What if I told you that you could throw a massive hunk of beef into a slow cooker, walk away, and come back to a high-protein slow cooker pot roast so tender it practically melts in your mouth?. That’s the type of high-tech meal prep we’re dealing with here. This Tender Pot Roast is hearty, foolproof, and bursting with flavor. The mashed potatoes are buttery perfection, the baby carrots are MVPs, and the whole meal is high-protein, low-effort, and ridiculously satisfying. If you’re not meal-prepping this, what are you even doing?
Tender Pot Roast
Equipment
- 1 Slow cooker
Ingredients
For the Pot Roast:
- 3-4 lbs arm roast or chuck roast
- 1 tbsp olive oil for searing, optional
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 onion sliced
- 2 cups beef broth low sodium preferred
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water for thickening, optional
For the Slow-Cooked Carrots:
- 3 cups baby carrots
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
For the Mashed Potatoes:
- 2 lbs Yukon gold or russet potatoes peeled & cubed
- 3 tbsp butter
- ½ cup milk or more as needed
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp sour cream optional, for extra creaminess
Instructions
Prepare & Sear the Roast (Optional But Recommended)
- Pat the arm roast dry with paper towels.3-4 lbs arm roast
- In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and smoked paprika.1 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp smoked paprika
- Rub the seasoning blend all over the roast.
- Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.1 tbsp olive oil
- Sear the roast for 2-3 minutes per side until browned (this locks in flavor).
Slow Cook the Pot Roast & Carrots
- Place sliced onions and garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker.3 cloves garlic, 1 onion
- Place the roast on top of the onions.
- Add Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, and balsamic vinegar.1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 cups beef broth, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Scatter carrot around the roast and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.3 cups baby carrots, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours (or HIGH for 5-6 hours) until the roast is fork-tender.
- Once done, remove the roast and carrots from the slow cooker.
Make the Mashed Potatoes
- While the roast is cooking, boil cubed potatoes in salted water for 15-20 minutes until fork-tender.2 lbs Yukon gold or russet potatoes
- Drain and mash with butter, milk, salt, and pepper until smooth.3 tbsp butter, ½ cup milk, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper
- Stir in sour cream for extra creaminess (optional).1 tbsp sour cream
Make the Gravy (Optional)
- Strain the cooking liquid from the slow cooker into a saucepan.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Mix 1 tbsp cornstarch with 2 tbsp water to make a slurry.1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water
- Stir the slurry into the sauce and cook until thickened (2-3 minutes).
Assemble & Serve
- Shred the pot roast with two forks.
- Divide mashed potatoes into meal prep containers.
- Add a portion of shredded beef and slow-cooked carrots.
- Drizzle with gravy or serve on the side.
Nutrition
📊 Track This in MyFitnessPal
👉 Meaningful Macros – Tender Pot Roast in MyFitnessPal.
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🔥 Why You’ll Love This Tender Pot Roast
✅ Set It & Forget It – Toss everything in the slow cooker and come back to fall-apart, juicy beef.
✅ Macro Monster – 84g of protein per serving makes this one of the most satisfying meal preps.
✅ Comfort Food, Meal Prep-Approved – Buttery mashed potatoes, slow-cooked carrots, and rich gravy keep things hearty while staying high-protein.
🥑 Ingredient Substitutions & Customizations
💥 Beef Swap – Use chuck roast, brisket, or even pork shoulder for a different spin.
💥 Carb Options – Sub mashed potatoes with roasted sweet potatoes, cauliflower mash, or rice.
💥 Extra Veggies – Add mushrooms, celery, or parsnips for even more depth.
💥 Gravy Tweaks – Use arrowroot powder instead of cornstarch for a gluten-free option.
💥 Low-Fat Version – Trim excess fat from the roast and use a light butter alternative in the potatoes.
👨🍳 Expert Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Pot Roast
🔥 Sear for Extra Flavor – Browning the roast before slow cooking locks in flavor.
🔥 Cook Low & Slow – 8-10 hours on LOW is the secret to ultra-tender, fall-apart beef.
🔥 Deglaze for More Flavor – Scraping up browned bits in the pan before slow cooking adds richness.
🔥 Rest Before Shredding – Let the roast sit for a few minutes before shredding for max juiciness.
🥡 Serving Suggestions & Storage Tips
🥡 Storage: Keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
🔥 Reheating: Microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring in between for even heating.
🍽️ Pairing Ideas: Serve with roasted green beans, a side of crusty bread, or a light salad for balance.
🌿 Optional Garnishes
🥓 Crispy bacon bits for an indulgent twist
🌿 Fresh parsley
🧈 Extra pat of butter on the mashed potatoes
🧄 Roasted garlic for extra richness