BEST Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Consistently rated the BEST slow cooker pot roast recipe EVER!  The depth of flavor is simply phenomenal and is guaranteed to get rave reviews from around the whole dinner table!   Make it in your slow cooker or on the stove top – either way you’ll be sitting down to a truly memorable, mouthwateringly delicious meal!

I can’t think of anything better than coming home to the smell of a roast wafting through the house, beckoning “it’s dinner time.”  And this one is exceptionally flavorful and delicious.

The smell of a cooking roast is nostalgic to me.  It’s said that smell is more closely linked to memory than any of the other five senses.  The smell of freshly baked bread might trigger memories of grandma’s kitchen;  the scent of cologne or perfume, a romantic encounter; the odor of mothballs, a great aunt’s house; the stench of stale carpet, those penny-pinching college dorm days.  Whatever the association might be, smell is a powerful thing.  And not that this has anything to do with pot roast, but I thought it was interesting so I’ll throw it in here anyway.  From Psychology Today:

The actual ability to smell is highly linked to memory. Research has shown that when areas of the brain connected to memory are damaged, the ability to identify smells is actually impaired. In order to identify a scent, you must remember when you have smelled it before and then connect it to visual information that occurred at the same time. According to some research, studying information in the presence of an odor actually increases the vividness and intensity of that remembered information when you smell that odor again.

I may have to rethink how I approach my children’s learning.  Instead of Mozart, Bach, or Beethoven in the background while they’re studying, I may instead need to place some fragrant flowers, a jar of cinnamon – or a Pot Roast next to them! ;)

Okay, back to the Pot Roast.  For eating purposes, that is.

For me, roasts are associated with Sunday.  Growing up at home (and still in my own home today) roasts were always ideal to serve on Sundays.  A couple of hours at church, including travel, meant just the right amount of time to be able to place everything in a timed oven or a slow cooker before leaving, and then come home to a ready meal.  My mom would often already have the potatoes peeled in advance and covered with water in a stock pot, so when we got home – starving and ready to eat! – all she had to do was boil the potatoes, prepare another vegetable, and thicken the gravy.  And before long we were seated at the table as a family enjoying great food and family bonding time.

BEST Slow Cooker Pot Roast Recipe

I know your tummies are rumbling, so let’s get that roast a-cookin’!

But before we do, let me stress one thing I learned from my mom about cooking roasts:  Probably THE single most important factor to the flavor of the finished roast is to fry it until it’s very browned on all sides before cooking it.  That is the KEY to a deliciously flavorful roast so whatever you do, don’t skip that step!  And don’t be afraid to get it good and browned.  Not only will it greatly enhance the flavor of the roast itself, but all those burnt bits on the bottom of the pan is what will give the gravy that irresistibly wonderful flavor.

Okay, let’s get started!

First prepare the rub by combining all of the pot roast seasoning spices/herbs together.

Rub, rub, rub that roast down on all sides using every last bit of that spice rub.

Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven (I use and love Lodge) or heavy skillet and liberally brown the roast on all sides.

Remove the roast and place it in the slow cooker.  I use and love my Hamilton Beach Stay or Go 7 Qt Slow Cooker.  I’ve been using it regularly for the past 8 years and it’s still working as good as new.

Add the broth to the Dutch oven and bring it to a boil, scraping up the burnt bits on the bottom of the pan (that’s called “deglazing” for those of you who don’t know).  Add the tomato paste, red wine (if using), and salt and return it to a boil for a couple of minutes, stirring to combine.

Place the carrots, celery, onions, and garlic around the sides and on top of the roast in the slow cooker.

Add the bay leavers and place the strips of bacon on top.  I don’t usually add bacon, but I did this time.  I thought, “why not?” As the ancient Chinese proverb goes, “There isn’t anything so good that bacon won’t make it even better.”

Pour the beef broth mixture over the pot roast.

Cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 8-9 hours.

If you have the time I highly recommend cooking it on low for 8-9 hours for an ultra flavorful, tender roast.

Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a medium stock pot, leaving the roast and vegetables in the warm slow cooker. 

To make the gravy:

Bring the liquid from the slow cooker to a gentle boil. 

Make the flour slurry to thicken the gravy by whisking the flour in the extra beef broth until it’s dissolved.  Whisk flour slurry into the simmering gravy and continue whisking constantly until the gravy is thickened. 

Add salt and pepper to taste.  

Place the roast on a serving platter and spoon the vegetables around it.  Discard the bay leaves and bacon.  Pour a little of the gravy over the roast (it looks nicer that way) and serve the pot roast with the extra gravy, some potatoes, and veggies of your choice.

Enjoy!

For another delicious roast, check out our German Senfbraten (Pork Roast with Mustard Gravy)!

Be sure to also try our delicious beef stews:

• Old Fashioned Beef Stew
• Guinness Stew
• Beef Bourgignon
• Sega Wat (Ethiopian Beef Stew)
• Beef and Pepper Stew
• Hachee (Dutch Beef and Onion Stew)
• Pörkölt (Hungarian Beef and Onion Stew)
• Domoda (Gambian Peanut Stew)

 

Originally published on The Daring Gourmet Oct 24, 2013