A roast prepared in the crock pot can be a juicy, tender, and delicious meal.  Here are some tips to ensure your next roast is a success. 

When roasting a cut of meat, be sure it is at least 2 inches thick. This will guarantee a moister and less chewy dish. Moist heat is important when roasting a large cut of meat. A large cut of meat when slow cooked should be braised to ensure a mouth watering and juicy finished product.

Browning the meat is a plus. It doesn’t matter if you are slow cooking on top of the stove, in the crock pot or in the oven, browning meat before hand over high heat will help to caramelize the proteins and sugars found on the outside of the meat. This gives your roast a richer flavor.

It is best to season a roast before browning it. By doing this prior to browning, the flavors are sealed into the meat and not left in the bottom of a roasting pan. Roasts are best cooked between 300 and 350 degrees.

If you are using vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, onions and celery and using a crock pot, always add the vegetables at the beginning of the cooking process. You want your vegetables to be soft and by letting them cook longer at the slow temperature, you’ll have just that. 

If you are adding vegetables to a roast in the oven, add them about 1 hour before the roast has finished cooking. They will be soft instead of mushy from being overcooked or crunchy from not being cooked enough.

Liquids can also be added to roasts. Water, broths, soups, juices, wine and even soda can be added to help keep your roast juicy and flavorful. Always be sure to cover your pan with foil or a tight lid to keep the liquids from escaping and causing your roast to become too dry.

One last tip – remember a meat thermometer. Different meats cook in different time spans. A meat thermometer is the most reliable way to tell when any meat product is cooked all the way through.

Roasts make the best fix it and forget meals. Add a side of fruit and a slice of warm homemade bread and you have a meal that is both comforting and warming.