Pot Roast Seasoning
Use a beef roast, a slow cooker, and this easy Pot Roast Seasoning recipe to create the best pot roast with gravy you have ever eaten. GASP! I even skip the browning step. No dirty pan. No splattered oil.
Seasoning a Beef Pot Roast
I know... those 4 ingredients poured over a beef roast seem unlikely to create the best pot homemade pot roast you've ever had.
But it does! I rarely choose to make any other pot roast recipe and we eat a lot of pot roasts in this farmhouse.
Your family and friends will think you're pretty awesome if you put this on the table. And guess, what?
They will also think you worked over the stove all day. I won't tell, if you don't.
Ingredients for Pot Roast Seasoning
No need to employ every ingredient in your spice cabinet or worry about adjusting the amount of seasoning per pound. All you will need to create this homemade pot roast seasoning recipe:
- Beef Roast - I love a good arm roast, but a chuck roast works great too. 3-4 pounds of meat is about the size I typically use.
- Ranch Dressing Mix - I'm kind of choosy about ranch dressing. I use the Hidden Valley Ranch brand. I like the herbs and spices this brings to the roast. Plus, this is a regular pantry item at my house for a start on our veggie dip.
- Brown Gravy Mix - I typically just grab the store brand.
- Italian Dressing Mix--I use Wishbone spice blend and buy the 4 pack.
- Can of pop - I usually use Dr. Pepper because that's what I have, but I sometimes use cheap cola or Coke. I've used a root beer and a Pepsi. They have all worked great.
- Cornstarch - This helps thicken the liquid in your slow cooker and make it into the super sauce gravy.
- Potatoes and Carrots as desired. If I add them to the roast, I add them about halfway through cooking the roast so the veggies don't get mushy.
💭Top Tips
- Use any kind of soda pop you like. You can also use a can of beer, apple juice, or just plain ol' water and it would still be tasty. You will need liquid to amount to the can of pop (2 cups).
- Add a little cornstarch slurry to the crock pot for the last 10 minutes or so of cooking to make the best brown gravy ev-er. I'll give you details on how to make good gravy below.
🥄 How to Make and Season a Pot Roast in the Crock Pot
Place a thawed beef roast in the slow cooker.
For the dry rub - Add the envelopes of brown gravy mix, ranch dressing mix, and Italian dressing mix to the top of the roast.
Pour a can of pop along the side of the roast.
With the slow cooker's lid on, cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until the roast is easily pierced with a fork.
Turn the slow cooker to high and add the cornstarch slurry to the cooking juices.
With the lid on the slow cooker, bring the cooking juices and cornstarch/water slurry to a boil in order to thicken it into a gravy. This will take about 10 minutes.
The seasoning is already done for you. In my opinion, there is no need to add salt or pepper.
FAQ
There are certainly benefits to browning meat for cooking in a slow cooker. I totally get it. However, for this recipe, it's just NOT necessary. The flavor will be deep and delicious without the extra steps, mess, and dirty pan.
Because truthfully, when I want to throw a hunk of meat and some stuff in the Crock Pot before I head out the door, I need it to be really simple.
You should have about 1½ cups of cooking liquid in the slow cooker. This flavorful liquid becomes the base for your gravy.
In a small bowl, whisk together 1½ tablespoons cornstarch with 1½ tablespoons cold water to make a smooth slurry.
Stir the slurry into the hot liquid in the slow cooker, then turn the heat to high and cover. Once the liquid comes to a boil, the gravy will thicken.
My favorite beef roast cuts for the slow cooker are the arm roast and the chuck roast. I don't enjoy a rump roast in this application.
You can use the same beef roast seasoning ingredients and bake the roast in a covered pan in the oven. I like to cook mine at 325 for 2-4 hours or until fork tender.
I was afraid the pot roast seasoning would taste too salty the first time I made it, but I find it to be perfectly seasoned.
Of course, each of us has an opinion, so if you find the gravy a bit salty, add some extra water and increase the amount of cornstarch slurry to adjust to the extra liquid.
I would recommend skipping adding any kosher salt in the cooking phase. You can always add some at the end if you find it needs a little lift.
I love to use the leftover beef roast and gravy to make:
Beef and Noodles - Homemade noodles, frozen or dried egg noodles all work great for this dish.
Using dry noodles in beef & noodles - Cook the noodles as directed on the package. Drain the noodles and then add the gravy and beef roast (chopped up). Stir and heat until warmed through.
