Easy Crock Pot Roast Recipe

Cooking roasts in a crock pot is an easy and budget-friendly way to prepare a hearty meal with minimal effort. A crock pot, also known as a slow cooker, cooks meals over a longer period of time at a low temperature, allowing flavors to blend together and meat to become tender. This means you can set it in the morning and have a delicious roast dinner waiting for you when you get home at night.

To start, choose your cut of meat. A crock pot can handle a range of meats, but the most common roasts cooked in a slow cooker are beef, pork, and lamb. A standard pot roast, chuck roast, or brisket are all great beef cuts to use. Pork shoulder, butt, or loin are perfect for pork roasts. And for lamb, leg or shoulder are the best options. Once you’ve chosen your meat, season it with salt, pepper, and any additional seasonings you desire, such as garlic powder or rosemary. Add in your choice of vegetables like onions, carrots, or potatoes to the crock pot, and let it cook on low for 6-8 hours for tender and flavorful roast.

1. Choosing the Right Cut of Meat

The first step to making a delicious roast in a crock pot is to choose the right cut of meat. The best cuts of meat for roasting in a crock pot are those with a higher fat content, such as chuck roast, brisket, or rump roast. These cuts have enough marbling to keep the meat moist and tender during the slow cooking process.

2. Preparing the Meat

Before putting the meat in the crock pot, it’s important to prepare it properly. Trim any excess fat from the meat and season it with salt and pepper. You can also add spices like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika to give the meat more flavor.

3. Browning the Meat

While it’s not necessary, browning the meat before putting it in the crock pot can add some extra flavor to the dish. Heat up a large skillet on medium-high heat, add a little bit of oil, and sear the meat on all sides. This will also help to create a nice crust on the outside of the meat.

4. Adding Vegetables

While the meat is browning, you can prepare the vegetables that will be cooked with the roast. Carrots, potatoes, and onions are common vegetables used in a roast. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and arrange them in the bottom of the crock pot.

5. Pouring in Liquid

The next step is to add liquid to the crock pot. This will help to keep the meat moist during the long cooking process. You can use beef broth, red wine, or a combination of both. Pour enough liquid to cover the vegetables and come up about halfway up the sides of the meat.

6. Cooking the Roast

Set the crock pot on low heat and cook for 8-10 hours, or until the meat is tender and falls apart easily with a fork. Avoid lifting the lid during the cooking process, as this will let out heat and prolong the cooking time.

7. Removing the Meat and Vegetables

Once the roast is cooked, carefully remove it from the crock pot and place it on a plate. Use a slotted spoon to remove the vegetables and arrange them around the meat.

8. Making Gravy

To make gravy from the cooking liquid, strain it through a fine mesh strainer to remove any bits of meat or vegetables. In a small saucepan, melt butter and whisk in flour until smooth. Slowly pour in the cooking liquid, whisking constantly, until the gravy has thickened.

9. Serving the Roast

Serve the roast with the vegetables and gravy on the side. You can also serve it with mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, or any other side dish you prefer.

10. Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, place the meat and vegetables in a microwave-safe dish and heat in the microwave until warm. You can also reheat in a saucepan on the stove over medium-low heat.

Preparing the Roast

Once you’ve gathered all the necessary ingredients, it’s time to begin preparing the roast. Here’s how you should go about doing that:

1. Choose the Right Cut of Meat

One of the key ingredients in making a good crock pot roast is choosing the right cut of meat. Ideally, you should use a piece of meat that is well-marbled, which means that there is a good amount of fat running through the meat. Some great cuts of meat for a crock pot roast include chuck roast, round roast, and brisket.

2. Season the Meat

Next, season the meat with a combination of salt, pepper, and whatever additional spices you prefer. Some great spice options include garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, and paprika. Rub the spices all over the meat, making sure to coat it generously.

