Favorite Pot Roast Recipe - Made In The Crock Pot (2024)

by Mary Neumann · 108 Comments

Today’s recipe is my favorite go-to for pot roast. I have been making this dinner for years. It makes the BEST chuck roast pot roast and it’s all done in the slow cooker. Read the RAVE REVIEWS!

FAVORITE POT ROAST RECIPE – MADE IN THE CROCK POT

This family favorite pot roast is super easy to throw together with only a few ingredients (chuck roast, cream of mushroom soup, onion soup, salt and pepper to taste). This roast recipe makes the tastiest gravy that’s full of flavor, perfect served over mashed potatoes – comfort food at its best! *You can make the soups from scratch*

Readrave reviewsfrom people who tried this recipe on Pinterest!

More Rave Reviews

Favorite Pot Roast Recipe - Made In The Crock Pot (1)

Favorite Pot Roast Recipe - Made In The Crock Pot (2)

WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE THE POT ROAST IN THE CROCK POT

Chuck roast, cream of mushroom soup, dry onion soup mix, water, salt and pepper to taste.

*Not a fanof canned soups and packaged dry onion soup mixes? I share links below to easy recipes to make your own homemade condensed cream of mushroom soup and dry onion soup mix.

Favorite Pot Roast Recipe - Made In The Crock Pot (3)

HOW TO MAKE POT ROAST IN THE CROCK POT

Lightly spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Place roast in crock pot and season with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings. In a medium size bowl, mix soups (can and dried) and water and pour mixture evenly over roast. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Each crock pot cooks differently so you may need to adjust cooking times.

*Be sure to read tips about browning the roast and adding red wine – both are optional but add extra layers of flavor and make this awesome pot roast recipe even better!

Favorite Pot Roast Recipe - Made In The Crock Pot (4)

I always serve my pot roast with caramelized onions– delicious! The gravy from theroastis wonderful over mashed potatoes.

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Favorite Pot Roast Recipe - Made In The Crock Pot (5)

FAN FAVORITE SLOW COOKER RECIPES (RAVE REVIEWS)

Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Tacos, Burritos or Bowls

Slow Cooker Smothered Fritos Taco Bowls

Easy Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Easy Slow Cooker Smothered Chicken

Please Note– This is NOT a sponsored post. I have no affiliation with any of products used in this recipe.

Favorite Pot Roast Recipe Made in the Crock Pot/Slow Cooker

  • 5 to 6 pound pot roast
  • 2(10.75 ounce)cans condensed cream of mushroom soup (or make homemade condensed cream of mushroom soup, using equivalent amount)
  • 1 packet onion soup mix (Lipton or store brand – 1 ounce packet (or make homemade dry onion soup mix)
  • 1 1/4 cups of water (water can be substituted with beef broth. You can also add a little red wine. My favorite is 1 cup water and 1/4 cup red wine)
  • salt & pepper to taste (or use your favorite go-to seasonings)



Directions

Lightly spray crock pot with non-stick cooking spray. Place roast in crock pot and season with salt and pepper or your favorite seasonings. In a medium size bowl, mix soups (can and dried) and water and pour mixture evenly over roast. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours. Each crock pot cooks differently so you may need to adjust cooking times. Serve with your favorite potatoes and veggies. The gravy from the roast is wonderful with mashed potatoes. Enjoy!


Tips
Browning the roast before placing in the crock pot adds wonderful flavor. Also, if you had red wine, I highly recommend replacing 1/4 of cup of water with wine – it’s wonderful!


For leftover roast beef sandwiches, try my Grandpa Kelly’s Famous Horseradish Cheese Spread recipe! Just 4 ingredients, simple to make, so good.

Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Carol

    Made this. It’s was the best crockpot beef roast ever

    Reply

  2. Crystal J.

    Made this tonight. This is definitely our new favorite roast recipe! Served over rice with a side of peas.

    Reply

  3. Meme

    Made this for dinner today. OMGosh it is so yummy. I’ve tried several recipes for roast beef in the crock pot and this is the best one by far. And, the gravy is so yummy. I used beef broth instead of water and I used a sirloin tip roast. The roast was fall apart tender. Thanks for the awesome recipe!

    Reply

  4. Doris

    This is the best pot roast I ever had thanks so much for sharing

    Reply

  5. linda

    I’m a little confused with the recipe ! when browning the roast do you add the wine and water?

