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Coffee pot roast is made with traditional seasonings but with two major twists – freshly ground coffee and freshly brewed coffee. This pot roast with coffee recipe also calls for unique flavors pulled from cocoa powder and balsamic vinegar. Give your Sunday dinner an upgrade with this delicious fork tender pot roast.
There are so many ways to cook a delicious chuck roast. Some of my favorite pot roast recipes are Amish Pot Roast and Mississippi Pot Roast.

All you need is your crock pot or slow cooker, a nice-sized chuck roast, coffee grounds, and several pantry staple seasonings to make a roast filled with so much flavor, you’ll be wondering why you haven’t tried it sooner. I love a good pot roast, but even more so, playing around with different flavors can be pretty fun.
Key Ingredients:
Here is all you need for this coffee pot roast. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts in the recipe card below the images.
- Mocha Spice Rub: This amazing rub is made of finely ground coffee beans (or instant coffee), coarse salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cocoa powder, freshly ground black pepper, sweet paprika, ground coriander, chili powder, and ground ginger.
- Chuck Roast: For a recipe like this, you’ll want to use a rump roast or beef chuck roast that’s at least 3 pounds in weight. This will guarantee enough meat to serve a family or small crowd.
- Liquids for the Roast: Beef broth, brewed coffee, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar are used to create the perfect-tasting pot roast recipe.
- Fresh Thyme: Used for cooking and as a garnish.
Step-by-Step Directions
This roast is very simple to make! Here is how I do it:
Step One – Combine the ingredients for the rub and use some of it to rub the roast along with olive oil. Coat all sides heavily with the coffee rub.
Step Two – Place the onion in the bottom of the slow cooker. Then, lay the meat on top of the onion. Pour the coffee, broth, and vinegar around the roast. Be careful not to pour on the roast so you don’t wash the rub off the meat. Add the sprigs of thyme.
Step Three – Place the lid tightly on the slow cooker. Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours, or LOW for 9 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
Step Four – Place roast on a serving platter along with the cooked onions and thyme. You can also cook potatoes and carrots to serve with it as well. Enjoy!
My Serving Suggestions
Here is how I like to serve this pot roast:
One of the tastiest ways to serve this beef roast is with mashed potatoes, gravy (you can make gravy from the drippings), green beans, and macaroni and cheese.
Don’t forget to serve this delicious meal with bread. You can pair it with dinner rolls, homemade cornbread, or any bread of your choice.
Featured Comment
“Quote gHoly cow was this good! I’ve always been reticent to make a pot roast because my husband’s grandma made the best pot roast, but this made me proud! Thank you Sarah!”
– Mary
Slow Cooker Coffee Pot Roast
Ingredients
Mocha Rub (this is enough for a few recipes):
- 2 Tbsp. finely ground coffee beans or instant coffee
- 2 Tbsp. coarse salt
- 2 Tbsp. smoked paprika
- 2 Tbsp. garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp. onion powder
- 1 Tbsp. cocoa powder
- 1 Tbsp. black pepper
- 1 tsp. sweet paprika
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- 1 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. ground ginger
Roast:
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 3 lbs. chuck roast
- 1 sweet onion, cut into 8 pieces
- 1 cup brewed coffee
- 1 cup beef broth
- 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
Instructions
- Combine the ingredients for the rub and store in an air tight container until ready to use.
- Rub the roast with olive oil, then coat all sides heavily with the coffee rub.
- Place the onion in the bottom of slow cooker. Lay the meat on top of the onion.
- Pour the coffee, broth and vinegar around the roast, being careful not to pour on the roast so you don’t wash the rub off the meat.
- Add the sprigs of thyme and place the lid tightly on the slow cooker.
- Turn on high for 5 hours, or low for 9 hours, or until the meat is very tender.
Sarah’s Notes
- The Coffee Rub will make enough to do multiple roasts, just store in an air-tight container until ready to use.
- While it isn’t necessary to sear this roast, you can sear it well to give it a blackened crust before adding to the slow cooker.
- You can cook some potatoes or carrots with the roast, or cook them separately so they don’t get a coffee, cocoa flavor.
- Make a gravy using the broth, it is really delicious.
- What to serve with this roast? Potatoes, carrots, salad or any vegetables.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The meat may be frozen for 3 months.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More Crockpot Pot Roast Recipes
French Onion Pot Roast simmers in a rich onion and beef broth, while Slow Cooker Rump Roast stays lean yet tender, ideal for slicing and serving with vegetables.
Balsamic Beef Pot Roast has a deep, tangy glaze that complements the beef perfectly, and Cranberry Pot Roast combines sweet-tart cranberries with savory flavors for a festive twist.
Apple Cider Pot Roast infuses the meat with subtle sweetness and fall spices, while Coca Cola Pot Roast uses soda and savory seasonings to create a uniquely flavorful, fork-tender roast.
Holy cow was this good! Iโve always been reticent to make a pot roast because my husbandโs grandma made the best pot roast, but this made me proud! Thank you Sarah!
I’m going to try what kind of instant coffee do you use
I use Medaglia D’oro Instant Espresso Coffee.