Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Pot Roast is made with only 5 key ingredients and minimal prep work, yet is one of the most flavorful, comforting recipes for pot roast you will ever enjoy!

Want to speed up the process? Check out my recipe for Instant Pot Pot Roast.

Crockpot Pot Roast is one of those meals that brings me back to my childhood. I have memories of sitting around my grandparent's table enjoying one of my Papa's signature dishes, like his Chicken Pot Pie, Pork Roast, Old Fashioned Baked Beans, and his amazing Pot Roast.

He was famous for his pot roast and with good reason. Made in the crockpot, with only a few ingredients, this pot roast could not be easier to make, as the slow cooker does the work for you. But what makes this recipe stand out above the rest is the flavor.

My Papa's secret ingredient to making the best pot roast was adding prepared horseradish. The horseradish adds a subtle flavor to the roast, but it also helps to tenderize the meat. This addition results in the most tender, juicy, and flavorful pot roast. It is everything you want in comfort food.

Notes on Ingredients

• Chuck Roast: The best cut of meat for a pot roast is a chuck roast, as it is marbled with fat. That fat will break down as the pot roast cooks, rendering out the flavor, and becoming so tender it is able to fall apart with a fork.
• Beef Broth: This recipe calls for a lot of broth, which helps prevent the roast from drying out. Just be sure to use low-sodium beef broth or beef stock to control the level of sodium.
• Potatoes: Use baby potatoes or larger potatoes, like russet, Yukon Gold, or red potatoes, that have been cut into 3-inch chunks.
• Carrots: Use peeled carrots quartered, cut into 2-3 inch chunks, or whole baby carrots.
• Prepared Horseradish: Use prepared horseradish, which is found in the refrigerated deli section at the grocery store. You do not want to use horseradish sauce.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pot Roast

• Add oil to a heavy bottom skillet or dutch oven, and heat over medium-high heat
• Season the roast on all sides generously with salt and pepper.
• Once the oil is heated, place the roast in the pan and sear the roast for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until each side is browned. You will know the meat is ready to flip when it comes away easily from the skillet. If the meat starts to tear, it needs another minute or two.

• While the meat is searing, add the carrots and potatoes to the slow cooker.
• Place the seared chuck roast on top of the vegetables.
• Spread the prepared horseradish over the top of the roast.

• Pour beef stock around the meat, adding more stock if needed to ensure the beef stock reaches ¾ of the way up the pot roast.
• Cook on low for 10 to 12 hours, or on high for 5-6 hours. If you need to speed the process up, use my Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe.
• Once the cooking process is complete, remove the roast from the crock pot and place it onto a cutting board. Tent with foil and let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing it up and serving with a side of potatoes and carrots.

Gravy for Pot Roast

The beauty of this recipe for pot roast is that it is so tender and juicy it does not need gravy. However, if you love serving gravy with your pot roast, you can use the cooking liquid to make a rich gravy quickly.

• After the pot roast and vegetables have cooked, remove them from the slow cooker to a platter and tent them with foil to keep them warm.
• Using a fine-mesh strainer, strain off the cooking liquid to remove any solids and set aside to use for the gravy.
• In a small saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium-high heat.
• Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour, and cook for 1 minute, to remove the raw flour taste.
• Slowly whisk in 1 to 2 cups of strained liquid, whisking well.
• Season with salt and pepper and cook until thickened.

Pot Roast FAQs

More Slow Cooker Family-Favorite Recipes

• Slow Cooker BBQ Drumsticks
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili
• Slow Cooker Chili
• Slow Cooker Carnitas
• Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken

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And don't forget, if you enjoyed this recipe for my Papa's Crockpot Pot Roast, I would love for you to leave a comment and review below!

This post was originally published in 2014 but was updated in 2021 with new photos and tips.