    Reply

    • Mary Neumann

      Hi Linda – Yes, after you brown you add the water (and wine if you like). Browning adds an extra layer of flavor. You don’t have to use wine but I highly recommend if you have some. This recipe is great with and without wine and without browning – but browning and wine make this roast even better.

      Reply

      • Alexia

        Do you had the wine and water to the soups?

        Reply

  6. Stephanie Sewell

    My family loves pot roast. I have always cut the roast into strips, then slightly brown each piece on the stove top with plenty of butter and seasoning. Place in the slow cooker on high for 3 hours and then on low heat for abt an hour. Best served with sour cream and cheese mashed potatoes.

    Reply

    • Robert Titman

      There is only 2 people in my house so recipe for 2 to 3 lb roast

      Reply

  7. Summer C.

    I used a 3lb roast and added carrots, onions and potatoes. I doubled the soups and beef broth (in place of water) because my family likes a lot of gravy. I added gravy master to the soups to darken the gravy. I cooked it on high for for 5 hours. While the roast was cooked, it wasn’t falling apart so I turned it to low and cooked it for 2 more hours. Everything turned out great. Next time, because there will definitely be a next time, I will allow more time and I will make a cornstarch slurry and add it for the last 15 minutes or so.

  8. Jennifer

    Have you tried this in the instant pot?

    Reply

  9. Janet

    This was my Mom’s Sunday roast beef recipe. I’ve always made it myself and it turns out great. In the past few years I have started substituting brewed coffee for the water and it gives the gravy a darker color with even more savory flavor. This is a family favorite!

    Reply

    • Courtney

      Could you do this in the oven? If so what would you cook it on? And for how long?

      Reply

  10. Elaine Roberts

    Love your recipes.Thank you for taking the time to post.

    Reply

  11. Jessica

    Can you tell me how I would adjust the recipe if I only have a 3 pound roast? I cannot find one bigger then that at my grocery store.

    Reply

    • Jennifer

      Cut the recipe in half

      Reply

  12. Ann

    Thank you for sharing this recipe turn out wonderful super easy dull of flavor honestly my new way to make roast

    Reply

  13. Tanya

    I used cream of chicken instead since I didn’t have mushroom. I also used beef broth instead of water and added the red wine vinegar. I also added garlic. This was one of the most AMAZING crockpot recipes I have ever made! I made 7 adults and 5 kids all happy and those are hard odds to come by!! Thank you so much for this recipe!

    Reply

  14. Yeszenia

    Do you have a good gravy from the roast recipe to go with this?

    Reply

    • Mary Neumann

      Yeszenia – the roast makes it’s own gravy, so no need! The gravy is what makes the roast so good.

      Reply

  15. Erica

    This is so good! And my super picky husband likes it too. I use a bit of wine, as suggested.

    Reply

    • Mary Neumann

      Browning and adding red wine takes it to the next level. Thrilled you enjoyed this old school recipe, Erica!

      Reply

  16. Lexy

    This is the best pot roast! Delish! Thank you so much.

    Reply

  17. Donald

    Good recipe for the meat. But when do you put in the vegies for best tenderness.

    Reply

    • jenny

      i put 2 cans mushroom soup, 1 can cream of celery, and use beef broth for the liquid. I put potatoes, carrots, onion and mushrooms on the bottom of the crock pot, top with roast, then cook for 8-9 hours on low

      Reply

  18. Debbie

    I have a 2.6# roast how can I adapt your recipe & cook time for my roast?

    Reply

  19. Trina

    Made this recipe! It smells and tastes delicious. Very easy to make. Added carrots and potatoes in the last hour and everything came out great!

    Reply

  20. Amanda

    Can you put potatoes and carrots possibly fresh mushrooms in here also? Would you need to increase the liquid?

    Reply

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Favorite Pot Roast Recipe - Made In The Crock Pot (2024)

FAQs

How many hours should a roast cook in crock pot? ›

Pat the roast dry and rub with seasoning, then with flour. Sear in a skillet for 2-3 minutes per side. Combine gravy ingredients and add them to the Crock Pot along with the roast, potatoes, and carrots. Cook on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6.

