My mum made a pot roast every Sunday. Thinking back on it, it never really got old. The house smelled amazing, and it tasted even better. So whether you want to start a Sunday tradition or just need a delicious dinner that takes no time to prep, an old-fashioned pot roast never disappoints.
This French onion soup pot roast slow cooker recipe is my easy, old-fashioned version made with chuck roast, onion soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, potatoes, carrots, and a rich, savory gravy.
If you like comfort food you may also like my Chicken Pot Pie Recipe with Cream of Chicken Soup, Creamy Parmesan Chicken, 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, or my Ground Beef or Chicken Stroganoff recipes.
Quick Look: Old Fashioned French Onion Soup Pot Roast
- ⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 3 hours in a Dutch oven or 8-10 hours in a slow cooker
- 🍽️ Servings: 8
- ❤️ Why you'll love this recipe: The ultimate tender comfort food - a budget-friendly, one-pot meal cooked until perfectly fall-apart tender with a savory gravy and tender vegetables.
- 🍪 Main Ingredients: Chuck roast, French onion soup mix, Cream of Mushroom Soup, and vegetables.
- 👌 Difficulty: Easy
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- Quick Look: Old Fashioned French Onion Soup Pot Roast
- ❤️ Why This Old Fashioned Pot Roast Recipe Works
- 🧑🍳 Key Ingredients and Pot Roast Seasoning
- French Onion Soup Mix vs Onion Soup Mix
- 🥕 Substitutions
- 🥕 How to Make this Old Fashioned Pot Roast in Slow Cooker or Dutch Oven
- How Long to Cook Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker
- Expert Tips:
- What to Serve with Pot Roast
- Pot Roast Storage
- What to do with leftover pot roast?
- More Cozy Comfort Food Recipes
- Easy French Onion Soup Pot Roast Slow Cooker Recipe
❤️ Why This Old Fashioned Pot Roast Recipe Works
Growing up, the Sunday schedule was one thing you could count on.-mom popped the pot roast in the oven, we went to church and came home and sat around the table eating said pot roast. Now, thinking back, my mom was admittedly not a great cook, but she did master this pot roast. And the good news is the recipe couldn't be easier so we can all master it.
✅ Only 4 simple ingredients
✅ Quick - Only takes 10 minutes of hands-on time.
✅ Rich gravy from cream of mushroom soup
✅ Fall-apart tender every time
✅ Great for a slow cooker or Dutch oven
✅ The leftovers are great! See the pot roast leftover ideas here.
🧑🍳 Key Ingredients and Pot Roast Seasoning
The onion soup mix acts as the main pot roast seasoning here, adding salt, onion flavor, herbs, and savory depth without needing a long spice list.
- Beef - I use chuck roast but you can also use brisket and round roast.
- Lipton Onion Soup Mix - Convenient and packed with flavor for easy/classic pot roast seasoning.
- Cream of Mushroom Soup - Creates the delicious creamy gravy
- Vegetables: Potatoes and Carrots, but you can add cabbage, mushrooms, or celery if you'd like.
French Onion Soup Mix vs Onion Soup Mix
I use dry onion soup mix for this recipe, which gives the pot roast that savory French onion flavor without needing a separate can of soup. Lipton onion soup mix is the classic option, but any dry onion soup mix will work.
🥕 Substitutions
- Chuck Roast: My mom always used chuck roast, which is the best, but brisket and round roast also will be delicious.
- Yukon Potatoes: Red potatoes are a good substitute because they hold their shape but Russet can also be used.
- Canned Cream of Mushroom Soup: Substitute homemade cream of mushroom soup. Homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup recipe here within the Old Fashioned Chicken and Rice recipe.
🥕 How to Make this Old Fashioned Pot Roast in Slow Cooker or Dutch Oven
Dutch Oven: Add the roast and the rest of the ingredients to the Dutch oven and cook at 325 degrees for 3 hours, until fall-apart tender.
