Easiest Ever Pot Roast Recipe in the Crock Pot - Fun Cheap or Free (2024)

Table of Contents

WHY WE LOVE A POT ROAST RECIPE HOW TO CHOOSE A ROAST WATCH THE SUPER QUICKVIDEO FOR HOW WE MAKE THE ROAST HOW TO USE LEFTOVER ROAST HOW TO FREEZE LEFTOVER POT ROAST SUPER EASY SLOW COOKER POT ROAST RECIPE Easy Pot Roast Recipe Ingredients Instructions Notes Submit a Comment FAQs References

This super easy crockpot roast recipe is so good, they'll think you worked on it allll day! It'll become your favorite go-to for a delicious home-cooked meal on a lazy Sunday.

Easiest Ever Pot Roast Recipe in the Crock Pot - Fun Cheap or Free (1)

We get requests for easy meals all the time here at Fun Cheap or Free. And while we're certainly NOT Rachael Ray, we do believe in the benefits of cooking for our families, even if it's not our favorite thing to do. This pot roast recipe checks all the marks—it's easy, good, and you don't have to spend hours preparing it! What more could you ask for?

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This delicious slow cooker pot roast recipe is our family's favorite and EASIEST Sunday dinner. Throw it all in the slow cooker for those lazy days—especially in the summer when none of us want to turn on our ovens! All you need for this easy pot roast recipe is a crockpot and a few simple ingredients.

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WHY WE LOVE A POT ROAST RECIPE

We have already mentioned how incredibly easy and quick this recipe is to put together, but it's also great for your budget! While the roast may cost a little bit up front, this recipe will yield multiple meals and can potentially last all week. Add leftovers to soups, stews, turn it into tacos or throw it on top of a salad. It's multi-purpose—sounds like a win in our book!

HOW TO CHOOSE A ROAST

The most important part of a pot roast recipe is, well, the ROAST! If you've ever looked at the roasts in the store, you probably know there are many kinds to choose from. There are shoulder roasts, rump roasts, eye rounds, topsides, brisket, and so many more!

The key to choosing the perfect cut of meat for your pot roast is to get the toughest piece you can find with the most marbling. The kind that would probably be inedible if you were to slice it up and toss it on the grill. Trust us, something absolutely magical happens when you cook a tough piece of meat low and slow. All that connective tissue that makes it tough will break down and melt away into a flavorful, mouthwatering, delicate roast. Mmmhhhmmm.

WATCH THE SUPER QUICKVIDEO FOR HOW WE MAKE THE ROAST

Pretty simple, right?!

HOW TO USE LEFTOVER ROAST

Easiest Ever Pot Roast Recipe in the Crock Pot - Fun Cheap or Free (2)

Pot roast is incredibly fresh out of the crockpot, but it's also incredible for round two, three and even four! Here are some of our favorite ways to reuse and repurpose leftover pot roast.

Vegetable Beef Stew – Again, use the veggies you have on hand!
Taco Tuesday – Brown some of the tender pot roast in a cast iron skillet until the fat starts to caramelize. Put it in a tortilla, toss on some diced onion and cilantro and you're ready for some of the tastiest tacos you've ever eaten!
Breakfast Omelettes – Chop of some of your leftover roast for a tasty omelette addition.
Mason Jar Salads – Top off your next round of mason jar salads with some leftover pot roast. It's even good cold!

There are SO MANY easy and tasty ways to repurpose leftover pot roast. These are just a few! It's so versatile, you really can't go wrong.

HOW TO FREEZE LEFTOVER POT ROAST

If you have more roast than you think you can eat in the week, don't hesitate to freeze that baby for later use! Divvy out into air tight freezer bags and tuck away into the safety of your freezer. (Check out our best tips for freezing leftovers here!) Be sure to label with the date and contents so you don't forget what you have. (Trust us, it happens...)

And there you have it… the easiest, most scrumptious pot roast recipe EVER! Literally toss it in, walk away and you'll have a dinner your whole family will beg for more of.

SUPER EASY SLOW COOKER POT ROAST RECIPE

And here's the crazy delicious and easy recipe! We don't use measurements for this one. Toss in as many carrots and potatoes as you want and you're good to go! That flexibility is exactly what makes this recipe a perfect shelf cooking recipe.

Have some celery you need to use before it goes bad? Toss it in the pot. Parsnips and peas are delicious in a pot roast, too. Make it your own by using what makes sense for you!

Easy Pot Roast Recipe

So delicious, yet so easy! Throw all the ingredients in your slow cooker and let it do all the work for you!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Ingredients

1 roast of your choice
Carrots
Potatoes, roughly cut
2 onions, cut in half
Onion soup mix
Water

Instructions

Add roast to the slow cooker then add all veggies and potatoes.
Mix the onion soup mix with 2 cups of water and pour on top of the roast.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until tender and delicious!

Notes

Build this recipe using what you have and what your family likes! Family loves potatoes? Only have a few carrots? Have some extra veggies you want to dice and throw in? It'll all taste delicious!

Leftovers? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze them! Store in a freezer bag and get as much air out as possible. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator when you're ready to eat.

