Dutch oven pot roast with carrots and potatoes gets juicy and fork tender right from the oven. If you have time to skip the slow cooker, it’s worth it for a melt in your mouth meal you’ll be happy to serve again and again.
If you’ve been around here any length of time, you know that I’m not a slow cooker person. I won’t rant–but just know that it doesn’t produce the kind of food we enjoy.
And it seems like the #1 food people want to make in a slow cooker is a pot roast. And a lot of pull it off. I’ve tried it but my meat comes out so dry at the end. Yes, it’s tender on some occasions but what’s the trade off? The meat has just been cooked to death.
That’s why I’m far and away a fan of a dutch oven pot roast. Dutch ovens are made from cast iron and retain and distribute heat really evenly. Plus the tight fitting lid allows moisture to stay inside for the most part and with a few tricks, makes the juiciest pot roast you’ve ever had.
This recipe probably won’t be something you make on a week night if you’re terribly busy–but save it for a weekend, or if you happen to have a snow day at home and you’ll be so glad you put it together.
Add those carrots and potatoes in the last hour of cooking and they are so soft when you’re ready to eat that they beg for a light mash with a little butter and salt.
Perfection.
Tips for a top-notch dutch oven pot roast
- Use a heavy cast iron dutch oven with a lid. This one is my favorite. or a good quality oven-safe pot with a tight lid. Just covering your meat in aluminum foil won’t really cut it.
- Sear your meat first over high heat to start the browning process. Browning meat equals flavor and we need that.
- Use a good beef broth with your meat, and check the level of the liquid around your dutch oven pot roast every hour to hour and a half. Add some water if it’s reduced too much.
- I prefer a chuck roast for this recipe, but a cheaper tougher cut could work if you’re willing to cook it longer.
- Add carrots and potatoes to the pot during the last 45 minutes to an hour of cook time so they absorb the broth and get good and soft.
Watch me make the full recipe on YouTube
These homemade rolls would be great on the side or my no-yeast quick version if you need something faster.
Dutch Oven Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
- 1/2 red onion sliced
- 2 pound chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth
- 3 large russet potatoes peeled and sliced into 1-inch wedges
- 5 large carrots peeled and sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- Put your dutch oven on the stove and heat it over high heat about 5 minutes to sear the meat. (Please watch your pot and monitor the heat. Your pot may only need 3 minutes or 4. Y'all stop trying to burn your houses down because I said 5 minutes) Add the oil and season the meat with salt and pepper on both sides. Add it to the pan. It should sizzle immediately.
- Reduce the heat to medium high, and let the meat sear on one side 5 minutes, then flip. Add the onions and cook 5 minutes more.
- Add the beef broth to the pot--it should come about halfway up the side of the meat.
- Cover and bake an hour and a half, then check the liquid in the pot. Add a cup or so of extra water if needed.
- Reduce the heat to 350 and bake an additional hour, and then add the carrots and potatoes. Bake covered 45 minutes longer or until the meat is tender and the potatoes and carrots are soft.
Karen
Saturday 27th of February 2021
Is it ok to make this with the 2 lb roast in my 3.2 quart Dutch oven.
Rachel Ballard
Sunday 28th of February 2021
Yes sure it Karen. It won't take quite as long to cook but it will work great. --Rachel
Sherry
Thursday 11th of February 2021
Just got a Dutch oven from my kids for Christmas. Had to recover from COVID and double pneumonia before I could use it. I added some garlic, fresh rosemary, and fresh basil to the recipe and my house smells fabulous! Can’t wait for dinner tonight.
Rachel Ballard
Friday 12th of February 2021
I'm glad you're better Sherry! I had quite the battle with it myself. I'm glad you enjoyed the roast. --Rachel
Tabitha Rubin
Thursday 4th of February 2021
Can i use a london broil?
Rachel Ballard
Sunday 7th of February 2021
That's a very nice cut of meat to braise, but yes it does work. --Rachel
Donnie Yuzak
Thursday 4th of February 2021
I prepared the straightforward recipe accordingly but added parsnips, au jus mix with hint of steak seasoning and knocked the socks off the block when they got wind of the pleasant scent whirling.
So simple..... now my favourite pot roast go to. Cheers, Donnie
Rachel Ballard
Thursday 4th of February 2021
Wonderful to hear Donnie!
Joy
Thursday 28th of January 2021
Looks fabulous! I have 2 pounds of beef chuck cubes... could this recipe be used for cubes? if so, what changes should I make? THANK YOU! Joy
Rachel Ballard
Friday 29th of January 2021
You could absolutely do this with cubes. You'd just want to cut the cook time way down. Maybe an hour and a half or so total? Just keep checking the meat and take it out when it's fork tender. --Rachel