips, for more variety.  
• For a richer sauce, stir in a splash of red wine, Worcestershire sauce, or your favorite cooking stock while deglazing the pan after searing the beef, and then pour that into your crock pot. 

Before you begin: essential tools

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• Large skillet or heavy-bottomed pot 
• Slow cooker

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Step by step: instructions

Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.

1. Pat dry the chuck roast with paper towels and season with salt and black pepper.
2. In a large Dutch oven, heat oil on medium-high heat until it starts to smoke, turn heat down to medium, and sear the meat on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until a brown crust forms.
3. Remove meat and place into the slow cooker.
4. Add onions and garlic in the pot, then saute for 2 minutes.
5. Stir in flour and tomato paste. Pour in lime juice and vinegar the deglaze the pan with a rubber spatula.
6. Add sugar, black pepper, Italian seasoning, cinnamon if using, bay leaves, and water, and bring the mixture to a boil.
7. Turn the heat off and carefully pour the contents of the Dutch oven over the beef in the slow cooker.
8. Arrange vegetables on top, cover, and cook on high for 6-7 hours or low for 9-10 hours.
9. Transfer meat to a cutting board and cover loosely with a tented aluminum foil. Let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
10. Discard bay leaves and remove vegetables with a slotted spoon to a serving platter. Add meat over and serve.

Your questions answered: FAQs

My notes

• The cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the type of slow cooker you have. So, you may need to adjust the time depending on your crock pot. Mine tends to cook hotter than some. 
• Searing the roast will add a lot of flavor to the meat, so while it is an extra step, I recommend that you don't skip it. 
• Don't worry about having exact measurements for the vegetables just use what you have on hand! However, I do recommend that you make sure they are cut into similar sizes so they cook evenly.
• For even more flavor, you can also caramelize the onions before you add them to the slow cooker. 

Storage and reheating

Refrigerate - Store leftover pot roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.  

Freeze - This dish can also be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.  However, I don't recommend that you freeze the potatoes as they don't thaw well.

Reheat - To reheat, place the leftovers in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through. You can also microwave it on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Make ahead

You can save time on a busy morning by prepping this ahead.  Sear the beef, and then add it to the slow cooker. Then, store the slow cooker in the fridge overnight. Add the vessel to the pot and turn it on before leaving for work in the morning. 

Perfect pairings: what to serve with

This hearty dish can be a meal all on its own. But, I like to serve it with a fresh vegetable side dish like these Mediterranean Roasted Vegetables or a green side dish like these Mediterranean Green Beans. And, you can't have comfort food without a bread side dish like these Fluffy Buttery Dinner Rolls. 

📣 Related Recipes

• Are you looking for another easy slow cooker recipe to make for dinner? If so, then you are going to want to give this Slow Cooker Beef Stew recipe a try next time. 
• This Moroccan Beef Tagine with Butternut Squash is one of my favorite slow cooker recipes to make when I am looking for something hearty and comforting yet also easy to make. 
• Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef is a great option for anyone who loves takeout but also wants to save money and make healthier meals at home. 

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