What are some of the mistakes people make using a slow cooker?

Some common mistakes people make when prepping a slow cooker pot roast recipe are: adding delicate vegetables (or adding them too early) or overfilling the slow cooker. An exception would be adding small frozen vegetables (like peas and carrots) toward the end of a slow cooking recipe.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Name: Slow Cooker Pot Roast
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 8 h 25 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 4 medium potatoes, peeled, each cut into 6 pieces; 4 large carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces; 1 large onion, thinly sliced; 1 dried bay leaf; 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/8 teaspoon pepper; 1 beef top round steak, 1/2 inch thick (1 1/2 lb), cut into 4 serving pieces; 1 3/4 cups Progresso™ beef-flavored broth (from 32-oz carton); 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 tablespoons cornstarch

Prep time:25 min
Total time:8 hr 25 min
Ingredients:11
Servings:4
Calories per serving:370

By Pillsbury Kitchens(Opens in a new tab)Updated 02/09/2024

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Prep time:25 min
Total time:8 hr 25 min
Ingredients:11
Servings:4
Calories per serving:370

This slow cooker pot roast recipe is a keeper! The meat and vegetables cook low and slow all day, so they come out of the slow cooker tender and flavorful. And because the slow cooker does all the work for you, you have more time to check other things off your to-do list.

What is slow cooker pot roast? It’s exactly what it sounds like—a hearty pot roast that preps in the slow cooker and comes out tender and flavorful surrounded by fork tender vegetables. (Cooking food slow helps to add flavor and is a sure-fire way to get the veggie skeptics in your house to ask for seconds!)

Try this recipe on busy days. Because prep is so hands-off, you can whip up something wonderful even when your schedule is packed to the brim.

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker?

Hearty root vegetables, like carrots and potatoes, do better in the slow cooker than more tender vegetables like asparagus and zucchini. When cooked too long, tender veggies can become mushy and flavorless. So skip the temptation to toss them in your slow cooker pot roast recipe.

When should I add vegetables to a crock pot roast?

With the long cook time in this slow cooker pot roast recipe, you might be tempted to hold off on adding the veggies until later. But don’t wait! Add those veggies right from the start so they get super flavorful and tender.

How should I store Slow Cooker Pot Roast?

To store in the refrigerator:
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To store in the freezer:
Pot roast and vegetables can be kept frozen for 2 to 3 months. Place individual servings in freezer-safe containers. Allow 1/4- to 1/2-inch headspace for expansion in freezer containers as the mixture freezes. Cool completely in refrigerator before freezing. Thaw in refrigerator overnight before reheating, or use microwave defrost setting. Use within one day of thawing.

To Reheat:
Place refrigerated or frozen, thawed pot roast and vegetables in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming, or reheat in the microwave.

More About This Recipe

Slow cooker meals are a lifesaver because the slow cooker does all the hard work for you. Plus, when a recipe cooks low and slow all day, it fills your house with a delicious smell and makes the kitchen feel extra cozy.

Craving more scrumptious slow cooker recipes? Try our Slow cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup or our 5-Ingredient Slow cooker Pulled Pork Chili.

Frequently Asked Questions

Don’t skip the browning! When you brown the meat before adding it to a slow cooker pot roast with vegetables, it will take on richer, more complex flavors while it cooks and add to the taste profile of the overall dish.

The good news is that browning doesn’t take very long! It should take just a few minutes to get the pot roast brown on all sides before adding it to the crockpot and letting your favorite countertop cooker do the rest of the work.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Prep time:25 min
Total time:8 hr 25 min
Ingredients:11
Servings:4
Calories per serving:370

Ingredient

4 medium potatoes, peeled, each cut into 6 pieces
4 large carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1 dried bay leaf
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 beef top round steak, 1/2 inch thick (1 1/2 lb), cut into 4 serving pieces
1 3/4 cups Progresso™ beef-flavored broth (from 32-oz carton)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons cornstarch

Instructions

Step 1
Spray 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. In slow cooker, place potatoes, carrots, onion and bay leaf.

Step 2
In shallow bowl, mix flour, salt and pepper. Add beef pieces; turn to coat both sides. Spray 12-inch skillet with cooking spray; heat over medium-high heat. Add beef and brown on all sides; place in slow cooker. In small bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of the broth and the Worcestershire sauce. Pour over beef.

Step 3
Cover; cook on Low heat setting 8 to 10 hours.

Step 4
With slotted spoon, remove beef and vegetables to serving platter; cover to keep warm. Pour liquid from slow cooker into 2-quart saucepan; discard bay leaf. In small bowl, mix remaining 1/4 cup broth and the cornstarch until smooth; add to liquid in saucepan. Heat to boiling over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute. Serve sauce with beef and vegetables.

Recipe Tips

Chop veggies to a uniform size, so they cook evenly. And resist the temptation to take off the lid of the slow cooker and peek while the meat and veggies are cooking. You want to keep all the heat inside the slow cooker.