Keyword easy, slow cooker

See? Super simple!We like to add a little extra water to the roast then take the leftover liquid and reduce it down (using a roux as a base) to make gravy. Flavor it with beef bouillon if there isn't enough flavor.

What is your favorite roast recipe? Let me know in the comments below!

Easiest Ever Pot Roast Recipe in the Crock Pot - Fun Cheap or Free (4)

Have you checked outShelfCooking.comyet? Our brand new site is dedicated to helping you cook delicious, homemade, down-home-cooked meals for your family without spending all your time in the kitchen!

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Easiest Ever Pot Roast Recipe in the Crock Pot - Fun Cheap or Free (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to brown a roast before putting it in the crock pot? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

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Should pot roast be covered in liquid in crock pot? ›

You don't actually need to add much water. The roast will release liquid as it cooks and in a crock pot, none of the liquid 'boils away' or evaporates. Use enough liquid (water, or whatever you like) to cover the bottom of the crockpot and that is probably plenty.

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Can you put a roast in a crock pot without browning it first? ›

This time, I didn't brown the roasts first. Instead, I seasoned the meats with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, laid them in the bottom of a slow cooker, sliced up a few onions, and added those along with a few smashed garlic cloves. I poured in a box of of beef stock and covered the pot with its lid.

Is it better to cook a roast in a crock pot on high or low? ›

The cooking time can vary depending on the desired degree of doneness, but it's best to slow cook it on low heat for a more tender and juicy roast. You can check the internal temperature of the meat with a meat thermometer, it should reach 145°F for medium rare, 160°F for medium, or 170°F for well done.

When should I add potatoes to pot roast? ›

Cover and cook for 3 hours, or until the roast is very tender. Add the carrots and potatoes to the pot when there's about an hour of cooking time left, turning the roast over when you do. To serve, spoon any excess fat off the surface and slice or shred the beef to serve with the veggies, drizzled with sauce.

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What to season your roast with? ›

A basic roast beef rub can include a combination of the following ingredients:

Salt.
Pepper (freshly cracked is best)
Garlic powder or minced garlic.
Onion powder.
Dried herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano.
Olive oil or melted butter for basting.

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Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in crockpot? ›

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

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Do you put vegetables on top or bottom of roast? ›

How to Arrange a Pot Roast in a Crock-Pot

Coat the Crock-Pot in a thin layer of cooking spray to keep the meat and vegetables from sticking. ...
Layer the root vegetables, such as potatoes, carrots and turnips, into the Crock-Pot first. ...
Place the meat atop the root vegetables in the center of the Crock-Pot.

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What can I add to my pot roast for flavor? ›

Use a red wine like a Pinot Noir or Cabernet to deglaze and retain all the flavor of the beef and bacon. A little tomato paste, generous amount carrots to sweeten, garlic, onions, thyme, and rosemary to add flavor the roast.

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Why do you put flour on a roast? ›

Liberally seasoning your meat is a must. Place your meat in a zip top bag with flour, salt and pepper and shake to coat. The flour will create a crust on the top of the meat when you sear it and thicken the juices for a nice gravy-like consistency.

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What does browning meat before crock pot do? ›

Brown Meat to Boost Flavor

If you have a few extra minutes when preparing anything in a slow cooker, try browning your meat before adding it to the cooker. It boosts the flavor and color of any dish, but can be skipped if you're in a hurry.

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Do potatoes go on top or bottom of roast? ›

I also try to make sure the potatoes are on the sides around the roast and top the roast with the carrots and onions. Pour the beef broth/seasoning mixture over the roast and veggies in the crockpot. Add the lid to the crockpot and cook on low for 8 hours or until the meat is fall apart tender!

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Why is my pot roast tough in the crock pot? ›

If your crock pot roast is tough, it is possible you didn't use a boneless chuck roast, in which cases some cuts of meat will never become fall-apart tender OR more likely, you did not cook your beef long enough. If your pot roast seems tough, cook on!

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Is 4 hours on high the same as 8 hours on low for a crock pot? ›

The difference between "High" and "Low" on slow cookers seems to differ with every brand and model. One thing that is consistent, though, is that food takes seven to eight hours to reach a simmer point (around 210°) on low; versus three to four hours on high.

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Is searing a roast necessary? ›

Searing meat is an essential step if you want to make the most flavorful roasts, steaks, chops, and more. When you sear meat, you caramelize the natural sugars in the meat and brown the proteins, forming a rich brown crust on the surface of the meat that amplifies the savory flavor of the finished dish.

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Why do you have to cook a brown pot roast before cooking? ›

"Creating that Maillard reaction, where you are caramelizing the proteins and natural sugars in your meat, is building flavor. That flavor will then slowly make its way into the braising liquid and create a depth of flavor you just can't achieve otherwise."

Does browning meat make a difference? ›

During cooking, beef undergoes many chemical changes, affecting its appearance, taste and texture. Browning or searing the lean outer surface of your beef produces the rich, deep meaty colours, flavours and aromas we love. This browning process is known as the Maillard reaction.