French Onion Pot Roast (slow cooker)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you love French onion soup you are going to swoon over this French onion pot roast bursting with flavor from the caramelized onions to the juicy bites of beef all in a savory beef broth. The delightful combination makes every bite of this French onion pot roast a feast.

Ingredients You Will Need

Beef chuck roast: is a relatively inexpensive cut of beef that is best when cooked long and slow for several hours to obtain that perfect melt in your mouth texture. I love Grass Roots Coop for my meat purchases.

Sweet onions: has a milder, sweeter flavor profile than yellow onion and is better for caramelizing.

Garlic: adds a savory note that enhances the dish with its bold and aromatic flavor.

Extra virgin olive oil: is the least processed form of olive oil. Due to this, it retains its natural antioxidants and vitamins. I like Garcia de La Cruz.

Salt and black pepper: salt enhances the overall flavor of the dish and ground black pepper adds a gentle heat.

Thyme: is a pungent herb that can withstand longer cooking times in stews and soups and adds a depth of flavor, especially to French onion styles.

Beef bone broth: I’m a huge fan of adding bone broth over regular broth whenever I can to get all the nutritional benefits it provides. You can absolutely use regular broth instead.

Ghee: incorporating ghee into this sauce adds a rich, nutty flavor. I love Fourth and Heart ghee.

Red wine vinegar: is known for it’s distinctive tangy flavor and the perfect addition to this dish in place of red wine.

Instructions

Heat oil: in a large skillet or right in your slow cooker if it has a searing option.

Rub some oil: over both sides of the meat and sprinkle with the salt and pepper.

Sear the beef: on all sides to get a good crust. This takes about 5 minutes per side. Move to a plate and cover with foil.

In the same pan: (or your slow cooker), turn down the heat to medium and melt the ghee and add the onions and garlic. Cooking and stirring frequently until the onions are caramelized. This could take about 20 minutes – so worth the wait!

Now add: your onions to the slow cooker (if not already in there) and place the seared beef and juices on top of the onions.

Pour in: the beef broth, red wine vinegar, thyme and an a extra sprinkle of salt and pepper.

Cover: and cook on low for 6 -8 hours. Mine was finished in 6 hours.

Remove: from slow cooker and shred the beef and then return to slow cooker and stir with onions and sauce.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Don’t skip: caramelizing the onions as it adds such a depth of flavor to the dish. This step is crucial for achieving the signature taste of a French onion pot roast.

Make my: Whipped Mashed Potatoes to serve this over to soak up all of the amazing sauce.

You can double: the recipe to have to freeze or save for another weeknight meal!

Recipe Variations

Fresh thyme: adds extra flavor to the dish if it is available year round where you live.

Beef broth: or stock is perfect instead of the beef bone broth. I prefer the bone broth for the extra nutrients it provides.

Storage Tips

This French onion pot roast can be stored in the refrigerator for 4 days when placed in an airtight glass container. It also freezes well for up to 6 months, making your preparation of a French onion pot roast a convenient option for meal planning.

FAQs About French Onion Pot Roast

What is the best cut of beef to use?

A boneless or bone in chuck roast is the preferred cut as it has the right amount of fat and connective tissue to become tender and juicy when cooked “low and slow” over several hours.

How do I get deeply caramelized onions?

The key is patience and low heat. Achieving this is essential for the ultimate French onion pot roast taste.

How should I serve French Onion Pot Roast?

Shred the meat and serve over mashed potatoes or toasted baguette slices. You can even top with cheese and broil until it becomes bubbly and browned. These accompaniments highlight the rich flavors found in French onion pot roast.