Making tender, juicy roast beef in a crockpot is easier than you think! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can have delicious homemade roast beef ready for dinner. As a busy mom, I love being able to just throw everything in the slow cooker in the morning and come home to a house filled with the mouthwatering aroma of roast beef.
Benefits of Crockpot Roast Beef
There are so many benefits to making roast beef in the crockpot
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It’s incredibly easy and requires minimal hands-on time. Just season the meat, sear it, and toss it in the slow cooker.
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You get fork-tender, fall-apart roast beef infused with delicious flavors. The low, slow cooking breaks down the collagen in tougher cuts like chuck roast.
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It cooks unattended, freeing up your time for other things. Once it’s in the crockpot, you don’t have to worry about checking or basting it.
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Clean up is a breeze since everything cooks in one pot.
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It fills your home with the irresistible smell of roast beef.
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Leftovers make amazing sandwiches, tacos, soups, and more. It keeps well for several days in the fridge.
Tips for Choosing the Right Roast
The cut of beef you select is important for crockpot roast beef success:
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Chuck roast is my top pick. It has great marbling that keeps it moist and full of flavor. The connective tissue breaks down into succulent gelatin.
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Bottom round or rump roast are also good economical choices. They are leaner but become very tender.
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Shoot for a 2-3 lb roast to feed 4-6 people. Too small and it may dry out. Too large won’t fit or cook evenly.
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Get a roast as evenly shaped as possible to ensure even cooking.
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for foolproof crockpot roast beef:
1. Prepare the Meat
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Pat the roast dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
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Generously season all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc. I like to use a hearty seasoning rub.
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For better flavor, let it sit 30 minutes – 1 hour to soak up the spices. You can even season it the night before.
2. Brown the Roast
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Heat 2 Tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
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Brown the roast well on all sides, at least 2 minutes per side. This adds a ton of flavor.
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Don’t worry if it’s not fully cooked through. The point is to just sear and caramelize the exterior.
3. Add to Crockpot
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Transfer the seared roast to the crockpot.
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Add 1 cup beef broth and 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce.
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Add herbs like rosemary, thyme, bay leaves, etc. They infuse the meat with flavor.
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Chopped onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes also add nice flavor.
4. Cook on Low
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Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours. The low heat gently breaks down the collagen.
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Cook times vary so use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Shoot for 200-205°F internally.
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Once done, let rest 15 minutes before slicing against the grain.
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Save the delicious juices for gravy, french dip, or au jus.
Flavor Variations
One of the great things about crockpot roast beef is how versatile it is when it comes to flavors. Here are some of my family’s favorites:
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Italian – Use Italian dressing seasoning, diced tomatoes, red wine
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Southwestern – Cumin, chili powder, garlic, cilantro
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Peppercorn – Cracked peppercorns, beef stock
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Mushroom – Sliced mushrooms, onion soup mix, beef broth
Don’t be afraid to get creative with spices, herbs, stocks, wines, etc!
Serving Suggestions
Crockpot roast beef is delicious served:
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As a classic roast beef dinner with mashed potatoes, gravy, and vegetables
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Sliced thin and piled high on sandwiches or French dip sandwiches
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Shredded for tacos, nachos, enchiladas, empanadas, etc.
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Diced up in salads, rice bowls, omelets, etc.
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With roasted vegetables and chimichurri sauce
However you serve it up, crockpot roast beef is the ultimate hearty, comforting meal your whole family will love. The incredibly simple preparation makes this a regular in my meal rotation. Give it a try and see for yourself how easy it is to make insanely delicious roast beef any night of the week!
It’s essentially a slow cooked Roast Beef!
The key point of difference with this pot roast recipe is that the braising liquid is thickened so it comes out like a deeply flavoured gravy rather than a watery broth which is how most pot roasts are made.
So it’s essentially a slow cooked Roast Beef that’s fall apart tender that comes with a gravy and tender flavour infused vegetables. Complete meal in one pot!
Because the beef needs to be mostly submerged in liquid while it slow cooks, you end up with lots and lots of liquid in the finished dish.
Which means, in my Pot Roast, you end up with lots and lots of very tasty gravy.
This is a sensational “problem” to have. Keep leftovers, drown your potatoes with them, toss through pasta (oh yes!!), serve it as a sauce for tomorrow night’s dinner. – Nagi x
PS Bread to mop your bowl clean wouldn’t go astray. Try these No Knead Dinner Rolls, a quick No Yeast Irish Bread or these moreish Cheese Muffins.
Best cut of beef for pot roast is chuck roast
The best beef for pot roast is Beef Chuck Roast. It’s an economical cut of beef that’s marbled with fat that needs to be slow cooked to breakdown the tough connective tissues so it becomes ultra tender to eat.
Chuck roast can be purchased in large pieces that are or aren’t rolled. You want to use rolled chuck roast for this recipe, otherwise the beef ends up all warped. Supermarkets and butchers should carry chuck roast that’s already rolled, otherwise, you can roll it yourself and tie with kitchen string or ask the butcher to do it for you.
Slow Cooker Beef Pot Roast Recipe – How to Make Flavorful Beef Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker
FAQ
Do you need liquid in a slow cooker for roast beef?
Yes, using water or another liquid when slow cooking a beef roast is common and can enhance the flavor and moisture of the meat. Here are some points to consider: Moisture: Adding water or broth helps maintain moisture in the slow cooker, preventing the roast from drying out during the long cooking process.
How do you cook a beef roast in a slow cooker?
Place beef roast in a slow cooker with onion, carrots, and celery. Season with garlic powder and pepper, then pour Worcestershire sauce and barbecue sauce over top. Cover and cook on Low until the meat is tender, 6 to 8 hours.
Do you need to put water in slow cooker with beef?
If your slow cooker is 3/4 full, no extra liquid is required. However, if you’re cooking a smaller amount of food, add 1-2cm of liquid in the bottom of the slow cooker bowl to ensure there’s enough liquid for cooking. Don’t add too much liquid, because as the food cooks, it produces its own liquid.
Do you have to brown a roast before putting it in the Crockpot?
Yes, you can cook meat in a slow cooker without browning it first. While browning can enhance the flavor and appearance of the meat, it is not strictly necessary. The slow cooker will still tenderize the meat and allow the flavors of the other ingredients to meld during cooking.