The Best Test Kitchen Pot Roast Recipes Ever

Sunday Oven Pot Roast
Photo: Jason Donnelly

Look no further: We've rounded up the best pot roast recipes to come out of the Better Homes & Gardens Test Kitchen. Full of rich, savory flavor, it's no surprise these delicious recipes will make any dinner a success. From speedy Instant Pot to set-and-forget slow cooker ideas, these meaty meals are sure to satisfy.

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Pomegranate Pot Roast

Pomegranate Pot Roast
Blaine Moats

Talk about a holiday-worthy Dutch oven pot roast! This showy dish takes the rustic cut of beef and transforms it into an Instagram-ready entrée. Plenty of fresh herb stems (rosemary and thyme), vibrant and tangy persimmons, and ruby-red sweet-tart pomegranate seeds make the magic happen right before your eyes.

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Sunday Oven Pot Roast

Sunday Oven Pot Roast
Jason Donnelly

Whether it's a fancy family gathering or a simple sit-down meal, Sunday suppers are at their best when they feature a pot roast. As a bonus, no side dishes are required when you serve this all-in-one meal. Juicy, tender beef and a colorful medley of sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips fill out this tantalizing recipe.

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Classic Pot Roast

classic pot roast
Andy Lyons

Quite possibly the best pot roast recipe ever if you're trying to follow in Grandma's footsteps, this traditional recipe is full of everything you love about the hearty dish. Tender melt-in-your-mouth beef, caramelized onions, red potatoes, and sweet cooked carrots—the gang's all here, in one comforting dinner. Garlic, Italian parsley, and white wine give the pot roast its classic flavor.

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Chili-Style Pot Roast

Chili-Style Pot Roast
Andy Lyons

On those nights when you can't quite decide between spicy chili and rich pot roast, we say, "Have both!" This Mexican-inspired dinner starts with the traditional beef chuck roast, just like the rest of these top-rated pot roast recipes. From there, chili powder, pinto beans, Anaheim peppers, and cilantro infuse each bite with bold flavor.

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Coffee-Braised Pot Roast

Coffee Braised Pot Roast
Andy Lyons

"Best pot roast I ever made!" raves one BH&G home cook of this Dutch oven pot roast. We're guessing that's because it's surprisingly complex in flavor, due to instant espresso powder, crushed red pepper, allspice, garlic, and crushed pineapple in the braising sauce. The sweet heat will keep everyone coming back bite after bite.

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Pot Roast with Fruit and Chipotle Sauce

Pot Roast Fruit Chipotle Sauce
Peter Krumhardt

Beef and dried fruit: it sounds crazy, but tastes crazy-good. With just six ingredients and 15 minutes of prep, this is one slow cooker pot roast recipe you'll want to make over and over again. Its sweet-and-spicy flavor comes from a tasty mix of dried fruit and chipotle peppers.

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Caliente Pot Roast

Caliente Pot Roast
Scott Little

Here's the best pot roast recipe ever—when you're crunched for time. Follow our Test Kitchen's lead and turn packaged pot roast into an impressive dinner in just 20 minutes. Fresh mushrooms, picante sauce, and sides like couscous and avocado add hints of Southwestern flair to the meal.

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Chunky Pot Roast Portobello Soup

Chunky Pot Roast-Portobello Soup
Jacob Fox

Fight off the chill with this uber cozy and delicious pot roast recipe. The magic happens in the warm, bubbly broth. The hearty, savory stew is full of tender meat, portobello mushrooms, and chopped red bell pepper alongside a base of rich red wine and beef broth.

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Slow Cooker Pot Roast Stew

Slow Cooker Pot Roast Stew
James Carriere

Think of this as beef stew 2.0. A red wine and rosemary marinade flavors a beautiful slow cooker pot roast, while squash, quince, and hot cooked couscous round out the meal. Don't want to wait all day? Try making this pot roast on your stovetop using the alternate directions provided.

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Pot Roast Paprikash

Pot Roast Paprikash
Jason Donnelly

Rich, colorful Spanish paprika is at the heart of many Hungarian dishes, and this delicious pot roast is no exception. The spice adds a sweet, smoky flavor to the sauce, noodles, and beef. Roasted red peppers lend another smoky punch, while sour cream offers a nice balance and a luxurious creamy quality.

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Saucy Pot Roast with Whole Wheat Noodles

Saucy Pot Roast with Whole Wheat Noodles
Kritsada Panichgul

Take a break from spaghetti and meatballs and savor this delicious pot roast recipe (plus pasta) instead. The best way to serve this meat-and-tomatoes dish is on a bed of cooked noodles to soak up more of the juices. Simply treat the tomato mixture like marinara sauce, and dig in.

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Spiced Pot Roast Recipe

Spiced Pot Roast
Blaine Moats

After just 15 minutes of prep time, this slow cooker pot roast is ready to set, forget, then savor four (on high) or eight (on low) hours later. The tender beef roast tastes like you worked on it all day, thanks to the unexpected sweetness brought by apple juice and dried fruit. Carrots, potatoes, and onions are delicious additions to this wonderful comfort food.

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Maple Harvest Pot Roast

Maple Harvest Pot Roast
Scott Little

The secret behind the rich flavor of this Dutch oven pot roast? An irresistible gravy of Marsala wine, basil, garlic, and plum preserves. Potatoes, carrots, rutabaga, and onions add to the richness of this hearty braised beef.

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