Using frozen noodles in leftover roast beef & noodles - Heat the gravy and chopped up beef roast in a dutch oven. Add 3-4 cups of water to start. Bring to a boil and add the frozen noodles. Add more water as the noodles cook to keep them from glopping together.
Absolutely! And the pork roast is just as delicious. Use pork, turkey, or chicken gravy mix if you prefer, when making a pork roast
Variations for Pot Roast Seasoning
- Mushroom Beef Gravy - Add sliced mushrooms when the roast is about halfway finished cooking.
- Roast with Potatoes, Carrots, and Onions - Add these in if you like. Many people cook them the entire time the roast is cooking. I don't like them so soggy (some might call it "tender") so I add mine about halfway through the roast cooking time.
Equipment
Any slow cooker or Crock Pot is fine. I like the simple ones with low, high, and off settings.
Storing Pot Roast
As always, store leftovers in a covered container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
🥗 What to Serve with Beef Roast
My favorite side dishes to serve with Beef Roast are old-fashioned mashed potatoes (you have to have someplace to put that delicious gravy!) and Jalapeno Creamed Corn.
Honey Sriracha Brussels Sprouts make fantastic veggie side dishes and bring some great nutrition to the dinner plate.
I enjoy a good jello salad as a side dish/dessert with pot roast. It just feels old-timey.
It's nice to have jello ready when the crock pot roast is finished.
To do that, just throw the Jello together in the morning before you head out and your whole dinner will be nearly ready when you get home.
More Comfort Food Recipes
This Pot Roast Seasoning Recipe is the best kind of comfort food that is ready when you get home.
You might also enjoy the 3-Ingredient Ham Glaze recipe, too.
For other recipes that are just fix it and forget it. Try one of our soups like Instant Pot Ham and Beans or Cozy Autumn Wild Rice Soup in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker.
💬 Did You Try this Recipe?
Lastly, if you season your next roast following this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!
I love hearing from you! I'll do my best to respond to each comment.
And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag me on Instagram! Seeing your photos is my favorite thing!
Pot Roast Seasoning
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place thawed beef arm roast in the slow cooker
- Pour all 3 mixes over the beef arm roast
- Add the can of Dr Pepper to the slow cooker
- Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or until fork tender
- In a small bowl, stir the cornstarch and water together until no lumps remain, creating a slurry
- Add the cornstarch/water slurry to the juices in the slow cooker and turn the slow cooker up to high
- Put the lid on and cook for 10 minutes or until the gravy boils
Someone gave me the recipe from you years ago and I’ve never made roast any other way since! Such good flavor! And I use whatever pop I have on hand, even Diet Coke in a pinch and it’s still just as yummy!
I’m so glad you enjoy this roast recipe as much as I do! I’m with you—mo other recipe ever needed! I’ve never tried it with diet pop but that’s valuable for those who are unable to have sugar. Thank you for your feedback. It’s just about roast weather again!
This is the best roast I ever ate
Ruthie,
I’m so glad you enjoy it as much as we do!
We’ve been making this for years now after learning it from you! So yummy-one of our favorites!!
Tracy,
Thank you for your kind words of support. I’m glad to hear your family enjoys this roast as much as we do. I think we will have this roast tonight!
Yay! I hope you find a few more family favs to add to your menu rotation. 🙂
Chuckie
What a great recipe? How did you learn to cook like you do? Any tips would be helpful. I’m an average cook but my family loves your recipes.
Terry,
Thank you! I suggest you start with good recipes and practice. Don’t give up if you make a flop (I have those too) Find the joy in sharing good food with others, that’s all the encouragement I need! Maybe it will work for you too.
It was delicious!!!
Cooked it today❤️
Well??? How did it turn out, Penny?
OK, OK. You’ve convinced me! I will give this a try. We are harvesting corn, so I have lots of guinea pigs to try out new recipes on! I will let you know what the guys think of this roast.
Nothing like a bunch of hungry farmers eating a home cooked meal in the field. Bless you and yours that raise food for all of us. Thank you for being a farmer (and trying my recipes!)!
Can’t wait to get beef from the locker to try this.
It's so perfect to come home to after a busy day at work and even better with homegrown beef! 🙂 Enjoy!
I’ve made it 3 times now, best I’ve ever had!! Thank you!!
Good! I'm so happy you are enjoying it. It's one of the family favs!
We made this last night! Turned out great! We REALLY liked the gravy!
I could DRINK that gravy!
Can’t wait to try it!
Come back and let us know whatcha think!
Saved as a favorite, I like your site!