Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast Recipe

Cozy Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast Recipe for Soul-Warming Meals

Crafting a mouthwatering slow cooker Amish pot roast brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Tender meat falls apart with minimal effort, creating a hearty meal that feels like a warm embrace.

You adore this recipe for its simplicity and rich, deep flavors.

Generations of Amish kitchens have perfected this classic dish, blending traditional techniques with modern convenience.

Slow cooking allows spices to meld beautifully, infusing every bite with incredible depth.

Humble ingredients come together to create something truly magical and satisfying.

We promise this recipe will become a cherished favorite you’ll make again and again.

Why Amish Pot Roast Is a Slow Cooker Classic

  • Hands-Off Cooking Magic: Slow cooker method transforms tough chuck roast into melt-in-your-mouth tender meat with minimal active cooking time.
  • Flavor-Packed Comfort Food: Bold seasonings like coffee, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce create a rich, deep taste that elevates traditional pot roast to gourmet levels.
  • Versatile Meal Solution: Works brilliantly for weekly dinners, weekend gatherings, and can be easily stored as delicious leftovers for quick meals throughout the week.

Ingredients for Amish Pot Roast

Meat:
  • Chuck Roast: Tender beef cut perfect for slow cooking.
Herbs and Spices:
  • Garlic Powder, Dried Oregano, Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance meat flavor.
Aromatics:
  • Onions, Bay Leaves: Adds depth and subtle sweet undertones.
Liquid Base:
  • Coffee, Soy Sauce, Worcestershire Sauce: Rich liquid mixture providing moisture and complex flavor.
Thickening Agent:
  • Cornstarch: Helps create smooth and rich gravy.
Oil and Cooking Agents:
  • Vegetable Oil: Helps with searing meat.
Optional Garnish:
  • Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb for fresh finish.
Water Ingredients:
  • Cold Water: Used to create cornstarch slurry.

How to Cook Amish Pot Roast

Step 1: Prepare the Meat

Pat the chuck roast dry using paper towels.

Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Sear the roast on all sides for 3-4 minutes per side until a rich golden-brown crust forms, creating deep flavor and locking in juices.

Step 2: Add Robust Seasonings

Sprinkle the following seasonings over the seared roast:
  • Garlic powder
  • Dried oregano
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Massage the seasonings thoroughly into every surface of the meat.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Base in Slow Cooker

Spread sliced onions and bay leaves across the bottom of the slow cooker.

Gently place the seasoned roast on top of the onion layer.

Step 4: Pour Flavor-Enhancing Liquids

Pour these liquid ingredients over the roast:
  • Brewed coffee
  • Soy sauce
  • Worcestershire sauce

Ensure the liquids cover approximately half of the roast.

Step 5: Slow Cook to Tenderness

Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW temperature for 9 hours.

This extended cooking time transforms tough muscle fibers into melt-in-your-mouth meat.

Step 6: Create Silky Gravy

Remove the roast and set aside.

Skim excess fat from cooking liquid.

Create a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with cold water.

Stir the slurry into the liquid, cooking on HIGH for 20-30 minutes until gravy thickens.

Step 7: Finish and Serve

Shred the roast using two forks.

Return shredded meat to the gravy, allowing it to warm through.

Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired.

Serve hot and enjoy the rich, comforting flavors.

Tips for Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast

  • Always pat the chuck roast dry before searing to achieve a beautiful golden-brown crust that locks in delicious flavors and creates deep caramelization.
  • Placing onions and bay leaves at the bottom of the slow cooker helps create a flavorful base and prevents the meat from sticking while adding extra moisture.
  • Ensure cooking liquids cover about half the roast to maintain perfect tenderness without making the meat soggy or dry during the long cooking process.
  • Mix cornstarch with cold water to create a smooth thickening agent that prevents lumps in your gravy, resulting in a silky, restaurant-quality sauce.
  • Use two forks to pull the meat apart gently, allowing it to absorb the rich cooking liquid and ensuring each bite is packed with incredible flavor.

Reheat & Store Amish Pot Roast

  • Transfer leftover pot roast and gravy to an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Safely store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the meat and gravy together to maintain moisture and flavor.
  • Wrap pot roast tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags. Freeze for up to 3 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
  • Gently warm in the microwave or oven, adding a splash of broth or water to prevent drying. Stir occasionally and heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.

Sides That Match Amish Pot Roast

  • Pair Robust Red Wines: Choose full-bodied red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon or Malbec that complement the rich, hearty flavors of the pot roast and stand up to its robust meat profile.
  • Serve with Rustic Bread: Offer crusty sourdough or country-style bread to soak up the delicious gravy, providing a perfect textural contrast and additional flavor absorption.
  • Create Hearty Side Dishes: Prepare roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, and potatoes to echo the slow-cooked warmth of the pot roast and add nutritional balance to the meal.
  • Match with Craft Beer: Select dark craft beers such as stouts or porter varieties that share similar deep, complex flavor notes with the meat's caramelized exterior and rich sauce.

