Save A classic comforting dish featuring tender beef pot roast slow-cooked with vegetables and rich gravy served alongside creamy mashed potatoes.
I remember making this slow cooker pot roast for the first time on a chilly weekend and the whole kitchen was filled with comforting aromas. It has since become our go-to meal when we want something cozy yet simple to prepare for a crowd.
Ingredients
- Beef chuck roast: 3 lbs (1.4 kg)
- Kosher salt: 1 tbsp
- Black pepper: 1 tsp
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Large onion: Sliced
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced
- Carrots: 4 large, peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
- Celery stalks: 3, cut into 2 inch pieces
- Beef broth: 2 cups (480 ml), gluten-free if needed
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp, gluten-free if needed
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp
- Dried rosemary: 1 tsp
- Bay leaves: 2
- Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes: 2 lbs (900 g), peeled and cut into chunks
- Unsalted butter: 4 tbsp
- Whole milk: ½ cup (120 ml) plus more as needed
- Salt: 1 tsp (plus more to taste)
- Black pepper: ½ tsp (plus more to taste)
- Optional garnish: Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prep the Roast:
- Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear Meat:
- In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned (about 3–4 minutes per side). Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add Veggies:
- Add onion garlic carrots and celery around the roast in the slow cooker.
- Mix Broth:
- In a bowl whisk together beef broth tomato paste Worcestershire sauce thyme rosemary and bay leaves. Pour over the roast and vegetables.
- Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beef is fork tender.
- Mashed Potatoes:
- About 40 minutes before serving place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very tender (15–20 minutes). Drain well and return potatoes to the pot. Add butter and milk mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more milk if needed for desired consistency.
- Rest & Slice:
- Remove the roast from the slow cooker and let rest for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Shred or slice the beef.
- Serve:
- Serve pot roast and vegetables over a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle with pan juices and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Save Sundays at our house often mean pot roast simmering in the slow cooker while the kids help mash the potatoes. It brings everyone around the table for seconds and stories.
Required Tools
Slow cooker (6 quart or larger) large skillet chef's knife cutting board large pot potato masher or ricer measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (butter milk). Worcestershire sauce may contain anchovies (fish). Gluten free if using gluten free broth and Worcestershire. Always verify ingredient labels.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 520 Total Fat: 23 g Carbohydrates: 36 g Protein: 44 g per serving
Save This classic pot roast with mashed potatoes makes leftovers just as delicious the next day. Enjoy every hearty bite with your favorite salad or roasted veggies.
Cooking Guide
- → What cut of beef is best for slow cooking?
Beef chuck roast is ideal due to its marbled fat, which breaks down during slow cooking, resulting in tender, flavorful meat.
- → How long should the pot roast cook in a slow cooker?
Cooking on low heat for about 8 hours ensures the beef becomes fork-tender and fully infused with the flavors of the broth and herbs.
- → Can I thicken the gravy from the cooking liquid?
Yes, remove some cooking liquid and whisk it with cornstarch before stirring back in and cooking on high for 10 minutes to thicken naturally.
- → What potatoes are best for creamy mashed potatoes?
Yukon Gold potatoes yield a creamy, buttery texture, but Russet potatoes also mash well for a fluffy finish.
- → Can I add red wine to enhance the flavor?
Substituting half a cup of beef broth with red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon adds depth and richness to the slow-cooked beef.
- → How should I season the mashed potatoes?
Buttering and whisking in whole milk, then seasoning with salt and pepper, creates smooth and flavorful mashed potatoes.