Craving a comforting, melt-in-your-mouth dinner with minimal effort? Then this Crock Pot Roast is for you! This recipe is unbelievably easy – just a handful of ingredients and a slow cooker are all you need to create a restaurant-worthy meal.
Ingredients:
- 3-pound chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 packet onion soup mix
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 carrots, peeled and chopped (optional)
- 3 potatoes, peeled and chopped (optional)

Instructions:
- Prep the Roast: Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides for a few minutes to brown it (This step is optional, but adds extra flavor).
- Crock Pot Magic: Place the seared roast (or unseared if you skipped that step) in your crock pot. In a small bowl, whisk together the ranch dressing mix, onion soup mix, dried thyme, and black pepper. Sprinkle the dry mixture evenly over the roast. Pour the beef broth around the roast (it shouldn’t completely submerge the meat).
- Set and Forget: Pop on the lid and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 5-6 hours, or until the roast is fork-tender and falls apart easily.
- Veggie Bonanza (Optional): If you’d like to add vegetables for a complete meal, toss in the chopped carrots and potatoes about 2-3 hours before the end of cooking.
- Serving Suggestions: Once the roast is cooked through, remove it from the crock pot and shred it with two forks. Let the remaining juices in the pot simmer for a few minutes to thicken slightly, then spoon over the shredded beef and vegetables. Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread for dipping into the delicious gravy.
Tips:
- Don’t Peek! Resist the urge to open the lid during cooking. This lets the moisture circulate and keeps the roast nice and tender.
- Thicken Up the Gravy: If you prefer a thicker gravy, whisk a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water) into the simmering juices and cook for a minute or two until thickened.
- Slow Cooker Love: This recipe is adaptable to different crock pot sizes. If your crock pot is smaller, you may need to cut the roast in half so it fits comfortably. Cooking times may also vary slightly depending on the size and wattage of your slow cooker.
With this easy recipe, you’ll have a delicious and satisfying Crock Pot Roast ready to enjoy with minimal effort. So grab your slow cooker and get ready to impress your taste buds!