Easy Pot Roast

This easy pot roast recipe is made with only 5 ingredients and can be made in the crockpot, oven or Instant Pot. It’s a classic comfort meal and melt-in-your-mouth tender!

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Classic Pot Roast Recipe

When I think of comfort food, I immediately think of this easy pot roast. It’s full of delicious flavor and is definitely a family favorite. To make a classic no-fail roast, make it in the oven, you can also use the slow cooker and it’s one of the easiest slow cooker recipes ever!

This pot roast is incredibly juicy and literally falls apart in your mouth! It’s the best recipe for when you need something quick, hearty and delicious. You can add potatoes and carrots in with the roast or make homemade gravy and serve with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

Ingredient Notes

I keep the seasonings in this pot roast pretty simple because the natural flavors cook together all day with the roast and create an amazing taste.

• Chuck roast: A boneless chuck roast is what I used but you can use rump roast, top round or bottom round.
• Beef broth: Beef stock ensures that the roast does not dry out while slow cooking.
• Garlic powder: The more garlic, the better in my opinion. I usually use the powder, but fresh minced garlic tastes great too.
• Onion powder: I add onion powder to help intensify the flavor.
• Optional: Onion slices cut into rings, fresh rosemary and fresh thyme.

How to Make Easy Pot Roast

Today I’m going to share my 3 favorite ways to cook a pot roast. I personally love cooking it in the crockpot for 8 hours because it gets so tender and juicy. You can put it in the morning and it will be ready at dinner time.

If I forgot to put it in the crockpot, I’ll cook it in the oven because it only takes about 3 hours. If I’m really short on time, I’ll cook it in the Instant Pot…which is super easy as well!

• Oven: Preheat the oven to 275°F while you sear the meat in a large Dutch oven. Then cover with broth and top with onion slices and herbs if desired. Place the lid on and cook for 3 hours, or until tender.
• Slow cooker: Transfer the roast to the crockpot after you have seared the meat. Then cover with broth and top with onion slices and herbs if desired. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until the meat is tender. An easy 5-ingredient crockpot meal!
• Instant pot: Turn to sauté to sear the meat. Then you’ll want to make sure to add 1 extra cup of beef broth. Switch Instant Pot to high and cook for 65 minutes. If the meat is not completely thawed, add an additional 20 minutes. Make sure the vent is on the sealed position. Then do a natural release for 10 minutes.

Cooking Tips

• Best meat to use: I recommend using a boneless beef chuck roast. It’s great for cooking low and slow and literally falls apart because it’s so tender.
• Sear the meat first: You don’t have to do this, but it definitely makes a difference! The outside of the meat gets a brown “crust” that really takes the flavor of this dish up a notch.
• When to add potatoes and carrots: If you want to make this a one pot meal, you can add sliced potatoes and carrots to the Dutch oven after the roast has cooked about an hour to 1 1/2 hours. Continue cooking another 1-2 hours. My 3 1/2 pound roast took 3 hours.
• Let the meat rest: Allow the meat to set for about 5 to 10 minutes before slicing so that it keeps all of it’s natural juices.
• Use drippings for gravy: Don’t throw out the pan drippings! Use them to make a homemade gravy. It’s ready in just 10 minutes and tastes amazing drizzled on top of the meat and mashed potatoes.

Favorite Sides for Serving

If I don’t add potatoes and carrots while the pot roast cooks, any of the these sides are great to serve with an easy pot roast!

• Glazed carrots
• Green beans
• Garlic mashed red potatoes
• Roasted potatoes and carrots

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