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3 Packet Crock Pot Pot Roast with Gravy

This 3 envelope slow cooker pot roast with gravy is amazingly simple. It takes 7 basic ingredients and 10 minutes prep time to make a delicious meal. You can make it in your crockpot, instant pot, or in the oven. Freeer meal directions are also included. Enjoy!
Author: Gwen@SlowCookerKitchen.com

Ingredients

  • 3 lb beef roast
  • 1 packet of brown gravy mix
  • 1 envelope of ranch seasoning
  • 1 packet of Italian dressing mix
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tble COLD water
  • 1 tbsp butter

Instructions

Slow Cooker Method:

  • Heat the butter is a large skillet over medium-high heat and brown both sides of your roast (3-5 minutes per side). Turn burner to medium and remove roast.
  • While the roast is browning butter, oil, or spray your slow cooker insert and make your cornstarch slurry. To make slurry mix cornstarch and COLD water. Mix well. Set aside but if you set it aside for too long, just mix it again before using it.
  • Scrape down the sides and get all the brown bits and butter together. Add to beef broth and stir until incorporated. Allow to come to a boil.
  • Add the cornstarch slurry and stir. Add a lid and proceed to your crockpot.
  • Place the roast in the bottom of the slow cooker. Or on top your vegetables if you decided to add them.
  • Sprinkle with 1/2 of each of the seasoning packets, flip the roast and repeat.
  • Check the skillet gravy. If it’s slightly thickened, then slowly pour it over roast. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 10 hours.
  • When ready to serve: Remove roast and stir gravy well. Shred roast if desired and serve with gravy.
  • See Notes for a much simpler method for making slow cooker 3 packet roast.

Pressure Cooker Method:

  • Set pressure cooker to sauté, add butter and then the roast.
  • Brown roast on both sides. Remove roast and add broth. Scrape down sides to deglaze.
  • Add back roast and sprinkle both sides with 1/2 of each seasoning packet.
  • Cover, close and set to 1 hr. 15 mins. Allow to natural release for 15-20 minutes, then quick release.
  • Remove roast and turn pot to sauté again.
  • Mix cornstarch slurry by adding cornstarch to COLD water. Mix well and slowly stir into broth. Allow to heat through and thicken.
  • Slice or pull roast if desired and serve with gravy.
  • Note on large roast in the instant pot. My research says to add 15-20 minutes for each additional pound of roast, just like the oven method. Some other recipes I’ve found don’t add quite that much time.
  • I don’t believe there is any danger if you don’t follow this timing exactly. You will just have a more rare roast.

Oven Method:

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Brown roast while the oven is heating.
  • Add butter to deep cast iron skillet or Dutch oven and turn heat to medium-high.
  • Add roast and brown for 3-5 minutes per side. Remove from heat.
  • Sprinkle the roast with 1/2 of each seasoning packet, flip the roast and repeat.
  • Place lid on skillet/Dutch oven and cook in preheated oven for 60 minutes (add 20 minutes per pound for larger roasts).
  • Remove from oven and place roast on a serving tray or plate.
  • Place skillet stovetop and medium-high heat again. Slowly add the beef broth and scrape down the sides and bits.
  • Make slurry by mixing water and cornstarch in a separate bowl or cup and mixing well until no lumps remain. Slowly pour and stir into your broth until well incorporated.
  • Allow to come to a butter, turn to medium and allow to thicken. Stir every minute or so until thick.
  • Pull or slice meat if desired and serve with gravy.

Freezer Meal Prep:

  • Sprinkle the roast on each side with 1/2 of each of the seasoning packets.
  • Make a note on your baggie that you will need beef broth, cornstarch, and a bit of butter to make this recipe. Freeze flat for up to 3 months.

Notes

The slow cooker method of making this roast comes out amazing. BUT, time does NOT always allow me to go with all the steps. You might be there too on occasion. When you have NO time, do this instead.
Add washed veggies to buttered crockpot. Sprinkle roast with seasoning packets, half of each on either side. Lay roast n veggies or in bottom of slow cooker. Mix cornstarch with cold water until incorporated. Stir into beef broth and pour over roast. Cook as per directions.