How Long to Cook Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker
Cook this French onion soup pot roast on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 5-6 hours, until the beef is fork-tender. Chuck roast needs low, slow cooking so the connective tissue can break down. If the roast is still tough, keep cooking. Pot roast usually needs more time, not less.
Other slow cooker recipes: Mississippi Pot Roast, 3 Ingredient Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken, Chicken and Dumplings Slow Cooker Recipe.
Expert Tips:
- If you don't want your vegetables super tender, add them later in the cooking process.
- Season the meat with salt and pepper before adding it to the slow cooker or Dutch oven for extra flavor.
- If searing the meat first, feel free to add a splash of red wine to glaze the pot for more flavor.
- Make Ahead: Pot roast is better the next day, as the flavors mingle and meld, and you can easily scrape off the solidified fat that rises to the top
What to Serve with Pot Roast
Since you have your meat and vegetables all in one pot I'd add a
- Mixed Greens Salad for a Dinner Party (Simple & Make-Ahead)
- Crusty bread or rolls
- Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake (Moist & Easy with Lemon Glaze) A bright, fresh, easy dessert. Or mixed berries tossed with sugar if you are looking for something even easier.
Pot Roast Storage
Store cooked pot roast airtight container and top with its own juices to prevent drying out. Refrigerate for 3 to 4 days, or freeze in an airtight container or dirty storage bags for up to three months. Pot roast is delicious leftover.
What to do with leftover pot roast?
Head over to my post What to do with pot roast leftovers.
My mom always used chuck roast, which is the best, but brisket and round roast also will be delicious.
Season the beef with salt and pepper, and sear the meat. Then add it to the slow cooker with the rest of the ingredients. Cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours or HIGH for 4-6 hours. If you're short on time, you don't have to see the meat, but it does add flavor.
Not cooked long enough; continue cooking until it shreds easily with a fork. Toughness is usually undercooking, not overcooking.
Add them later in the cooking process (about 1-2 hours before the end).
More Cozy Comfort Food Recipes
If you make this Old Fashioned Pot Roast recipe, I'd love to know what you think! Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram @Lauren_Lane_Culinarian - I always reshare your creations.
Easy French Onion Soup Pot Roast Slow Cooker Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 lb chuck roast Or other beef options: see notes
- 1 oz. envelope Lipton onion soup
- 10.5 oz cream of mushroom soup 1 can
- 1 ½ cup beef broth or water with a ½ teaspoon of salt
- 5 carrots peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
- 5 Yukon Gold potatoes or Russet peeled and cut into 3 inch pieces,
- 1 onion quartered
- 1 head of garlic cut in half horizontally
Instructions
Slow Cooker Method
- Optional sear step: For extra flavor, sear the roast first. Some slow cookers have an insert you can use right on the stovetop. If yours does not, use a large oven-safe or heavy skillet.
- Add a little olive oil to the insert or skillet and sear the roast on all sides until nicely browned. Then transfer the roast to the slow cooker.
- Spray the bottom of your slow cooker with non-stick spray, or drizzle in a little olive oil.
- Place the roast in the slow cooker and add the onions around it.
- Sprinkle half of the onion soup mix over the roast, pressing a little into the meat so it really sticks.
- Add the garlic cloves, potatoes, and carrots on top and around the roast. Sprinkle the rest of the onion soup mix over the vegetables.
- Pour in the beef broth, cover with the lid, and cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 5-6 hours, until the roast is fall-apart tender.
Dutch Oven Method
- Put the roast into a roasting pan and top with potatoes, carrots, and garlic.
- Mix together soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth
- Pour over roast
- Cover and bake for 3 hours at 325 degrees
Video
Notes
- My mom always used chuck roast, which is the best, but brisket and round roast also will be delicious.
- Vegetable Options: Add mushrooms or cabbage wedges as an option.
Lauren Lane says
This one is dear to my heart as my mum made it every Sunday! I hope you enjoy it.