Slow Cooker French Onion Pot Roast
This Slow Cooker French Onion Pot Roast is a hearty, flavor-packed comfort meal made with tender beef, caramelized onions, and a rich, savory gravy. It’s the perfect hands-off dinner for busy days — just sear, set, and let your slow cooker do the work.Serve it over mashed potatoes, noodles, or roasted vegetables for a cozy, satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs chuck roast
- 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
- 3 large yellow onions thinly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth low-sodium recommended
- 1 packet 1 oz French onion soup mix
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves or ½ tsp dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or red wine optional, for richness
- 1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water optional, for thickening gravy
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Optional add-ins:
- 3 carrots cut into chunks
- 1 lb baby potatoes
Instructions
Prepare the roast:
- Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
Sear the beef:
- Heat olive oil or butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast for 2–3 minutes per side, until browned. This helps lock in flavor and adds depth to the dish.
Caramelize the onions:
- In the same pan, add the sliced onions and cook for about 8–10 minutes until soft and golden brown. Stir occasionally to prevent burning. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
Deglaze the pan:
- Pour in a splash of beef broth or red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. This will enrich your sauce.
Assemble in the slow cooker:
- Place the caramelized onions in the bottom of your slow cooker. Lay the seared roast on top. Sprinkle the French onion soup mix and thyme over the beef, then pour in the remaining broth and Worcestershire sauce. Add the bay leaf.
Add optional vegetables:
- If using carrots or potatoes, arrange them around the roast.
Cook:
- Cover and cook on Low for 8–9 hours or High for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
Make the gravy:
- Remove the roast and vegetables from the slow cooker and set aside. Pour the cooking liquid into a saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer. Mix the cornstarch and water together, then whisk it into the broth until it thickens into a smooth gravy.
Serve:
- Slice or shred the beef, then serve with the onions and gravy poured on top. Garnish with fresh herbs if desired.