Pin this A classic, comforting dish featuring tender beef pot roast slow-cooked with vegetables and rich gravy, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes.
I first made this pot roast for my family on a chilly Sunday and it quickly became a staple in our meal rotation. The savory aroma fills the kitchen all day and everyone loves piling the roast and veggies over creamy mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
- Beef chuck roast: 3 lbs (1.4 kg), well marbled for tenderness
- Kosher salt: 1 tbsp, to season the roast
- Black pepper: 1 tsp, freshly ground for robust flavor
- 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: 3 stalks, 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 (for potatoes): 1 tsp
- Black pepper (for potatoes): ½ tsp
- Chopped fresh parsley: Optional garnish
Instructions
- Season and sear beef:
- Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high. Sear the roast on all sides until browned (about 3 to 4 minutes per side). Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add vegetables:
- Arrange onion, garlic, carrots, and celery around the roast in the slow cooker.
- Prepare gravy mix:
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour over the roast and vegetables.
- Slow cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
- Make mashed potatoes:
- About 40 minutes before serving, place peeled potato chunks in a large pot and cover with cold water along with 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until very tender (15 to 20 minutes). Drain well, return potatoes to the pot, add butter and milk, and mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Add more milk for desired creamy consistency.
- Rest and shred beef:
- Remove the roast from the slow cooker and let it rest for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves, then shred or slice the beef as desired.
- Serve:
- Plate mashed potatoes, top with pot roast and vegetables, drizzle with pan juices, and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Pin this One of my favorite moments with this dish is watching everyone gather eagerly around the table as the shredded roast and steaming mashed potatoes hit their plates. It always brings warmth and comfort to family dinners.
Required Tools
Slow cooker (6-quart or larger), large skillet, chefs knife and cutting board, large pot, potato masher or ricer, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (butter, milk). Worcestershire sauce may contain anchovies (fish). Gluten-free if using gluten-free beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Always verify ingredient labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Calories: 520, Total Fat: 23 g, Carbohydrates: 36 g, Protein: 44 g (per serving)
Pin this This slow cooker pot roast with mashed potatoes offers the taste and comfort everyone loves with minimal fuss. Serve any leftovers in sandwiches or simply reheat for another cozy meal.
Frequently Asked Recipe Questions
- → What cut of beef works best for slow cooking?
Beef chuck roast is ideal due to its marbling, which breaks down during long cooking to yield tender, flavorful meat.
- → How can I thicken the gravy?
Remove half a cup of cooking liquid, whisk with cornstarch, then stir it back into the slow cooker and cook on high for 10 minutes.
- → Are Yukon Gold potatoes better for mashing than Russet?
Yukon Golds offer a naturally creamy and buttery texture, but Russets also mash well when cooked properly.
- → Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, the dish remains gluten-free.
- → How long does the dish take to cook?
The beef slow-cooks for about 8 hours, while preparation including searing and mashed potatoes totals around 8 hours 20 minutes.
- → What wine pairs well with this meal?
A bold red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon complements the rich flavors of the beef and gravy.