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If you ask me, Lipton onion soup pot roast is one of those classic recipes that never gets old.
This no-fuss dinner combines tender beef with rich onion flavor that comes from the simple addition of Lipton soup mix. The meat slowly cooks with carrots and potatoes, soaking up all those good seasonings along the way.
The best part might be how the vegetables and meat create their own gravy as everything cooks together in the pot. It’s the kind of meal that fills your home with that cozy Sunday dinner smell.
It’s a straightforward, reliable dish that’s perfect for busy families, and even better as leftovers the next day.

Why You’ll Love This Pot Roast
- 5-ingredient simplicity – This recipe needs just a handful of basic ingredients you can easily find at any grocery store, making it perfect for busy families.
- Dump-and-go preparation – Just add everything to your slow cooker and let it work its magic – no complicated techniques or fancy cooking skills needed.
- Budget-friendly meal – Chuck roast is an affordable cut of meat that becomes perfectly tender when cooked low and slow, making this a wallet-friendly dinner option that feeds the whole family.
- Complete one-pot meal – With meat, potatoes, and carrots all cooking together, you’ve got your protein and sides covered in a single pot, meaning less cleanup and easier serving.
What Kind of Chuck Roast Should I Use?
For a pot roast that turns out tender and flavorful, look for a well-marbled chuck roast with visible streaks of fat running through the meat. The most common cuts you’ll find at the grocery store are labeled as “chuck roast,” “shoulder roast,” or “pot roast” – any of these will work great for this recipe. When shopping, aim for a piece that’s evenly shaped (this helps it cook uniformly) and has a bright red color with white marbling throughout. I recommend choosing a roast that’s at least 2-3 inches thick, as thinner cuts can dry out during the long cooking time. If you’re not sure which piece to pick, don’t hesitate to ask your butcher – they can point you toward the best cut for pot roast.

Options for Substitutions
This classic pot roast recipe is pretty forgiving and allows for several substitutions:
- Chuck roast: While chuck roast is ideal for this recipe, you can use bottom round, brisket, or rump roast. Just keep in mind that chuck has the best marbling for tenderness.
- Onion soup mix: If you’re out of onion soup mix, you can make your own by combining 1/4 cup dried onion flakes, 2 beef bouillon cubes (crushed), 1/4 teaspoon onion powder, and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder.
- Cream of mushroom soup: Cream of celery or cream of chicken soup work just as well. For a dairy-free option, mix 1 cup beef broth with 2 tablespoons flour and add extra seasonings.
- Beef stock: Chicken stock or vegetable broth can work in place of beef stock. If using these alternatives, add 1 extra beef bouillon cube for more beefy flavor.
- Yukon Gold potatoes: Red potatoes or russets are good substitutes. If using russets, cut them slightly larger as they tend to get softer during cooking.
Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking
The biggest mistake when making pot roast is rushing the cooking process – this tough cut of meat needs low and slow cooking (at least 8 hours on low in a slow cooker or 3-4 hours in the oven at 325°F) to break down the connective tissues and become fork-tender. Another common error is lifting the lid too often during cooking, which releases essential moisture and heat, adding unnecessary cooking time – remember that every time you lift the lid, you need to add 15-20 minutes to the cooking time. For the most flavorful results, don’t skip browning the meat on all sides before adding it to the slow cooker or Dutch oven, as this crucial step creates a caramelized crust that adds depth to the final dish. To prevent mushy vegetables, add the carrots and potatoes during the last 2-3 hours of cooking, allowing them to become tender without turning to mush.

What to Serve With Pot Roast?
Since this pot roast already comes with carrots and potatoes, you’ve got your main dish and classic sides covered in one pot! To round out the meal, I like to serve some warm, crusty bread to soak up all that tasty gravy – French bread or dinner rolls work great here. A simple green veggie on the side adds nice color to the plate – try some steamed green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts. For a fresh contrast to the rich meat, consider adding a basic green salad with a light vinaigrette dressing, which helps balance out the hearty flavors of the roast.
Storage Instructions
Keep Fresh: This hearty pot roast will stay good in the fridge for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container. The flavors actually get better after a day or two as everything melds together! Just make sure to store the meat and vegetables together with the gravy to keep everything moist.
Freeze: Got leftovers? This pot roast freezes really well! Place it in a freezer-safe container with all the gravy and vegetables, and it’ll keep for up to 3 months. I like to portion it into smaller containers for easy weeknight dinners.
Reheat: To warm up your pot roast, place it in a covered dish and heat it in the oven at 325°F for about 20-25 minutes, or until heated through. You can also use the microwave – just heat in short intervals, stirring the gravy occasionally. If the gravy seems too thick, add a splash of beef broth to thin it out.
Preparation Time | 15-20 minutes |
Cooking Time | 180 minutes |
Total Time | 195-200 minutes |
Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
- Calories: 2200-2400
- Protein: 180-200 g
- Fat: 120-140 g
- Carbohydrates: 180-200 g
Ingredients
- 4 pounds chuck roast for pot roast
- 1 ounce packet onion soup mix
- 1 can (10.5 ounces) cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup beef stock
- 5 carrots, peeled and chopped into 1.5-inch pieces
- 5 yukon gold potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1.5-inch chunks
Step 1: Prepare Vegetables and Arrange in Roasting Pan
Start by peeling the carrots and potatoes thoroughly.
Once peeled, place them evenly in the bottom of a roasting pan.
They will serve as a flavorful base and support for the roast.
Step 2: Position the Roast
Place the roast directly on top of the arranged carrots and potatoes in the roasting pan.
This method will allow the vegetables to absorb the roast’s drippings as it cooks, enhancing their flavor.
Step 3: Make the Sauce Mixture
In a separate bowl, mix together the soup mix, cream of mushroom soup, and beef broth.
Stir until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined, forming a uniform sauce.
Step 4: Pour Sauce and Prepare for Baking
Evenly pour the prepared sauce mixture over the roast and vegetables in the roasting pan.
This will ensure that the flavors infuse throughout the dish as it cooks.
Step 5: Cover and Bake
Cover the roasting pan tightly with a lid or aluminum foil to trap moisture and heat.
Bake the roast in a preheated oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 hours.
This slow cooking process will tenderize the meat and meld the flavors together perfectly.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once baking is complete, carefully remove the roasting pan from the oven.
Allow the roast to rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve with the carrots, potatoes, and any residual sauce for a hearty, delicious meal.