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Mom's Easy Stovetop Pot Roast

This easy pot roast on the stovetop recipe shows how to cook a moist, tender beef pot roast with gravy from scratch for a hearty family dinner everyone will love. Includes instructions for oven and slow cooker.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
6 hrs
Resting Time
15 mins
Total Time
6 hrs 25 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 4-6 pounds pot roast we use rump roast
  • 3-4 tablespoons olive oil or another vegetable oil
  • 1 carton (32 oz) chicken broth beef or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder or more to taste
  • 1 medium onion sliced or diced
  • 4 carrots peeled, sliced
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3-5 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1-2 tablespoons water

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Pull out and measure all the ingredients.
  2. Rinse and pat meat dry with paper towel. Sprinkle it with a teaspoon salt, pepper and garlic powder. Be sure to cover all sides of the cut of meat.
  3. Press or rub seasonings with your hands.
  4. In a large, heavy-bottomed saucepan, over medium-high heat, place oil in pan and heat until it shimmers or a drop of water flicked in it dances.
  5. Place the meat on one side of the pot. The roast should sizzle right away. Don't let go of if yet. Lift it up and down a few times until the meat does not stick to the bottom of the pot. Then let go and leave it to brown, without moving it, a few minutes per side. Make sure each side of the roast is browned, even the ends! Lean the roast up against the side of the pot if you have to!
  6. Once the beef is brown on all sides add a carton of chicken broth.
  7. Add carrots and sliced onions.
  8. Cover roast and simmer between 3-½ to 6 hours. It should be fork-tender and just fall apart. Add any vegetables you desire for the last 15-30 minutes of cooking time.
  9. Remove the meat from pot and place on a plate or serving platter. It will likely fall apart, so be careful when removing it. Remove any strings or net holding the roast together, and allow it to rest while making the gravy.
  10. Strain the juices left in the pot and return the fluid back into the pot.
  11. In a small bowl or cup, combine water and cornstarch. Stir until dissolved and set aside.
  12. Turn the temperature on your stove to medium-high. Bring remaining juices to a boil and add the cornstarch mixture. Using a whisk stir constantly. Reduce temperature to simmer and stir regularly until gravy thickens.
  13. Season with salt and pepper.
  14. After 5 minutes, If gravy doesn't thicken to your liking, mix up a little more cornstarch and water in a small bowl or cup, and once dissolved, add it to the gravy. Whisk while simmering and wait a few more minutes.
  15. Serve with mashed potatoes and carrots, corn or anything else you desire!
  16. Enjoy every bite!

Notes

  • When searing the meat, use a deep pot to reduce the oil from splattering.
  • To easily sear the meat you may need to lean the roast up against the side of the pot if you have to!
  • The amount of cornstarch you need to add to the gravy will depend on the size of the roast, and the amount of drippings. 
  • Simmering the beef roast is key. NEVER rigorously boil it. 
  • Do not add cornstarch directly to the liquid when making the gravy. It must be mixed and dissolved in water first.
  • It's a good idea to mix ¼ cup of cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of water and place it on standby beside your gravy, so you won't have to mix it up in the middle of making the gravy.
  • When searing the meat, use a deep pot to reduce the oil from splattering. To easily sear the meat you may need to lean the roast up against the side of the pot if you have to! The amount of cornstarch you need to add to the gravy will depend on the size of the roast, and the amount of drippings.  Simmering the beef roast is key. NEVER rigorously boil it.  Do not add cornstarch directly to the liquid when making the gravy. It must be mixed and dissolved in water first. It's a good idea to mix ¼ cup of cornstarch with 2-3 tablespoons of water and place it on standby beside your gravy, so you won't have to mix it up in the middle of making the gravy.