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Home » Cook » Main Courses » Simple Pot Roast

Simple Pot Roast

May contain affiliate links or sponsored content. Please see my privacy policy and affiliate disclosure.

Originally published on February 17, 2015. Last updated on May 31, 2022

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A simple pot roast in a dutch oven, and a serving of pot roast in a bowl.

This is the perfect recipe for winter, although it doesn’t quite feel like winter where I’m at! I know that those of you in other parts of the country are getting pounded with snow and ice, however, so this is for you. Just like with Roast Chicken and Slow Cooker Pork Shoulder, this Simple Pot Roast recipe will warm up your house and warm up your belly! It really is surprisingly easy, mostly just requiring a bit of time, which you probably have if you’re snowed in! Let’s just hope you already have the necessary ingredients on hand. Chances are you probably do.

Pot roast cooked in a dutch oven with vegetables.

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You’ll need just a few simple ingredients:  a whole grass fed chuck roast (local is best!), anywhere in the 3-5 pound range should do it; an onion, some celery, a few carrots, and a handful of garlic cloves; and then some chicken stock, olive oil

simple pot roastThat’s it! The veggies are something you should already have on hand, chicken stock is a staple, and it never hurts to keep a chuck roast in the freezer for times like these! A 3 pound chuck roast will yield about 4 large servings.

How To Make a Simple Pot Roast

You’ll want to use a dutch oven for this, preferably cast iron. First, salt and pepper the chuck roast all over. Then, heat a little bit of olive oil in the dutch oven and add the roast. Also, put the chicken stock into a separate saucepan and heat it over medium heat, and preheat your oven to 325°F.

simple pot roastSear it on one side for about 3 minutes, then flip.

how to make pot roastSear the other side for about 3 more minutes. While your waiting for the meat to sear, roughly chop the carrot, celery and onion. Peel a small handful of garlic cloves.

simple pot roastTurn the chuck roast onto one end as you want to get all parts seared. A big spoon will help you hold it up.

simple pot roastWhen it’s seared on all sides, take it out of the dutch oven and set it aside on a plate. Put the veggies into the hot pan.

simple pot roastCook them for a little bit until they just start to soften. Then push them to the outside of the pan and put the chuck roast back in the center.

simple pot roastPour the warm chicken stock over everything. It won’t quite cover the roast, but that’s ok.

homemade pot roastBring it to a simmer, then COVER IT. Sorry, I don’t mean to yell, but I forgot to take a picture of it while it was covered so I don’t want you to forget.

simple pot roastAnyways, cover it and put it into the preheated oven for 2-3 hours for a 3 pound roast, more if it’s larger. The longer it cooks, the more tender and delicious it will get… and the better your house will smell! I recommend making roasted or mashed potatoes (or sweet potatoes) in the meantime to go along with this roast. This is what it looks like when it comes out of the oven:

homemade pot roastThis is so amazingly delicious, you can’t even believe it! Such hearty, yet delicious and nutritious fare. Serve with a few roasted potatoes or a side of winter squash and a salad and you have an amazing meal.

simple pot roastYou could even serve it with some homemade sourdough or cornbread. It will warm you up from the inside out, I promise. And it gets even better the next day, if you have any leftovers that is!

simple pot roast
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5 from 2 votes

Simple Pot Roast

Super simple pot roast, homemade perfection for a cold winter day.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutes minutes
Cook Time 4 hours hours 30 minutes minutes
Total Time 4 hours hours 45 minutes minutes
Servings 5 pounds beef
Calories 219kcal
Author Colleen @ Grow Forage Cook Ferment

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • 3-5 lb grass fed chuck roast local is best!
  • salt to taste
  • pepper to taste
  • 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 c chicken stock
  • 3-4 carrots roughly chopped
  • 1 onion roughly chopped
  • 4-5 ribs celery roughly chopped
  • 4-6 cloves garlic peeled

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 325°F. Place the chicken stock into a saucepan and heat over medium heat. 
  • Season the roast on all sides with salt and pepper. 
  • Place a dutch oven over medium heat, add the olive oil, and heat until the oil shimmers. Sear the roast on one side for 3 minutes, then flip. Sear on the remaining side for three more minutes. Then using a big spoon or tongs, sear on the short sides for three minutes each. 
  • Remove the chuck roast from the dutch oven and set aside on a plate. Add the carrots, onion, and celery to the dutch oven. Cook 4-5 minutes until they start to soften. Push the vegetables to the side of the pan and place the chuck roast back into the dutch oven nestled in the center of the vegetables. 
  • Pour the warm chicken stock over the roast and vegetables, then top with the whole garlic cloves.
  • Increase the heat and bring the liquid to a simmer. Then cover and transfer to the oven to braise for 2-3 hours for a 3-lb roast, and up to 4-5 for a 5-lb roast. 

Notes

  • Serving Suggestion: Serve it with some homemade sourdough or cornbread; Roasted potatoes and a salad

Nutrition

Serving: 4ounces | Calories: 219kcal | Protein: 30g | Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 342mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 3.6mg
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brad Gilbert says

    December 6, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    This was the best grass fed Chuck roast. I followed your recipe and it
    Was flavorful and so tender.

    Thanks for posting this recipe!

    Reply
  2. Karen Oakey says

    February 21, 2015 at 6:52 pm

    We had this for dinner this evening, it was great! Going to add Barley to the broth and make barley soup with all the left overs!

    Reply
  3. Don Cochrane says

    February 18, 2015 at 12:02 pm

    – mmm.

    Reply
5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Hello there! I’m Colleen.

I want to inspire you to live seasonally, become more self sufficient, and protect your health. I share information on foraging and wildcrafting, fermenting and preserving, cooking whole foods from scratch, permaculture gardening, and making herbal products. And that’s just the beginning! Learn more.

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