• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
A Mind "Full" Mom
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
    • Main Courses
      • Beef Recipes
      • Chicken & Turkey
      • Pasta
      • Pork
      • Seafood
      • Soup, Stew, and Chili
      • Vegetarian
    • Breakfast
    • Breads and Muffins
    • Desserts
    • Kid-Friendly
    • Salads
    • Side Dishes
    • Slow Cooker
    • Snacks
    • Pantry Staples
    • Allergy Friendly Recipes
      • Plant-Based
      • Gluten-Free
      • Dairy-Free
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Instant Pot
  • 30-Minute Meals
  • All Recipes
  • Meet Kristen
  • Subscribe
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Real Food » Slow Cooker Recipes

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    August 30, 2021 | By Kristen Chidsey | 91 Comments | *This post may include amazon links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Pin
    Share
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    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!

    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!

    Shredded pot roast in white dish over potatoes and carrots next to crock pot.

    The Best Pot Roast Recipe

    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 Chicken Pot Pie, Pork Roast, or this Pot Roast.

    He was famous for his pot roast and with good reason. It is 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 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, flavorful pot roast. It is everything you want in comfort food.

    Notes on Ingredients

    Ingredients for slow cooker pot roast on counter.
    • 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 regfirgerated deli section at the grocery store. You do not want to use horesradish 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 gernously 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.
    Pot Roast in cast iron skillet, browned.
    • 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.
    Pot roast in slow cooker with carrots and potatoes.
    • 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 onto a cutting board. Tent with foil and let the meat rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing up and seving with a side of the potatoes and carrots.
    Cooked pot roast in the slow cooker.

    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 slow cooker to a platter and tent 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 tablespoon 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

    Is it necessary to sear the chuck roast before slow cooking?

    You can skip searing your pot roast, but I highly recommend taking the extra few minutes to sear your meat. This step seals in the juices of the roast and will help deepen the flavor of the overall dish.

    Does the horseradish make this dish spicy?

    No. The horseradish is not overpowering, nor is it considered spicy to sensitive palates.

    Are the potatoes and carrots necessary?

    No! I love preparing the potatoes and carrots along with the roast because it makes this an easy one-pot meal and the carrots and potatoes soak up the rendering from the meat, but feel free to omit one or both and serve the pot roast with homemade mashed potatoes.

    Is the horseradish necessary?

    The horseradish is the secret to success and flavor for this pot roast recipe, so don't SKIP on that. I know most people prefer dry onion soup mix, but I am telling you that horseradish will blow you away.

    More Slow Cooker Favorites

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

    Need more inspiration for planning meals that your family will love? Sign up for my FREE Meal Plans and each week you will get a meal plan with a shopping list.

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

    Close up of slow cooker pot roast on white platter with potatoes and carrots.

    Slow Cooker Pot Roast

    An easy recipe for a tender, juicy crockpot pot roast dinner made with just 5 key ingredients.
    4.65 from 42 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 10 hours
    Total Time: 10 hours 5 minutes
    Servings: 8
    Calories: 417kcal
    Author: Kristen Chidsey

    Ingredients

    • ½ tablespoon oil for searing meat
    • 2 to 4 teaspoons salt divided
    • 2 teaspoons pepper divided
    • 2-4 pound chuck roast
    • 3 pounds russet or yukon gold potatoes scrubbed and quartered
    • 2 pounds carrots peeled and quartered
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder or 1 sliced onion
    • 2 teaspoons minced garlic optional
    • ½ cup prepared horseradish (not horseradish sauce!!)
    • 4 to 5 cups beef stock

    For Gravy

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 2 tablespoons flour
    • 2 cups cooking liquid
    Prevents your screen from going dark while preparing the recipe.

    Instructions

    Crock Pot Pot Roast

    • Heat a heavy bottom skillet or dutch oven, over medium-high heat. Season meat liberally with 1 to 2 teaspoons of salt and ½ to 1 teaspoon pepper, just enough to coat the meat.
    • Once skillet is hot, add in oil into skillet. Sear roast on each side until browned--about 2-3 minutes per side, or once the meat easily pulls away from the pan.
    • Layer potatoes and carrots in the slow cooker. Top with garlic and onion powder (or sliced onion), if using. Sprinkle vegetables with 1 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Lay the roast in the middle of the vegetables, nestling into the vegetables. Spread the horseradish evenly over the roast. Pour 4 cups beef broth around the meat (not over it, as that would wash away the horseradish). Add in additional stock if needed to be sure the chuck roast is submerged ¾th of the way with the broth.
    • Cook on low 10-12 hours or high 5-6 hours.

    Pot Roast Gravy (optional)

    • After the pot roast has cooked, remove from slow cooker and let rest on cutting board, tented with foil to keep warm. Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon and cover with foil to keep warm as well. Strain the cooking liquid to use for gravy.
    • Heat 2 tablespoons butter in small saucepan. Whisk in 2 tablespoon flour, and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in 1 to 2 cups of strained liquid, whisking well. Season with salt and pepper and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.

