Filled with melt-in-your-mouth beef, fork-tender veggies, and flavorful gravy, this slow cooker pot roast is a mouthwatering meal that is easy to make. It’s the perfect dish for a cold weather day!

While there are a plethora of slow cooker pot roast recipes online, I wanted to add my own to the mix to show you that pot roast can be as healthy as it is delicious. By using kitchen-staple whole foods, you can create a comforting, crowd-pleasing, nutrient-packed, and well-balanced meal that the whole family can enjoy.
This slow cooker pot roast recipe is so easy to make yet it creates so much flavor. From juicy beef to fork-tender veggies to rich gravy, this dish is a great option for a lazy Sunday or busy weeknight meal. Just prep it in the morning, go about your day, and return to a delicious and comforting dinner!

Why You’ll Love It
- Easy – This crock pot recipe requires minimal effort but provides maximum flavor.
- High in Protein – With 49 grams of protein per serving, it’s an easy protein-packed dinner idea.
- Hearty and Healthy – The combination of beef, potatoes, and carrots, ensures this slow cooker pot roast is a filling and well-balanced meal idea.

Ingredients + Substitutions
- Beef – To add some animal protein. The recipe calls for a chuck roast, as I think it works best, but rump roast or any other beef roast will work.
- Potatoes + Carrots – To add some complex carbohydrates and fiber. I opted for Yukon gold potatoes and whole carrots, but white or red potatoes and baby carrots will also work, as will any other root vegetables such as sweet potatoes, parsnips, turnips, or celeriac.
- Onion, Garlic, + Celery – To flavor the gravy. I used whole onion and garlic cloves but pearl onions, garlic powder, and onion powder will also work, see the notes section of the recipe card for details.
- Herbs – To add fragrance and flavor. I used dried herbs to save money, but fresh herbs will also work, see the notes section of the recipe card for details. While the recipe calls for a combination of thyme and rosemary, dry onion soup mix, and Italian seasoning will also work.
- Beef Broth – To cook the pot roast and make the gravy. The recipe calls for beef broth, but red wine, a beef stock cube with water, or beef bouillon with water will also work.
- Worcestershire sauce – To flavor the pot roast and gravy.
- Tomato Paste – To flavor and thicken the gravy.
- Flour – To thicken the gravy, although optional. Corn starch and arrowroot starch will also work.
- Salt and Pepper – To season.


Dietary Adaptions
To Make it Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free beef broth, gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, and cornstarch instead of flour.
To Make it Dairy-Free: No adaptations are needed, this recipe is dairy-free.


Red’s Nutrition Tip
Not only is this recipe a balanced meal, but the specific combination of ingredients makes it incredibly filling. Potatoes are considered the most filling food, thanks to their high water and fiber content, and the high protein content from the chuck roast makes the dish incredibly satiating.
Serving Suggestions
This crock pot roast recipe is a balanced meal with protein, complex carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats. It can be enjoyed on its own as a nutritious dinner or adapted to suit your personal dietary needs, for example:
- To make it lower in fat, use an extra-lean cut of beef roast.
- To make it higher in fiber, serve the pot roast with a side of green peas, steamed broccoli, or a green salad.
- To make it more filling, serve the pot roast with a side of vegetables and crusty bread.

Storage + Reheating
To Refrigerate: Once cooled, any leftover pot roast, potatoes, carrots, and gravy can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
To Freeze: Transfer leftover pot roast veggies, and gravy, to an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To Reheat: Once thawed, the pot roast can be reheated in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.

More Slow-Cooker Beef Recipes:
Print
Slow Cooker Pot Roast
This crockpot pot roast recipe turns a humble chuck roast into perfectly tender beef and a healthy and cozy dinner filled with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
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Prep Time: 15 minutes
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Cook Time: 5 hours
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Total Time: 5 hours 15 minutes
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Yield: 6 servings 1x
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Category: Dinner
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Method: Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3–pound chuck roast
- 1 onion, sliced
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 pounds potatoes, quartered
- 4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour or cornstarch (optional)
Instructions
- Place the chuck roast beef on a cutting board and season it generously with salt and pepper all over.
- In a large pan or cast-iron skillet or the slow cooker base (if it has a removable and stovetop-safe pot), warm the olive oil on medium-high heat, then add the chuck roast, and cook it for 2-3 minutes per side until a dark brown crust forms. Once cooked, transfer the roast to the slow cooker.
- Add the sliced onion, celery, garlic, potatoes, and carrots to the slow cooker, scattering them around the roast.
- In a medium bowl, add the beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper, and whisk to combine, then pour it into the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker with a lid, and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours, until the roast pulls apart easily and the potatoes are tender.
- Once cooked, transfer the roast to a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Optional: If you’d like to thicken the gravy, while the roast is resting, remove all the potatoes and carrots from the slow cooker and set them aside on a plate. Add the flour/cornstarch to the slow cooker with the remaining liquid, whisk to combine, and turn the heat to high for 5-10 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- The roast can be served immediately with potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. Any leftovers can be cooled and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
To Use Onion Powder: Swap the onion for 1 teaspoon of onion powder.
To use Garlic Powder: Swap the garlic cloves for 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
To Use Fresh Herbs: Swap the dried thyme for 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme and dried rosemary for 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary.
To Use Red Wine: Swap the 1/2 cup of the broth for 1/2 cup of red wine.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 446 calories
- Sugar: 6 grams
- Fat: 12 grams
- Carbohydrates: 34 grams
- Fiber: 6 grams
- Protein: 49 grams




How do I adjust the recipe time and ingredients if my roast is about 5lbs
Also should it always be thawed?
Mine is in the freezer right now
Thanks
You could just double the recipe, assuming your slow cooker it large enough! And, yes, the meat needs to be thawed before cooking. š
Just made this and it delicious!
Just an FYI, if you want a quick and easy clean up, use a slow cooker liner and clean up is a breeze.
Yay! So happy you enjoyed it, Janet!
My favourite type of recipe…quick and easy prep then leave it. An amazing meal according to everyone in my family who cleaned their plates! Thanks for another great recipe that will be added to our rotation.
I’m so happy to hear it, Di, thank you for sharing!
This recipe is very good. Iāve been cooking for over 50 years and this was the best pot roast Iāve ever made. I plan to use it again. Thanks for your help Stephanie.
Wow, thank you so much, Sandy! I’m so happy you liked it. š
Slow cooker roast. Delicious. I loved the taste. Meat was tender and gravy was great. I have tried several recipes and was never disappointed. I loved the recommendations she made also for substitutions.
I have made this several times. It’s a real crowd pleaser! Delicious.
Lots of flavour and easy to make
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Rhonda!
Easy meal to makeā¦and so delicious!!!
Thank you for sharing, Trina! I’m happy you enjoyed it. š
Sounds delicious! How would the recipe need to change if it was made in an instant pot?
It certainly can be made in an Instant pot, but I’ve not tested it, so I can’t provide instructions.