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This French onion pot roast delivers homey warmth with each mouthful. Sweet caramelized onions and juicy beef create the ultimate cold-weather dish that's fantastic with mashed spuds or egg noodles.
Simple Delight
The marriage of pot roast and French onion flavors creates kitchen magic. Works in both crockpot and on stove, and honestly tastes even better the following day.
What You Need
- Meat: Two-pound chuck roast, grab it fresh if possible.
- Fats: Both butter and oil for that amazing sear.
- Aromatics: Some garlic and a couple big onions.
- Liquid: Beef broth forms your sauce foundation.
- Flavor: Worcestershire, a splash of vinegar, and your favorite herbs and spices.
- Thicken: Cornstarch for that velvety gravy finish.
Simple Instructions
- Sear
- Rub seasonings on beef, then brown in hot butter and oil until a nice crust develops.
- Onions
- Cut them into thin slices and put half in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Mix
- Combine the garlic, stock, sauces, seasonings and herbs, then place beef on top of onion layer.
- Cook
- Set to low for six hours until the meat falls apart when poked.
- Gravy
- Take out the beef, then stir in cornstarch to thicken the sauce before serving.
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Stay Fresh
Keeps in fridge up to four days, or stash in the freezer for later. Warm it slowly to maintain tenderness, and try it in sandwiches or soups too.
Top Tips
Don't skimp on seasoning and use a good heavy pan. Give the meat room to brown properly and watch your heat level to avoid burning the fats.
Crowd Pleaser
Simply double everything and use a bigger slow cooker for gatherings. Serve with some spuds and soft rolls for a complete feast everyone will love.
Fan Favorite
This savory one-pot wonder means minimal cleanup after dinner. The fall-apart meat and sweet onion sauce brings total comfort to your table.
Great Sidekicks
Fluffy mashed potatoes or wide egg noodles soak up all that gravy goodness. Add a veggie side, green salad or crusty bread to round things out.
Twist It Up
Toss in some mushrooms, chunky carrots or swap in some red wine and fresh herbs. You can easily tweak this dish to match what you like.
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Get Ahead
Do all your prep the evening before and start cooking in the morning for a dinner that's ready when you are. Warm up leftovers for quick meals during your busy week.
Total Comfort
Just right for frosty evenings or family get-togethers. The deep flavors and no-fuss cooking will put smiles on everyone's faces.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use both the oven and slow cooker for this?
- You sure can! The slow cooker method takes 6-8 hours on low. For the oven, set it at 275°F and cook for 2.5-3 hours.
- → Why should I sear the beef first?
- Browning the meat adds so much flavor and also makes the texture even better by locking in those juices.
- → How do I know it's finished cooking?
- You'll know it's done when the beef falls apart when you test it with a fork. On a slow cooker, this happens around 8 hours on low.
- → Can I make a bigger portion?
- Yes! You just need a 6-8 quart slow cooker to handle more. Remember to scale up cooking times if you’re doubling it.
- → Why add cornstarch at the end?
- Mixing cornstarch at the end thickens the gravy. Add as much as needed for the thickness you want.