Crockpot Chuck Roast Recipe

There is nothing more comforting than a big pot roast with hearty vegetables. This is the easiest, 5 minute prep Crockpot Chuck Roast recipe. Slow cooked and the meat literally falls apart and melts in your mouth and requires minimal effort!

This recipe was originally published in May 2020 and updated in October 2023.

When it comes to the ultimate comfort food, pot roast is the coziest and most nostalgic meal I make. Slow cooked, melt in your mouth beef is what it’s all about in this Crockpot Chuck Roast recipe that the whole family loves. Is this the best Sunday dinner or what?

This roast is paired with tender veggies, potatoes, onions and seasoned just right. But the best part is that it literally only takes about 5 minutes to prepare. And we all have that time, right?

Another chuck roast we love is this Slow Cooker Shredded Beef if you are looking for more easy beef options! Some Short Rib Ragú is great as well!

Why You Will Love This Crock Pot Chuck Roast Recipe:

• It takes 5 minutes to prepare. Cooking is not everyone’s favorite past time. Sometimes we just don’t have the time. That’s ok! This slow cooker pot roast is the key to easy dinner at it’s best. You only have to chop one veggie and everything else is a matter of adding to the pot. Can’t beat it!
• It’s a full meal in one pot. Beef, veggies and potatoes. All in one dish. That is what we love. Sure you can add some fresh bread or a big salad to the mix, but overall, you can feed the family an entire meal from this recipe!
• Even delicious as leftovers. If stored in juices, this roast is still amazing the following day or so. You can reheat it in the crockpot if desired. You get two for one when you do it that way.
• Freezer friendly! I love freezing the leftover meat in this recipe. Later on I can pull it out for sandwiches, tacos, or just another simple meal as it began.

What Makes this Pot Roast So Simple?

1. Only one veggie to chop. I went with baby carrots and petite potatoes to lessen any other veggie cutting time. Simple ingredients, simple prep–that makes for the best meal!
2. No need to brown the meat. While a lot of slow cooker recipes say to brown the meat prior to cooking, I eliminate this step in my recipe and still come out with the perfect pot roast that is tender and juicy.
3. Literally toss everything in the slow cooker and walk away. This is a toss and go recipe. Place it all in the slow cooker and then you have nothing else to do until serving time–aside from enjoying the aroma in the house!

Recipe Ingredients:

• chuck roast: I always have the best luck with a chuck roast. It is ideal for slow cooking and when heated low and slow, the meat becomes so tender and juicy! If you cannot find a chuck roast, a top round or bottom round roast can work in this recipe.
• potatoes: petite potatoes require no cutting in this crockpot chuck roast. Since this recipe is made to be as easy as possible, it’s ideal to use smaller potatoes. I typically use white petite potatoes, but red potatoes will work great as well.
• carrots: to avoid extra chopping, thick baby carrots are best. You can cut full sized carrots into chunks if preferred. Make sure you don’t use petite baby carrots as they will cook to fast and then become mushy.
• onion: the only ingredients that you will need to chop! A sweet yellow onion is ideal in this recipe.
• broth: I prefer a no salt added or reduced sodium beef broth in this recipe. Perhaps you could even use a homemade beef broth and really go all out?! That takes a lot more planning and time that I don’t have. Beef stock will work as well in this crockpot roast.
• garlic: freshly minced is ideal. To save time, use the jarred minced garlic if available. You can use garlic powder if needed. Start with a teaspoon and then season with more if preferred before serving.
• seasoning: keeping this super simple. Salt, pepper and thyme is all that you need. Make sure to season the beef well with salt for the most tender beef. You can adjust as needed though. I typically use dried thyme and then add a few sprigs of fresh thyme as well in this pot roast.
• optional: a splash of red wine is also delicious in this recipe if desired. I also sometimes like to add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce to the mix to vary the flavor slightly.

Step By Step Instructions:

1. To make this simple slow cooker pot roast recipes, start by tossing all of the carrots, onions, and potatoes into the bottom of the slow cooker pot. Toss to combine. You can throw some salt, pepper and garlic over these if desired, but not necessary.
2. Place the beef chuck roast on top of the veggies.
3. Pour the broth over top of the meat. Cover completely with the sea salt, pepper, thyme and garlic. Toss a few fresh sprigs of thyme if desired.
4. Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours or until meat begins to fall apart easily is fork tender and veggies are soft. If the meat is not tender, after 8 hours, it just means it is not done yet! I don’t recommend cooking on high, but if you need to, 4-6 hours should work. 
5. Once the meat is done, Allow it to break apart into chunks–you likely will not need a knife but can use one if desired. Make a corn starch slurry if you like the juices to be a thicker sauce. Transfer to a serving platter and rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Store leftovers.

Other Crock Pot and Dinner Recipes:

• Simple Beef Pasta Skillet
• Slow Cooker Carnitas
• Crock Pot Shredded Beef
• Easy Baked Pasta
• Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowls
• Parmesan Crusted Steak Sheet Pan Dinner

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