    Equipment Needed

    • 6-8 quart Slow Cooker

    Notes

    Horseradish: Use Prepared horseradish which is is just pre-gated fresh horseradish you find in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. The only ingredients should be horseradish, salt, and possibly vinegar. 
    Beef: The best cut of meat to use for a pot roast is a chuck roast. The more marbling of fat, the more tender the meat will be. 
    Searing: Searing the meat is optional, but this step is key to sealing the juices in the pot roast. 
    Liquid: Feel free to use ½ cup beer or dry red wine along with the beef stock in this recipe for additional flavor. 
    Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator 4-5 days. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 417kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 78mg | Sodium: 1061mg | Potassium: 1714mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 18959IU | Vitamin C: 20mg | Calcium: 99mg | Iron: 5mg
    Liked this Recipe? Tag me Today!Snap a picture and tag #amindfullmom on Instagram - I would love to see!

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

    Pin
    Share
    « Homemade Granola
    Instant Pot Baked Beans »

    Categorized Under: Allergy Friendly Recipes, Beef Recipes, Dairy-Free Recipes, Gluten Free, Kid Friendly, Main Courses, Real Food, Slow Cooker Recipes

    About Kristen Chidsey

    Hi, I am Kristen, creator of A Mind "Full" Mom. I believe that making a wholesome family meal does not need to be hard or expensive! I love nothing more than to share with you delicious solutions for your hungry family.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cat W

      October 05, 2022 at 8:12 pm

      Thx for posting. I have to go get the horseradish to try this. Im posting cause Im so happy to find someone who recommends cooking 10-12 hrs. All other recipes say 8-10 and my roasts are still tough in that time range. I could never figure out what I was doing wrong. Thx again and cannot wait to try.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 06, 2022 at 7:20 am

        I hope you enjoy Cat!

        Reply
    2. Erica

      January 31, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      Hi, I am making this right now. It smells delicious! When the roast is finally done cooking do I mix the remaining horseradish into the liquids, or do I leave it as a sort of sauce on top of the meat? Thanks.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 31, 2022 at 1:59 pm

        Hi Erica! It is up to you! I always mix into the sauce, but my grandpa always left it on top when he served it. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Allyssa

      September 09, 2021 at 6:02 am

      5 stars
      Really helpful! Thanks a lot for this delicious and really easy to make recipe! Highly recommended!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 09, 2021 at 6:24 am

        I am so happy to hear you enjoyed Allyssa! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    4. Betsy

      September 08, 2021 at 11:35 pm

      5 stars
      Delicious! Love coming home to a meal all cooked and ready to go! And pot roast is one of my favorite meals. The potatoes...the carrots.. all cooked together in a mix of savory seasonings and drippings and juice from the meat...I could eat this just about any day. Great recipe. Perfect weeknight dinner!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 09, 2021 at 6:26 am

        It is pretty awesome coming home to dinner! Thanks for sharing your review, Betsy!

        Reply
    5. Lily

      September 08, 2021 at 8:52 pm

      5 stars
      This pot roast was so hearty and delicious, the perfect family dinner for fall, I will definitely be making it again!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 09, 2021 at 6:25 am

        I love hearing that you plan to enjoy again! Thanks for sharing Lily!

        Reply
    6. Rusty S.

      September 04, 2021 at 10:45 am

      5 stars
      So happy I found this recipe! It is my go-to pot roast and there are never leftovers!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        September 04, 2021 at 11:22 am

        I LOVE hearing that Rusty! Thanks for sharing!

        Reply
    7. Jana

      October 08, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      This looks delicious. I don't know how soon you will get this, but is it possible to use dried ground horseradish? We have it ground, but I'm not finding it fresh in our local store.

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        October 08, 2020 at 1:18 pm

        Hi Jana! I have not used dried horseradish myself, but I would suspect you need less, as dried is much more pungent. If I were you, I would mix 2 teaspoons dried horseradish into the beef stock for cooking.

        Reply
    8. regs

      January 23, 2020 at 11:02 pm

      My compliments to the chef, you did great!

      Reply
      • Kristen Chidsey

        January 24, 2020 at 7:16 am

        I am so glad you enjoyed Regs!

        Reply
    « Older Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet a Mind "Full" Mom

    A Picture of A Mind"Full"Mom

    Hi! I'm Kristen. I want to welcome you into my kitchen and my REAL, imperfect life. Let me share with you tips and tricks to help you make healthy eating a reality for your family in the chaos of life and on the constraints of a budget. Read more

    5

    SECRETS

    TO CUT FOOD COST

    Bag of fresh groceries.





    Instant Pot Favorites

    • Instant Pot Yogurt
    • Instant Pot Hard Boiled Eggs
    • Instant Pot Pot Roast
    • Instant Pot Whole Chicken
    • Instant Pot Cold Start Yogurt
    • Instant Pot Beans
    • Instant Pot Chicken Breast (Fresh or Frozen)
    • How to Use Your Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker

    Reader Favorites

    • Chili Seasoning Recipe
    • Easy Baked Salmon
    • Instant Pot Chicken Wings
    • Easy Homemade Latte Recipe
    • Creamy and Cheesy Chicken and Rice
    • The Best Stuffed Shells
    • The Best Baked Meatballs
    • Air Fryer Potatoes

    Footer

    Featured on:

    Websites AMind"Full"Mom has been featured on

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work with me

    DISCLAIMER: THE SITE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE AND IS FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE OR TREATMENT. AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I GENUINELY LOVE ARE OFTEN INCORPORATED IN MY POSTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

    Copyright © 2020 · A MIND "FULL" MOM