Slow Cooker Beef Roast
This easy 3-ingredient slow cooker beef roast is the kind of comforting dinner that requires very little preparation but delivers incredibly tender, flavorful meat. With just beef chuck roast, beef broth, and dry onion soup mix, you can create a rich, savory roast with plenty of delicious gravy.
The slow cooker does almost all the work. After a few minutes of preparation, simply cover the pot and let the beef cook slowly until it becomes tender enough to pull apart with a fork.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Beef Roast
- Only 3 main ingredients: Perfect for busy weeknights.
- Easy slow cooker dinner: Minimal hands-on preparation.
- Fall-apart tender beef: Low-and-slow cooking makes chuck roast exceptionally tender.
- Rich homemade-style gravy: The beef juices and onion seasoning create a deeply savory sauce.
- Family-friendly comfort food: A hearty meal that pairs beautifully with potatoes, noodles, or vegetables.
- Great for leftovers: Use the shredded beef for sandwiches, tacos, wraps, or another quick dinner.
Ingredients
- 3 to 4 lb beef chuck roast
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 (1 oz) packet dry onion soup mix
How to Make 3-Ingredient Slow Cooker Beef Roast
1. Add the beef
Place the beef chuck roast in the bottom of a large slow cooker, with the fattier side facing upward. There is no need to brown the roast first, making this recipe especially convenient for busy days.
2. Add the onion seasoning
Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the beef. Gently press the seasoning onto the surface so it stays in place during cooking.
3. Pour in the beef broth
Slowly pour the beef broth around the roast. Avoid pouring it directly over the seasoning. The broth should reach roughly one-third of the way up the sides of the meat.
4. Slow cook
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or until the beef is extremely tender and easily separates with a fork.
For a 3-pound roast, begin checking around the 8-hour mark.
5. Shred the beef
Carefully transfer the cooked roast to a large platter. Use two forks to pull the beef into large, rustic pieces. You can leave some chunks larger for a hearty presentation.
6. Make the gravy
Stir the cooking liquid in the slow cooker until well combined. If there is excess fat floating on top, carefully skim it with a spoon.
For a thicker gravy, transfer some of the cooking liquid to a saucepan and simmer it gently until it reduces to your preferred consistency.
Spoon the rich gravy over the shredded beef before serving.
What to Serve With Slow Cooker Beef Roast
This tender beef roast is especially good served over:
- Creamy mashed potatoes
- Buttered egg noodles
- Rice
- Roasted potatoes
- Steamed green beans
- Roasted carrots
- Corn
- Crusty dinner rolls
- A simple green salad
The savory gravy is perfect for spooning over mashed potatoes or noodles.
Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Beef Roast
Choose chuck roast: Beef chuck contains enough marbling to stay juicy during long, slow cooking and develops an especially tender texture.
Keep the lid closed: Try not to repeatedly lift the slow cooker lid because heat escapes and cooking time can increase.
Don’t add too much broth: The beef will release additional juices as it cooks, so the liquid doesn’t need to completely cover the roast.
For thicker gravy: Let some of the cooking liquid reduce after cooking, either in the slow cooker with the lid off or in a saucepan on the stovetop.
Let the beef rest: Allow the roast to rest for several minutes before shredding so it remains juicy.
Easy Leftover Ideas
Leftover slow cooker beef can become another meal with almost no extra effort. Pile the shredded beef onto toasted rolls for hot roast beef sandwiches, spoon the gravy over the top, or use the meat in tacos, wraps, quesadillas, or rice bowls.
Store leftover beef and gravy in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently with a little of the reserved gravy to keep the meat moist.
