Slow Cooker Pot Roast with the BEST gravy! (VIDEO) - The Recipe Rebel (2024)

Last updated on April 4, 2024

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This Slow Cooker Pot Roast has incredible flavor and the best gravy! Creamy potatoes, tender carrots, fall apart roast beef — it’s pure comfort food!

Looking for more ways to cook pot roast? Try my Easy Pot Roast recipe (the BEST gravy!) or my Perfect Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe!

There are days when you just need a simmering slow cooker full of comfort food, and this Slow Cooker Pot Roast is just the ticket.

The roast beef is fall apart tender, and a couple special ingredients give this roast beef so much incredible flavor!

The gravy on this pot roast, you guys… it’s the best.

It’s not just thickened beef broth or drippings or onion soup mix. You might not think the tomato paste and balsamic vinegar would do that much, but they really pack in a lot of flavor!

The potatoes and carrots come out perfectly tender and coated in that delicious sauce. You really need to try it to believe it!

Why we love this recipe:

• The slow cooker works its magic: this roast is so tender and cooks mostly hands off! I love crockpot meals for busy days.
• The flavorful gravy! I know some of you might feel skeptical about some of gravy ingredients… but trust me on this one! They add the perfect pop of flavor to finish before serving.
• It’s a meal in one: no side dishes needed! (But I wouldn’t turn down one of Mom’s Homemade Buns or these golden Brioche Buns 😉)

With school starting again and the days turning cloudier, there’s nothing I’d rather curl up with after a busy day than a big bowl of this pot roast! (But if I had to choose a second and third, this Crockpot Mac and Cheese and this Crockpot Potato Soup would be right up there!)

How to make Slow Cooker Pot Roast:

1. Combine your seasoning and sprinkle it all over the roast. Press it in so it sticks well!
2. Brown your roast in a skillet over high heat, just so you have a nice golden crust. (Can you skip this part? Yes, sort of. See my tips below)

3. Add onion, and then the other gravy ingredients to the same pan — they will cook down and suck up all of that browned beef flavor at the same time!
4. Throw everything into the slow cooker and let it all hang out until fall apart tender and full of flavor. Before serving, finish your gravy and thicken further if needed.

What’s the best cut of meat for pot roast?

• Youdon’t have to spend big moneyon a great cut of meat to make a pot roast — the slow cooker can tenderize almost any cut of beef as it cooks through the day.
• That being said, a chuck roast (as it will be called in the United States) or blade roast (as it is called in Canada) — often labelled “pot roast” is the most common choice for pot roast.
• It is not an expensive cut, but it has great marbling which leads to very tender meat.
• You can use other varieties, but one that is labelled “pot roast” in Canada will be your best bet!

How to make this Pot Roast recipe in the Instant Pot:

Would you believe I already have an Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe here? And would you believe that I based this recipe off of that one because it was so.dang.good.

Believe it.

If you want to make this in your pressure cooker, click here for my Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe.

Variations on this Crockpot Pot Roast:

• This crock pot roast recipe is already naturally gluten and dairy free, just be sure to wash your vegetables and check your labels before serving to anyone with food allergies or sensitivities.
• To brighten the flavors even more after such a long cook time, throw in some fresh chopped parsley or an extra tablespoon of balsamic vinegar
• You can swap the potatoes for cauliflower for a lower carb version, just remember that cauliflower cooks more quickly than potatoes so you may want to add them halfway through the cook time.

Do you have to brown your roast before adding it to the slow cooker?

The short answer? No.

The long answer? Yes and no.

Yes, if you want to seal in the juices and add extra flavor to your pot roast. Browned food equals flavor, so any time you are browning meat, you’re adding more flavor to the recipe. It also keeps the juices inside the meat and doesn’t dilute your gravy.

No, if you just plain don’t have time or you are making the recipe with a one year old on your hip like I sometimes do.

Your gravy will be more diluted with the juices from the meat, but it will be fine and good. Taste test at the end, and add a splash of balsamic vinegar or extra seasoning at the end if need be. It will be fine.

What to serve with pot roast:

This recipe has protein, carbs and vegetables so it really is a meal in one.

That being said, I’ll never turn down some crusty No Knead Bread or a Homemade Dinner Roll to mop out all of that gravy!

You can serve something green on the side for a pop of freshness if you like — I’d recommend this easy Broccoli Salad, Roasted Green Beans or Cheesy Baked Asparagus.

More slow cooker comfort food recipes you’ll love!

• Crockpot Creamy Garlic Chicken — this sauce is dreamy over some mashed potatoes or pasta!
• — perfect for dunking some Cheesy Garlic Bread!
• Slow Cooker Creamy Tomato Basil Chicken Breast — a family favorite.
• Crockpot Tuscan Chicken — full of flavor!