Beer, Onion and Ketchup Roast
29 Comments Mar 01, 2019
Updated Jun 27, 2025
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This Beer, Onion, and Ketchup Roast is a no-fuss crockpot meal with rich, savory flavor and melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
Don’t knock it till you try it—this roast is rich, savory, and nothing like you’d expect. The ketchup cooks down into a mellow, tomatoey sauce that pairs perfectly with beef, beer, and onions. Some folks side-eye ketchup in recipes, but trust me, it works.
The Ingredients
Chuck Roast – For the most juicy roast you will have you want to choose a chuck roast.
Beer – Use your favorite!
Onion soup mix – delivers rich, savory flavor with no chopping required
Ketchup – This may seem like a strange ingredient but the sweetness and tang really is the secret ingredient in this recipe.
How to make Beer Pot Roast
- Brown the roast in a hot skillet to build flavor.
- Add everything to the slow cooker—the roast, seasonings, ketchup, and beer.
- Cook low and slow until the meat is tender enough to shred and serve.
Sarah’s Tips & Variations
Skip the sear if needed: Browning the roast adds flavor but can be skipped if you’re short on time.
Add veggies: Toss in carrots, onions, or baby potatoes to make it a complete dinner.
Use a different cut: Bottom round or brisket works well if you don’t have chuck roast on hand.
Beer Swap: Use beef broth or can of French Onion Soup.
Ways to serve
Our favorite way to serve is over mashed potatoes and with a side of corn.
Another option is over white rice.
Leftovers are great on hamburger buns.
Featured Comment
“I made this recipe a few days ago and it turned out very tasty. I served it on top of mashed potatoes. Very easy to put together and has lots of flavor.”
– Debbie
Beer, Onion and Ketchup Roast
How to Video
Ingredients
- 4 lbs. beef chuck roast
- 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. pepper
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 oz. pkt. onion soup mix
- 12 oz. beer, use your favorite
Instructions
- Sprinkle the roast on both sides with the salt and pepper.
- Set a large skillet over medium high heat. When the pan is hot, add the cooking oil. Brown the roast on all sides, no need to cook through.
- Add the roast to the slow cooker. Pour over the ketchup, sprinkle over the onion soup mix. Pour over the beer.
- Cover and cook on high for 7 hours or on low for 10.
- When the cooking time is done, degrease the sauce around the roast. I do this by laying paper towels over the grease, then discarding them
- Shred the meat with two forks, remove and discard any fatty pieces.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.
More chuck roast recipes to try:
- A tender and flavorful meal, Mississippi Pot Roast is slow-cooked with ranch seasoning, brown gravy mix, and pepperoncini for the perfect balance of tang and richness.
- Slow-simmered in a savory broth, French Onion Pot Roast delivers deep, caramelized flavors, while Crockpot Pot Roast is a hearty classic with tender beef and vegetables.
- For a unique twist, Coca Cola Pot Roast has a hint of sweetness, and Balsamic Beef Roast and Veggies bring a rich, tangy glaze to the table.
- Perfect for sandwiches, Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches are packed with juicy beef, while Crockpot Barbacoa offers bold, smoky flavors with just the right amount of spice.
What cut of meat in I use instead of a chuck?
I would use a bottom round if there is no chuck roast available.
What can I use instead of beer?
Beef broth or beef consommé will work great.
I forgot to add that l used two tablespoons of olive oil as well. I would have used vegetable oil but didn’t have any. I’m poor.
I used this as the basis for a chicken recipe and omg it was so good. I made a couple of modifications.
1. I didn’t have an onion soup packet so I used 2 tablespoons of dried minced onions and 2 tablespoons of onion powder. ()
2. I didn’t have 1 cup of ketchup so I used 1/2 cup ketchup and 1/2 cup of cocktail sauce.
3. I also used extremely cheap beer (natty daddy 8%) and it STILL turned out impossibly well.
It smelled amazing.
1. Pre-grill chicken for a few mins while you add the beer, onion powder, minced onions, salt/pepper and ketchup/cocktail sauce to the crockpot. Use room temp beer. Let it sit out for an hour or run some hot water over the can for 3 mins. Your choice.
2. Add the pre-grilled chicken (should still be mostly pink on the inside) to the crock-pot.
3. Cook on high for 2 hours.
4.(cook on high for 2 more hours OR) Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
5. Be amazed.
Can I sub a ranch dressing packet for the french onion mix?
Yes, that will work fine.
Could I sub the onion soup packet for a can of mushroom soup? Or can of onion soup?
I would do a can of french onion soup if you want to stick with the original recipe. The cream of mushroom will work, it just won’t have an onion kick to it.
Can I add potatoes and carrots?
Yes, that would work well.