3. Sear the Meat

If you have a few extra minutes, consider searing the meat before placing it in the crock pot. This will give the meat a nice crust and help seal in the flavor. To sear the meat, heat a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add the meat and cook for a few minutes on each side until browned.

4. Cut Up Vegetables

While the meat is searing, cut up your vegetables. You can use whatever vegetables you like, but some great options include carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes. Cut them into large chunks so they don’t disintegrate in the crock pot during cooking.

5. Add Vegetables to the Crock Pot

Once the meat is seared, transfer it to the crock pot. Then, add the cut-up vegetables to the crock pot as well. You can arrange them around the meat or simply place them on top.

6. Add Beef Broth

Next, pour beef broth or stock over the meat and vegetables until they are fully covered. This will create a delicious broth that the meat can cook in.

7. Add Additional Flavors

Consider adding additional flavors to the crock pot, like Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, or red wine. These ingredients will add depth and complexity to the finished dish.

8. Cook on Low Heat

Set the crock pot to low heat and allow the roast to cook for anywhere from 6-8 hours, depending on the size of the roast. You’ll know it’s done when the meat is fork-tender and falls apart easily.

9. Let It Rest

Once the roast is cooked, let it sit in the crock pot for 10-15 minutes to rest. This will help the juices settle and make the roast even more tender.

10. Serve and Enjoy

Finally, it’s time to serve and enjoy your delicious crock pot roast. Scoop the meat and vegetables onto plates, and be sure to spoon some of the delicious broth over the top. Serve with your favorite sides, like mashed potatoes, rice, or roasted vegetables. Enjoy!

Choosing the Perfect Cut of Meat

When it comes to making roast in a crock pot, choosing the right cut of meat is crucial. The crock pot/ slow cooker is designed to cook meat slowly over a long period. The best cut of meat for roasting in a crock pot should be tough and have a generous amount of fat to keep it moist throughout the cooking process. Here are five different types of meats that would be perfect for roasting in a crock pot.

Brisket

Brisket is a popular cut of beef for roasting in a crock pot. Although it can be tough, slow cooking in the crock pot can break down the fibers in the meat, making it tender and succulent. The secret to cooking brisket is to cook it low and slow, and with a generous amount of liquid to help the meat stay moist.

Pork Shoulder/Boston Butt

Another popular option is to use pork shoulder or Boston butt. This cut of meat is rich and flavorful, with enough fat content to make it perfect for roasting in the crock pot. The slow cooking time allows the meat to break down, resulting in fall-apart tender pork that is perfect for shredding.

Chuck Roast

Chuck roast is another beef cut that is perfect for the crock pot. It is a flavorful cut that becomes tender and juicy when cooked low and slow in the crock pot. It is best to cook chuck roast with a generous amount of liquid, such as beef broth or red wine to keep it moist throughout the cooking process.

Lamb Shoulder

If you want to try something different, lamb shoulder would be a great option. This cut of lamb is perfect for the crock pot as it has enough fat to keep the meat moist throughout the cooking process. Also, lamb has a unique flavor that is different from other meats.

Whole Chicken

Finally, a whole chicken is probably one of the most budget-friendly options that will produce a succulent and flavorful meat perfect for a Sunday roast. With the slow cooking process, the meat will fall off the bone and make it perfect for serving with some steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes.

In conclusion, selecting the perfect cut of meat is the first step to making a delicious roast. With these five different types of meat, you have a variety of options to choose from. Remember, cooking low and slow with a generous amount of liquid will make the meat tender and succulent, perfect for a family dinner or special occasion.

Happy Slow Cooking!

I hope this article has given you a few helpful tips on how to make the perfect roast in your crock pot. Whether it’s for a Sunday family dinner or a weekday meal, there’s nothing quite like the aroma of a slow-cooked roast filling your home. Remember to always use the right cut of meat, season it well, and let it cook low and slow to achieve that mouth-watering tenderness. Thanks for reading and feel free to visit us again for more tasty crock pot recipes!