Comparison: How To Make The Best Slow Cooker Roast (Updated | Dec 9th)
Imagine coming home to the tantalizing aroma of a perfectly tender roast, ready to melt in your mouth. That’s the magic of a slow cooker! We’ve done the delicious legwork for you, testing various methods to uncover the secrets behind the most succulent, flavorful slow cooker roast. Whether you’re a busy parent or a cooking enthusiast, get ready to transform your weeknight dinners with these foolproof techniques that’ll have everyone begging for seconds.
- Best for homestyle flavor: McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix
- Best for versatile cooking: Hamilton Beach 6 Quart 9-in-1 Programmable Slow Cooker with Sear
- Best for convenient pack: McCormick
- Best for family value pack: Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning Mix
- Best for gathering essential: Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker
- Best for coffee science guide: How to Make Coffee: The Science Behind the Bean
- Best for mess-free cooking: 16 Bags Slow Cooker Liners
- Best for chicken roast ideas: 150 Things to Make with Roast Chicken: And 50 Ways to Roast It
- Best for compact cooking: Elite Gourmet MST-250XB Electric Slow Cooker Ceramic Pot
- Best for roasting techniques: Ruhlman’s How to Roast: Foolproof Techniques and Recipes for the Home Cook (Ruhlman’s How to…
Product Comparison: How To Make The Best Slow Cooker Roast
McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix, 1.3 oz

- HOMEMADE FLAVOR: Make homestyle pot roast with McCormick Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix in your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker.
- OLD-FASHIONED FLAVOR: Satisfy your craving for old-fashioned comfort food with rich, flavorful pot roast. Made with onion, garlic, herbs, and spices.
- 10 MINUTES PREP: Trim a boneless chuck roast and chop up your choice of veggies like carrots, celery, onions, and potatoes. Combine with seasoning mix and water in a slow cooker or electric pressure cooker and simmer until tender.
- MAKES 10 SERVINGS: Perfect for a weeknight dinner with leftovers for casseroles, sandwiches, pasta, and soup. Also great for weekend meal prep and for cozy fall and winter get-togethers.
- PANTRY CONVENIENCE: Add convenience and variety to dinnertime with McCormick Seasoning Mixes. Try other tasty flavors such as Mississippi Roast and Hearty Beef Stew in your slow cooker or electric pressure cooker.
- No MSG
Hamilton Beach 6 Quart 9-in-1 Programmable Slow Cooker with Sear, Browning, Rice, Steam, Sauté, Roast Delay Start & Keep Warm Functions, Nonstick PFAS-Free Dishwasher Safe Crock, Black (33604)

- 9 COOKING OPTIONS: Cook multiple ways with one versatile appliance. As a slow cooker, choose high or low heat, or select white rice or whole grain to use as a rice cooker. You can also sear, brown, sauté, roast, steam or keep food warm.
- SEAR OR BROWN RIGHT IN THE POT: Sear or brown right in the ceramic nonstick pot — no stovetop necessary. Improve the color and flavor of every dish you make in this searing slow cooker by searing or browning before you roast or slow cook foods.
- SLOW COOK ONE-POT MEALS, SIDE DISHES, APPETIZERS AND DESSERTS: With our versatile slow cooker, you can make and serve everything from lasagna, meatballs and macaroni and cheese, to fruit cobblers and cakes. Choose low or high heat settings .
- PERFECT FOR FAMILY GATHERINGS AND ENTERTAINING: The Hamilton Beach slow cooker has a removable, 6 quart rectangular pot that fits a variety of foods. It will hold a 6 lb. chicken, 4 lb. roast or enough barbecue to make up to 25 sliders. Serves 7+ people.
- DELAY START FUNCTION FOR RICE, WHOLE GRAINS and STEAM: Delay start adds to this multi-cooker’s convenience and makes meal planning easier. You can set the delay cooking time from 1 to 15 hours to begin cooking rice or grains or steaming food while you are away from home or busy with other tasks.
- Thoughtfully Designed with Easy-Touch Controls The easy touch controls are intuitive to use. You can set your own time and temperature for most programs.
- The time counts down on the screen, so you can track the remaining cook time and know when food is ready. When food is ready, the slow cooker automatically switches to warm. Simply wipe the control panel to keep clean.
- Easy to Carry This slow cooker has full-grip handles that make it easy to lift and carry.
- Easy to Clean The removable, ceramic nonstick pot is PFAS free. The pot, roasting/steaming rack and glass lid and are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
- Great for roasting meat to the perfect tenderness every time. Place meat on top of the rack in the pot and set roasting time up to 3 hours. The timer countdown begins when the cooking temperature reaches 375°F (190°C), and when food is ready, the searing slow cooker automatically switches to warm.
McCormick, Slow Cooker Savory Pot Roast Seasoning Mix, 1.3 Oz (Pack of 4)

