Slow Cooker Cajun-Style Pot Roast
This Slow Cooker Cajun-Style Pot Roast is a delectable take on a classic Southern dish, hailing from the heart of Louisiana. Originally shared by a talented cook in a rustic restaurant outside Houma, the recipe has been adapted for the convenience of a slow cooker without sacrificing its bold, authentic flavors. This dish combines tender, spiced chuck roast with vegetables and a rich sauce that tantalizes the palate, making it perfect for family dinners or special gatherings.
8
Servings
350
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
crushed tomatoes in puree
15 ounces (canned)
beef or chicken stock
1 cup (none)
dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dried basil
1/2 teaspoon (none)
crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 teaspoon (none)
bay leaf
1 (none)
cayenne
1/2 teaspoon (none)
fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/4 teaspoon (none)
chuck roast
3 lbs (lean, trimmed of fat, cut into 1 1/2 inch thick steaks)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
onions
2 (chopped)
celery
3 stalks (chopped)
green bell pepper
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
flour
2 tablespoons (none)
Instructions
1
In the slow cooker, combine crushed tomatoes, beef or chicken stock, dried thyme, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and the bay leaf. Stir thoroughly to ensure even mixing and set the slow cooker to high.
2
In a small bowl, combine cayenne pepper, black pepper, and salt. Rub this spice blend liberally onto the chuck roast steaks.
3
In a large cast iron skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the seasoned meat on all sides until browned. This step helps lock in flavors and add depth to the dish.
4
Transfer the browned meat to the slow cooker.
5
In the same skillet, using the remaining drippings, sauté onions, celery, green bell pepper, and garlic until the vegetables are tender and aromatic.
6
Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly for about two minutes to create a roux.
7
Add the sautéed vegetable mixture to the slow cooker, spreading it evenly over the meat.
8
Cover the slow cooker, reduce the heat setting to low, and allow the dish to cook for 6 to 7 hours until the meat is fork-tender and the flavors have melded together.
9
Once cooked, cut the pot roast into serving size portions and serve the meat and sauce over a bed of cooked rice for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
22.5g
Fat
10g
Carbs
20g
Protein
1.5g
Fiber
2g
Sugar
350mg
Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Slow Cooker Cajun-Style Pot Roast?
It is a Southern dish originating from Louisiana that features tender chuck roast seasoned with bold Cajun spices and slow-cooked with a rich tomato-based sauce.
What is the origin of this recipe?
The recipe was adapted from a version shared by a talented cook in a rustic restaurant located outside of Houma, Louisiana.
What cut of beef is best for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 3 lbs of chuck roast, trimmed of fat and cut into 1.5-inch thick steaks.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe yields approximately 8 servings.
Is this pot roast spicy?
Yes, it has a spicy kick due to the inclusion of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, and fresh ground black pepper.
What are the 'Holy Trinity' vegetables used in this dish?
In keeping with Cajun tradition, this recipe uses the 'Holy Trinity' of onions, celery, and green bell pepper.
How long does it take to cook in a slow cooker?
The roast should be cooked on a low setting for 6 to 7 hours until the meat is fork-tender.
Should I sear the meat before slow cooking?
Yes, searing the meat in olive oil helps lock in the flavors and adds a deeper color and texture to the dish.
How do I thicken the sauce?
The sauce is thickened by creating a roux; you sprinkle flour over the sautéed vegetables and stir for two minutes before adding the mixture to the slow cooker.
What should I serve with Cajun-Style Pot Roast?
It is traditionally served over a bed of cooked white rice to complement the savory sauce.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 350 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There are 22.5 grams of fat per serving.
How much protein is in each serving?
Each serving provides about 20 grams of protein.
Does this recipe use fresh or canned tomatoes?
It uses 15 ounces of canned crushed tomatoes in puree.
What type of stock should I use?
You can use either beef or chicken stock for this recipe.
What dried herbs are included?
The recipe calls for dried thyme and dried basil.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
The recipe requires 4 minced garlic cloves.
What is the carbohydrate count per serving?
There are 10 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much sodium is in this dish?
There is approximately 350mg of sodium per serving.
Is there any fiber in this recipe?
Yes, there is about 1.5g of fiber per serving.
How much sugar is in the recipe?
There are 2 grams of sugar per serving.
What size should the meat be cut into?
The chuck roast should be cut into steaks approximately 1.5 inches thick.
How many onions do I need?
The recipe requires 2 chopped onions.
Do I need to use a bay leaf?
Yes, one bay leaf is added to the slow cooker to enhance the aromatic profile of the sauce.
Can I use a cast iron skillet for the preparation?
Yes, a large cast iron skillet is recommended for searing the meat and sautéing the vegetables.
What is the first step in the slow cooker?
The first step is to combine the crushed tomatoes, stock, thyme, basil, red pepper flakes, and bay leaf on a high setting.
How much olive oil is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil for searing.
Are there any specific preparation instructions for the celery?
The 3 stalks of celery should be chopped before being sautéed.
Does the recipe include salt?
Yes, 1/4 teaspoon of salt is used in the spice rub for the meat.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 16 ingredients used in this recipe.