Crockpot Chuck Roast with Vegetables

4.95 from 72 votes

Crockpot Chuck Roast with Vegetables

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!

Prep Time10

Cook Time8

Total Time8 10

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings:

Author: Lorie Yarro

Ingredients

3-4 lb chuck roast not recommended to use another cut
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ lb petite potatoes
1 lb baby carrots
1 yellow onion, sliced
1 c beef broth
1 ½ tsp thyme (I often use Italian seasoning lately instead)
½ tsp pepper
½-¾ tsp sea salt (more or less to taste)
2 T corn starch (optional)
2 T water (optional)
other optional ingredients: 1 T Worcestershire, 1/3 cup red wine, or 2 T balsamic vinegar we like to pick one of these each time

Instructions

Slice onions and rinse vegetables. Add carrots, potatoes and onion into the bottom of slow cooker. Toss to mix.
Place the chuck roast on top of the vegetables. Pour broth on top. Season meat with garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme. (Add any wine, balsamic or Worcestershire at this time if desired)
Turn the slow cooker to low heat and cook for about 8-10 hours or until meat falls apart easily and the carrots and potatoes are soft. ( I do not recommend cooking on high) **cook time can still vary or take longer sometimes, cook until it falls apart! You can wait to add the carrots and potatoes until about 2 hours in if you want them a bit firmer.
When meat is ready, you can stir to allow the meat to fall apart into chunks. Transfer to a serving dish or serve straight from the slow cooker. For a thicker gravy like consistency, whisk together water and corn starch about 30 minutes before serving. Add it into the crock pot and stir to combine.

Notes

Chuck roast is the ideal cut for this recipe and will turn out the most tender. If selecting another cut, stay away from a piece that looks too lean, fat and marbling will help release more juices and keep everything moist! If your meat is lean, add an extra 1/2 to 1 cup broth as desired.

You can thicken the juices easily if desired. We have always preferred the juices from the roast and pour it over as we serve. If you want to thicken it up a bit, make a cornstarch slurry by adding about 1-2 tablespoons of corn starch into the juice at the bottom about 20-30 minutes before serving.

The meat is ready when it easily falls apart when twisting with a fork. Please do NOT freak out if you come back to your pot roast and find the meat is really tough. This just means it is not done yet. I know we often worry about overcooking meat, but a pot roast needs to cook fully to become tender, melt in your mouth cooked.

Searing is an optional step if you would like! You can brown the pot roast on each side prior to tossing into the slow cooker if you prefer. I never do and love the results still.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerating: To store leftovers, transfer to a shallow dish so that the chuck roast can easily be stored in the juices. You can store the carrots and potatoes separately if desired, but it is not necessary. Store airtight for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven, microwave or put back in the crockpot if desired.

Freezing: To freeze, allow the crockpot chuck roast to cool completely, I usually do this in the refrigerator. Again, make sure to store in some of the juices for best results. Place in a freezer safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. I don't recommend freezing the potatoes and carrots as they can be a bit mushy when thawed, but if you don't mind, then go ahead and freeze!

Nutrition