Here’s a great comfort meal for a cool weather day. There’s nothing quite like the rich, hearty flavor of a perfectly cooked pot roast, especially when it’s been slow-cooked to perfection.
This recipe combines the convenience of the Crock Pot with the comfort of a classic pot roast, with a delicious blend of garlic, onion, carrots, and celery. Whip up some homemade buttery mashed potatoes seasoned with sea salt and garlic powder for the perfect pairing.
Crock Pot Roast with Buttery Mashed Potatoes
Ingredients:
For the Roast:
- 3-4 lbs grass-fed beef roast or brisket
- 4 cloves garlic, sliced
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4-5 carrots, sliced (peeled if you’d like, but not necessary)
- 4-5 celery stalks, chopped
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 tbsp olive oil, ghee, or butter
- 1 cup water
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 4-5 large potatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (plus more for topping off)
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- Water for boiling or pressure cooking
Instructions:
- After rinsing the beef roast or brisket, pat dry with paper towels.
- Season the beef roast with sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, turmeric, and rosemary, ensuring even coverage.
- In a stove-top pan (dutch oven or other deep pan works well), heat olive oil, ghee, or butter over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned brisket on each side until golden brown. This step adds a depth of flavor to the final dish.
- Transfer the seared brisket to the Crock Pot.
- Deglaze the hot searing pan by adding 1 cup water, swishing around to the sides and scraping any flavorful bits from the bottom.
- Pour the deglazed water from the searing pan into the crock pot.
- Scatter sliced garlic, onion, carrots, and chopped celery around the seared brisket. They should be partially submerged in the water.
- Cover the Crock Pot with the lid and set it to cook on low for 8 hours (or high for 6 hours) or until the beef is tender and easily pulls apart.
- When the pot roast is almost ready to serve, prepare the mashed potatoes. Boil or pressure cook the quartered potatoes until they are easy to pierce with a fork. Mash with butter, milk, sea salt, and garlic powder until smooth and creamy.
- Shred the pot roast with two forks (it should be easy to pull apart), and serve over a bed of buttery mashed potatoes, spooning the flavorful vegetables and juices over the top. See below for how to make homemade gravy using the natural juices from the pan.
Homemade Pot Roast Gravy
Here’s a simple recipe to make a delicious gravy using approximately 1 cup of juices left behind from the Crock Pot roast and vegetables:
Ingredients:
- Approximately 1 cup of juices from the Crock Pot (strained to remove solids)
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- In a saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of unsalted butter over medium heat.
- Once the butter is melted, add 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Whisk continuously to combine the flour and butter.
- Gradually pour in the strained juices from the Crock Pot, whisking constantly to avoid lumps. The mix will thicken the juices and create a smooth consistency.
- Allow it to simmer until the gravy reaches your desired thickness.
- Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. Keep in mind that the juices from the Crock Pot already have some seasoning, so taste before adding more salt.
Using the Instant Pot as a Slow Cooker for this Recipe
Adapting this slow cooked pot roast recipe for the Instant Pot introduces a time-saving twist without compromising on flavor. The main difference lies in the Instant Pot’s versatility, allowing you to both sear the roast and slow cook it in the same pot using the sauté feature. Simply follow the same steps for seasoning the beef, then use the Instant Pot’s sauté function to sear the meat on all sides. Once seared, add the vegetables, deglaze with water, and switch to the slow cook setting.
A note about beef quality: By choosing grass-fed, grass-finished beef, you not only enhance the taste but also make a conscious decision for your health. Grass-fed beef is known to have a higher nutritional profile, containing increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. It is free from antibiotics and hormones commonly found in conventional beef, promoting a cleaner and healthier protein source. Additionally, grass-fed, grass-finished cattle are raised in more humane and environmentally friendly conditions. When searching for grass-fed beef, consider exploring local farms, farmers’ markets, or trusted butchers who prioritize sustainable and ethical practices. Online subscription services like ButcherBox** also offer a convenient way to access high-quality grass-fed meat, delivering it straight to your door.
Interested in other hearty recipes? Try this Instant Pot Whole Rotisserie Chicken recipe, which also makes a delicious gelatinous bone broth. A healthy 2-in-1 recipe.
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