Simple 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker

Featured in: Everyday Mains

This dish features a beef chuck roast slowly cooked atop halved baby potatoes, enhanced with dry onion soup mix and beef broth. The slow cooker tenderizes the beef over eight hours, infusing rich flavors into the meat and vegetables. For added depth, searing the roast before cooking is optional. The resulting tender slices pair perfectly with the flavorful juices, creating a comforting and hearty main dish ideal for a satisfying family meal.

Updated on Sat, 13 Dec 2025 16:06:00 GMT
Tender slow cooker pot roast, falling apart and served with potatoes and savory gravy. Pin
Tender slow cooker pot roast, falling apart and served with potatoes and savory gravy. | circuitcrust.com

A classic, comforting pot roast thats incredibly tender and flavorful with minimal ingredients and effort.

This recipe has become a staple in my household for busy weeknights when I want a hearty meal with little prep time

Ingredients

  • Meat: 3–4 lb (1.4–1.8 kg) beef chuck roast
  • Vegetables: 1 lb (450 g) baby potatoes, halved
  • Seasoning: 1 oz (28 g) dry onion soup mix (1 packet)
  • Liquid: 2 cups (480 ml) low-sodium beef broth

Instructions

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Season soups, salads, meats, and vegetables evenly while cooking with quick, one-handed grinding.
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Step 1:
Place the baby potatoes evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker.
Step 2:
Set the beef chuck roast on top of the potatoes.
Step 3:
Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the roast.
Step 4:
Pour the beef broth around the sides of the roast, being careful not to wash off the seasoning.
Step 5:
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are cooked through.
Step 6:
Transfer the roast and potatoes to a serving platter. Slice or shred the beef and serve with the potatoes and juices from the slow cooker.
Product image
Season soups, salads, meats, and vegetables evenly while cooking with quick, one-handed grinding.
Check price on Amazon
Product image
Season soups, salads, meats, and vegetables evenly while cooking with quick, one-handed grinding.
Check price on Amazon
This simple 4-ingredient slow cooker pot roast features a hearty beef chuck roast and tender vegetables. Pin
This simple 4-ingredient slow cooker pot roast features a hearty beef chuck roast and tender vegetables. | circuitcrust.com

My family always gathers around the table excited to enjoy this comforting meal together after a long day

Required Tools

Slow cooker (minimum 6-quart), Chefs knife, Cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains Onion (in soup mix) May contain gluten if soup mix is not certified gluten-free always double-check labels if sensitive

Nutritional Information

Calories 410 Total Fat 18 g Carbohydrates 17 g Protein 45 g

Fork-tender pot roast, perfectly cooked in the slow cooker with potatoes, ready to serve and enjoy. Pin
Fork-tender pot roast, perfectly cooked in the slow cooker with potatoes, ready to serve and enjoy. | circuitcrust.com
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This slow cooker pot roast is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty, delicious meal without fuss

Recipe Q&A

What cut of meat works best for slow cooking?

Beef chuck roast is ideal because its marbling breaks down during long cooking, resulting in tender, flavorful meat.

Can I add other vegetables to the dish?

Yes, carrots or celery can be added alongside potatoes for extra texture and flavor.

Should the roast be seared before slow cooking?

Searing is optional but recommended to enhance the meat's flavor through caramelization.

How do I know when the roast is done?

The beef is fork-tender after about eight hours on low heat, and the vegetables should be tender as well.

What is the best way to serve the cooked beef and potatoes?

Slice or shred the beef and serve with the potatoes and slow cooker juices for a juicy, satisfying meal.

Simple 4-Ingredient Slow Cooker

Tender beef chuck roast slow-cooked with baby potatoes and onion seasoning for effortless comfort.

Prep Time
10 min
Cook Time
480 min
Total Duration
490 min
Author Audrey King


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 6 Portions

Diet Guide No Dairy, No Gluten

What You’ll Need

Meat

01 3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast

Vegetables

01 1 pound baby potatoes, halved

Seasoning

01 1 ounce dry onion soup mix (1 packet)

Liquid

01 2 cups low-sodium beef broth

How To Make It

Step 01

Prepare the base: Place the halved baby potatoes evenly in the bottom of the slow cooker.

Step 02

Add the roast: Position the beef chuck roast on top of the potatoes.

Step 03

Season the roast: Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the surface of the roast.

Step 04

Add broth: Carefully pour the beef broth around the sides of the roast, avoiding washing off the seasoning.

Step 05

Slow cook: Cover and cook on low heat for 8 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and the potatoes are fully cooked.

Step 06

Serve: Transfer the roast and potatoes to a serving dish; slice or shred the beef and serve with the potatoes and juices.

Tools Needed

  • 6-quart slow cooker
  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board

Allergy Details

Always review each item for allergens. Consult a healthcare expert when unsure.
  • Contains onion from the soup mix.
  • Soup mix may contain gluten unless certified gluten-free; verify labels if sensitive.

Nutrition Info (per portion)

Nutrition info from Circuit Crust is for guidance only—it's no substitute for medical expertise.
  • Caloric Value: 410
  • Fat Content: 18 g
  • Carbohydrates: 17 g
  • Proteins: 45 g