Description
A comforting and flavorful pot roast cooked with sweet caramelized onions and savory spices, perfect for family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lb chuck roast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for browning, optional)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 2 teaspoons fresh thyme)
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
- 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (or more broth)
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch + 3 tablespoons cold water (for thickening, optional)
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese (optional)
- Chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by peeling and slicing the yellow and sweet onions into thin rings. Mince the garlic too. Set your crock pot to high and add the butter, onions, garlic, brown sugar, and balsamic vinegar. Stir well, cover, and cook for about 20–30 minutes until the onions begin to soften.
- Next, pat the chuck roast dry, season it with salt and pepper, and if desired, sear it in olive oil for added flavor. Place the roast on top of the onions in the crock pot. Sprinkle thyme and bay leaves over the roast, then pour in the beef broth, white wine, and Worcestershire sauce. Let it cook on low for 8–9 hours or on high for 5–6 hours until it’s fork-tender.
- Once cooked, remove the roast and skim off any fat from the liquid. In a separate bowl, mix the cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the crock pot. Cook on high for an additional 10–15 minutes until the gravy thickens. Prior to serving, let the roast sit for about 10 minutes, then return it to the pot, spoon gravy over the top, and if you like, sprinkle with cheese and parsley for a delightful garnish.
Notes
For deeper flavor, let the onions caramelize longer. Use a good quality beef broth for richness, and feel free to experiment with different types of cheese.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 540 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
Keywords: pot roast, slow cooker, French onion, comfort food