what is pot roast?
Now for all the crock pot roast recipe details. You can read on or use the “jump to recipe” button at the top of the page. Pot roast is a braised beef dish made with a large, tough cut of beef such as chuck roast, chuck steak, shoulder steak, chuck shoulder pot roast, chuck seven-bone pot roast, beef chuck arm, rump roast or bottom round.
These less expensive cuts of beef are seared, then slowcooked in a Dutch oven, covered baking dish or slow cooker with liquid, oftenbeef broth and wine along with herbs and vegetables.
Cooking these cuts low and slow breaks the down the collagenwhich turns into gelatin tenderizing the meat so it’s fall apart tenderand bursting with rich flavor. The beef further releases its juices into the broth, whichcombines with flour to create deeply flavorful gravy.
Crock Pot Roast ingredients
The BEST slow cooker pot roast recipe starts with simple ingredients in perfect proportions. You will need:
- Chuck roast: use boneless chuck roast with rich marbling trimmed of excess fat. Try and choose a cut of beef that is wider and shorter verses long and skinny so it comfortably fits the shape of your slow cooker.
- Oil: use a high smoking point oil such as vegetable oil to sear the roast and not olive oil.
- Beef Broth: use low sodium beef broth so we can control the salt level and add salty beef bouillon for more concentrated beef flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: adds a depth of complex savory, slightly tangy flavor.
- Soy sauce: is my secret weapon, I even add it to my marinara sauce! It adds additional salty, savory flavor and helps tenderize the beef. Use reduced sodium or the chuck roast beef will be too salty.
- Dijon mustard: adds a slight tanginess to awaken the earthy flavors.
- Dried minced onions: are dried onions that deliver a concentrated flavor – and save you chopping! They are located next to the other spices at the grocery store.
- Beef bouillon: adds a depth of concentrated beefy flavor. You may also use an equal amount of better than bouillon.
- Seasonings: we make our own Italian seasoning blend with dried oregano, dried basil, dried thyme, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, table salt and pepper.
- Garlic: a combination of fresh garlic and garlic powder delivers optimal flavor in every bite.
Should a roast be covered in liquid in a slow-cooker?
Can you put too much water in a pot roast slow cooker?
Yes, you can definitely adjust the amount of water in your pot roast slow cooker recipe to suit your preference. Just be mindful that the water helps to create the steam that cooks the meat and vegetables, so make sure to retain enough for the cooking process. Q What happens if I put too much water in my pot roast slow cooker?
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.