Tender Slow Cooker Beef Roast

A juicy, flavorful beef roast slow-cooked with onions, carrots, and potatoes until wonderfully tender. The rich savory gravy makes this classic comfort-food dinner perfect for a family Sunday meal.

🥩 Ingredients

• 3–4 lbs (1.4–1.8 kg) beef chuck roast
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 carrots, cut into large pieces
• 1½ lbs (680 g) potatoes, cut into chunks
• 2 cups beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 2 bay leaves

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1. Season the Roast

Pat the raw beef roast dry with paper towels.

Combine the salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and rosemary.

Rub the seasoning mixture generously over all sides of the roast.

2. Sear the Beef

Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.

Sear the roast for approximately 3–4 minutes per side, until deeply browned.

Transfer it to the slow cooker.

3. Add the Vegetables

Place the sliced onion, garlic, carrots, and potatoes around the roast.

In a bowl, whisk together the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste.

Pour the mixture into the slow cooker.

Add the bay leaves.

4. Slow Cook

Cover and cook on:

• LOW: 8–9 hours
• HIGH: 4–5 hours

The roast is ready when it is fork-tender and pulls apart easily.

5. Make the Gravy

Carefully remove the beef and vegetables from the slow cooker.

Discard the bay leaves.

For a thicker gravy, transfer the cooking liquid to a saucepan.

Mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch with 3 tablespoons cold water to make a slurry.

Whisk it into the simmering cooking liquid and cook for 2–3 minutes, until thickened.

6. Serve

Slice or shred the tender beef.

Arrange it with the potatoes and carrots and spoon plenty of the rich gravy over the top.

Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

⭐ Tips for the Best Beef Roast

• Chuck roast is ideal because its marbling becomes tender during slow cooking.
• Searing the roast first adds a deeper, richer flavor.
• Keep the vegetables in large chunks so they don’t become mushy.
• Avoid lifting the slow-cooker lid repeatedly.
• Let the roast rest for 10–15 minutes before slicing if you want cleaner slices.
• For a shreddable roast, cook until it is very tender and pulls apart easily.

⏱️ Recipe Details

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 8–9 hours on LOW
Total Time: About 9 hours
Servings: 6–8
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American comfort food