Cooking a pot roast is one of those great one-pot meals that take very little prep time. It's not difficult to learn how to cook a pot roast either. With just some simple ingredients and some time, you can have a complete family meal made by dinner time. Just don't forget to make that wonderful pot roast gravy from your homemade beef broth.
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Keyword basic pot roast recipe, easy pot roast, recipe for a pot roast, slow cooker pot roast, what is a pot roast
Pat dry roast. Generously salt and pepper the roast.
Brown the roast on all sides and transfer meat to the slow cooker.
Deglaze the skillet with water. Scrape skillet to release the fond from the pan. Add the liquid from the pan into the slow cooker with the roast.
Add carrots, onion, celery, garlic, Italian seasoning, and bay leaf to the slow cooker.
Pour cold water over the roast and vegetables, enough to cover plus an additional 2 inches.
Turn the slow cooker on low and cook for 7 hours.
Add potatoes and adjust seasoning and cook for another hour.
The roast is finished when it is fork-tender. Remove from the slow cooker and allow to rest under a foil tent for 15 minutes.
Gravy
In a clean skillet, take 2 tablespoons of butter and melt over medium high heat. Add in 2 tablespoons of flour and make a roux. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes.
Whisk in 2 cups of pot roast liquid and bring to a boil, about 4 minutes. Adjust seasoning and serve.
Notes
What is the best roast for pot roast? You can use any type of roast such as chuck, top round, or bottom round.
Roasting times may vary depending on the type and size of the roast.