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A close up of a plate of food, with Pot roast
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4.62 from 18 votes

Three Packets and a Roast

Get ready for fall-apart beef that's tender, flavorful, and smothered in a rich gravy it makes itself. This recipe is mouthwateringly good, yet insanely simple to make. Use Instant Pot or slow cooker—the method that works best for you!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 5 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 314kcal
Cost: Hard to determine, just try to buy your meat on Sale!

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker OR
  • Pressure cooker (Instant pot)

Ingredients

  • 1 (3-4 lb.) beef roast chuck, London broil, round—you name it!
  • 1 packet Brown Gravy dry mix
  • 1 packet Italian dressing dry mix
  • 1 packet Ranch dressing dry mix
  • 1 cup water
  • ½ cup red wine (optional)

Instructions

  • Place beef in Instant Pot or slow cooker (no need to brown, but you sure can do that if you want).
  • Pour contents of the three seasoning packets into a small container along with the water (and optional wine if using), the pour all over the raw meat.
  • Slow cooker: Cook on Low for 8-10 hours for a very large roast (yes that long), fewer hours if smaller, or on High for 5-6 hours. Check for doneness after 4-5 hours, as time will vary depending on the cut of beef, size and so on.
  • Instant Pot: Set to high pressure (or 'meat/stew' if your IP model has that setting) for 60 mins. Quick release.
  • Optional: Add cut up potatoes and carrots during the last hour of cooking; frozen peas during the last 10 minutes in slow cooker. For Instant Pot, remove roast, add cut up raw potatoes and carrots to the gravy, then high pressure for 4 to 5 minutes, quick release.
  • Expect beautiful, rich, dark brown gravy and the best Pot Roast ever.

Notes

Adding the (optional) red wine adds an amazing depth of flavor and works to tenderize the beef.
While preparing in an Instant Pot (pressure cooker) is a viable option, I have never had results equal to the long, slow, 8 to 10 hours on Low in a slow cooker. The gravy is good from Instant Pot, but not as velvety and smooth as when prepared in slow cooker. 
Three Packets and a Chicken
One whole chicken with Chicken Gravy Mix, Italian Dressing Dry Mix, Ranch Dressing Dry Mix, and 1 cup water. (skip the optional red wine suggested for beef).
Three Packets and a Pork Roast
One pork roast with Pork Gravy Mix, Italian Dressing Dry Mix, and Ranch Dressing Dry Mix and 1 cup water (do not add the optional red wine suggested for beef).

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal