It has taken me a long time to perfect the perfect roast. I use to put it in the Crock Pot and let it cook all day. The only problem was that some of the vegetables never seem to get tender enough while others were so tender they fell apart. Luckily I had an uncle who showed me a great trick.
One day he was putting his roast on and told me “Look girl this is how you get your carrots done!” I was very interested because always seem to be cooked to perfection. His big secret that I had to swear never to tell (sorry David) was to weigh the carrots down under the roast. That way they a don’t float to the top and for reasons unknown to me they cook better.
I use this method now anytime I cook roast with carrots. The way I get my perfect roast is simple. 1.) I don’t use the slow cooker to cook roast anymore. I know that you can and you may have had wonderful success with it but I have not. I put mine in a roasting pan in the oven, fill with water, and cover tightly with aluminum foil. 2.) I brown it in a frying pan before it ever hits the roasting pan. That’s right! I season it and then brown it on both sides. This locks in the juices and makes a roast that will melt in your mouth.
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What are you perfect roast tips?
I live in a small Georgia town that you most likely have never heard of and I LOVE it! My house is more than full as I am a single mother of four & caregiver to my aging mother and uncle. Lover of all things Outlander. Goes to the beat of her own drum woman.
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Who would have known…I have never had a problem with the slow cooker, maybe it depends on the model you have. I have also cooked in the oven. I like your idea to fry it before you put it in there though. That’s a good idea and one normally don’t do. Would probably sear in all the juices doing this. Thanks!
I think Uncle David and my grandmother shared secrets! LOL! She taught me the same methods for the carrots and searing the roast! It is the only way that I will eat carrots ~ they have the best flavor that way. I agree with you about the crock pot and this type of meal. Just doesn’t work that great for me. I am just about ready for cooler weather, it is the only time I will cook this kind of meal, too hot here to heat up the kitchen.
OMG! So simple. Of course I have always cooked roast in the crock pot…and the flavor is always good. The problem is always the texture—over or under cooked veggies.
Ive made roast a handful of times and i still cant seem to get it right. Never thought to put the veggies on the bottom. Im going to try roasting it in the oven next wish me luck!
I’m not super confident when I cook roast. I’ve done it in the crock pot and in the oven and I’m always sort of “meh” about the results. I love the trick about weighing the vegetables down with the roast!
Yes, I love Pot Roast because it is so delicious. I cook my Pot Roast in a large cooking bag, and put the carrots and potatoes in their own cooking bag and it comes out moist and delicious. When using a cooking bag and roasting carrots, you must put in a little water.
I really like that tip! I too have not had luck with carrots in a roast using a crockpot. I will need to try that tip soon. I am more of a baker than cook, so any tips cooking a dinner is much appreciated. I am a newbie making roasts, so I don’t have any tips. Glad others do though.
Diana C
I have never tried a roast in a slow cooker. Actually, lately I have been roasting them on the stove top in a stainless steel pan that seals really well to keep in the moisture and they have come out wonderful and actually cook faster. Sounds like your uncle should start a cooking blog for us!
I actually have great luck with roasts in a Crock Pot. I really wouldn’t have enough time during the week to cook a roast in the oven unless we wanted to eat at 8:00 at night. I have seasoned and browned the roast before putting it in the crock pot though.
I haven’t really cooked a roast. I luv carrots with meat, and now I’m hankering to do this! I’d make a couple of lbs of carrots to go with the roast – sounds delish now that I know how to make sure the carrots come out right!
I do the same thing on my roast, brown it on both sides to lock in the juices! Sometimes though it’s all about the cut of meat. I will do the same thing every time and sometimes it turns out delicious and others it’s tough as nails.
I would have never thought to weigh the carrots down! I feel like I have just been showed the fountain of youth! I normally use the crock pot or pressure cooker and do brown it first either way. But I will be trying the oven method next…. Does it produce enough juice afterwards to make the gravy from the drippings?
If you keep your water level good enough you an do the gravy. I put in way more water than I actually need and pour some off when it is done.
Awesome! Thank You! I Love pot roast with gravy so I may have to pick up a roast next weekend for the football game, and give this a go! I tried the corn recipe and it was Fantastic! so I am really looking forward to this! since I am a much bigger fan of roasts than corn haha
I can’t wait to try your uncles secret to getting the carrots done. What a great idea! I usually do mine in the oven also. If I do it in the crock pot it turns out like shoe leather. Thanks for the tip!
Love this…my mom taught me the same little secret for roast! It works like a charm.