Slow Cooker Holiday Pot Roast

One of our most-viewed recipes is classic slow cooker pot roast, and we think we know why it’s so popular. After all, it only involves dumping a few simple ingredients into the slow cooker and walking away for 8 hours! So how can we achieve the same bang for our buck, but with a twist that makes pot roast special for the holidays?

To start, we simply add a few seasonal root vegetables like turnips and rutabaga. Then, we dress up the sauce with flavorful spices and succulent cranberries. Add a few sprigs of fresh herbs before placing on the table, and Voila! Dinner is served, and my, does it look tasty! This year, the holidays will be as easy as any weekday dinner, but with all the exceptional and thoughtful touches that make the season sparkle.

Slow Cooker Holiday Pot Roast

Yield: Serves 8
Author: Hamilton Beach Test Kitchen

Ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil
3 to 3 1/2-pound beef chuck roast
4 large carrots, peeled and cut in 2-inch pieces
2 small turnips, peeled and cut in 2-inch pieces
1 medium rutabaga, peeled and cut in 2-inch pieces
1 medium sweet onion, cut in eighths
1 can (14 oz.) whole berry cranberry sauce
1 envelope (1 oz.) dry onion soup mix
1 cup fresh cranberries
3 Tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dried thyme
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

In a large skillet over medium-high, heat the oil. Brown beef on both sides.
Meanwhile, place half of the carrots, turnips, rutabaga and onion in bottom of slow cooker crock.
Place beef on top of vegetables in crock. Arrange remaining vegetables around beef.
In a medium bowl, mix cranberry sauce, soup mix, cranberries, cornstarch, cinnamon, thyme, pepper, allspice and cloves. Pour over beef and vegetables.
Cover slow cooker and cook on HIGH for 4 to 5 hours or LOW for 7 to 8 hours.

Notes

If you have a slow cooker with stove-top safe cookware, substitute the cookware for the skillet in the directions above. After browning beef, place cookware in slow cooker base, arrange veggies and beef, then continue with Step 4.