Looking for a simple, hearty meal to feed your family with minimal effort? This Slow Cooker Chuck Roast with Tender Vegetables and Gravy is the perfect solution. It’s rich in flavor, loaded with tender vegetables, and creates its own savory gravy—all while cooking in the slow cooker.
This dish is perfect for busy weeknights or a comforting weekend meal, just like our Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast for a faster take on this classic dish.
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A Slow Cooker Chuck Roast is a classic comfort food, known for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness. The chuck roast, a cut from the shoulder of the cow, is slow-cooked to perfection with vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and onions.
If you're a fan of slow-cooked, braised beef dishes, you’ll also love our Authentic Cuban Ropa Veija —a bold, flavorful shredded beef dish made effortlessly in the slow cooker—or try our Osso Buco Recipe for a rich, Italian-style braised beef dish with incredible depth of flavor.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Let your slow cooker do the heavy lifting for a hands-off meal. If you love set-it-and-forget-it meals, try our Dutch Oven Short Rib Barbacoa for another rich, slow-cooked beef dish with deep flavors.
- Tender, Flavorful Meat: Chuck roast becomes fall-apart tender after hours of slow cooking.
- One-Pot Meal: With vegetables and gravy cooked alongside the roast, there’s minimal cleanup. Prefer a creamier side? Swap the potatoes for our Classic Mashed Potatoes to soak up all that rich, flavorful gravy!
- Perfect for Entertaining: The incredible flavor makes it a great dish for serving guests.
Slow Cooker Chuck Roast Ingredients
- Chuck roast: Choose a well-marbled roast for tenderness.
- Small potatoes: Yukon Gold or red potatoes work best, as they hold up well in the slow cooker.
- Carrots: They add natural sweetness.
- Onion: Adds depth as it softens during cooking.
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic brings a subtle kick of flavor.
- Beef broth: Creates the base for the rich gravy that forms as the roast cooks.
- Red wine: Adds a rich flavor to the gravy.
A full ingredient list with exact measurements can be found in the recipe card below.
Substitutions & Variations
- Chuck roast: Swap with brisket or rump roast for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- Red wine: Replace with extra beef broth if you prefer to avoid alcohol.
- Potatoes: Larger potatoes like russet can be used if cut into smaller portions.
How To Make Slow Cooker Chuck Roast with Tender Vegetables and Gravy
STEP ONE: Prepare the Chuck Roast
Pat the chuck roast dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Coat the roast with flour. Heat olive oil in a skillet and sear the roast on all sides for 4-5 minutes, creating a golden-brown crust.
STEP TWO: Prepare the Liquid Base
In the same skillet, deglaze with 1 cup of red wine (if using), scraping up any browned bits. Stir in tomato paste, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker.
STEP THREE: Slow Cook the Roast
Place the seared roast into the slow cooker. Add minced garlic, sliced onion, thyme and bay leaf. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
STEP FOUR: Add Vegetables
Midway through cooking (around 4 hours on low or 2 hours on high), add the potatoes and carrots. Continue cooking until the meat is tender and the vegetables are cooked through. Remove thyme sprigs and bay leaves before serving.
Expert Tips for Success
👩🍳Jami's Pro Tips: Want to take this recipe to the next level? Check out my expert tips below for the best flavor, texture, and meal prep hacks!
✔️ DO Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with cold water and stir into the slow cooker during the last hour of cooking if you prefer a thicker gravy.
❌ DO NOT Skip searing the meat! This locks in the juices and creates a flavorful crust that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Storage
Store any leftover pot roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 2 months. To reheat, use the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of broth to keep the roast moist, or microwave individual portions.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can cook chuck roast in a slow cooker without searing it first. However, searing the roast before slow cooking adds flavor and helps to lock in the juices, giving the meat a rich, caramelized crust.
Common vegetables that pair well with slow cooker chuck roast include potatoes, carrots, onions, and celery. You can also add mushrooms, parsnips, or turnips. These vegetables cook slowly alongside the roast, soaking up the delicious flavors.
To make thicker gravy, remove the cooked roast and vegetables, and pour the remaining liquid into a saucepan. Simmer the liquid on medium heat. In a separate bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering liquid. Cook for a few minutes until the gravy thickens, stirring occasionally.
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📖 Recipe
Slow Cooker Chuck Roast with Tender Vegetables and Gravy
Equipment
- Slow cooker
- Large skillet
- Tongs for searing
- Sharp Knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs chuck roast well marbled
- 10-12 small new potatoes Yukon Gold or red work well
- 4 large carrots peeled and cut into 2-3 inch pieces
- 1 large onion sliced thick
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 cups beef broth or 3 cups if you prefer more gravy
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 tablespoon flour for searing
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil for searing
- fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper, then lightly coat the roast in flour.
- In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned (about 4-5 minutes per side).
- In the same skillet, deglaze with 1 cup of red wine, scraping up any browned bits. Add the tomato paste, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce, stirring until combined. Pour this mixture into the slow cooker.
- Place the seared chuck roast into the slow cooker. Add minced garlic, sliced onion, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf. Cook on low for 8-9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
- After 4 hours on low (or 2 hours on high), add the small potatoes and carrot pieces to the slow cooker. Cover and continue cooking for the remaining time until the roast is tender and the vegetables are cooked through.
- Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Slice or shred the roast and serve with the vegetables, spooning the gravy over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley.
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Notes
- Chuck roast: Swap with brisket or rump roast for a slightly different flavor and texture.
- Red wine: Replace with extra beef broth if you prefer to avoid alcohol.
- Potatoes: Larger potatoes like russet can be used if cut into smaller portions.
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