- The information below is per-pack only
- Tasty blend of garlic, basil, oregano and other spices to make a savory, slow-simmered pot roast
- No MSG or Artificial Flavors Added*
- Convenient seasoning blend made with McCormick Spices
- RECIPE TIP: Trim beef, chop up potatoes, carrots, celery and onions and combine with seasoning mix and water in slow cooker; stir until blended
- USAGE TIP: Dinner is a breeze with McCormick Slow Cooker: 8 hours on low, 4 hours on high in the slow cooker
- USAGE TIP: Meal is ready in approximately 60 minutes in your Instant Pot
- Prepared recipe makes 10 servings
- With natural spices.
- No MSG
Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning Mix, 2.5 Oz, Tender Pot Roast, 30 Oz (Pack of 12)

- Value Pack of 12; each pouch makes approx. 8 servings
- Made with premium ingredients including sea salt, onion, beef stock, pepper and garlic
- Make dinner easy with our slow cooker seasonings, perfect for any family meal
- Gluten Free; No Artificial Flavors; No Artificial Colors
- For Tender Pot Roast 1 1/2 cups water 1 pouch Orrington Farms Tender Pot Roast Seasoning 3-4 lbs chuck roast** 1 medium onion, chopped 2 medium celery stalks, chopped 2 cups baby carrots 3 large potatoes, chopped MIX water with 1 pouch Tender Pot Roast Seasoning in a small bowl until completely combined. PLACE meat and vegetables in slowcooker; pour sauce over. COVER and COOK on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours until beef is tender. Remove beef and slice. **Follow safe handling practices and cook meat thoroughly.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker, Portable Programmable with Timer, Locking Lid, Stainless Steel; an Essential Kitchen Appliance, Perfect for Families and Gatherings

- Personalized Cooking: MyTime adjusts the cooking cycle so your meal is ready exactly when you want it
- Leak-proof Lid: Travel-proof locking lid provides a tight seal to prevent leaks and spills
- Large Capacity: Fitted with a 7-quart bowl that serves 7+ people – perfect for families or gatherings
- Temperature Control: Auto-adjustment cooking cycle ensures meals are never overcooked but always flavor-filled
- Intuitive Control: Flat digital control screen lets you schedule meal times, and manually control cook time and temperature
- Convenient Handles: ‘Cook and Carry’ handles for hassle-free lifting and carrying
- Sustainable Materials: Made of Aluminum, Stainless Steel (Iron, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus), and is 100% recyclable.
16 Bags Slow Cooker Liners, Disposable Multi Use Cooking Bags,Large Size Fit 3QT to 8QT, Plastic Bags for Slow Cooker, Pans, Aluminum Cooking Trays, BPA Free-13 x 21 Inches, 3 quarts (16)

- Large Slow Cooker Liner: Cook food to perfection! Plastic liner bags fit in your slow cooker and prevent meats, fish, and other food from sticking. These inserts are disposable and can be tossed in the trash when done.
- Package Contains : This package contains 16 large size slow cooker liners,13 x 21 inches, Fit 3QT to 8.5QT Slow Cooker, Pans, and Aluminum Cooking Trays.
- Food Safe : BPA-Free slow cooker liner. Safe for high, medium, and low settings temps. Suitable for oven roasting, microwaving, re-heating, bowling, freezing, storing meats, snacks, pizzas, nuggets, and vegetables without the mess.
- Durable and Convenient : Use our slow cooker liners to cook any food you like, include chicken, fish, soup, dessert and stew. Throw it directly into the trash after using. Shorten your cleaning time, keep the pot clean and extend the service life of the cookware.
- Precautions : Our slow cooker liners is a one-time use product, please be careful not to be cut by sharp objects before use to avoid leakage. You can also use two slow cooker liners at one time to make your meal more enjoyable .
150 Things to Make with Roast Chicken: And 50 Ways to Roast It

