Crock pot roast with onion soup mix and cream of mushroom

This Easy Classic Slow Cooker Pot Roast Dinner has tender pot roast, carrots, and potatoes. The gravy is made at the same time!

Table of Contents Show

Recipe Ingredients
Step-by-Step Directions
How to serve:
Recipe FAQs
Other recipes you’ll love
Do you have to brown a roast before putting it in the crockpot?
Do you put vegetables in bottom or top of crock pot roast?
How long does it take to cook a tender roast in a crock pot?
How long does it take to cook a 3 lb chuck roast in a crock pot on high?

Can you own a slow cooker without trying Slow Cooker Pot Roast? I think not! This is an easy but classic recipe for pot roast that you will make over and over.

This crockpot pot roast recipe uses a chuck roast and has the standard potatoes, carrots, and onions. My recipe also includes a self-making gravy! Just add dinner rolls and butter and your comfort food dinner is served.

Recipe Ingredients

Beef – Chuck Roast has been my favorite for years. The slow cooker makes the chuck roast melt in your mouth tender. If you can’t find a chuck roast my second favorite is a bottom round roast or blade roast, they are not as fatty but the meat shreds very nicely.
The Gravy – Cream of mushroom soup, French Onion soup and cornstarch. This pot roast recipe has a self-making gravy. The canned soups, beef juices along with the cornstarch make a gravy while the roast simmers away. I’ve made this recipe many times and the gravy is always a perfect consistency.
Vegetables – You’ll want to use these root vegetables; red potaotes (or russets), carrots and white onion.
Salt and pepper to taste – To season the gravy when ready to serve.

Step-by-Step Directions

This recipe is very easy to dump in the slow cooker once you cut the potatoes, carrots and onion.

Step One – Add 2/3 of the vegetables on the bottom of your slow cooker. Add the meat on top. Arrange the remaining vegetables around the roast.

Step Two – How to make gravy; in a medium sized bowl, add the cream of mushroom soup, french onion soup and cornstarch. Whisk until the cornstarch is dissolved. Pour this gravy mixture over the roast and vegetables.

Step Three – Cook low and slow for 9-10 hours is my preference. Great for days you are working or away. If you are on a time crunch this recipe can set to high, I recommend 6 hours on high for a fork tender pot roast and veggies. Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste before serving.

How to serve:

Serve directly out of the slow cooker, no need to put on a serving platter.
Use tongs to serve the meat and veggies.
Add salt and pepper to the gravy to taste.
Ladle the gravy over the meat and veggies once plated.
Place a basket of dinner rolls and a stick of butter on the table for a complete meal.

Recipe FAQs

Can I add red wine?

You certainly can! Beef and red wine go great together. Add a half cup of your favorite red wine to the soup mixture and add a tablespoon more cornstarch to the mix.

Should I brown the meat?

I chose not to brown my chuck roast before adding to the slow cooker for this recipe. This recipe has the caramelized onions in the French onion soup, which adds so much flavor. And I like easy for this recipe. You certainly can sear your roast in a skillet on the stove-top (in olive oil or canola oil) and follow the exact directions of this recipe. This is true for most slow cooker recipes; if you prefer to brown, do what makes you happy!

Can I use something other than French onion soup?

Yes, and I highly suggest you do if you have family members who don’t love onions. Use one can of Campbell’s Beef Consume, beef broth or an additional can of cream of mushroom. You can add a touch of onion powder, garlic powder and Worcestershire sauce to make up for the flavor of the French onion soup.

Can I use onion soup mix?

Yes, use one packet of onion soup mix instead of the Campbell’s French onion soup. Add one cup of water as well.

Why is my pot roast not tender?

You most likely did not cook long enough, it’s not because you overcooked it. Place the lid back on the slow cooker (and keep it on). And cook for an additional 2 hours or more.

I think this recipe tastes just like grandma would make but with very little effort. Truly the slow cooker does all the work but we can take credit. Enjoy this easy weeknight recipe as my family has for years.

Want to make more magic in your crockpot? Stay up to date and subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube.

▢ 4 lbs. Beef Chuck roast
▢ 10.5 ounce can Campbell's cream of mushroom soup (or bacon) do not add water
▢ 10.5 ounce can Campbell's French onion soup do not add water
▢ 1/4 cup cornstarch
▢ 2 pounds red potatoes (or russets) cut into 2 inch chunks
▢ 4 carrots peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks (or 1 pound baby carrots)
▢ 1 large white onion diced
▢ salt and pepper to taste

Add 2/3 of the vegetables to the bottom of the slow cooker (the potatoes, onions and carrots).
Add the roast on top of those veggies. I do not brown my roast in a skillet, but you can at this point if desired.
Add the remaining vegetables around the pot roast.
Whisk together soups and cornstarch in a medium bowl, pour over roast.
Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 9-10 hours. Do not open the lid during the cooking time. This can be done on high for 6 hours on high but I recommend low and slow.
When the cooking time is done, I like to degrease the top of the gravy before serving. I do this by taking paper towels and laying over the grease. Pull up quickly and just the grease will be on the paper towel.
Shred or slice the pot roast.
Add salt and pepper to the gravy to taste.
Serve the pot roast with the veggies and drizzle over the gravy. Enjoy!

Can I add red wine?

If you desire to add red wine to this recipe, add a 1/2 cup. But also add 1 more tablespoon of cornstarch to the soup mixture.

Can I sear my roast before adding it to the slow cooker?

Can I use something other than French onion soup?

Yes, and I highly suggest you do if you have family members who don’t love onions. Use one can of Campbell’s Beef Consume, beef broth or an additional can of cream of mushroom. You can add a touch of onion powder or garlic powder to make up for the flavor of the French onion soup.

Can I use Lipton Onion Soup Mix?

Yes, use one packet of onion soup mix instead of the French onion soup. Add one cup of water as well.

Why is my roast not tender?

You most likely did not cook long enough, it’s not because you overcooked it. Place the lid back on the slow cooker (and keep it on). And cook for an additional 2 hours or more.

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker

Other recipes you’ll love

Slow Cooker Italian Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Dill Pickle Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Balsamic Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Horseradish Pot Roast

FREE EMAIL SERIESSLOW COOKER SECRETS

Get Sarah's tricks to delicious and hands-free cooking!

Do you have to brown a roast before putting it in the crockpot?

"Browning, or caramelizing, meat before putting it into a slow cooker isn't one hundred percent necessary, but it is well worth the effort for the most flavorful and full-bodied end result," he says. "The caramelized surface of the meat will lend rich flavor and color to the finished dish."

Do you put vegetables in bottom or top of crock pot roast?

Layer wisely: For even cooking, cut food into uniform-size pieces. Place firm, slow-cooking root vegetables like potatoes and carrots at the bottom of the crock and pile the meat on top.

How long does it take to cook a tender roast in a crock pot?

Season roast with a good amount of salt and pepper and sear on all sides until browned (about 5-6 minutes each side). Transfer roast to the bowl of a 6-quart slow cooker. Add in all remaining ingredients and cook on low 8 hours. The meat will be so tender and falling apart, and the vegetables soft.

How long does it take to cook a 3 lb chuck roast in a crock pot on high?

How Long to Cook Roast in the Slow Cooker. The cooking time for your pot roast will depend on your Crock-Pot's setting. A three-pound roast usually takes four to five hours to cook thoroughly. A lower, slower setting will take six to eight hours for the most tender finish.