Super tender, juicy, fall-apart crock pot roast is not as hard as you think! This slow cooker recipe uses a few simple ingredients (one of them is patience) to make the most flavorful (yet stupid easy) pot roast ever! Carrots add the perfect touch! Originally posted January 18, 2018.
I don’t know about you guys, but I kind of wanted to just skip January this year, and all the dumb kale diets that go with it. I’m having some serious December withdrawals. I kind of feel like December broke up with me and I wasn’t ready for it. Now I’m dying my hair, “finding myself,” my face is breaking out and all I want is Ben and Jerry’s. Come on, December. We were so good together.
We’re two weeks into the new year anyway, and that’s usually about when my diet peters out, so I’m comin at you with some comfort food to numb the Christmas break up. POT ROAST AND MASHED POTATOES FOREVER.
Some recipes call for liquid, some do not. It mainly comes down to the type of meat you use. Cuts like chuck roast will release more fat and moisture than leaner cuts, so they don’t need any water. In addition, the slow cooker itself creates some moisture, which helps keep the meat juicy.
Why should I cook my Pot Roast in a crock pot, rather than the oven?
I love making pot roast in the slow cooker. It just seems so much easier to me than dealing with oven cooking, plus it’s nice to be able to “set it and forget it.” But you can totally make this in the oven if you want! Cook in a covered dutch oven at 300 degrees for about 4-5 hours until tender.
Pot Roast Crock Pot Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need at the store. (Quantities listed in recipe below.)
- 3-4 pound chuck roast
- 2 (1-ounce) packets of onion soup mix. If you have a smaller chuck roast, use 1 and ½ packets.
- Carrots
- Better Than Bouillon Beef Base. You can substitute regular beef broth if you want.
- Dried thyme. For a fun variation, try oregano or Italian seasoning.
- Bay leaf
- Salt and pepper
- Oil. Optional for browning.
- Water
Should a roast be covered in liquid in a slow-cooker?
FAQ
How much water do you put in a crock pot roast?
Do I have to put liquid in a slow cooker with with the roast?
Do you add water when cooking a roast?
Should I add liquid to my pot roast?
How much water do you need for a pot roast slow cooker?
The right amount of water for your pot roast slow cooker recipe depends on the size of your slow cooker, the amount of ingredients, and your personal preference. A general rule of thumb is to use just enough water to cover the bottom of the slow cooker and create steam during the cooking process.
Can you cook pot roast in a slow cooker?
When making pot roast in a slow cooker, it’s best to add enough water to cover the bottom of the pot, about 1/2 to 1 cup. This will help create steam and keep the meat moist during the long cooking process. When it comes to cooking pot roast in a slow cooker, low and slow is the name of the game.
Can You Add Water to a roast?
The liquid that you do add to your roast doesn’t necessarily have to be water. Alternatives like broth, tomato juice, beer, or wine will give your dish extra intensity and flavor. Martha-Stewart, an American author of many different cookbooks, believes in adding only a few teaspoons of liquid to a slow cooker.
Do I need to add water to a crock pot?
You only need to add water to a crock pot if the meal or recipe you’re using requires it. Some foods will produce their own liquid as they cook, like fatty meats and vegetables. Some leaner meats will need to have liquid added so the slow cooker dish does not get scorched. I have some specific recipes that I’d like to share with you as examples.