🥩 Pot Roast with Potatoes and Carrots
⏱ Time
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Prep: 15 minutes
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Cook: 3–4 hours (oven)
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Total: ~3½–4½ hours
🍽 Servings
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4–6 servings
🧾 Ingredients
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3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) beef chuck roast
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Salt & black pepper, to taste
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1 large onion, sliced
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4 cloves garlic, minced
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2 cups beef broth
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1 tbsp tomato paste
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1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
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1 tsp dried thyme
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1 tsp dried rosemary
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2 bay leaves
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1½ lb baby potatoes (or quartered potatoes)
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4–5 carrots, cut into chunks
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1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water (optional, for gravy)
👩🍳 Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat & season
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Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C).
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Pat roast dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
2️⃣ Sear the roast
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Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
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Sear roast 3–4 minutes per side until browned.
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Remove roast and set aside.
3️⃣ Build the flavor
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Add onion to the pot and cook until softened.
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Stir in garlic and cook 30 seconds.
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Add tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
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Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up browned bits.
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Add thyme, rosemary, and bay leaves.
4️⃣ Slow roast
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Return roast to the pot.
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Cover and place in oven.
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Cook for 2½ hours.
5️⃣ Add vegetables
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Add potatoes and carrots around the roast.
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Cover and cook another 45–60 minutes, until beef is fork-tender.
6️⃣ Make gravy (optional)
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Remove roast and vegetables.
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Bring liquid to a simmer on the stove.
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Stir in cornstarch slurry and cook until thickened.
7️⃣ Serve
Slice or shred roast and serve with potatoes, carrots, and gravy.
❓ Q & A – Common Questions
Q: What’s the best cut of beef for pot roast?
A: Chuck roast is ideal because it becomes tender during slow cooking.
Q: Can I make this in a slow cooker?
A: Yes!
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Sear first, then cook on LOW 8 hours or HIGH 4–5 hours.
Q: Can I use a pressure cooker or Instant Pot?
A: Yes. Cook on HIGH pressure for 60 minutes, natural release 15 minutes.
Q: Why is my roast tough?
A: It needs more time. Tough roast means the connective tissue hasn’t broken down yet.
Q: When should I add the vegetables?
A: Adding them later keeps them from turning mushy.
Q: Can I add other vegetables?
A: Yes! Try:
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Celery
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Mushrooms
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Parsnips
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Turnips
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A:
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Fridge: up to 4 days
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Freezer: up to 3 months.
