Slow Cooker Pot Roast

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This comforting beef pot roast is slow-cooked to tender perfection with aromatic vegetables and herbs. Seared chuck roast simmers for hours in a rich broth seasoned with thyme, rosemary, and Worcestershire sauce, imparting deep flavor. Served atop creamy mashed Yukon Gold potatoes whipped smooth with butter and milk, this dish brings together a satisfying blend of textures and tastes. Ideal for a cozy dinner, the beef easily shreds or slices, complemented by savory pan juices and an optional fresh parsley garnish.

Updated on Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:18:00 GMT
Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast with mashed potatoes, offering a hearty, home-cooked American meal. Pin
Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast with mashed potatoes, offering a hearty, home-cooked American meal. | crumbkiss.com

A classic, comforting dish featuring tender beef pot roast slow-cooked with vegetables and rich gravy, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes.

I still remember the first time I made this pot roast for my family. The savory aroma filled the house all day, and everyone gathered eagerly around the table for a comforting meal.

Ingredients

  • Beef chuck roast: 3 lbs (1.4 kg), well-marbled for tenderness
  • Kosher salt: 1 tbsp, for seasoning
  • Black pepper: 1 tsp, freshly ground
  • Olive oil: 2 tbsp, for searing
  • Onion: 1 large, 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 for potatoes
  • Black pepper: ½ tsp for potatoes
  • Chopped fresh parsley (optional): For garnish

Instructions

Prepare beef:
Pat beef chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt and pepper.
Sear roast:
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear roast on all sides until browned (about 3–4 minutes per side). Transfer to slow cooker.
Layer vegetables:
Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery around roast in slow cooker.
Mix gravy:
In a bowl, whisk beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour over roast and vegetables.
Cook pot roast:
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until beef is fork-tender.
Make mashed potatoes:
Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer until very tender (15–20 minutes). Drain, return potatoes to pot. Add butter and milk; mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Add more milk for desired consistency.
Finish roast:
Remove roast from slow cooker, let rest 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Shred or slice beef.
Serve:
Arrange pot roast and vegetables over mashed potatoes. Drizzle with pan juices and garnish with parsley if desired.
Fork-tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast with vibrant vegetables, swimming in rich gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes. Pin
Fork-tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast with vibrant vegetables, swimming in rich gravy, and creamy mashed potatoes. | crumbkiss.com

Every Sunday, my family requests this meal. It's a tradition we cherish, bringing us together for a dinner that's always satisfying and cozy.

Required Tools

Slow cooker (6-quart or larger), large skillet, chef's knife and cutting board, large pot, potato masher or ricer, measuring cups and spoons.

Allergen Information

Contains dairy (butter, milk). Worcestershire sauce may contain fish (anchovies). Gluten-free if using gluten-free beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Always verify ingredient labels.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories: 520, Total Fat: 23 g, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 44 g.

A close-up view of the savory Slow Cooker Pot Roast, beautifully plated with fluffy mashed potatoes and fresh parsley. Pin
A close-up view of the savory Slow Cooker Pot Roast, beautifully plated with fluffy mashed potatoes and fresh parsley. | crumbkiss.com

This pot roast brings classic comfort to any table. Serve with a bold red wine and enjoy all the cozy flavors.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Hearty slow-cooked beef with vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting main dish.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
480 min
Complete duration
500 min


Complexity Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Dietary guidelines No gluten

Components

Pot Roast

01 3 lbs beef chuck roast
02 1 tbsp kosher salt
03 1 tsp black pepper
04 2 tbsp olive oil
05 1 large onion, sliced
06 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
08 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
09 2 cups gluten-free beef broth
10 2 tbsp tomato paste
11 1 tbsp gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
12 1 tsp dried thyme
13 1 tsp dried rosemary
14 2 bay leaves

Mashed Potatoes

01 2 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 ½ cup whole milk
04 1 tsp salt
05 ½ tsp black pepper

Optional Garnish

01 Chopped fresh parsley

Method

Phase 01

Season the Roast: Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season all sides evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.

Phase 02

Sear the Roast: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker.

Phase 03

Add Vegetables: Arrange sliced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery around the browned roast in the slow cooker.

Phase 04

Prepare and Add Broth Mixture: Whisk together gluten-free beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour this mixture over the roast and vegetables.

Phase 05

Slow Cook the Roast: Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours until the beef is tender enough to shred with a fork.

Phase 06

Cook the Potatoes: Approximately 40 minutes before serving, place potato chunks in a large pot, cover with cold water, add 1 tsp salt, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain thoroughly.

Phase 07

Mash the Potatoes: Return drained potatoes to the pot, add unsalted butter and whole milk, then mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and black pepper to taste, adding additional milk as needed for desired consistency.

Phase 08

Rest and Serve: Remove roast from slow cooker and let rest for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves, then shred or slice the beef. Serve the pot roast and vegetables atop the mashed potatoes, drizzle with pan juices, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Necessary tools

  • Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
  • Large skillet
  • Chef's knife and cutting board
  • Large pot
  • Potato masher or ricer
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consult healthcare providers if you're uncertain.
  • Contains dairy (butter and milk).
  • Worcestershire sauce may contain anchovies (fish).
  • Gluten-free only if gluten-free beef broth and Worcestershire sauce are used.
  • Always verify ingredient labels for other allergens.

Nutritional breakdown (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 520
  • Fat: 23 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Protein: 44 g