This easy marinated roast is a sure winner if you’re craving a fancy meal but don’t have hours to spend slaving over a stove. Whether you use the slow cooker or the Instant Pot, it’s equally delicious!
Kitchen appliances for the win.
On busy days there’s nothing better than a slow cooker or Instant Pot. With the slow cooker you can pop a meal in it, turn it on, and let it go. Come back at dinner time and it’s ready and waiting! The slow cooking of meat helps tenderize it, so even tough portions are tasty after a day in the slow cooker.Â
With the Instant Pot you can get a fancy meal like a roast prepped and cooked in less than an hour. It’s pretty fantastic when you’ve forgotten to stick things in the slow cooker and/or don’t have a few hours to use the oven.
A family favorite.
This marinated roast is a family favorite at our house. I love it because it’s easy and tasty, my husband loves it because of the tender juicy meat, and my kids love it because I don’t have to spend an hour before dinner slaving over a stove! Less meal prep = more time as a family. It’s a win-win-win.
Some other slow cooker or Instant Pot fuss-free favorites we have are:
- Instant Pot Eye of Round Roast
- White Chicken Chili in the Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
- Beef & Kale Soup in the Instant Pot
- Fall Apart Tender Beef Short Ribs in the Instant Pot
- Spinach & Garlic Meatballs in the Instant Pot
Easy Marinated Roast.
If you’re using a slow cooker, I’ve found the best way to prepare this roast is to start it marinating around 8 or 9 in the morning (or the night before). While it’s marinating, chop the onions and carrots. Right before removing the roast from the fridge, cook up the onions and preheat the slow cooker. Stick everything in by 10 a.m. and it’s all ready for dinner!
If you’re using an Instant Pot, the prep is much the same. Marinate the roast overnight, chop, cook, enjoy… No matter which way you choose it’s a delicious meal!
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Easy Marinated Roast
Free from grain, gluten, eggs, dairy, and sugar.
INGREDIENTS
For the roast:
- 3-4 pound roast, like a cross rib
- 2 cups plain kombucha (red wine or broth can be used)
- 1/4 cup coconut aminosÂ
- 3 tablespoons avocado oil, tallow, or lard
- 1 onion, diced or choppedÂ
- 4-6 carrots, chopped into 3-inch pieces
- 6 russet potatoes, quartered or eighth-ed (optional for strict paleo)
- 2-3 teaspoons minced garlic
- basil, oregano, Himalayan salt & pepper, to taste
For the gravy:
- 2 tablespoons arrowroot powder
- 1/4 cup milk of choice (coconut or almond milk works well) or just use broth
INSTRUCTIONS
Place roast in a zip-lock bag or a container with a cover. Pour kombucha and aminos over the roast, seal, and marinate at 1-2 hours or overnight.
For slow cooker:
Turn slow cooker on high to heat up.
Heat fat in skillet over medium-lowish heat. Add onions and stir-fry until translucent. Add in garlic for a minute.
Remove the roast from the marinade (don’t toss the liquid) and brown the roast on all sides to lock in the flavor, if desired.
Place veggies in preheated slow cooker and put roast on top.
Sprinkle everything evenly with herbs and spices. Pour in 1 cup of the marinade.
Put the lid on the slow cooker, turn to low, and cook for 6 1/2 to 7 hours.
For Instant Pot:
Turn the Instant Pot on to the ‘sauté’ function. Heat fat, then add in onions and stir-fry until translucent. Add in garlic for a minute.
Remove the roast from the marinade (don’t toss the liquid) and brown the roast on all sides to lock in the flavor, if desired. If your roast is bigger than 3 pounds you might not be able to do this step – it will still be yummy, don’t worry! Set the roast aside.
Add in remaining veggies and mix to coat in the onions and garlic. Sprinkle with herbs and spices.
Pour in 1 cup of the marinade. Place the roast on top and sprinkle with herbs and spices.
Put the lid on the Instant Pot, seal it, and cook on ‘manual’ for 40 minutes.
When the Instant Pot beeps, quick release.
For the gravy:
In a small saucepan, pour in 1 cup of the liquid from the bottom of the slow cooker/Instant Pot after the meat is done cooking. Turn heat to medium and bring to a simmer.
In a liquid measuring cup whisk 2 tablespoons of arrowroot powder into milk.Â
Pour arrowroot mixture into simmering pot and whisk until thickened.
Serve.
Notes
Keto/low carb option: leave out potatoes and gravy.Â
Whole30 option: leave off gravy.
Looks so yummy. Putting on my plan for this week. Can't wait to try such a simple, nourishing recipe.
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Oh my goodness! I need this! I can smell it right now and now I have to make it….I wish he screen were edible.
Haha! I hope you enjoy it, Margaret! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Want to try this. Do you pour the marinade into the slow cooker to cook with the roast? Just wondering if it will dry out.
Yes, Eric, you can pour the whole marinade into the slow cooker. It makes a yummy au jus. 🙂 Hope you enjoy it!
I always look for new slow cooker recipes. I love your easy marinated roast. To tell the truth, I have never made arrowroot gravy, but cannot wait to try!
I hope you enjoy it, Irina!
What a delicious meal! There is nothing like a hearty roast and this recipe sounds sooooo perfect!
Thanks so much!
Looks like a perfect Christmas dinner and so well balanced too!
Thanks, Alison!
This pot roast looks delicious. I love that it can be make in the slow cooker or Instant Pot!
Thanks so much, Erika!
This was a fabulous recipe! The meat was soooo tender, I didn’t even need a knife. And that gravy? Delish!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Jenn!
Mmm Sounds and looks SO good. Can’t wait to make this in my IP.
I really want to master this one.. and then invite friends for dinner! TUVM!
I hope you enjoy it, Carol! It’s definitely a crowd pleaser over here. 😉
So interesting that you cook the roast in kombucha! I have to try this. I bet it adds such a great flavor!
I seriously love it. I hope you enjoy it, Jean!
This is the perfect winter dish! So comforting and hearty! And I love that it’s in the Instant Pot!
Thank you, Daniela! 🙂
This looks like a seriously good pot roast, and I definitely love a easy dinner too!
Thanks so much, Kari!
I am a beef roast-making maniac! This looks so wonderful and I’ve never tried kombucha as part of the marinade, thanks for that inspo!
You’re so welcome! I hope you enjoy it!
Using kombucha is such a great idea! This is definitely making an appearance in my crockpot soon.
Thanks, Don! I hope you enjoy it!