Tillie Doyle
Slow cooker pot roast is a hearty, flavorful, and convenient meal that can be prepared in advance and left to cook while you're at work. It's an ideal method for cooking less expensive cuts of meat, such as chuck roast, and making them tender and tasty. While low-heat cooking is recommended for the most tender results, it is possible to cook pot roast on high in a slow cooker for a shorter period. However, cooking on high heat for too long or at the wrong temperature can result in a tough roast.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cooking time on high | 4-7 hours |
| Cooking time on low | 8-10 hours |
| Ingredients | Chuck roast, rump roast, bottom round roast, olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, parsley, potatoes, carrots, cornstarch, flour |
| Benefits of slow cooking | Makes less expensive portions of meat more tender and tasty, convenient for busy days |
| Best cuts of meat for slow cooking | Leaner cuts of beef, such as chuck roast or rump roast |
| Seasoning | Salt, pepper, garlic powder, thyme, rosemary, parsley |
| Gravy | Can be made using cornstarch, flour, and the juices from the slow cooker |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cooking time: 4-5 hours on high, 8-10 hours on low
Yes, you can cook pot roast on high in a slow cooker. This method of cooking is ideal for less expensive cuts of meat, as the slow cooker will make the meat more tender and tasty. Leaner cuts of beef are best for the slow cooker, as the long, slow cooking method helps the connective tissue and fat break down slowly.
To cook a pot roast in a slow cooker, you should first sear the meat in a skillet to add flavour and colour. To do this, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Dab the roast dry with paper towels, season with salt and pepper, and sear in the pot until browned on both sides, which should take around 4-5 minutes per side. You can then transfer the roast to the slow cooker.
Next, add aromatics to the pot. Add half a tablespoon of olive oil to the pot, along with sliced onions and garlic. Saute the onions for 2 minutes, and the garlic for 30 seconds. Pour this mixture over the roast in the slow cooker. Return the pot to the heat and pour in beef broth, along with Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, and then pour this mixture over the roast in the slow cooker.
Layer potatoes and carrots over the onion layer in the slow cooker, and pour beef broth over the top. Season with salt and pepper, cover the slow cooker, and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours. You can also cook the pot roast on high heat for 4-5 hours.
Once the pot roast is cooked, remove the roast and vegetables from the slow cooker. Shred the roast, discarding any fat, and cut the potatoes if desired. You can then make gravy using the juices from the slow cooker.
Steaming Veggies: No Steamer, No Problem!
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Prep: Sear meat first for flavour and colour
Searing the meat before cooking it in the slow cooker is a great way to add flavour and colour to your pot roast. This step is not necessary, but it is worth doing, especially if you are in a rush.
To sear the meat, first, pat it dry with a paper towel. Then, heat some olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering or shiny, add the roast and sear for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until browned. If you are short on time, you can sear the meat for 2-3 minutes on each side.
After searing, transfer the roast to the slow cooker. You can also sauté some sliced onions in the same pan and add them to the slow cooker, although this is optional.
Searing the meat adds a nice crust to the roast, enhancing the flavour and colour of the dish. It is a simple step that can elevate your pot roast and make it even more delicious.
Traveling with Pan Watercolors: Airplane Essentials
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Prep: Make spice rub and cut vegetables the night before
To save time on the day of cooking, you can prepare your pot roast in advance by making a spice rub and cutting your vegetables the night before.
First, make a spice rub by combining salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can also add dried onion and beef bouillon to the mix for extra flavour. Rub the mixture onto all sides of the roast and store it in the fridge overnight.
Next, prepare your vegetables. Peel and cut carrots, potatoes, onions, and celery to your desired size. You can also add mushrooms if you like. Store the cut vegetables in an airtight container in the fridge until you're ready to cook.
By preparing the spice rub and cutting the vegetables in advance, you'll save time and effort on the day of cooking. This is especially helpful if you're short on time in the morning or want to get a head start on your meal prep.
Best Oils for Baking Pans: A Comprehensive Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![High Heat [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61gaWwqHfpL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Ingredients: Beef broth, onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots
Yes, you can cook a pot roast on high in a slow cooker. This will take 5-7 hours, depending on the size of your roast and the model of your slow cooker.
Ingredients
- Beef broth
- Onions
- Garlic
- Potatoes
- Carrots
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Cornstarch (optional)
- Meat of your choice (e.g. chuck roast, rump roast, or bottom round roast)
Method
- Add olive oil to a skillet and heat to high. Place your meat in the skillet and brown on both sides (around 3-4 minutes per side). This step is optional but will add flavour.
- Place your onions in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the meat on top of the onions.
- Sprinkle salt, pepper, thyme, and minced garlic over the meat, rubbing it into the top and sides.
- Add the potatoes and carrots around the outside of the meat.
- Pour the beef broth over the vegetables.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on high for 5-7 hours, or until the meat and vegetables are tender.
- Remove the meat and vegetables from the slow cooker.
- Shred the meat and cut the potatoes, if desired.
- If you'd like to thicken the broth into a gravy, whisk cornstarch with beef broth and pour the mixture into the broth.
Enjoy your homemade pot roast!
Greasing Glass Meatloaf Pans: To Grease or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Meat: Leaner cuts are best, e.g. chuck or rump roast
Leaner cuts of beef are best for slow cookers or Crock Pots. The long, slow-cooking method helps the connective tissue and fat to break down slowly over many hours, yielding tender bites of beef.
Chuck roast, also called arm roast, is lean and comes from the shoulder of the cow. It is also a more affordable cut of meat and a great source of protein and iron. Rump roast, or bottom round roast, is even leaner than chuck roast and is cut from the cow's hindquarter.
If you are making a roast on the weekend, when you are likely to be home, you can cook it on high for about four to six hours. If you need it to cook all day while you are at work, set your slow cooker to low, and let it braise until you get home—about eight to ten hours.
One recipe for a slow cooker pot roast calls for a 3-pound chuck roast, which should serve six people. Larger roasts can feed more people, as long as you have a large enough crock pot or roasting pan.
Greasing the Pan: Stromboli Perfection
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cook pot roast on high in a slow cooker for 4-7 hours. However, it is recommended to cook it on low heat for 8-10 hours for the most tender results.
First, season the roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Then, heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the roast for 3-5 minutes on each side until browned. Next, place the roast in the slow cooker with vegetables like onions, potatoes, and carrots. Pour in beef broth or water and add herbs like thyme and rosemary. Finally, cover and cook on high for 4-7 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.
Lean cuts of beef, such as chuck roast or rump roast, are best for slow cooker pot roast. These cuts benefit from the long cooking time, which helps break down the collagen and connective tissue, making the meat tender and juicy.
Yes, you can prepare slow cooker pot roast up to 90% the night before. Make the spice rub, cut the vegetables, and sear the roast, saving the deglazing liquid. Store everything in the fridge overnight and put it in the slow cooker in the morning.
Slow cooker pot roast is a hearty dish that can be enjoyed on its own. However, you can serve it with a side salad, steamed asparagus, or buttered homemade bread for a more complete meal.