Elite Gourmet MST-250XB Electric Slow Cooker Ceramic Pot, with Adjustable Temp, Entrees, Sauces, Soups, Roasts, Stews & Dips, Dishwasher Safe (1.5 Quart, Black)

- PERSONAL 1.5 QUART slow cooker makes cooking fork-tender roasts and poultry a breeze. Cool-touch handles and knob protect hands and allow you to safely transport your slow cooker.
- ADJUSTABLE SETTINGS with versatile Low / High / Keep Warm settings, gives you ultimate control of meal preparation. Simply set it and forget it while you continue on with your busy day, entertain guests or prepare other dishes.
- FAST, EASY CLEAN-UP with our dishwasher-safe clear tempered glass lid and removable oval stoneware pot. The exterior heating base can be wiped clean with a damp cloth to maintain its pristine appearance.
- SLEEK BLACK FINISH for a clean and stylish design that pairs with any kitchen.
- Intertek/ETL LISTED for your safety, 120 Watts, 1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY and U.S. based customer support team means you can buy with confidence.
Ruhlman’s How to Roast: Foolproof Techniques and Recipes for the Home Cook (Ruhlman’s How to…, 1)

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What size slow cooker should I get for making pot roast?
For pot roast, you’ll want at least a 6-quart slow cooker to accommodate a 3-4 lb roast with vegetables. The Hamilton Beach 6 Quart and Crock-Pot 7-Quart models are ideal for families, while the Elite Gourmet 1.5 Quart is only suitable for individuals or couples making smaller portions.
Which slow cooker offers the most versatility for different cooking methods?
The Hamilton Beach 9-in-1 Programmable Slow Cooker provides the most versatility with 9 cooking options including searing, browning, sautéing, roasting, and steaming. This allows you to brown meat directly in the pot before slow cooking, which enhances flavor and eliminates the need for a separate pan.
Are there any special features that make slow cooking more convenient?
The Crock-Pot’s MyTime feature adjusts cooking cycles so your meal is ready exactly when you want it, while the Hamilton Beach offers a delay start function for meal planning. Both the Crock-Pot and Hamilton Beach have programmable timers that give you more control over cooking times.
Which seasoning mix provides the best value for pot roast?
The Orrington Farms Slow Cooker Seasoning Mix comes in a value pack of 12 pouches, with each making approximately 8 servings, making it the most economical option. The McCormick Seasoning Mix is also available in a pack of 4, but each pouch makes 10 servings, so you’ll want to compare prices based on your cooking frequency.
How can I make cleanup easier after making pot roast?
Using slow cooker liners like the 16 Bags Slow Cooker Liners can dramatically reduce cleanup time by preventing food from sticking to the pot. These BPA-free liners are disposable and can be tossed in the trash after use, extending the life of your cookware.
What’s the difference between the McCormick and Orrington Farms seasoning mixes?
McCormick focuses on a savory blend with onion, garlic, herbs, and spices for an old-fashioned flavor, while Orrington Farms emphasizes premium ingredients including sea salt, onion, beef stock, pepper, and garlic. Orrington Farms is also gluten-free with no artificial flavors or colors, which may be important for those with dietary restrictions.
Which slow cooker is best for transporting meals to gatherings?
The Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker with its travel-proof locking lid is specifically designed for transport, providing a tight seal to prevent leaks and spills. Its large capacity also makes it ideal for feeding a crowd at potlucks or family gatherings.
Do I need to brown my roast before putting it in the slow cooker?
While not absolutely necessary, browning your roast before slow cooking significantly improves the flavor and appearance of the final dish. The Hamilton Beach 9-in-1 Slow Cooker allows you to sear or brown directly in the ceramic pot, eliminating the need to use a separate pan on the stovetop.
