pot roast question...what do they mean by...?

Question

the recipe says to trim all excess fat from the roast & brown & drain...

by brown,... do they mean i have to cook it in a pan first before putting it into the crock pot?

thanks...i feel like a total airhead! its just, i thought you could just throw it all in the slow cooker and forget about it for hrs.

Answer 1

Dear CRb,
It's best to brown the roast before for two reasons. One, it will seal in the juices. Second, for the gravy base.
Here's what I do. dredge the roast in a little seasoned flour.(salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder). Place in shallow pan with about 1/4 " oil. Brown on med-high heat on all sides then remove from pan. Add some water to pan, bring to low boil stirring constantly then turn heat down to med. and continue stirring for about 5 more mins. Pour this over your roast, add potatoes and veggies(onion,carrots, whatever) and slow cook according to your crock pots instructions. (usually 4-5hrs depending on size of roast)
Enjoy!

Answer 2

You can just throw it in the crock pot if you want. But what they mean by browning is place oil in big pan and brown on all sides then put in crock pot all this does is seal in the juices and give the roast color. It will be OK if you don't do this step. add potato's carrots and an onion and forget about it for at least 4or 5 hours. at the end I take out the meat and add a couple cans of brown gravy to thicken

Answer 3

"by brown,... do they mean i have to cook it in a pan first before putting it into the crock pot?" == YES, exactly!

Then deglaze that pan byputting a cup or so of water in it, scraping up the cooked-on roast bits, then adding that liquid to the crockpot, too!

Or make this easy recipe.... no browning required!


Easy Crockpot Beef Roast

1 chuck or rump Beef Roast (sized for your crockpot)
½ Cup of Water
1 Packet of Ranch Dressing Mix
1 Packet of Italian Dressing Mix
1 Packet of Brown Gravy Mix

Put roast in crockpot, pour water around the base. Sprinkle all 3 dry seasoning packets over roast. Cover and cook for 6-7 hours on low. Remove roast to cutting board and let sit 15 minutes; slice thinly across the grain (electric knife works best).

It makes great tasting gravy too, that tastes like you browned it and simmered it all day on the stove.

Answer 4

You don't have to do this - it's called searing. It enhanses the meat flavor of the roast, and seals in the moisture, so you end up with a moister, more flavorful roast. If you don't do it, you'll still end up with pot roast, but it may be a bit drier. To sear - heat peanut oil in a large skillet til VERY hot. Carefully add roast, and cook til browned. Turn, and repeat on every side. Do this before you season as your seasonings may burn.

Answer 5

Heat some oil in a fry pan and fry for 2-3 minutes per side, it helps to add flavor to the meat.
If you cut a clove of garlic into slivers and use the point of a knife to make pockets for the garlic.
Drain the excess oil from the pan and add a little water to the pan and stir to remove all of the bits that have stuck as they will add to the taste.

Answer 6

Yes brown and drain it then add to crockpot.The reason is --if you just put the meat in raw it will look really under cooked when done.No color and with frying first it will look like a roast should.put the veggies under the meat and use a lot of garlic and salt or it will be bland.thanks for 2.

Answer 7

yes the concept is to close all the open cells to keep moisture and flavor in the meat
It don't work like that
you would have to make charcoal on the outside and the water in the crock pot will dissolve it anyway
but like a pot roast in the oven it will have a different taste.
Cooking is an adventure - experiment

Answer 8

you can just throw it in the crockpot, but it's better to brown it first. get a skillet that fits the cut you've chosen, heat up some butter and maybe some onion, throw the meat in and brown it on all sides then throw it in your slow cooker. i've found that if you cook it on high 5 hours and the rest on slow the meat comes out moist, tender and delicious.

Answer 9

Yes just brown it in a skillet before roasting

Answer 10

Yes just brown it in a skillet before roasting it gives it a
richer flavor.