Hearty Slow Cooker Sunday Pot Roast
Gather your family and friends for a delightful Hearty Slow Cooker Sunday Pot Roast! This comforting one-dish meal is perfect for large gatherings or cozy Sunday dinners. Utilizing a 7-quart slow cooker, this recipe enhances flavors with tender cuts of beef loaded with fresh vegetables, all slow-cooked to perfection. The addition of bacon and aromatic herbs elevates the dish, while a rich gravy ties everything together. Prepare ahead of time, and let the slow cooker do the work while you enjoy the company of your loved ones. This pot roast dinner is not only a favorite for special occasions but also makes for sumptuous leftovers or easy freezer meals.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless bottom round roast
4 lbs (Pat dry and insert garlic slivers.)
Garlic cloves
2-3 (Cut into slivers.)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (To season roast.)
Black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (To season roast.)
Bacon
3 slices (Chopped and cooked until crisp.)
Medium onions
2 (Cut into thin wedges.)
Celery rib
1 (Cut into 1/2-inch slices.)
Red potatoes
2 lbs (Cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces.)
Carrot
1/2 lb (Cut into 1-inch pieces.)
Parsnip
1/2 lb (Peeled, halved lengthwise, and cut into 1-inch pieces.)
Dried marjoram
1 teaspoon (To sprinkle over ingredients.)
Dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (To sprinkle over ingredients.)
Condensed tomato soup
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) (To combine with other ingredients.)
Condensed beef consomme
1/2 cup (Plus 1/3 cup to mix with flour.)
Dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon (To combine with other ingredients.)
Balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons (To combine with other ingredients.)
All-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (To thicken the gravy.)
Instructions
1
Pat the roast dry with paper towels. Cut deep slits into the surface of the roast and insert slivers of garlic into each slit. Lightly sprinkle salt and pepper over the meat and set aside.
2
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon, leaving the drippings in the skillet. Add the roast to the drippings and sear for about 5 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally to brown all sides. Once browned, remove the skillet from heat.
3
In the bottom of the slow cooker, layer the cut onions and celery. Place the browned roast on top of the vegetables. Pour the drippings from the skillet over the roast, then sprinkle the crispy bacon, potatoes, carrots, and parsnips around it.
4
Sprinkle dried marjoram and thyme over the vegetables and meat. In a medium bowl, mix together the condensed tomato soup, 1/2 cup of beef consomme, mustard, and balsamic vinegar. Pour this mixture over everything in the slow cooker.
5
Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on the LOW setting for 8 to 10 hours, or until both the roast and vegetables are tender.
6
Once cooking is complete, remove the roast and place it on a cutting board. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to a serving bowl, covering them to keep warm.
7
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and the remaining 1/2 cup of beef consomme to create a slurry. Stir this mixture into the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Cover and increase the heat to HIGH, cooking for about 10 minutes or until the gravy has thickened.
8
Slice the pot roast and serve it with the vegetables and thickened gravy for a heartwarming, delicious meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Slow Cooker Sunday Pot Roast?
It is a comforting one-dish meal made with a 4-pound boneless bottom round roast, fresh vegetables, and savory herbs, all slow-cooked to perfection in a rich gravy.
What cut of beef is used for this pot roast?
The recipe calls for a 4 lb boneless bottom round roast.
How long does it take to cook the roast?
The roast should be cooked on the low setting for 8 to 10 hours until the meat and vegetables are tender.
Do I need to sear the meat before putting it in the slow cooker?
Yes, searing the roast for 5 to 8 minutes in bacon drippings helps enhance the flavor and texture of the meat.
How do I prepare the garlic for the roast?
Cut 2-3 garlic cloves into slivers and insert them into deep slits cut into the surface of the roast.
What size slow cooker is recommended?
This recipe is designed for a 7-quart slow cooker to accommodate the roast and all the vegetables.
What vegetables are included in this recipe?
The dish features onions, celery, red potatoes, carrots, and parsnips.
How do I make the gravy thicker?
In a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons of flour and 1/3 cup of beef consomme, then stir the slurry into the slow cooker liquid and cook on high for 10 minutes.
Do I need to cook the bacon first?
Yes, cook 3 slices of chopped bacon until crisp, then use the drippings to sear the roast and sprinkle the crispy bacon over the vegetables later.
What herbs are used for seasoning?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of dried marjoram and 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme.
Can I substitute the parsnips?
While the recipe calls for parsnips, you can substitute them with extra carrots or other root vegetables if preferred.
What is the base for the cooking liquid?
The cooking liquid is a mixture of condensed tomato soup, beef consomme, dry mustard, and balsamic vinegar.
How should I cut the potatoes?
Red potatoes should be cut into approximately 1 1/2-inch pieces.
How do I prepare the parsnips?
Peel them, halve them lengthwise, and cut them into 1-inch pieces.
Is there any vinegar in this recipe?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar are added to the sauce for a depth of flavor.
Should the slow cooker be on high or low?
The main cooking process should be done on the low setting for 8 to 10 hours.
How do I layer the ingredients?
Layer the onions and celery at the bottom, place the browned roast on top, then add the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and bacon around it.
What kind of tomato soup should I use?
Use one 10.75-ounce can of condensed tomato soup.
Can I use dry mustard?
Yes, the recipe requires 1/2 teaspoon of dry mustard for the sauce mixture.
What do I do with the drippings from the skillet?
After searing the roast, pour the drippings from the skillet directly over the roast in the slow cooker.
How do I serve the pot roast?
Slice the roast and serve it with the cooked vegetables and the thickened gravy.
Can I freeze the leftovers?
Yes, this pot roast makes for great freezer meals once cooled.
How many onions are needed?
The recipe calls for 2 medium onions cut into thin wedges.
Do I need to peel the carrots?
The recipe suggests cutting them into 1-inch pieces; peeling is optional but generally recommended for carrots.
Is beef consomme the same as beef broth?
Consomme is a clarified and more concentrated form of beef stock, providing a richer flavor for the gravy.
Why is flour used at the end?
Flour is mixed with beef consomme to create a slurry that thickens the cooking liquids into a rich gravy.
Can I prepare this in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and let the slow cooker work while you are busy.
What should I do if the gravy isn't thick enough?
Ensure the slow cooker is set to high after adding the slurry and cook for at least 10 minutes.
Is this recipe suitable for large gatherings?
Yes, it is specifically described as a delightful meal for large gatherings or family Sunday dinners.
What makes this roast 'hearty'?
The combination of 4 lbs of beef and 3 lbs of various root vegetables makes it a very filling and substantial meal.