Tender, juicy beef, hearty vegetables, and rich homemade gravy come together in this comforting slow cooker pot roast. It’s an easy meal that requires just a little preparation before the slow cooker does most of the work.
🛒 Ingredients
For the Pot Roast
- 1.5 kg beef chuck roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 carrots, cut into large chunks
- 700 g baby potatoes, halved
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 500 ml beef broth
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tsp salt, or to taste
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 2 bay leaves
For the Gravy
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Beef
Pat the beef chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season all sides generously with salt and black pepper.
Step 2: Sear the Roast
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the seasoned beef in the hot skillet and sear for about 3–4 minutes per side, until nicely browned.
Transfer the browned roast to the slow cooker.
Step 3: Prepare the Vegetables
Arrange the sliced onion, carrots, and halved baby potatoes around the beef.
Add the minced garlic over the top.
Step 4: Make the Cooking Liquid
In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary.
Pour the mixture into the slow cooker around the roast.
Add the bay leaves.
Step 5: Slow Cook
Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
Cook on:
- LOW for 8–9 hours, or
- HIGH for 4–5 hours
The roast should become very tender and easy to pull apart with a fork.
Step 6: Make the Gravy
Once the beef and vegetables are cooked, carefully remove the roast and vegetables from the slow cooker.
Remove the bay leaves.
Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan, or leave it in the slow cooker if your model has a sauté/high-heat function.
In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water until completely smooth.
Whisk the mixture into the hot cooking liquid.
Cook for several minutes, stirring frequently, until the gravy thickens.
Step 7: Serve
Slice or shred the tender beef and arrange it on a large serving platter with the carrots, potatoes, and onions.
Pour the warm gravy generously over the beef and vegetables.
Serve immediately while hot.
🍽️ Helpful Tips
- Don’t skip searing: Browning the beef first adds a deeper, richer flavor.
- Keep the vegetables large: Large pieces are less likely to become overly soft during the long cooking time.
- Avoid lifting the lid too often: Every time the lid is removed, heat escapes and cooking takes longer.
- Check tenderness rather than relying only on time: The roast is ready when it is fork-tender.
- Let the beef rest: Allow it to rest for about 10–15 minutes before slicing for easier serving.
❤️ Final Result
You’ll end up with incredibly tender beef, soft carrots and potatoes, and a rich savory gravy that brings everything together. It’s the kind of comforting dinner that is perfect for a cozy family meal or a relaxed weekend dinner.
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