Description
Hearty slow cooker pot roast promises comfort on chilly evenings, delivering tender beef infused with rich, savory flavors. Succulent meat melts in your mouth, inviting you to savor a classic American dinner that warms both body and soul.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3.4 lbs (1.52 kg) beef chuck roast (or shoulder roast)
- 3 large potatoes, cut into chunks (Yukon gold or russet)
- 4 medium carrots, cut into chunks
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
- 1 cup (240 ml) red wine (optional, or use extra broth)
- 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsps tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (for thickening, optional)
- 1 tbsp cold water (for slurry, optional)
Instructions
- Seasoning Preparation: Generously coat the roast with a vibrant blend of herbs and spices, massaging the mixture deeply into every surface to maximize flavor penetration.
- Searing Technique: Rapidly caramelize the meat’s exterior in a blazing hot skillet, developing a complex flavor crust that will elevate the overall taste profile of the dish.
- Vegetable Foundation: Layer a colorful array of root vegetables and aromatics as a flavorful base in the slow cooker, creating a natural flavor platform for the roast.
- Liquid Infusion: Whisk together a complex braising liquid combining beef broth, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, and tomato paste to create a deeply nuanced cooking medium.
- Slow Cooking Process: Immerse the seasoned roast and vegetables in the liquid mixture, allowing the slow cooker to transform the ingredients over several hours of gentle, low-temperature cooking.
- Doneness Assessment: Carefully monitor the meat’s tenderness, ensuring it reaches a state where it can be effortlessly pulled apart with minimal pressure, indicating perfect cooking.
- Sauce Refinement: Develop a luxurious gravy by introducing a cornstarch slurry during the final cooking stages, creating a silky, rich sauce that complements the roast’s robust flavors.
- Serving Preparation: Delicately deconstruct the roast using two forks, creating succulent shreds that intertwine beautifully with the accompanying vegetables and concentrated cooking liquid.
- Culinary Presentation: Artfully plate the dish with complementary accompaniments like creamy polenta, rustic bread, or roasted vegetables to showcase the roast’s rich and comforting essence.
Notes
- Seal in Flavor: Searing the roast before slow cooking creates a delicious caramelized exterior that locks in deep, rich flavors and prevents the meat from becoming bland.
- Choose the Right Cut: Select well-marbled chuck roast or bottom round for maximum tenderness and rich taste, avoiding lean cuts that can dry out during long cooking times.
- Control Liquid Levels: Add just enough liquid to cover about one-third of the roast, preventing dilution of flavors while ensuring sufficient moisture for tenderizing the meat.
- Customize Seasoning Blend: Experiment with different herb combinations like rosemary, thyme, and garlic to personalize the roast’s flavor profile without overwhelming the natural meat taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-9 hours (low) or 4-5 hours (high)
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg