The smell alone will bring everyone to the kitchen when this pot roast is cooking.
There’s just something magical about a slow cooker meal on a chilly evening. My family’s eyes lit up when they saw this tender, fall-apart roast coming out of the oven, all those veggies perfectly softened. It’s pure, cozy comfort in a bowl.
**Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Gravy**
**Ingredients:**
* 3-4 pound chuck roast
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper
* 1 large onion, chopped
* 3 carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
* 3 celery stalks, cut into chunks
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 cup beef broth
* 1/2 cup dry red wine (optional, but adds great depth)
* 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
* 1 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
* 2 tablespoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (for gravy)
**Instructions:**
1. Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season generously all over with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until deeply browned. This step is key for flavor!
3. Place the seared roast in your slow cooker.
4. Scatter the chopped onion, carrots, and celery around the roast. Sprinkle the minced garlic over the veggies.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, red wine (if using), Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and rosemary. Pour this liquid over the roast and vegetables.
6. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the roast is fork-tender.
7. Carefully remove the roast and vegetables from the slow cooker and place them on a platter. Tent loosely with foil to keep warm.
8. In a saucepan, bring the cooking liquid from the slow cooker to a simmer over medium heat.
9. Gradually whisk in the cornstarch slurry. Cook, stirring constantly, until the gravy has thickened and is glossy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Serve the pot roast with the vegetables and plenty of that luscious gravy!
Pro Tip: For an extra rich gravy, you can spoon off some of the excess fat from the cooking liquid before thickening it.
Who would you make this comforting meal for first?