Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy (Printer-friendly)
Hearty one-pot meal with tender beef, savory gravy, and slow-cooked vegetables. Ideal for family dinners and meal prep.
# What You Need:
→ Beef
01 - 3 pounds chuck roast, trimmed
→ Vegetables
02 - 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
03 - 3 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
04 - 2 celery stalks, cut into 1-inch pieces
05 - 1 large yellow onion, cut into wedges
06 - 4 garlic cloves, minced
→ Gravy and Seasonings
07 - 2 cups beef broth
08 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
09 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
10 - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
11 - 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
14 - 2 bay leaves
→ Thickening Agent
15 - 3 tablespoons cornstarch
16 - 3 tablespoons cold water
→ Optional Garnish
17 - Chopped fresh parsley
# How to Make It:
01 - Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels and season all over with salt and pepper.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil. Sear the roast on all sides until browned, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker.
03 - Scatter the carrots, potatoes, celery, onion, and garlic around and under the roast in the slow cooker.
04 - In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour over the roast and vegetables.
05 - Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and vegetables are soft.
06 - Remove the roast and vegetables to a platter. Discard bay leaves.
07 - Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan. Skim excess fat if desired. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch with cold water until smooth. Bring the cooking liquid to a simmer over medium heat, then whisk in the slurry. Cook until thickened, 3-5 minutes.
08 - Slice or shred the roast. Serve with vegetables and gravy ladled over the top. Garnish with chopped parsley if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The hands-off cooking method means you can start this in the morning and come home to a complete meal that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen.
- Every bite delivers that perfect balance of savory beef, velvety gravy, and vegetables that have soaked up all the incredible flavors.
02 -
- Skipping the initial searing step saves time but sacrifices a significant layer of flavor, so find those extra ten minutes if you possibly can.
- The gravy will continue thickening as it cools, so stop cooking it a touch before it reaches your desired consistency.
03 -
- If your gravy ever develops lumps, a quick blitz with an immersion blender will smooth things out without anyone being the wiser.
- For those busy mornings when browning the meat feels impossible, toss the seasoned roast under the broiler for 5 minutes per side before transferring to the slow cooker.