How to Make Hearty Pot Roast in a Slow Cooker

I’d help count family members and make sure we had enough chairs, and set up the “kids table” if needed. I had no idea this time around the table would make such an impression on me. The memories, the traditions, the smells, family, the VOLUME of my people, HA! 

It was the best of times. 

Isn’t it funny how a meal or a tradition can take us back to another time and place?

Let’s Make Grandma’s Pot Roast!

Here’s a look at the ingredients: I don’t think my grandma used brown gravy mix or Worcestershire sauce, those are my adds. But it tastes exactly the same! 

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This is the simplest thing ever. You literally dump everything into the  slow cooker(except the carrots and noodles), add water to almost the top, turn it on and don’t even think about it for at least 7 hours. ***Please do not put in the carrots in at first or they will be way too mushy. You want to be able to stick a fork in them, but mushy is a no-no.***

Cozy up by the fire with a book, go to work, whatever. In a few hours you’ll smell just what I’m talking about. 

Timing Tips

If your roast is smaller, you can cook it for less time. Essentially, you want the roast to be tender enough to fall apart, and in my opinion, it’s best cooked on low. You’ll need to get a feel for it based on your slow cooker; my times are a guideline.

Three Hours Before Serving

About three hours before serving, add in your peeled and cut carrots, and close the lid. You should have a beautiful beef broth by this time.

30-45 Minutes Before Serving

Use a measuring cup, dip out most (not all) of your broth into a saucepan and bring to a boil. You can add a little water if needed, but you don’t want it to be watered down. You definitely want it to be mostly broth.

This is the brand of noodles I use– in my opinion they are the best, but any will work. Add desired amount of noodles to your boiling broth, and cook according to package directions. DO NOT drain the noodles once they’re done. 

Serve noodles in broth with your pot roast, carrots and baked rolls or  biscuits or sourdough.

In this day of Instant Pots, I wonder what my grandma would think of our pace (and our cooking!). I bet she’d pooh-pooh the Instant Pot just like she did the dishwasher… 

Enjoy this slow, cozy meal, friends!