Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast Recipe

Introduction

This Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast is a comforting and flavorful twist on a classic dish. Tender chuck roast slow-cooked with fresh cranberries and savory herbs creates a deliciously rich meal perfect for cozy nights.

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. chuck roast
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 1 lb. baby potatoes (halved)
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 1 cup fresh cranberries
• 14 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 oz. packet Lipton onion soup mix
• 1 cup beef stock
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch (optional, for thickening)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the chuck roast dry with a paper towel, then season all sides with salt and black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast until browned on all sides, then remove and set aside.
3. Step 3: Place the baby potatoes, baby carrots, and fresh cranberries into the slow cooker. Lay the seared chuck roast on top of the vegetables.
4. Step 4: In a small bowl, whisk together the cranberry sauce, Lipton onion soup mix, minced garlic, beef stock, and dried rosemary.
5. Step 5: Pour the cranberry mixture over the roast in the slow cooker and add the bay leaves.
6. Step 6: Cover and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours, until the beef is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
7. Step 7: (Optional) For thicker gravy, remove the beef and set aside. Whisk cornstarch with water and stir into slow cooker. Cook on HIGH for 15 minutes until sauce thickens.
8. Step 8: Discard bay leaves. Shred the beef using two forks.
9. Step 9: Serve the shredded pot roast topped with cranberry sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For deeper flavor, sear the roast in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
• Substitute baby potatoes with fingerling or red potatoes if preferred.
• Add a splash of red wine to the cranberry mixture for extra richness.
• If fresh cranberries aren’t available, frozen cranberries work well too.

Storage

Store leftover pot roast and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. This dish also freezes well for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Yes, you can use other slow-cooking cuts like brisket or bottom round. Just ensure you adjust the cooking time until the meat is tender.

Do I need to add extra salt to this dish?

The Lipton onion soup mix and beef stock add some seasoning, but be sure to taste before serving and adjust salt as needed.

Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast Recipe

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4.5 from 143 reviews

This Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast is a comforting and flavorful one-pot meal featuring tender chuck roast slow-cooked with fresh cranberries, baby potatoes, carrots, and a tangy whole berry cranberry sauce. Enhanced with garlic, rosemary, and Lipton onion soup mix, this savory and slightly sweet pot roast creates a perfect balance of tastes, ideal for cozy dinners. The slow cooking method ensures melt-in-your-mouth beef paired with vibrant veggies and a deliciously rich cranberry gravy.

• Author: Sienna
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours 30 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Seasonings

• 3 lbs. chuck roast
• 1 tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp. dried rosemary
• 2 bay leaves

Vegetables

• 1 lb. baby potatoes, halved
• 1 cup baby carrots
• 1 cup fresh cranberries

Liquids and Sauces

• 14 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce
• 1 oz. packet Lipton onion soup mix
• 1 cup beef stock

Optional

• 2 Tbsp. cornstarch (for thickening)
• 2 Tbsp. water (for thickening)
• Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Season the roast: Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels, then season all sides evenly with salt and black pepper to enhance flavor.
2. Sear the roast: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the roast on all sides until a rich crust forms, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside to lock in juices.
3. Prepare slow cooker base: Place the halved baby potatoes, baby carrots, and fresh cranberries in the bottom of the slow cooker to create a flavorful vegetable bed.
4. Add the roast and aromatics: Place the seared chuck roast on top of the vegetables in the slow cooker.
5. Mix cranberry sauce liquid: In a small bowl, whisk together the whole berry cranberry sauce, Lipton onion soup mix, minced garlic, beef stock, and dried rosemary until combined.
6. Pour sauce and add bay leaves: Pour the cranberry mixture evenly over the roast and vegetables. Add the bay leaves to infuse subtle herbal notes during cooking.
7. Slow cook: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook on LOW for 8-9 hours, or until the beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
8. Thicken the sauce (optional): For a thicker gravy, remove the beef and vegetables. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl to make a slurry. Stir this into the slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 15 minutes until the sauce thickens.
9. Finish and shred beef: Remove bay leaves from the slow cooker. Use two forks to shred the beef into bite-sized pieces, returning it to the sauce.
10. Serve: Plate the shredded pot roast with vegetables, spooning the cranberry sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and enjoy a cozy, flavorful meal.

Notes

• For best results, use a well-marbled chuck roast to ensure tenderness.
• Fresh cranberries add a tart bite balanced by the sweetness of the cranberry sauce.
• Thickening the sauce with cornstarch is optional but recommended if you prefer gravy consistency.
• Leftovers keep well and reheated gently for a delicious next-day meal.
• You can substitute Lipton onion soup mix with homemade onion powder and beef bouillon if desired.

Keywords: slow cooker pot roast, cranberry pot roast, crockpot beef roast, slow cooked beef, holiday pot roast, comfort food, easy slow cooker recipes