Should pot roast be covered in liquid in crock pot? ›

Some recipes call for liquid, some do not. It mainly comes down to the type of meat you use. Cuts like chuck roast will release more fat and moisture than leaner cuts, so they don't need any water. In addition, the slow cooker itself creates some moisture, which helps keep the meat juicy.

What is the most tender roast for crock pot? ›

Chuck roast is one of the more popular slow-cooker options because of how tender and flavorful it becomes after several hours of cooking on low.

How do you keep a roast moist in a crock pot? ›

Make sure you have enough liquid to add to the slow cooker. Depending on the recipe you are making this could be - water, broth, beer, stock or a combination of a few. Liquid helps keep the roast moist. When finished, the extra liquid can be discarded or can be used to make a sauce by thickening it or reducing it.

Is it better to cook a roast on high or low in a crock pot? ›

PRO TIP: It's better to cook pot roast on the low setting rather than the high setting when it comes to pot roast. Your meat will be tender and delicious every time.

Why is my roast still tough after 8 hours in the crock pot? ›

If your crock pot roast is tough, it is possible you didn't use a boneless chuck roast, in which cases some cuts of meat will never become fall-apart tender OR more likely, you did not cook your beef long enough. If your pot roast seems tough, cook on!

Do potatoes go on top or bottom of meat in crockpot? ›

Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top. Set the heat level: A general rule of thumb is that cooking on the low setting (170 degrees F for most models) takes about twice as long as cooking on high (280 degrees F on most models).

Do you put vegetables on top or bottom of pot roast? ›

Place the meat atop the root vegetables in the center of the Crock-Pot. Shake it back and forth lightly to nestle it into the top layer of root vegetables. Sprinkle the meat with seasonings.

When should I add my potatoes to crock pot roast? ›

Therefore, I am a firm believer in tying the meat (I use boneless chuck roast) and searing it before braising it. You can go to the Epicurious website to view a video tutorial on how to tie a roast. The potatoes and carrots should only be added during the last 45 minutes of cooking so they don't overcook.

Do you have to brown a roast before putting it in the crock pot? ›

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't 100 percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Why is my roast still tough after 6 hours? ›

Notv enough liquid or meat that is too lean. Cooking it at too high a temperature can also cause a tough roast.

Which beef roast falls apart when cooked? ›

A perfectly cooked beef joint makes a wonderful centrepiece for a Sunday roast or Christmas dinner. To cook it until it's so tender it falls apart, you'll need to choose a joint like chuck and blade or beef brisket and either braise, slow roast or slow cook it for at least a couple of hours.

Should I flip my roast in crock pot? ›

For a stronger flavor, add garlic salt and/or onion salt. The amount of broth needed to cover half the roast will depend on size. To ensure even cooking, flip the roast once, preferably halfway through the cooking time. We err on the side of a LOW temp for a longer period of time to create tender, juicy servings.

Why did my crock pot roast come out tough? ›

Why is my pot roast still tough? It's because you haven't let the collagen break down. Extend the cook time, make sure there's enough liquid and keep an eye on the dish.

What is the best meat for pot roast? ›

The best meat for pot roast is a beef cut with abundant connective tissue, like chuck roast, beef brisket or bottom round roast. This connective tissue called collagen is what makes pot roast melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Is 4 hours long enough for pot roast? ›

Place the roast back into the pot and add enough beef stock to cover the meat halfway. Add in the onions and the carrots, along with the fresh herbs. Put the lid on, then roast for 3 hours for a 3-pound roast. For a 4 to 5-pound roast, plan on 4 hours.

Is 10 hours too long to cook a roast in a crock pot? ›

As a general guideline, you can cook a roast in a Crock-Pot for: - 8-10 hours on the LOW setting. - 4-6 hours on the HIGH setting.

Why is my pot roast not tender after 4 hours in crock pot? ›

There are several reasons why this could have happened even after so much cooking. First, your choice of a rump roast could be a factor since cuts from the hind quarter are very muscular and, since muscles are the most resistant to breaking, this cut is quite stubborn when it comes to becoming tender.

Is 10 hours too long to slow cook a roast? ›

Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 10 to 12 hours or until the beef and vegetables are tender. Skim the fat from the rendered juices. Add the juices to a pot, add the butter and mix well until combined. Remove from heat once it has reduced a little and has a good texture.

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