The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Perfect Beef Blade Roast in a Slow Cooker

Beef blade roast is an economical cut of meat that can turn into a delicious melt-in-your-mouth dinner with the help of a slow cooker. With long slow cooking, this tough cut becomes incredibly tender and flavorful.

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to cook blade roast to perfection in your crockpot

What is Blade Roast?

Blade roast comes from the chuck section of the cow. It is a lean, tough cut of meat with a good amount of connective tissue. This connective tissue needs time to break down, which is why blade roast does so well with slow, moist cooking methods like the slow cooker.

While it may not be the most naturally tender cut it has great beefy flavor. When cooked properly blade roast can turn into incredibly moist, pull-apart beef that makes amazing sandwiches and tacos.

Benefits of Cooking Blade Roast in a Slow Cooker

There are several advantages to using a slow cooker for blade roast:

• Tenderizes tough meat: The slow cooking tenderizes the connective tissues in the blade roast, resulting in very tender and moist meat.

• Infuses flavor: The extended cooking time allows the meat to soak up all the flavors from the cooking liquid and seasoning.

• Hands-off cooking: Once you set the slow cooker, it does all the work with minimal effort on your part.

• Whole meal: You can cook veggies right along with the roast for an entire dish done at the same time.

Tips for Choosing a Blade Roast

When selecting a blade roast at the grocery store, keep these tips in mind:

• Pick the right size: For a slow cooker, choose a 2-3 lb roast to ensure it fits properly in the crock. Larger roasts may not cook evenly.

• Get it trimmed: Look for a roast that has been trimmed of excess fat and silver skin. This reduces cook time and excess grease.

• Check for marbling: Moderate marbling within the meat adds flavor and moisture. Avoid roasts with big sections of visible fat.

• Watch the color: Go for roasts with a rich red color throughout. Avoid any with brown or gray spots.

Prep the Roast for the Slow Cooker

Proper prep is key to maximizing the flavor and tenderness of your finished roast:

• Pat dry: Blot the roast with paper towels to remove any excess moisture on the exterior. Wet meat will steam instead of browning.

• Season generously: Use lots of salt and pepper or dry rub spices. The seasoning will infuse deep into the meat as it cooks.

• Sear the meat: Browning the exterior adds nice caramelized flavor. Do this in a skillet on the stovetop just until browned.

• Add aromatics: Put sliced onions, garlic, and herbs in the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the roast.

How to Cook a Blade Roast in the Slow Cooker

With your roast prepped, you are ready to let the slow cooker work its magic. Here are the simple steps:

1. Add diced carrots, potatoes, and onions to the bottom of the slow cooker. This creates a bed for the roast to sit on and cook in the juices.

2. Place the seared and seasoned roast directly on top of the vegetables. Pour in 1 cup of beef broth or stock.

3. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 8-10 hours, or high for 4-6 hours. Cooking time depends on size of roast and setting used.

4. Avoid opening the lid during cooking so heat escapes. Cooking time may need to be extended.

5. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness. Blade roast should reach 200°F when done.

6. Once cooked, the meat should shred easily with a fork. If not, continue cooking until very tender.

Flavorful Seasonings and Sauces

One of the great things about cooking blade roast in a slow cooker is all the options for adding flavor. Try rubbing the meat with:

• Fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano
• Chili powder, cumin, garlic powder
• Soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce
• Balsamic vinegar, red wine

You can also pour sauces over the cooked roast during the last 30 minutes – 60 minutes of cooking:

• Barbecue sauce
• Salsa or taco sauce
• Mushroom gravy
• French onion soup mix

Adding flavorful ingredients provides a simple way to infuse amazing taste into the beef. Play around with your favorite spices and sauces for something new each time.

Easy Side Dishes to Serve with Blade Roast

Here are some tasty sides that pair perfectly with slow cooker blade roast:

• Buttery mashed potatoes
• Warm bread rolls or biscuits
• Roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts
• Green salad or coleslaw
• Rice pilaf or risotto

Having a few simple sides on hand makes pulling together a delicious roast beef dinner easy. The meaty shredded beef also works great in tacos, sandwiches, soups, and casseroles too.

Troubleshooting Blade Roast in the Slow Cooker

Even when using a slow cooker, there are a few things that can go wrong with blade roast:

Problem: Roast comes out dry and tough

Solution: Be sure not to overcook the meat. Use a meat thermometer to check for 200°F doneness.

Problem: Roast is undercooked in middle

Solution: For very large roasts over 3 lbs, it may need extra time in the cooker to fully tenderize.

Problem: Excess moisture in cooker

Solution: Remove roast from cooker and place on a cutting board. Use a spoon to skim off excess fat before shredding.

Problem: Veggies on bottom burned

Solution: Add a little more liquid to create steam and prevent scorching. Stir veggies halfway through.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re new to cooking blade roast in a slow cooker, chances are you have a few questions. Here are some commonly asked ones:

What temperature should I cook the roast at? For slow cookers, use the low setting which cooks between 190°F and 200°F. High setting reaches temps of 300°F.

How long does it take to cook a 3 lb roast? Expect 8-10 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high. Larger roasts may need extra time.

Can I cook it directly frozen? For best results, thaw roast in fridge before cooking. Add extra time if starting from frozen state.

Should I sear the meat first? Browning creates delicious caramelized flavor. But if you don’t have time, you can skip this step.

Make Delicious Blade Roast in Your Slow Cooker

With its intense beefy flavor and super tender shredded meat, slow cooker blade roast is an amazing addition to your dinner routine. Just toss the ingredients in the crockpot, and let it do all the work for a hassle-free meal. Experiment with different seasonings and sauces until you find your favorite. Enjoy this economical cut in tacos, sandwiches, soups and more.