This Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast is a comforting and flavorful dish with a unique twist, thanks to the addition of coffee, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, which deepen the flavor profile and create a rich, savory gravy. The chuck roast is slow-cooked to tender perfection, enhanced by aromatic spices and herbs, and served with a luscious gravy made from the cooking juices. Serve it alongside creamy mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up every last drop, and garnish with fresh parsley for an extra touch of color. Perfect for cozy family dinners or Sunday gatherings. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Incredibly Tender: Slow cooking makes the chuck roast melt-in-your-mouth tender.
Unique Flavor Profile: Coffee and soy sauce create a deeply savory and slightly earthy gravy that’s hard to resist.
Hands-Off Cooking: Let the slow cooker do the work, so you can go about your day while a hearty meal simmers away.
Key Ingredients:
Chuck Roast: Chuck roast is a flavorful, marbled cut that becomes exceptionally tender when slow-cooked. You can also use brisket or a boneless beef shoulder as an alternative.
Coffee: Brewed coffee adds a unique depth to the gravy. Don’t worry—it won’t taste like coffee, but it enhances the meat’s savory flavor.
Soy Sauce: The soy sauce adds umami richness to the roast and balances the coffee’s earthiness. Use low-sodium soy sauce if you’re watching salt intake.
Worcestershire Sauce: Worcestershire brings a tangy, savory flavor that complements the soy sauce and coffee.
Garlic Powder and Oregano: These simple seasonings enhance the meat’s flavor. Feel free to add a few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary if you like extra herbaceous notes.
Onion and Bay Leaves: The onions become sweet and tender as they cook with the roast, while the bay leaves add an aromatic undertone to the gravy.
Cornstarch: This is used to thicken the gravy, creating a luscious texture that clings to each bite of meat.
Complete list of ingredients with quantities and instructions is located in the recipe card below
Instructions:
Step 1: Sear the Chuck Roast
Heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Sear the chuck roast on all sides until browned. This step adds depth and flavor to the meat.
Step 2: Season the Roast
Season the seared roast with garlic powder, dried oregano, and black pepper to taste, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
Step 3: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Place the seasoned roast in your slow cooker.
Add sliced onions and 2-3 bay leaves around the roast for additional flavor.
Step 4: Add Liquids
Pour 1 cup of brewed coffee, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce over the roast and onions. These liquids will create a savory, rich gravy.
Step 5: Slow Cook the Roast
Cook on LOW for 9 hours. Keeping the lid on during cooking will help retain moisture and tenderize the meat.
Step 6: Thicken the Gravy
Remove the roast from the slow cooker and skim off any excess fat from the liquid.
Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water to form a slurry. Stir this into the liquid in the slow cooker.
Set the slow cooker to HIGH and cook for about 20 minutes until the gravy thickens.
Step 7: Shred and Serve
Shred the roast using two forks, then return it to the slow cooker with the thickened gravy. Allow it to heat through for about 5 minutes.
Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. This tender roast pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread.
Serving Suggestions:
Mashed Potatoes: Creamy mashed potatoes are the classic side for pot roast, allowing you to soak up every bit of gravy.
Rice: Serve over fluffy white or brown rice for a comforting meal.
Roasted Vegetables: Carrots, potatoes, and parsnips roasted with garlic and herbs make a hearty side.
Bread: A warm slice of crusty bread is perfect for mopping up the rich, savory gravy.
Storage and Reheating Tips:
Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating: Reheat in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of beef broth if needed. You can also reheat in the microwave in short intervals.
Freezing: Pot roast freezes well. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Variations:
Red Wine Pot Roast
Substitute half of the coffee with red wine for a richer, deeper flavor profile. The wine’s acidity helps tenderize the meat, and it pairs wonderfully with the Worcestershire sauce and herbs.
Mushroom Pot Roast
Add 1-2 cups of sliced mushrooms to the slow cooker along with the onions for an earthy flavor that enhances the gravy.
Herb-Infused Pot Roast
Add fresh thyme and rosemary to the slow cooker along with the bay leaves for an aromatic twist. These herbs pair beautifully with the beef and the coffee-based gravy.
Spicy Kick
For a hint of spice, add 1-2 teaspoons of chili flakes or a splash of hot sauce to the liquid mixture before cooking. The heat balances the richness of the gravy.
Conclusion:
This Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast is a classic, no-fuss recipe that transforms a simple chuck roast into a tender, flavorful dish with minimal effort. The unique addition of coffee and soy sauce creates a savory, complex gravy that complements the beef perfectly. Serve it with your favorite sides, and you’ve got a comforting, satisfying meal that’s perfect for any night of the week. Enjoy!
Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chuck roast
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup prepared coffee
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 large white onion halved and thinly sliced
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 3 tbsp cold water for slurry
- fresh chopped parsley optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chuck roast on all sides until browned.
- Season the seared roast with garlic powder, dried oregano, and black pepper to taste.
- Place the seasoned roast in your slow cooker. Add sliced onions and 2-3 bay leaves around the roast.
- Pour 1 cup of brewed coffee, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, and 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce over the roast and onions.
- Cook on LOW for 9 hours with the lid on to retain moisture.
- Remove the roast from the slow cooker and skim off any excess fat. Mix 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water and stir this slurry into the slow cooker liquid. Set to HIGH and cook for 20 minutes until thickened.
- Shred the roast and return it to the slow cooker to warm through. Serve hot, garnished with parsley if desired.