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Our comforting French Onion Pot Roast recipe is an easy to prepare slow cooker meal. Enjoy a cozy, flavorful roast that’s ideal for Sunday dinners or any day of the week.

french onion pot roast cooked in a slow cooker with fresh parsley on top

French Onion Pot Roast is a mix of two of my favorite dinners: slow cooked beef roast and French Onion Soup. This slow cooker pot roast is tender, flavorful, and has a rich onion-infused sauce that complements the beef perfectly.

I feature this recipe as a slow cooker french onion pot roast, but you can also make it in a Dutch oven or Instant Pot. This recipe is adaptable to your schedule and kitchen tools on hand.

Ingredients for French Onion Pot Roast

ingredients for slow cooker french onion pot roast on a table

A few notes:

Beef Chuck Roast. What cut makes the most tender pot roast? Chuck roast, thanks to its marbling, makes a flavorful pot roast that is fork tender. Although you can make this with other cuts of roast beef, chuck roast gives the best results for tender beef.
Red Onions. What kind of onion is good in pot roast? I love the slightly spicy flavor these give. Yellow onions are also a great option with a more simple flavor.
French Onion Soup Mix. Buy this in the grocery store in the soup aisle. It comes in a box with two packets of onions soup mix. Stores also may sell a dry soup mix that is French onion flavor, which works well for this French onion roast.

✨ See the recipe card for the full list of ingredients. ✨

How to Make French Onion Pot Roast

Prepare the french onion pot roast for slow cooking in 4 easy steps:

Season the chuck roast with salt and black pepper on all sides. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a bit of oil to the pan. Sear the seasoned chuck roast on all sides until it forms a golden brown crust. Place the seared chuck roast at the bottom of the slow cooker.
Add the sliced onions to the skillet. Cook and stir the onions for 3-4 minutes over medium-high heat to lightly brown them. They do not have to be fully cooked, just seared. Spread the thinly sliced red onions and minced garlic over the roast.
In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, tomato paste, beef broth and dry onion soup mix.
Pour this mixture over the chuck roast and onions. Cover the slow cooker and set it to cook on low for 8 hours or until the meat is tender and easily shreds. If you cook on high, plan for about 4-5 hours.

When the pot roast is done, it will look something like this:

cooked pot roast with onions on top in a slow cooker

Use two forks to shred the beef, then sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Instant Pot and Dutch Oven and Pot Roast Instructions

Instant Pot: For the pressure cooker version, use the sauté function for browning the meat and onions, then add the liquid and cook on high pressure for 45 minutes followed by a natural release. This method is perfect for when you’re craving comfort but are short on time.
Dutch Oven: For a Dutch oven version, simply follow the same steps but cook in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 3-4 hours.

What to Serve with French Onion Pot Roast

This french onion pot roast pairs beautifully with some of our favorite side dishes such as creamy mashed potatoes or crusty bread, which is ideal for soaking up the rich onion sauce.

You can also serve over egg noodles.

Don’t forget to add a side of steamed broccoli or a green salad for the ultimate comfort food meal.

Then, use leftovers in a roast beef sandwich with a slice of provolone cheese.

Can I add vegetables to the pot roast?

Yes. Add a variety of vegetables such as carrots, celery, and red potatoes to the slow cooker for a complete one-pot meal. These vegetables will absorb the flavorful broth and complement the roast.

How can I add more flavor to this pot roast?

Replace a portion of the beef broth with red wine for a deep and rich flavors. Choose a red wine that you enjoy drinking. Add a bay leaf, a teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, or even a touch of brown sugar.

Can I use frozen meat for this recipe?

The USDA does not recommended using frozen meat in a slow cooker as it may not cook evenly and could lead to food safety concerns. Thaw the meat fully in the refrigerator before adding to the slow cooker.

What can I do with leftover sauce?

Make beef gravy! In a small bowl, make a cornstarch slurry with a tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water. Drizzle the cornstarch mixture into the leftover au jus and mix. Heat on the stove top over medium heat and bring it to a simmer. Cook until it is thickened, stirring often.

You can also add it to cream of mushroom soup for an easy mushroom gravy.

Make this, then try: