How Long to Cook Chuck Roast
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Have you ever wondered how long to cook chuck roast in a crock pot? You want to cook it low and slow for the best pot roast flavor. This handy guide provides recipe tips on how to cook chuck roast in a crock pot for a tender and satisfying meal!
What’s not to like about a slow cooker chuck roast? There’s minimal prep before the crock pot works its magic, making it a fabulous make-ahead dinner.
The only real question is cooking time. Too little time and the meat will come out chewy. Too much time and it starts to get mushy. Therefore, use the Low setting on your crock pot and consider the weight of your roast to time it right.
How Long Does it Take for a Roast to Get Done in a Crock Pot?
Generally, you are looking at 6 to 8 hours of cooking time for a 3 to 4 pound chuck roast in a crock pot on Low. Larger roasts may take 9 hours or more, while very small roasts may only need 5 hours.
Is It Better to Cook a Roast on High or Low in a Crock Pot?
We recommend using the low setting on your crock pot when cooking a chuck roast. By cooking low and slow, you’ll get the flavorful and tender meat you expect from a pot roast.
How Long to Cook Chuck Roast in Crock Pot Per Pound?
The table below tells you how long to cook chuck roast in croc pot based on weight:
| Chuck Roast Weight | How Long to Cook in Crock Pot |
| 2 lb | 5 hours |
| 3 lb | 6 to 7 hours |
| 4 lb | 8 hours |
| 5 lb | 8 1/2 to 9 hours |
| 6 lb | 9 hours |
Remember that there’s variation among crock pots, so check your chuck roast at least an hour ahead of time.
How to Cook Chuck Roast in Crock Pot
Before using the crock pot, we recommend first browning the roast in a skillet on the stovetop. This helps to seal in the juices for a tender and succulent roast.
Then add the meat to the crockpot along with your seasonings and herbs, as well as red wine and broth. Add potatoes and vegetables before closing the lid and cooking for the allotted time.
Tips for the Perfect Chuck Roast:
- Select the Right Roast: Get a fresh chuck roast or rump roast with lots of marbling.
- Sear for Extra Flavor: Sear the meat on the stovetop to brown the outside for extra flavor before cooking.
- Add Wine and Broth: While you can use many liquids, red wine and broth are a classic combination to maximize flavor in a pot roast.
- Make Gravy with the Juices: It only takes a few minutes to transform the cooking liquid into a delicious gravy for serving.
FAQ
Pot roast is a large cut of beef that is usually slow cooked with herbs, vegetables and a flavorful gravy. The most popular cut of beef for pot roast is the chuck. For this reason, pot roast is also sometimes called chuck roast.
The secret to getting a moist and juicy roast beef in the slow cooker is to use the stovetop first. Take a few minutes to perform the extra step of pan searing the meat, which seals the juices in for a moist and tender chuck roast.
While we all enjoy a succulent cut of beef, overcooking can lead to a mushy, unsatisfying chuck roast. Be sure to check on your roast throughout, especially towards the end. Also ensure that you are using the low setting to help prevent overcooking.
The Instant Pot is much faster than a slow cooker. If you’re using an Instant Pot on high pressure, you only need about an hour of cooking time for a fully cooked and tender chuck roast.
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How to Cook Chuck Roast in Crock Pot
Ingredients
- 1 chuck roast, 3 to 4 pounds approx.
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped, or two small onions
- 6 cloves garlic, smashed
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary, or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme, or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup beef broth
- 4 carrots , cut into 1-inch chunks
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 1-inch chunks
- 1 pound baby potatoes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, optional for a thick gravy
Instructions
- Place the chuck roast on a work surface. Pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the olive oil and chuck roast using kitchen tongs. Sear for 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned all over (see note). Then remove to the crock pot.
- Deglaze the skillet with the wine and broth. Swirl in the pan, dislodging any bits of meat remaining. Then pour everything into the crock pot (for extra flavor).
- Add the onions, garlic, rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, carrots, celery, potatoes and flour.
- Cover the crock pot and cook on a Low setting for 7 to 8 hours. The meat should be fork tender and fall apart when done.
- Discard the bay leaf and season with salt and pepper before serving.
Notes
- If you’re in a hurry, you can skip the browning step to save time.
- Oven Method: Follow the recipe on cooking chuck roast in oven.
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Is the time also based on what’s in it with the meat or just the meat in general?
Hi Echo, Thanks for your question. It is based just on the meat, which always cooks faster than the vegetables. I hope that helps!