Cooking a Pot Roast in a Crock Pot

[JanetRose]

The recipe gives the option of cooking at low for a longer time or high for a shorter time - which will be the best?

 

[luvmy3]

I sear it before and put it on low, but for about 5 hours because my crockpot runs hot. I took some trial and error, I overcooked a few before I found the best way.

 

[monkeyboy]

low and slow but pan sear first

 

[charming23]

I always sear mine first and then cook it on low for 8 hours. Mine always comes out moist and very tender.

 

[cassiez76]

i never sear mine before putting it in. i have a 3 year old rival crockpot.

what i do is get a can of cream of chicken, chicken broth, little pepper, lots of garlic powder (i even stuff the roast with garlic), little worcester sauce, some tony's cajun seasoning (not too much, cause i hate spicy!), throw in carrots and little potatoes.

set on low for 8 hours and it falls apart!

wish i had gotten a roast for this week's cold weather!

 

[EeyoreEma]

I sear mine 1st as well, and then it goes on low for 8 hours. Yum!

 

[Octoberbride03]

I never sear mine. Just put it in the pot with some golden mushroom soup and French onion soup and usually cook it for 8hrs. Falls off the bone when its done tastes fantastic. I have a Hamilton Beach cooker myself, it doesn't run hot at all. Just perfect.

 

[Minnesota!]

I don't sear and I put it in frozen. I quarter a few onions, throw in some worchestershire, some beef broth, and some broiled steak seasoning. Cook on low about 10 hours while I am at work.

I sometimes makes gravy ouf of the juices, or else I do it as an au jus and just dip beef sandwiches in it. mmmmm

 

[hambirg]

I don't sear mine either. I put in a package of onion soup mix and a can of diet coke, cook on low for 8 hrs and it falls apart. That's how I like it. . kinda like shredded beef.

 

[NEM]

After years of thinking everything in a crockpot tasted like boiled meat - no difference from beef to pork to even chicken, I too, say SEAR it! It changes everything. Prior to learning the searing trick, I could not figure out why people loved the crock pot so...the meat was tender...but flavorless and textureless...

Now I sear all big hunks of meat...and I am much happier with crock pot recipes.

 

[golfgal]

After years of thinking everything in a crockpot tasted like boiled meat - no difference from beef to pork to even chicken, I too, say SEAR it! It changes everything. Prior to learning the searing trick, I could not figure out why people loved the crock pot so...the meat was tender...but flavorless and textureless...

Now I sear all big hunks of meat...and I am much happier with crock pot recipes.

I will have to try that. I don't use my crock pot often because of this-I always thought meat turned out mushy in the crock pot. I usually put my roasts in the oven at 250 for 4-6 hours and they are jucy and literally fall apart when taking them out of the pan.

 

[NEM]

I will have to try that. I don't use my crock pot often because of this-I always thought meat turned out mushy in the crock pot. I usually put my roasts in the oven at 250 for 4-6 hours and they are jucy and literally fall apart when taking them out of the pan.

Golfgal...your way will always be better...but when you need to make it work, a really good dark searing definitely helps. I do my pork and beef roast braises in the oven too when at all possible. Sometimes I get a wild hair for a crockpot recipe...and then I remember why I do them in the oven.

 

[goodeats]

I have never had good luck with my crock pot (I think it cooks too hot or something), and I always thought I didn't like pot roast. UNTIL, I found Alton Brown's pot roast recipe. Sooo good! It sounds weird since it has olive, raisins, and vinegar, but the sauce is amazing. DH loves it!

It is for the oven though and not a crock pot. It does make the house nice and warm though!

 

[luvmy3]

I will have to try that. I don't use my crock pot often because of this-I always thought meat turned out mushy in the crock pot. I usually put my roasts in the oven at 250 for 4-6 hours and they are jucy and literally fall apart when taking them out of the pan.

Putting it in the oven is definitely my preference but when I know I won't be able to be home to cook, the crock pot is a life saver, but definitely sear your meats first, it does make a difference.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

The recipe gives the option of cooking at low for a longer time or high for a shorter time - which will be the best?

Low & longer. It will be delicious!

If you found a great new recipe would you post it?

 

[maslex]

I don't sear and I put it in frozen. I quarter a few onions, throw in some worchestershire, some beef broth, and some broiled steak seasoning. Cook on low about 10 hours while I am at work.

I sometimes makes gravy ouf of the juices, or else I do it as an au jus and just dip beef sandwiches in it. mmmmm

This is basically what I do. ALWAYS put it in frozen, cut up a couple onions, sometimes turnips/carrots, worchestershire sauce, beef broth, onion soup mix and some spices.

I put it on low right before I leave for work and when I get home.....MMMMMM. We like mashed potatoes with our roast, so I don't usually put them in the crock pot. Now I know what we're having for dinner tomorrow night!!!!

 

[PatsMom]

I'll have to tell my husband to try searing his roast. I prefer a pot roast from the oven - the crock pot ones he makes always seemed mushy and blah. Maybe searing the meat would help. I do know that he cooks it all day on low.