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Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Pot Roast with Carrots, Mushrooms, and Peas Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 60 reviews
  • Author: Hannah
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe offers a rich, tender beef roast simmered with vegetables, red wine, and herbs for a flavorful and comforting meal. Perfectly seared before slow cooking, the roast becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender with a savory gravy made from the cooking liquids. Ideal for a hearty family dinner or a cozy weekend meal.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Meat and Seasoning

  • 1 2 to 3-pound or bigger beef eye round or top round roast (or chuck roast)
  • 1/4 cup cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Liquids and Flavorings

  • 1 cup beef broth or stock
  • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 cup dry red wine (Merlot or Zinfandel recommended) or additional beef broth

Vegetables and Herbs

  • 1 medium or 1/2 of a large onion, quartered
  • 3 garlic cloves, smashed and peeled
  • 1 cup baby carrots or 4-6 whole carrots, peeled and cut into fingers
  • 1 large sprig of fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 10 oz cremini, baby bella, or white button mushrooms, halved or quartered
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas (no need to thaw)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the seasoning mixture: Combine the cornstarch, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper in a shallow dish. Mix well to ensure even seasoning.
  2. Coat the roast: Roll the beef roast in the cornstarch mixture, coating all sides evenly. Set aside any remaining cornstarch mixture for later use.
  3. Sear the meat: Heat olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for 2-3 minutes on each side, until a rich brown crust forms, enhancing flavor and texture.
  4. Prepare slow cooker base: In the slow cooker, combine the remaining cornstarch mixture, beef broth, balsamic vinegar, and tomato paste. Stir these ingredients to dissolve and create a flavorful cooking liquid.
  5. Transfer meat and sauté aromatics: Remove the seared roast from the pan and place it into the slow cooker. Add the onions to the hot pan and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened, then add the garlic and sauté for another minute. Transfer these aromatics into the slow cooker.
  6. Deglaze the pan: Reduce heat to low and pour the red wine into the pan. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom with a wooden spoon to capture all the flavors, then pour this mixture into the slow cooker.
  7. Add vegetables and herbs: Arrange the carrots and rosemary sprig around the roast in the slow cooker to infuse more flavor during cooking.
  8. Slow cook: Cover and cook the roast on the low setting for 6-8 hours until the meat is fork-tender and cooked through.
  9. Add mushrooms and peas: About 30 minutes before serving, add the mushrooms and frozen peas to the slow cooker. Continue cooking to soften the mushrooms and heat the peas through.
  10. Finish and serve: Remove the roast and vegetables from the slow cooker. Slice or shred the meat as preferred. Strain or ladle the cooking liquid to serve as a rich gravy alongside the roast and vegetables.

Notes

  • For variation, chuck roast may be used instead of eye round or top round for more marbling and tenderness.
  • If red wine is not desired, substitute additional beef broth for a similar depth of flavor.
  • Ensure the roast is well-coated with cornstarch to help thicken the gravy as it cooks.
  • Natural pressure release in the Instant Pot method is crucial to maintain meat tenderness and juiciness.
  • Frozen peas are added last to retain their color and texture without overcooking.
  • Leftover gravy can be thickened with a slurry of cornstarch and water if needed before serving.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 200g meat with vegetables and gravy)
  • Calories: 350 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 450 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg