Consistently rated THE best slow cooker pot roast recipe, we’ll show you everything you need to create the most flavorful and mouthwateringly delicious pot roast EVER! 
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)
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BEST Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Ingredients
- 4 pound beef round roast or chuck (depending on how lean you prefer it)
- 2 tablespoons oil (use one with a high smoke point - I use avocado oil)
- 2 carrots , roughly chopped
- 2 ribs celery , roughly chopped
- 1 yellow onion , diced
- 2 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 strips bacon , cut in half
- 2 1/2 cups beef broth
- 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional but highly recommended; can substitute more beef broth)
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 bay leaves
- For the Dry Rub:
- 2 tablespoons sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon rosemary
- 1/4 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon basil
- 1/4 teaspoon parsley
- For the Gravy Slurry:
- 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour mixed into a slurry with 1/2 cup beef broth
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients for the dry rub together in a bowl. Rub down the roast on all sides with the dry rub. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or other heavy pot over high heat and liberally brown the roast on all sides. Place the roast in the slow cooker.
- Add the broth to the pot, return to a boil, and whisk to loosen up the browned bits. Add the tomato paste, wine, and salt and whisk to combine.
- Place the carrots, celery, onion, garlic, and bay leaves in the slow cooker around and on top of the roast. Lay the strips of bacon alongside and on top of the roast. Pour the beef broth/tomato paste mixture over everything.Cook on low setting for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours (or until the beef is fork tender). If you have the time we recommend the low setting for the most flavorful and tender beef.
- Pour the liquid from the slow cooker into a medium stock pot, leaving the roast and vegetables in the warm slow cooker. Bring to a boil and whisk in the gravy slurry and continue whisking until the gravy is thickened. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the pot roast on a serving platter and spoon the vegetables around it. Discard the bay leaves and bacon (or chop up the bacon and return it to the veggies) . Pour a little gravy over it and serve with gravy on the side along with potatoes and your choice of sides.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet Oct 24, 2013
Stephanie says
Can I add potatoes to the crock pot or will they cook too fast?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Stephanie, yes you can add them but add them towards the end so that they don’t overcook and disintegrate.
Susan says
This was easy and delicious
Amanda says
This is in my crock pot and smells great!
I added extra bacon before realizing the recipes calls to discard the bacon – do I need to discard it or are you able to serve it with the roast?
Can’t wait to try it!
Georgette Crawford says
She said you can keep the bacon if you want to. Above, she stated, “Discard the bay leaves and bacon (or chop up the bacon and return it to the veggies) . ” Sound yummy, doesn’t it?!
Madelyn Pulisciano says
Delicious recipe, was awesome thank you for sharing
Sylvia says
This recipe looks delicious and I can’t wait to try it! I have a question for you: when I use my slow cooker, the eye of round roast is rather tough at 7 hours on low, do you think I should cook it for maybe 5-6 hours on low? It’s hard to believe 1 more hour would make the roast tender? Or do you think the rub and bacon in your recipe help to tenderize the meat?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Sylvia, the standard recommendation for eye of round is 6-7 on high or 8-10 on low. These of course are general guidelines and you can begin checking your roast for doneness sooner than that. Poke a fork into it and as soon as it falls apart/is fork tender it’s ready.
Sylvia says
Thanks for your reply Kimberly! I forgot to mention that I put two eye of round roasts in the slow cooker that weighed around two pounds each, as this may be my problem! At 7 hours in, they weren’t very tender. Do you think a smaller roast needs less time in the slow cooker? Please forgive me as I just purchased my first slow cooker recently.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Yes, a smaller roast will require less cooking time so you’ll want to start checking the meat sooner.
Anonymous says
I’ll apologize now for this stupid question, but do you cook the bacon before adding to the crockpot? Or just put it in there, uncooked?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi, just put it in there uncooked.
Debra S Herrick says
The roast is now finished preparing it is in the crockpot as I type. I got all the rub together and everything just flowed. I just know this is gonna be the best pot roast I’ve ever made. I can’t wait till he gets home. I see all the good comments I don’t see any bad comments that is great. Thank you so much for your recipe I plan on keeping it in my book well actually in my Pinterest.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s super exciting, Debra, I hope your meal was a total hit!
Tammy Koop says
I made this today and it was fall apart delicious, gravy was awesome. I subbed out flour and used corn starch as I am gluten free. This will be my go to recipe!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s so awesome, Tammy, I’m thrilled you enjoyed it and appreciate the feedback, thank you!
Emily S says
This roast is the BEST pot roast I have ever eaten!!! I like to follow a recipe exactly the first time before making any changes but I made 2 for this one only because I didn’t have sweet paprika or red wine. I read that sweet paprika is spicier than paprika, so I added 1/2 t cayenne pepper to the rub. I substituted 1/3 cup of grated prepared horseradish and 1/4 c water for the wine (I always have a jar in the fridge). The night before, I prepped the ingredients to start the roast by 8 am so we could eat around 5. I set it on low but my cooker runs a little hot so the roast was fork tender by 3 pm. Fantastic!!! I have to say that I could have made the roast the day before because the reheated leftovers were just as good or even better the next day. Thank you for this recipe.
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
So awesome, Emily, I’m thrilled to hear that, thanks so much for the feedback!
Elisha says
This is in the crockpot as I type! I can’t wait for my husband to come home and smell the aroma wafting throughout the house!!!
Annie Nennig says
I don’t have a “slow cooker”. Can I use my crock pot instead?
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
Hi Annie, slow cooker and crock pot are the same thing (Crock Pot is a name brand).
Gina says
This is my husband’s favorite roast recipe!!! I was wondering if I could cook this ahead of time then carry it the next day to share with my son and daughter-in-law and just heat it up and make the gravy at their house? Thanks for this awesome recipe!!!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I’m so glad, Gina, thank you! Yes, you can make this ahead and reheat, no problem!
Ashley P says
I’ve made this recipe too many times to count, it is delicious each and every time!!! I’ve made it for my hubby who requests it every weekend, and for lots of family and friends who now always want to come over when I make it. I made this over the weekend with Greek Potatoes and the acidity mixes sooooo well together, ended up making the gravy into an Au jus and it was simply incredible! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful recipe, it’s been a life saver!! 🤗
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
That’s fantastic, Ashely, I’m so happy to hear that, thank you!