Description
This Crock Pot Roast recipe features a tender, flavorful chuck roast seasoned with a blend of spices, seared to develop a rich crust, and slow-cooked with baby potatoes and carrots. The hearty meal is finished with a savory, homemade gravy thickened with cornstarch and enriched with butter and optional browning sauce. Perfect for an effortless, comforting dinner with minimal hands-on time.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 3–4 lb. Chuck Roast
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Gravy
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 beef bouillon cube or 1 teaspoon better than bouillon
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce (can substitute Worcestershire sauce)
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons cold water
- 2–3 drops Kitchen Bouquet browning and seasoning sauce (optional)
- 1 tablespoon cold unsalted butter
Sides
- 2 ¼ lbs. baby potatoes (halved or cut into thirds if large)
- 2 lbs. whole carrots (peeled and cut into halves or thirds)
Instructions
- Prepare and Season the Roast: Pat the chuck roast completely dry. Combine the brown sugar, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, paprika, and black pepper. Massage this seasoning mixture evenly onto all sides of the roast. Sprinkle the flour over the roast and rub it in to coat thoroughly.
- Sear the Roast: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat until shiny and hot. Add the seasoned roast to the pan and sear each side for 2-3 minutes until a brown crust forms. Adjust the heat as needed to avoid burning. Remove the roast from heat and set aside.
- Prepare Gravy Base and Transfer to Crock Pot: Whisk together chicken broth, beef broth, beef bouillon cube (or better than bouillon), onion powder, garlic powder, and soy sauce. Pour some of this mixture into the skillet used for searing, scraping the bottom and sides with a silicone spatula to deglaze and collect browned bits for extra flavor. Transfer all the gravy mixture to the slow cooker.
- Add Roast and Vegetables to Crock Pot: Place the seared roast into the slow cooker with the gravy. If needed, pour any juices from the roast’s resting plate into the slow cooker as well. Prepare potatoes by cutting them in halves or thirds if large; otherwise, leave smaller potatoes whole. Peel and cut carrots into halves or thirds, slicing very thick carrots lengthwise if needed. Arrange potatoes evenly around the roast and top with carrots. Secure the lid on the slow cooker.
- Cook the Roast and Vegetables: Cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours. Avoid opening the lid during cooking to maintain heat and pressure.
- Remove and Tent: Once cooked, carefully remove the carrots, potatoes, and roast from the slow cooker and place them on a serving platter. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
- Prepare the Gravy: Using oven mitts, transfer the cooking juices from the crock pot into a saucepan (or place the slow cooker base on the stovetop if safe). Bring the liquid to a boil. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth. Gradually add this slurry to the boiling gravy while whisking continuously. Reduce heat to low and simmer until thickened. Add 2-3 drops of Kitchen Bouquet browning and seasoning sauce if a darker gravy color is desired. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of cold unsalted butter just before serving to enrich the gravy.
- Season and Serve: Season the cooked carrots and potatoes with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the roast with vegetables and ladle the warm gravy over the top.
Notes
- You can use other cuts of beef suitable for slow cooking such as brisket or rump roast as alternatives to chuck roast.
- Adjust potato sizes by cutting to ensure even cooking; small baby potatoes can be left whole.
- Kitchen Bouquet browning sauce is optional but enhances gravy color and flavor.
- Do not open the slow cooker lid during cooking to prevent heat loss and prolong cooking time.
- For a richer gravy, use butter right before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5-6 hours (high) or 8-10 hours (low)
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: crock pot roast, slow cooker beef, pot roast recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, slow cooked roast, hearty meal
