Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pot Roast
Nov 09, 2023Updated Dec 05, 2024
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Give your beef chuck roast a different taste using apple cider in this super easy and tasty crock pot recipe. This is sure to become one of your favorite meals, especially for the cooler months. Get ready to enjoy this comforting meal with family and friends.
Apple cider is the flavor of the season! Enjoy it in different ways, like in my Slow Cooker Fireball Apple Cider and Slow Cooker Cranberry Apple Cider.

Table of Contents
Why you should try this apple cider pot roast recipe
Cooking a delicious meal shouldn’t be hard, and that’s where this great recipe comes in handy. All you need are just a few classic pot roast ingredients for a comfort food that’s familiar to everyone. I also like easy recipes that can be tossed in the pot for slow cooking and a tender finish.
The whole family is sure to enjoy this absolutely delicious roast. And you’ll love the quick prep and cooking time that gives you time to get other things done. Tidy up the home or prepare for a dinner party during cooking time and rest assured that you’ll have an incredibly tender roast to serve. Another complete fall meal we love to make is Slow Cooker Thanksgiving Casserole.
Recipe Ingredients
- Chuck Roast: This is the best cut of meat to use in a recipe like this. There will be plenty of fall apart tender beef chuck roast. We use this same cut of beef in my Slow Cooker Cranberry Pot Roast Recipe.
- Apple Cider: This is the hidden ingredient that gives this beef pot roast its delicious cider braised flavor. If you have leftover slow cooker apple cider, you can use that!
- Seasonings and Herbs: kosher salt and black pepper are sprinkled in to taste while a couple of teaspoons of fresh rosemary and thyme leaves are added for additional earthy flavor.
- Beef Broth: Helps create a braising liquid and fork tender roast.
- Other Ingredients: Worcestershire sauce, garlic cloves, tomato paste, and Dijon mustard help finish up the braised pot roast.
- Fresh Vegetables: Baby carrots and baby potatoes halved are the basics used in cooking a pot roast. You can always add additional vegetables.
- Optional Garnishes: Fresh thyme, fresh parsley, and rosemary sprigs can be used for garnish just before serving.
Step One – Season the chuck roast generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Heat the vegetable or olive oil in a cast iron skillet or large pan over medium-high heat.
Step Two – Sear the chuck roast until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the roast from the skillet and set aside.
Step Three – In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the apple cider, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, tomato paste, dijon mustard, chopped rosemary, and chopped thyme. Whisk until thoroughly combined and set aside.
Step Four – Place the baby carrots and baby potatoes in the bottom of a slow cooker.
Step Five – Carefully transfer the seared chuck roast onto the bed of vegetables in the slow cooker.
Step Six – Pour the apple cider mixture over the roast and vegetables in the slow cooker. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 8-10 hours or on HIGH heat for 4-6 hours, until the meat is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
What to serve with this
- Optional serving: Once cooked, remove the cider braised pot roast from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes. Shred slightly. Return it to the beef braising liquid or turn the liquid into a gravy by adding a cornstarch slurry.
- Serve this delicious comfort food with cooked baby carrots, potatoes, and a ladle of the flavorful cooking liquid. You can also use the baby potatoes to make mashed potatoes. Put a few fresh herbs on the side, too.
- Garnish with fresh thyme, parsley, a bay leaf, and rosemary sprigs.
- Don’t forget the homemade slow cooker cornbread, dinner rolls, or any other bread of your choice. Also, even pot roast is wonderful with a dollop of slow cooker cranberry sauce.
Recipe FAQs
It’s important to sear the chuck roast before slow-cooking as it adds a depth of flavor to the final dish. However, if you’re short on time, you can skip this step and place the un-seared roast directly into the slow cooker.
For a thicker gravy, you can strain the cooking liquid, transfer it to a saucepan, and simmer it over medium heat. Thicken with a cornstarch slurry once simmering. (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water mixed together) Whisk the slurry into the cooking liquid and simmer until thickened.
You can add additional vegetables if desired such as sliced onions, celery, bell pepper, diced sweet potatoes, or mushrooms.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Yes; however, the tanginess from apple cider creates a unique flavor. Consider adding a dash of red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for more of a flavor punch.
Yes. You can yield the same results by using a dutch oven.
You shouldn’t have much, but if so, you can use a paper towel to soak it up.
I suggest at least a 3 pound roast, though you can use any size you find.
More Pot Roast Recipes
- Slow Cooker Jack Daniel’s Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Coffee Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Coca Cola Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Sauerbraten
- Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Blue Cheese Gravy
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Slow Cooker Apple Cider Pot Roast
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. beef chuck roast
- 1 tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. pepper
- 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil
- 1 cup apple cider
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, Minced
- 1 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary, or 1 teaspoon dried
- 2 tsp. chopped fresh thyme leaves, or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 lbs. baby carrots
- 1 lbs. baby potatoes, halved or quartered depending on size
Instructions
- Season the chuck roast on both sides with salt and pepper. You can use more or less depending on your preferences.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet or large pan over medium-high heat. Sear the chuck roast until browned on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the roast from the skillet and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the apple cider, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, tomato paste, dijon mustard, chopped rosemary, and chopped thyme. Whisk until thoroughly combined and set aside.
- Place the baby carrots and baby potatoes in the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Carefully transfer the seared chuck roast onto the bed of vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Pour the apple cider mixture over the roast and vegetables in the slow cooker.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW heat for 8-10 hours or on HIGH heat for 5-6 hours, until the meat is tender and easily shreds with a fork.
- Once cooked, remove the chuck roast from the slow cooker and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding it.
- Serve the pot roast with the cooked baby carrots, potatoes and a ladle of the flavorful cooking liquid, Garnish with fresh thyme, parsley and rosemary sprigs. Enjoy!
How to Video
Sarah’s Notes
- It’s important to sear the chuck roast before slow-cooking as it adds a depth of flavor to the final dish. However, if you’re short on time, you can skip this step and pace the unseared roast directly into the slow cooker.
- For a thicker gravy, you can strain the cooking liquid, transfer it to a saucepan, and simmer it over medium heat. Thicken with a slurry once simmering. (1 tablespoon cornstarch + 1 tablespoon cold water mixed together) Whisk the slurry into the cooking liquid and simmer until thickened.
- You can add additional vegetables if desired such as onions, celery, bell pepper, or mushrooms.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
Stupid question. This recipe calls for Apple cider. Would that be Apple Cider Vinegar?
Recipe calls for fresh apple cider, which is found in the produce or dairy section at your local grocery store. Apple cider vinegar is found in the condiments aisle (i.e. bbq sauces, salad dressings, mayo, etc.).
Fresh Apple Cider and Apple Cider Vinegar are NOT interchangeable.
Can we freeze left over roast
This sounds awesome! I just bought a tri-tip yesterday, they were on sale, and wondered if I could use that instead?
Could you air fry the roast instead of searing? And then put in the slow cooker.
I donโt see why not!