Slow Cooker Pot Roast For One

Craving comfort food? Our Mini Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe is just what you need. With minimal prep, you can enjoy a delicious, tender pot roast in a few easy steps! This single serving recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re in the mood for something comforting. Just add the ingredients to your mini crock pot and let it work its magic. You’ll get flavorful beef, hearty vegetables, and a rich gravy all in one pot. Enjoy this comforting classic without any leftovers!

Want more single serving mini slow cooker recipes? Try our succulent Ribs, robust Italian Chicken, savory White Chicken Chili, and homestyle Meatloaf. These easy recipes are perfect for a no-stress, delicious meal for one.

Don’t have a slow cooker? Try our stovetop pot roast recipe instead!

• Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt: Before searing, the beef is generously coated with this blend of seasonings. This seasoning mix not only enhances the meat’s natural flavors but also introduces an Italian-inspired zest, which gets beautifully amplified in the searing process. If you don’t have Italian seasoning, use a blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary, or substitute with Herbes de Provence.
• Boneless Chuck Roast: An 8-ounce cut is perfect for this recipe. Feel free to swap with other cuts like brisket or round roast. If you’ve got another small portion of chuck roast available to you, consider using it in Slow Cooker Ropa Vieja.
• Avocado oil: Used for browning the roast, contributing to its rich flavor. Canola oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, or even butter can be used as alternatives.
• Onions, Celery, and Carrots: These classic vegetables are essential in enhancing the flavor and texture of the pot roast. These vegetables are also key ingredients in our single serving recipes like Split Pea Soup and Chicken and Dumplings, as well as in our small batch Tomato Sauce. Feel free to replace them with your favorite vegetables, like bell peppers or additional potatoes, according to your preference.
• Potatoes: I use 2 small red potatoes in this recipe. Red potatoes have a waxy texture that holds up well in the slow cooker. You could substitute with other types of potatoes like Yukon gold or russet potatoes. If you’re using larger potatoes, remember to cut them into smaller pieces to ensure they cook evenly. Use leftover potatoes in Sheet Pan Steak and Potatoes, German Potato Salad, and Roasted Potato and Asparagus Quiche.
• Garlic cloves: I love the intense, aromatic flavor of garlic, so I use three cloves in this recipe. Here’s a little trick to infuse the roast with an even deeper garlic flavor: using the tip of a sharp knife, make small, 1-inch deep slits all over the top of the roast. Insert an entire clove into each slit. As the roast cooks, the garlic slowly permeates the meat, infusing it with a savory richness that garlic lovers will truly appreciate. Plus, as the cloves cook, they soften and mellow, creating a delightful surprise in each bite. This method of studding the roast with garlic not only elevates the taste of the pot roast but also enhances its aroma, making the entire cooking experience more enjoyable.
• Beef Broth: This helps to tenderize the roast and provides a base for the gravy. You could use vegetable or chicken broth as a substitute. If you’ve got any leftover broth, consider using it in Pepper Steak and Taco Soup.
• Cornstarch and Water: These are used to thicken the gravy. If cornstarch is not available, you can use flour as a thickening agent instead. Just remember to mix it with water to form a slurry before adding to avoid lumps.

How To Make A Slow Cooker Pot Roast For One

These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to make a pot roast in a slow cooker or in a small Crockpot. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

1. Place the sliced onions, celery, carrots, and potatoes in the bowl of a 1.5 or 2-quart slow cooker.

2. In a small bowl, combine pepper, salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder. Set this seasoning mix aside.

3. Dry the beef with paper towels and season all sides with the prepared seasoning mix.

4. Heat oil in an 8 or 10-inch skillet over medium heat. If using an 8-inch skillet, use slightly less oil than we recommend using in the recipe.
5. Place the roast in the skillet and sear until golden brown on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Remove the roast and transfer it to a plate.

6. Make small slits, about 1 inch deep each, all over the top of the roast using the tip of a sharp knife. Use your fingers to widen the slits, then insert the garlic cloves as far into the meat as possible.

Pro Tip: This method infuses the meat with the delightful flavor of garlic. As the roast cooks, the garlic gradually seeps into the meat, imparting a savory richness that will delight garlic enthusiasts. The cloves themselves soften and mellow during cooking, providing a pleasing surprise in each bite. Studding the roast with garlic not only enhances the taste of the pot roast but also amplifies its appealing aroma.

7. Place the beef in the slow cooker on top of the vegetables.

8. Pour the broth over the roast and vegetables, then cover with the lid. Cook on low for 8 hours or on high for 4 hours.

9. In a small bowl, mix together cornstarch and water until smooth.
10. Remove the beef from the slow cooker and place it on a plate.
11. Add the cornstarch slurry to the slow cooker, mixing it with the beef broth until blended.
12. Return the beef to the slow cooker and spoon some gravy over the beef. Replace the lid and continue cooking on high for 15 more minutes. This will thicken the gravy and allow the flavors to blend.

Pro tip: If your gravy is too thin, you can whisk together additional cornstarch with cold water and stir it into the slow cooker. Continue to cook on high until the gravy thickens.

13. Tear the meat apart with two forks and stir it into the gravy.
14. Transfer to a bowl and enjoy your slow cooker pot roast!