Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Featured in: Slow Sunday Meals

This dish combines hearty beef chuck roast, slow-cooked for hours with carrots, celery, and fragrant herbs, creating melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The rich pan juices enhance the flavor, served alongside creamy mashed Yukon Gold potatoes whipped with butter and milk. Simple preparation including searing the beef before slow cooking develops a deep, savory profile. Finished with fresh parsley garnish, this comforting main course blends robust flavors and smooth textures ideal for a satisfying family meal.

Updated on Sun, 09 Nov 2025 16:27:00 GMT
Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, tender beef served over creamy potatoes.  Save to Pinterest
Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, tender beef served over creamy potatoes. | velvetthyme.com

A classic comforting dish featuring tender beef pot roast slow-cooked with vegetables and rich gravy served alongside creamy mashed potatoes.

This recipe has become a family favorite especially on Sunday dinners where everyone looks forward to the tender beef and creamy mashed potatoes pairing.

Ingredients

  • Beef chuck roast: 3 lbs (1.4 kg)
  • Kosher salt: 1 tbsp
  • Black pepper: 1 tsp
  • Olive oil: 2 tbsp
  • Onion: 1 large sliced
  • Garlic: 4 cloves minced
  • Carrots: 4 large peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
  • Celery stalks: 3 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: 1/2 cup (120 ml) plus more as needed
  • Salt: 1 tsp
  • Black pepper: 1/2 tsp
  • Chopped fresh parsley: Optional garnish

Instructions

Step 1:
Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt and pepper.
Step 2:
In a large skillet heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned about 3 4 minutes per side. Transfer to the slow cooker.
Step 3:
Add onion garlic carrots and celery around the roast in the slow cooker.
Step 4:
In a bowl whisk together beef broth tomato paste Worcestershire sauce thyme rosemary and bay leaves. Pour over the roast and vegetables.
Step 5:
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or until the beef is fork-tender.
Step 6:
About 40 minutes before serving prepare the mashed potatoes Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water Add 1 tsp salt Bring to a boil reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are very tender 15 20 minutes Drain well and return potatoes to the pot Add butter and milk mash until smooth and creamy Season with salt and pepper to taste Add more milk if needed for desired consistency.
Step 7:
Remove the roast from the slow cooker and let rest for 5 minutes Discard bay leaves Shred or slice the beef.
Step 8:
Serve pot roast and vegetables over a bed of mashed potatoes Drizzle with pan juices and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
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| velvetthyme.com

This dish brings my family together creating wonderful memories especially during the holidays when everyone is around the table.

Nutritional Information

Per serving this recipe provides 520 calories 23 g total fat 36 g carbohydrates and 44 g protein.

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.

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

Aromatic Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, rich gravy and veggies complementing each bite.  Save to Pinterest
Aromatic Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, rich gravy and veggies complementing each bite. | velvetthyme.com

This slow cooker pot roast delivers comfort and flavor with minimal effort perfect for any busy weeknight.

Recipe FAQs

What cut of beef works best for this dish?

Beef chuck roast is ideal for slow cooking due to its marbling and toughness, which breaks down into tender, flavorful meat after long cooking.

How do I achieve creamy mashed potatoes?

Use Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, boil until tender, then mash with unsalted butter and warm milk. Adjust milk amount to get desired creaminess.

Can I prepare the dish ahead of time?

Yes, slow cook the beef and vegetables, refrigerate, then reheat gently before serving. Mashed potatoes are best freshly mashed but can be warmed carefully.

How can I thicken the gravy?

Remove some cooking liquid, whisk in cornstarch, and stir back into the slow cooker. Cook on high for 10 minutes until thickened.

Are there any recommended wine pairings?

A bold red wine like Cabernet Sauvignon complements the rich flavors and tender beef beautifully.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Tender slow-cooked beef with vegetables paired with creamy mashed potatoes for a comforting meal.

Prep time
20 min
Time for cooking
480 min
Total process time
500 min
Created by Velvet Thyme Eleanor Hayes

Recipe category Slow Sunday Meals

Skill level Easy

Cuisine type American

Yield amount 6 Number of servings

Dietary details Free from gluten

List of ingredients

Pot Roast

01 3 lbs beef chuck roast
02 1 tbsp kosher salt
03 1 tsp black pepper
04 2 tbsp olive oil
05 1 large onion, sliced
06 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
08 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
09 2 cups gluten-free beef broth
10 2 tbsp tomato paste
11 1 tbsp gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
12 1 tsp dried thyme
13 1 tsp dried rosemary
14 2 bay leaves

Mashed Potatoes

01 2 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 ½ cup whole milk
04 1 tsp salt
05 ½ tsp black pepper

Optional Garnish

01 Chopped fresh parsley

How to make it

Step 01

Season the Roast: Pat beef chuck roast dry and evenly season all sides with kosher salt and black pepper.

Step 02

Sear the Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, sear roast on all sides until browned, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to slow cooker.

Step 03

Add Vegetables: Arrange sliced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery around the roast in the slow cooker.

Step 04

Prepare Braising Liquid: In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and bay leaves; pour evenly over the roast and vegetables.

Step 05

Slow Cook: Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 8 hours until beef is fork-tender.

Step 06

Cook Potatoes: About 40 minutes before serving, place peeled potato chunks in a large pot, cover with cold water, add 1 tsp salt, bring to a boil, then simmer until very tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well.

Step 07

Mash Potatoes: Return drained potatoes to pot; add unsalted butter and whole milk, mash until smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Add more milk as needed for desired consistency.

Step 08

Rest and Slice Meat: Remove roast from slow cooker and let rest 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Shred or slice meat.

Step 09

Plate and Serve: Serve pot roast and vegetables atop mashed potatoes, drizzle with pan juices, and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Essential tools

  • Slow cooker (minimum 6-quart capacity)
  • Large skillet
  • Chef's knife and cutting board
  • Large pot
  • Potato masher or ricer
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy warnings

Be sure to carefully review every ingredient for allergens and seek expert advice as needed.
  • Contains dairy from butter and milk.
  • Worcestershire sauce may contain anchovies (fish allergen).
  • Dish is gluten-free only if gluten-free broth and Worcestershire sauce are used.

Nutrition details per serving

Details here are meant for guidance. Please contact health professionals for medical advice.
  • Calorie count: 520
  • Fat content: 23 g
  • Carbohydrate: 36 g
  • Protein amount: 44 g