should i sear a roast before crock pot

This Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe is a keeper – It’s full of flavor, the meat is fork-tender, and the vegetables are perfectly cooked.

Truth be told, I have not made a lot of pot roasts in my life. I have tried making my fair share of pot roast recipes, but I’m always disappointed when the meat is a little dry, the veggies are overcooked and mushy, or when the flavor is just kind of “meh.” I gave up on most things post roast a few years ago. I’d rather turn a roast into some kind of pulled meat in the slow cooker or my favorite slow cooker carnitas taco meat. That being said, I made a goal this fall to make the best slow cooker pot roast recipe. I wanted to save you the trouble of finding the best recipe so that you didn’t have to suffer through dry meat and mushy vegetables on your own. Truth be told, I went to the Pioneer Woman for help on this recipes because that woman knows how to cook beef. This recipe comes from her cookbook, and it’s a keeper.

Browning Is Better Slow cooker recipes don’t always instruct you to brown meat before adding it to the pot, but there are some advantages to doing so. If you sear meat to a crusty brown with a little oil in a hot skillet, the meat develops more complex flavors and improves the dish.

Though its not a requirement to brown the meat before adding it to a slow cooker (unless the recipe specifies such a step), Cuisine at Home explains that doing so will enhance the meats color, textures, and flavors. Taste of Home also notes that searing meat will keep those juices inside, which helps to make the meat extra moist and tender. And if you love fat, you can add those fatty liquids from the seared meat into the slow cooker, or, as Slow Cooker Central puts it, you can get rid of the excess liquid, which will help to cut down on the fat content in the finished dish.

Soups, stews, vegetables, and meats are all popular slow cooker options, especially cuts that are tougher and more economically friendly. HowStuffWorks explains that condensation happens within a slow cooker, which helps to self-baste those meaty muscle fibers. This is particularly useful for options like chuck roast, pork shoulder, and short ribs, which tend to become silky and tender when cooked on low heat, per Food Network.

While its tempting to throw such raw meat in the slow cooker, it definitely pays to sear it beforehand. Heres why its worth the extra effort.

Did you have a long, stressful day at work? The last thing you probably want to do is cook, and thats why the slow cooker is so popular: To help make dinners a whole lot easier. All you have to do is add your ingredients into the slow cooker before going to work, set the dial to low or high (depending on the recipe), cover the vessel with a lid, and return home later to tasty dinners like sesame chicken or mac and cheese.

But why does searing meat make it look and taste incredible? Thank the Maillard Reaction for that. Science Direct explains that this non-enzymatic browning involves heat, sugars, and proteins all reacting to each other. Lots of complex flavors are created during this reaction, as well as beautiful hues that enhance the aesthetics of baked biscuits, grilled meats, cookies, and more. So no matter what cut of meat youre using, be sure to take a few extra minutes to sear it on both sides for the best-tasting slow cooker meal.

Here’s what makes this slow cooker pot roast recipe great:

• You sear all the things. Searing the meat was something that I knew made things more flavorful, but I had never thought about searing off the vegetables too. Do it, friends! This might feel like an extra step (and it is), but it’s part of what makes this roast amazing. You sear up a well-seasoned chunk of beef, then onion halves, and then carrots. They are so good. The best part is you deglaze the pan you seared everything in with some beef stock and add that too the slow cooker too. This helps all those little charred bits of meat and vegetables make it into the final product – it adds so much flavor.
• Don’t cook the potatoes in the slow cooker. I normally throw the potatoes in with the carrots, and they just get too mushy. This recipe is meant to be served with a side of mashed potatoes and gravy, made separately, and it’s so very good. That being said, I also think it’s important to peel and cut your own big carrots instead of using baby carrots for this. The larger carrots just keep their texture better. The carrots were my kids’ favorite part, and next time I’ll make double the amount. They were amazing.
• Use the drippings left in the slow cooker to make the gravy – you won’t regret it. Here’s a great little guide on how to make gravy from pan drippings.
• It’s full of flavor, it falls apart when it’s done, and it’s so very good. Take the time to do the full recipe and you won’t regret it!

You’re going to love this roast. Mark my words!

Craving more? Subscribe to Bless this Mess to get new recipes, meal plans, and a newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! If you try this slow cooker pot roast, let me know what you think! Leave a comment, pin it, and don’t forget to tag a picture #blessthismesseat on Instagram. I love to see your kitchen skills in action!

Pan seared Pot Roast

FAQ

What happens if you don’t sear a roast before cooking?

What happens if you don’t brown meat before slow cooker?

Does searing a roast make it more tender?

Can you put a roast in a crock pot without browning it first?

How do you Sear a pot roast before slow cooking?

Follow these simple steps to sear your pot roast before slow cooking it: Prepare the Pot Roast: Start by patting the pot roast dry with paper towels. Season it generously with salt and pepper. Heat the Pan: Place a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add a small amount of oil to the pan and allow it to heat up.

Should you Sear a roast before Crock potting?

Additionally, some people claim that searing helps to seal in the juices and prevents the roast from becoming dry and tough. With all these potential benefits, it’s no wonder some people swear by searing before crock potting their roast. It is highly recommended to sear the roast before putting it in the crock pot.

Why do crock pot roasts need to be seared?

Searing a roast is an essential step that can take your crock pot dish from good to great. The purpose of searing is to create a rich brown crust or caramelization on the outside of the meat. This enhances the flavor and texture of the roast as the Maillard reaction occurs, creating a complex mix of flavors and aromas.

Can you cook a roast in a slow cooker?

You can also skip searing and try broiling the roast in the oven for a few minutes before adding it to the slow cooker. In some cases, searing may even be detrimental. If the roast is too lean, searing can cause the meat to dry out, resulting in a tough and chewy texture.