Twists on Traditional Amish Pot Roast

  • Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos to ensure the recipe remains gluten-free while maintaining a similar umami flavor profile.
  • Low-Sodium Option: Substitute regular soy sauce with a low-sodium version and reduce Worcestershire sauce amount to control salt intake without compromising taste.
  • Keto-Friendly Version: Swap out traditional coffee with bulletproof coffee and use beef bone broth instead of regular coffee to increase fat content and align with ketogenic dietary requirements.
  • Vegetarian Alternative: Replace chuck roast with large portobello mushrooms or jackfruit, using similar seasoning techniques and cooking method to create a plant-based equivalent with comparable texture and depth of flavor.

FAQs

  • What cuts of meat work best for this pot roast?

Chuck roast is ideal due to its rich marbling and tough connective tissues that break down during slow cooking, creating tender, flavorful meat.

  • Why should I sear the meat before slow cooking?

Searing creates a caramelized exterior that locks in flavor and develops a deeper, more complex taste profile for the roast.

  • Can I substitute coffee in the recipe?

Yes, beef broth can replace coffee if you prefer. The coffee adds depth and helps tenderize the meat, but broth works as an alternative flavor base.

  • Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely! This pot roast can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for busy weeknight meals or preparing meals in advance.

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Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast Recipe

Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast Recipe


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4.5 from 10 reviews

  • Total Time: 9 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty slow cooker amish pot roast delivers pure comfort with tender meat melting in rich, savory gravy. Midwest culinary tradition meets modern convenience, bringing family-style warmth directly from your kitchen to the dinner table.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chuck roast
  • 1 large white onion, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup prepared coffee

Seasonings and Spices:

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Fresh ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 bay leaves

Liquid and Thickening Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 3 tablespoons cold water
  • Fresh chopped parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Create a flavor-packed foundation by searing the chuck roast in a sizzling skillet until a rich, golden-brown crust develops, sealing in the meat’s natural juices and intensifying its robust taste.
  2. Massage the seared roast with a blend of aromatic garlic powder, earthy dried oregano, and freshly cracked black pepper, ensuring each crevice absorbs the seasoning.
  3. Construct a flavor base in the slow cooker by spreading a generous layer of thinly sliced onions and fragrant bay leaves, then gently nestle the seasoned roast atop this aromatic bed.
  4. Drench the roast with a complex liquid trio of deep coffee, umami-rich soy sauce, and tangy Worcestershire sauce, allowing the liquid to embrace the meat halfway up its surface.
  5. Initiate a low and slow cooking process, covering the slow cooker and allowing the roast to simmer gently for 9 hours, transforming tough muscle fibers into meltingly tender perfection.
  6. Carefully extract the roast from its cooking bath and skim away excess surface fat, preparing for the gravy’s final transformation.
  7. Create a smooth cornstarch slurry by whisking cold water into the starch, then integrate this mixture into the cooking liquid, elevating the heat to thicken the sauce into a luxurious gravy.
  8. Deconstruct the roast using two forks, pulling the meat into succulent shreds, then reunite it with the glossy gravy to ensure every morsel is infused with rich, deep flavor.
  9. Present the pot roast piping hot, optionally adorning with a sprinkle of vibrant, freshly chopped parsley for a touch of brightness and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Enhance meat tenderness by choosing a well-marbled chuck roast with good fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness.
  • Ensure deep caramelization during searing by patting meat completely dry and using a scorching hot skillet to develop rich brown crust.
  • Customize flavor profile by experimenting with different liquid bases like beef broth, red wine, or dark beer instead of coffee for varied taste dimensions.
  • Accommodate gluten-sensitive diets by substituting traditional soy sauce with tamari or coconut aminos, maintaining umami depth without wheat complications.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 9 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 430
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 700 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 10 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 50 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Angelina Wiles

Angelina Wiles

Content Editor & Culinary Enthusiast

Expertise

Food Writing and Editing, Vegetarian and Vegan Cuisine, Baking and Pastry Arts, Sustainable Cooking Practices​

Education

Portland Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasis on sustainable cooking practices, vegetarian cuisine, and food writing.​

​Oregon Culinary Institute
Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts
Focus: Specialized training in artisanal baking, pastry techniques, and dessert presentation.


Angelina’s love for cooking started with handwritten family recipes and weekend trips to farmers’ markets around Portland. She followed her passion with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Portland Community College, then perfected her sweet side with a Diploma in Baking and Pastry Arts at Oregon Culinary Institute.
Angelina believes recipes should feel like a conversation, not a science project. She’s all about helping readers trust themselves in the kitchen with simple steps, fresh ideas, and easy twists on classic meals.
When she’s not editing recipes, she’s baking bread, sipping coffee, or getting inspired by the changing seasons.

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