Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Featured in: Comfort Food Love

A classic comfort dish featuring beef chuck roast seared then slow-cooked with carrots, celery, onion, herbs, and a savory gravy. Served alongside creamy mashed Yukon Gold potatoes enriched with butter and milk. The slow cooking method tenderizes the beef, infusing it with deep flavors and a luscious texture. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy a hearty meal perfect for gatherings.

Updated on Mon, 08 Dec 2025 19:29:45 GMT
Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, garnished with fresh parsley and rich gravy.  Save
Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, garnished with fresh parsley and rich gravy. | tastyeffect.com

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes is the epitome of comforting, home-cooked American classics. This dish features a tender beef chuck roast slowly cooked with hearty vegetables and a rich, savory gravy. Paired with creamy mashed potatoes, it’s the perfect meal to warm up any day and satisfy a crowd. The hands-off slow-cook method makes it incredibly easy, letting flavors meld beautifully while you go about your day.

Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, garnished with fresh parsley and rich gravy.  Save
Tender Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes, garnished with fresh parsley and rich gravy. | tastyeffect.com

Whether it’s a cozy weekend dinner or a special family gathering, this slow cooker pot roast with mashed potatoes delivers classic flavors that never disappoint. The slow cooking method transforms the chuck roast into fork-tender perfection, while the medley of carrots, celery, and onions adds wholesome comfort. Once plated over fluffy mashed potatoes and drizzled with the pan juices, this dish invites you to savor every bite.

Ingredients

  • For the Pot Roast
  • 3 lbs (1.4 kg) beef chuck roast
  • 1 tbsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth (gluten-free if needed)
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • For the Mashed Potatoes
  • 2 lbs (900 g) Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk (plus more as needed)
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ½ tsp black pepper
  • Optional Garnish
  • Chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

1. Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt and pepper.
2. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned (about 3–4 minutes per side). Transfer to the slow cooker.
3. Add onion, garlic, carrots, and celery around the roast in the slow cooker.
4. In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour over the roast and vegetables.
5. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
6. About 40 minutes before serving, prepare the mashed potatoes:
  • Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Add 1 tsp salt.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until potatoes are very tender (15–20 minutes).
  • Drain well and return potatoes to the pot. Add butter and milk; mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Add more milk if needed for desired consistency.
7. Remove the roast from the slow cooker and let rest for 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Shred or slice the beef.
8. Serve pot roast and vegetables over a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle with pan juices and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Zusatztipps für die Zubereitung

For a thicker gravy, remove ½ cup of cooking liquid, whisk with 1 tbsp cornstarch, and stir back into the slow cooker. Cook on high for 10 minutes. This simple step will give your gravy a luscious, velvety texture that clings perfectly to the meat and veggies.

Varianten und Anpassungen

Substitute half a cup of beef broth with red wine for a deeper, richer flavor profile. Yukon Gold potatoes create creamier, buttery mashed potatoes, while Russet potatoes offer a fluffier texture. Adapt the recipe to gluten-free diets by choosing gluten-free broth and Worcestershire sauce versions.

Serviervorschläge

Serve this hearty pot roast alongside a bold red wine such as Cabernet Sauvignon to balance the savory flavors. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and freshness. Leftovers make excellent sandwiches or a comforting hash the next day.

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| tastyeffect.com

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes is proof that simple ingredients and patient cooking yield extraordinary results. With its tender meat, flavorful vegetables, and silky mashed potatoes, this dish invites you to slow down and enjoy every comforting bite.

Recipe FAQ

What cut of beef is best for slow cooking?

Beef chuck roast works well due to its marbling and connective tissue that breaks down during slow cooking, resulting in tender meat.

How can I make the gravy thicker?

Remove some cooking liquid, whisk with cornstarch, and stir back into the slow cooker. Cook on high for 10 minutes to thicken.

Can I substitute vegetables in the dish?

Yes, carrots, celery, and onions are traditional, but you can add parsnips or potatoes if desired for varied sweetness and texture.

What type of potatoes yield creamy mashed potatoes?

Yukon Gold potatoes are ideal for creamy texture, but Russets also work well when mashed thoroughly with butter and milk.

How long should the pot roast cook for best tenderness?

Cooking on low for about 8 hours allows the beef to become fork-tender and absorb the flavors of the broth and herbs.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Tender slow-cooked beef with vegetables and creamy mashed potatoes, rich in comfort and flavor.

Prep duration
20 min
Cook duration
480 min
Complete duration
500 min
Created by Jane Miller


Skill level Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Dietary requirements No gluten

Components

Pot Roast

01 3 lbs beef chuck roast
02 1 tbsp kosher salt
03 1 tsp black pepper
04 2 tbsp olive oil
05 1 large onion, sliced
06 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
08 3 celery stalks, cut into 2-inch pieces
09 2 cups gluten-free beef broth
10 2 tbsp tomato paste
11 1 tbsp gluten-free Worcestershire sauce
12 1 tsp dried thyme
13 1 tsp dried rosemary
14 2 bay leaves

Mashed Potatoes

01 2 lbs Yukon Gold or Russet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
02 4 tbsp unsalted butter
03 ½ cup whole milk
04 1 tsp salt
05 ½ tsp black pepper

Optional Garnish

01 Chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Phase 01

Season the beef: Pat the beef chuck roast dry and evenly season all sides with kosher salt and black pepper.

Phase 02

Sear the roast: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown the roast on all sides, about 3 to 4 minutes per side, then transfer it to the slow cooker.

Phase 03

Add vegetables: Arrange sliced onion, minced garlic, carrots, and celery around the roast inside the slow cooker.

Phase 04

Prepare cooking liquid: In a separate bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves; pour the mixture over the roast and vegetables.

Phase 05

Slow cook the roast: Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours until the beef is fork-tender.

Phase 06

Cook mashed potatoes: Approximately 40 minutes before serving, place peeled potato chunks in a large pot, cover with cold water, add salt, bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook until tender (15 to 20 minutes). Drain well.

Phase 07

Mash potatoes: Return drained potatoes to the pot, add butter and milk, mash until smooth and creamy, then season with salt and black pepper. Add extra milk as needed to achieve desired consistency.

Phase 08

Rest and slice beef: Remove roast from the slow cooker, discard bay leaves, and let it rest for 5 minutes before shredding or slicing.

Phase 09

Serve: Plate mashed potatoes and arrange pot roast and vegetables atop, drizzle with pan juices, and garnish with fresh parsley if preferred.

Necessary tools

  • Slow cooker (6-quart or larger)
  • Large skillet
  • Chef's knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large pot
  • Potato masher or ricer
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional healthcare advice if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy from butter and milk.
  • Worcestershire sauce may contain fish-derived anchovies.
  • Gluten-free when using gluten-free broth and Worcestershire sauce.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guides only and shouldn't replace professional medical consultation.
  • Energy: 520
  • Fats: 23 g
  • Carbohydrates: 36 g
  • Proteins: 44 g