Crock Pot Roast: Cooking Potatoes To Perfection

Cooking a roast with potatoes in a crock pot is a great way to make a hearty, tasty meal with minimal effort. The cooking time for potatoes in a crock pot with roast will depend on the size of your potatoes and whether you want to keep them whole or cut them into chunks. For whole potatoes, you're looking at around 8-10 hours on a low heat setting or 5-6 hours on high. For chunked potatoes, the cooking time is reduced to 2-3 hours on high or 4-6 hours on low.

How to prepare potatoes for crock pot roast

Preparing potatoes for a crock pot roast is a simple process, but there are a few steps to follow to ensure they turn out perfectly. Here is a guide on how to prepare potatoes for a crock pot roast:

Select the Right Potatoes: Choose potatoes that are suitable for slow cooking, such as red potatoes, Yukon Gold potatoes, or russet potatoes. You will need around 2 pounds of potatoes, which is usually about 4 to 5 medium-sized potatoes.

Wash and Cut the Potatoes: Give the potatoes a good scrub to remove any dirt. You can peel them if you prefer, but it's not necessary. Cut the potatoes into evenly sized pieces, about 1-inch cubes. Leaving the skin on adds texture and flavour to the dish.

Season the Potatoes: Place the potatoes in the slow cooker and drizzle with olive oil. Add your desired seasonings and toss to coat the potatoes evenly. You can use a variety of seasonings such as onion powder, garlic powder, dried dill, dried parsley, salt, and pepper.

Cooking Time and Temperature: For a crock pot roast, it's best to cook the potatoes on low heat for 8-10 hours or on high for 5-6 hours. This will ensure that the potatoes are tender and cooked through.

Combine with Other Ingredients: Crock pot roasts are typically cooked with other ingredients such as meat, carrots, and onions. You can add the potatoes to the crock pot along with these ingredients and let them cook together. Make sure to arrange the potatoes around the meat, and top with other vegetables.

Serve and Enjoy: Once the cooking time is complete, remove the potatoes from the crock pot and serve them alongside the roast and other vegetables. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and enjoy!

By following these steps, you'll have delicious and tender potatoes to accompany your crock pot roast.

How long to cook potatoes for

The cooking time for potatoes in a crock pot with roast depends on the type of potatoes used and the desired texture. For fork-tender potatoes, the cooking time can range from 2 to 3 hours on high or 4 to 6 hours on low.

When cooking potatoes with a roast in a crock pot, it is important to consider the size and type of potatoes used. Smaller, waxier potatoes such as Yukon Gold or red potatoes tend to hold their shape better and have a shorter cooking time compared to larger, starchier potatoes such as Russets. It is recommended to keep the potatoes whole or cut them into larger chunks to prevent them from disintegrating during the long cooking process.

Additionally, the cooking time may vary depending on the desired texture of the potatoes. For fork-tender potatoes, cooking on high for 2 to 3 hours or on low for 4 to 6 hours is generally sufficient. However, if you prefer your potatoes to be softer and more melt-in-your-mouth, you may need to cook them for a longer period within the crock pot's low heat setting, which can range from 8 to 10 hours.

To ensure even cooking and prevent overcooking, it is advisable to stir the potatoes occasionally during the cooking process, especially if your crock pot model is older.

Furthermore, when cooking potatoes with a roast, it is essential to consider the cooking time required for the meat. The potatoes and roast should be cooked together in the crock pot, ensuring that both components are cooked through and tender. The cooking time for the roast can vary depending on its weight and the temperature setting of the crock pot. For example, a 3-pound chuck roast may require 8 hours of cooking on low heat or 5 to 6 hours on high heat.

In summary, when cooking potatoes in a crock pot with roast, the cooking time can range from 2 to 3 hours on high or 4 to 6 hours on low for fork-tender potatoes. However, for softer potatoes and to accommodate the cooking time of the roast, a longer cooking duration on low heat may be necessary, typically ranging from 8 to 10 hours.

Best type of potatoes to use

When it comes to choosing the best type of potatoes for your crockpot roast, there are a few factors to consider. The first is the cooking time. If you're looking for potatoes that will hold their shape during the long cooking time, it's best to avoid starchy potatoes like Russets, which tend to fall apart and turn mushy. Instead, opt for waxier potatoes like Yukon Gold or red potatoes. These varieties will help keep your potatoes moist and fork-tender without becoming gluey.

Another thing to consider is the size and shape of the potatoes. Keeping the potatoes whole will help them retain their shape and texture. If you do want to cut them, it's best to cut them into larger chunks rather than small cubes. This will help prevent overcooking and ensure that the potatoes remain intact.

Some people also recommend parboiling the potatoes before adding them to the crockpot. This can help ensure that the potatoes are fully cooked and tender without becoming mushy.

Finally, don't forget to season your potatoes! A simple blend of olive oil, onion powder, garlic powder, dried dill, dried parsley, salt, and pepper can add tons of flavour to your dish.

Overall, the best types of potatoes to use for a crockpot roast are Yukon Gold or red potatoes. Keep them whole or cut into large chunks, and season them generously for a delicious and tender side dish.

How to make gravy

Making gravy in a slow cooker is a convenient and time-saving method that allows you to leave it alone and then store it for later. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make gravy in a slow cooker:

Ingredients:

• Chicken or beef stock/broth
• Cornflour or cornstarch
• Butter
• Flour
• Salt and pepper
• Other ingredients of your choice, such as onion, garlic, rosemary, cranberry sauce, etc.

Instructions:

• If you want to add extra flavour to your gravy, start by roasting some vegetables, chicken wings, and herbs of your choice. You can also add ingredients like garlic and onion to enhance the flavour.
• Put the roasted ingredients into the slow cooker and mash them to release their flavours.
• Add your stock or broth to the slow cooker. You can also use drippings from roast beef or beef stock if you have them.
• Cook the mixture on high for at least 2 hours or on low for 4 hours. The longer it cooks, the more flavourful it will be.
• To thicken the gravy, create a slurry by mixing cornflour or cornstarch with a small amount of the gravy liquid. Make sure to slowly stir the liquid into the cornflour to avoid lumps.
• Add the cornflour mixture to the slow cooker and stir until combined. Cook for another 15 minutes or until thickened.
• Season the gravy with salt and pepper to taste. You can also add other ingredients like cranberry sauce or caramelized onions to enhance the flavour.
• Serve the gravy warm with your desired meal. It goes well with roast beef, mashed potatoes, or bread.

Tips:

• You can make gravy ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months.
• If your gravy is too thin, you can make a roux by mixing equal parts flour and butter. Slowly whisk the roux into your gravy to thicken it.
• If you want to add extra flavour to your gravy, try using fresh herbs instead of dried ones.
• Don't open the lid of the slow cooker too often during cooking, as this can cause heat loss and increase cooking time.

What to serve with crock pot roast and potatoes

A crock pot roast with potatoes is a hearty meal in itself, but if you're looking to serve it with some sides, here are some ideas:

• A side salad.
• Steamed asparagus for a nice pop of green.
• Some buttered homemade bread, such as buttermilk biscuits or copycat Texas Roadhouse rolls.
• Sour dough bread.
• A Christmas salad.
• Green Chile Burritos, Loaded Nachos, French Dip Sandwich, or Beef Empanadas as leftover suggestions.

Frequently asked questions