Nutrition Facts

Calories
370
Total Fat
6g
Protein
39g
Total Carbohydrate
40g
Sugars

Servings: 4

Serving Size: 1 Serving

Amount Per Serving Calories : 370

Nutrition Facts
Food Component / Nutrient	Amount	% , Daily Value*
Total Fat	6g	0%
Saturated Fat	2g	0%
Trans Fat	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
Monounsaturated Fat	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
Polyunsaturated Fat	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
Omega-3	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
Cholesterol	Value Not Available	0%
Sodium	860mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate	40g	0%
Dietary Fiber	4g	0%
Soluble Fiber	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
Insoluble Fiber	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
Sugars	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
Protein	39g	% Value Not Available
Vitamin D	Value Not Available	0%
Calcium	Value Not Available	0%
Iron	Value Not Available	0%
Potassium	Value Not Available	0%
Vitamin A	Value Not Available	0%
Vitamin C	Value Not Available	0%
Vitamin E	Value Not Available	0%
Thiamin	Value Not Available	0%
Riboflavin	Value Not Available	0%
Niacin	Value Not Available	0%
Vitamin B6	Value Not Available	0%
Folic Acid	Value Not Available	0%
Vitamin B12	Value Not Available	0%
Pantothenic Acid	Value Not Available	0%
Phosphorus	Value Not Available	0%
Magnesium	Value Not Available	0%
Zinc	Value Not Available	0%
Manganese	Value Not Available	0%
Selenium	Value Not Available	0%
Copper	Value Not Available	0%
Beta-Carotene	Value Not Available	% Value Not Available
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Exchanges

Starch 2,
Fruit NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Other Carbohydrate NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Skim Milk NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Low-Fat Milk NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Milk NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Vegetable 1&½,
Very Lean Meat 4&½,
Lean Meat NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Medium-Fat Meat NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
High-Fat Meat NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Fat NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Fruits NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Vegetables NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Grains NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Meat & Beans NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Dairy NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated,
Fats & Oils NC†, , NC indicates a nutritional value has not been calculated

† The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Carbohydrate Choice

Carbohydrate Choice2&½

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How should I store Slow Cooker Pot Roast?

To store in the refrigerator:
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days.

To Reheat:
Place refrigerated or frozen, thawed pot roast and vegetables in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming, or reheat in the microwave.

More About This Recipe

Craving more scrumptious slow cooker recipes? Try our Slow cooker Chicken Parmesan Soup or our 5-Ingredient Slow cooker Pulled Pork Chili.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition Facts

Food Component / Nutrient

Amount

% , Daily Value*

Total Fat

Saturated Fat

Trans Fat

Value Not Available

% Value Not Available

Monounsaturated Fat

Value Not Available

% Value Not Available

Polyunsaturated Fat

Value Not Available

% Value Not Available

Omega-3

Value Not Available

% Value Not Available

Cholesterol

Value Not Available

Sodium

860mg

Total Carbohydrate

40g

Dietary Fiber

Soluble Fiber

Value Not Available

% Value Not Available

Insoluble Fiber

Value Not Available

% Value Not Available

Sugars

Value Not Available

% Value Not Available

Protein

39g

% Value Not Available

Vitamin D

Value Not Available

Calcium

Value Not Available

Iron

Value Not Available

Potassium

Value Not Available

Vitamin A

Value Not Available

Vitamin C

Value Not Available

Vitamin E

Value Not Available

Thiamin

Value Not Available

Riboflavin

Value Not Available

Niacin

Value Not Available

Vitamin B6

Value Not Available

Folic Acid

Value Not Available

Vitamin B12

Value Not Available

Pantothenic Acid

Value Not Available

Phosphorus

Value Not Available

Magnesium

Value Not Available

Zinc

Value Not Available

Manganese

Value Not Available

Selenium

Value Not Available

Copper

Value Not Available

Beta-Carotene

Value Not Available

% Value Not Available

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

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Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker?

When should I add vegetables to a crock pot roast?

How should I store Slow Cooker Pot Roast?

More About This Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to brown a pot roast before putting it in a crock pot?

What are some of the mistakes people make using a slow cooker?

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Ingredient

Instructions

Recipe Tips

Nutrition Facts

Exchanges

Carbohydrate Choice

Loading component...

Related Products

Loading component...

Try These Next

Loading component...

Family-friendly meals made easy!

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

What vegetables should not be added to a slow cooker?

When should I add vegetables to a crock pot roast?

How should I store Slow Cooker Pot Roast?

More About This Recipe

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to brown a pot roast before putting it in a crock pot?

What are some of the mistakes people make using a slow cooker?

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Ingredient

Instructions

Recipe Tips

Nutrition Facts

Exchanges

Carbohydrate Choice

Related Products

Try These Next

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