Save Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Mashed Potatoes is a classic and comforting dish that features tender beef pot roast slow-cooked with vegetables and rich gravy, served alongside creamy mashed potatoes. It’s a beloved meal perfect for family gatherings and cozy evenings at home.
I still remember the first time I made this pot roast in my slow cooker and watched my family gather around, drawn by the savory aroma. The combination of tender beef and creamy potatoes always brings comfort, especially during chilly months.
Ingredients
- Beef chuck roast: 3 lbs (1.4 kg), provides rich, hearty flavor and becomes fork-tender in the slow cooker
- Kosher salt: 1 tbsp, for seasoning the beef and enhancing taste
- Black pepper: 1 tsp, freshly ground for added flavor
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp, for searing the roast and adding richness
- Onion: 1 large, sliced to add depth and sweetness
- Garlic: 4 cloves, minced for bold aroma and flavor
- Carrots: 4 large, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces for color and sweetness
- Celery stalks: 3, cut into 2-inch pieces for aromatic base
- Beef broth: 2 cups (480 ml), use gluten-free if needed for the sauce base
- Tomato paste: 2 tbsp, adds richness and body to the gravy
- Worcestershire sauce: 1 tbsp, gluten-free if needed, for savory depth
- Dried thyme: 1 tsp, for herbal notes
- Dried rosemary: 1 tsp, brings earthiness
- Bay leaves: 2, to enhance flavor
- Potatoes: 2 lbs (900 g) Yukon Gold or Russet, peeled and cut into chunks for mash
- Unsalted butter: 4 tbsp, for creamy mashed potatoes
- Whole milk: ½ cup (120 ml), plus more as needed for mashing
- Salt: 1 tsp, for seasoning mashed potatoes
- Black pepper: ½ tsp, for seasoning mashed potatoes
- Optional garnish: Chopped fresh parsley, for color and freshness
Instructions
- Prep the Beef:
- Pat the beef chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt and pepper.
- Sear the Roast:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Sear the roast on all sides until browned (about 3 to 4 minutes per side). Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Add Vegetables:
- Arrange onion, garlic, carrots, and celery around the roast in the slow cooker.
- Make Gravy Base:
- In a bowl, whisk together beef broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves. Pour over roast and vegetables.
- Slow Cook:
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender.
- Mashed Potatoes:
- About 40 minutes before serving, prepare the mashed potatoes: Place potatoes in a large pot, cover with cold water, and add 1 tsp salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until very tender (15 to 20 minutes). Drain well, return potatoes to pot, add butter and milk, mash until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Add more milk if needed.
- Finish the Pot Roast:
- Remove roast from slow cooker and let rest 5 minutes. Discard bay leaves. Shred or slice beef.
- Serve:
- Serve pot roast and vegetables over a bed of mashed potatoes. Drizzle with pan juices and garnish with parsley.
Save This pot roast is a staple for our Sunday family dinners, and it’s always the dish that gets requests for seconds. Sharing bowls of steaming mashed potatoes piled high with tender beef is a tradition we look forward to every season.
Required Tools
You'll need a slow cooker, large skillet, chef's knife, cutting board, large pot, potato masher or ricer, and measuring cups and spoons for this recipe.
Allergen Information
This dish contains dairy ingredients (butter, milk), and Worcestershire sauce may contain anchovies (fish). Be sure your broth and Worcestershire sauce are gluten-free if required. Always check labels for allergens.
Nutritional Information
Each serving provides approximately 520 calories, 23 g total fat, 36 g carbohydrates, and 44 g protein.
Save This pot roast is guaranteed to fill your kitchen with a beautiful aroma and create lasting memories. Enjoy every comforting bite together!
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What cut of beef is best for slow cooking?
Beef chuck roast is ideal for slow cooking due to its marbling and connective tissue, which break down to become tender and flavorful.
- → Can I use other vegetables besides carrots and celery?
Yes, root vegetables like parsnips or turnips can be added for extra flavor and texture alongside classic carrots and celery.
- → How do I achieve creamy mashed potatoes?
Use starchy potatoes like Yukon Gold or Russet, cook them until very tender, then mash with butter and milk for a smooth, rich consistency.
- → Is it possible to thicken the gravy?
Absolutely, removing some cooking liquid and whisking it with cornstarch before returning it to the pot creates a thicker, glossy gravy.
- → Can this dish be prepared gluten-free?
Yes, by using gluten-free beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, the dish can accommodate gluten-free diets without sacrificing flavor.