Description
This Slow Cooker French Onion Pot Roast is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring tender chuck roast simmered with caramelized onions and a savory French onion soup mix. Perfect for an easy, hands-off meal, it results in juicy, fork-tender beef with a rich onion gravy, ideal for serving alongside mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat
- 3 pounds chuck roast
Seasonings and Sauces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 (1-ounce) packet French onion soup mix
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Liquids
- 1 cup beef broth
Thickening (Optional)
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 tablespoons cold water
Garnish (Optional)
- chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Season the Roast. Generously season the chuck roast all over with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder to enhance the flavor of the meat.
- Sear the Meat. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned roast on all sides until it develops a deep brown crust, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. This step locks in juices and adds rich flavor.
- Prepare for Slow Cooking. Transfer the seared roast to the slow cooker. Layer the thinly sliced yellow onion on top, sprinkle the French onion soup mix evenly over the meat, then drizzle Worcestershire sauce and balsamic vinegar over everything. Pour the beef broth around the roast—not directly on top to keep the seasoning in place.
- Slow Cook the Roast. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 to 9 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and infused with the onion flavors.
- Optional: Thicken the Sauce. If you prefer a thicker gravy, carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water to make a slurry. Stir this mixture into the cooking liquid, then cook on high for an additional 15 minutes until the sauce thickens to your liking.
- Serve and Garnish. Slice or shred the roast and serve it topped with the rich onion gravy. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a fresh touch if desired.
Notes
- Serve with mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious onion gravy.
- Add carrots and baby potatoes to the slow cooker for a complete one-pot meal.
- Use a gluten-free French onion soup mix to make this recipe gluten-free.
