You can get this classic, easy slow cooker pot roast ready in just 15 minutes. It cooks everything in the slow cooker and is hearty enough to feed a lot of people. The result is an impressive meal that takes very little time in the kitchen!.
This recipe makes it easy to make pot roast, and your slow cooker does all the work! Just put everything in the crockpot and forget about it…
Traditional pot roast with a lot of Worcestershire sauce and fresh (or dried) thyme to make it taste better. Everyone loves this roast because it has classic meat and vegetables along with tasty seasonings that make your mouth water every time.
Is this your first time cooking a pot roast? A slow cooker is an easy and foolproof way to do it. This recipe is great for a busy weeknight dinner or a special event because it’s simple and quick to make, but the food always tastes great.
For more easy, hearty dinner ideas check out our Chicken Pot Pie Soup and Easy Lasagna Soup.
Planning dinner for a group and wondering what size beef roast you need? Figuring out how much meat to buy for a crowd can be tricky. You want to make sure you have enough so everyone gets fed, but you also don’t want to end up with a ton of expensive leftover roast.
This guide will walk you through how to calculate the perfect amount of beef roast for 6 people. We’ll look at recommended portion sizes different cuts of roast and tips for cooking success. With the right information, you can serve up a delicious roast dinner without any waste.
Recommended Portion Sizes
The first step in figuring out how much roast to buy is determining the right portion size per person. Here are some general beef roast portion guidelines:
- Adults: Plan on 1/2 pound of boneless roast or 8 ounces of bone-in roast per adult.
- Kids: Give children about 1/4 pound of boneless roast or 4 ounces of bone-in roast.
- ** Leftovers**: Add an extra 1/2 to 1 pound to have some leftovers.
Based on this for 6 adults you’ll want around 3 pounds of boneless roast or 6 pounds of bone-in roast. Add a bit more if you want leftovers.
You can use this handy roast buying chart as a reference:
<table>
<tr>
<td>Number of guests</td>
<td>Pounds of beef</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4 people</td>
<td>2-3 pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6 people</td>
<td>3-4 pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8 people</td>
<td>5-6 pounds</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10 people</td>
<td>6-7 pounds</td>
</tr>
</table>
Keep in mind if you have any big eaters in the group, you may want to bump up the amount. It’s better to have too much than not enough!
Different Cuts to Consider
The type of beef roast you choose can also impact how much you need to buy. Some popular roasting cuts include:
-
Ribeye Roast: This boneless roast is cut from the rib section and known for its tenderness and flavor. Figure 3-4 pounds for 6.
-
Sirloin Tip Roast: Taken from the hip/rear leg region, this boneless roast is lean and budget-friendly. Get 4-5 pounds for a group.
-
Tri-Tip Roast: From the bottom sirloin, this boneless roast has rich flavor. You’ll need 2.5-3.5 pounds for 6.
-
Beef Tenderloin: Extremely tender and elegant, but expensive. A 3-4 pound tenderloin will serve 6.
-
Prime Rib Roast: A standing rib roast with the bone in. Get a 6-8 pound roast on the bone for a group of 6.
Consider the type of roast, bone-in or boneless, and your budget when deciding how much to purchase.
Cooking Tips
To turn out a perfect roast for 6, keep these cooking tips in mind:
-
Let the roast come to room temp before cooking for even roasting.
-
Season well with salt, pepper, herbs and let sit 30 mins before cooking.
-
Use a meat thermometer and cook to 5°F below target temp. Carryover cooking will take it the rest of the way.
-
For medium rare, cook to 125-130°F for boneless roasts and 135°F for bone-in.
-
Rest at least 10 mins before slicing for juicy meat.
-
Add veggies like potatoes, carrots, onions to the pan to roast in the juices.
With the right size roast and proper cooking method, you’ll have juicy, tender meat the whole group will love!
Side Dishes
A good roast needs some tasty sides. Here are some easy options to complement your beef when cooking for a crowd:
- Mashed or roasted potatoes
- Green beans with garlic and toasted almonds
- Roasted root vegetables like carrots, parsnips, beets
- Dinner rolls or biscuits
- Salad like a classic caesar or mixed greens
- Yorkshire pudding
Sides that can be prepared ahead help minimize work when serving a group. Aim for a mix of starchy, vegetable, and simple salad sides for a well-rounded meal.
Gravy and Sauces
Don’t forget the gravy or sauce! A good gravy or sauce adds a punch of flavor and brings the whole meal together:
-
Beef gravy – Make with pan drippings, stock and flour or cornstarch.
-
Horseradish sauce – Grated horseradish, mayo or sour cream, Dijon mustard, lemon juice.
-
Chimichurri sauce – Fresh parsley, garlic, olive oil, oregano, red wine vinegar.
-
Compound butter – Softened butter mixed with herbs, lemon, garlic.
Make a simple gravy or one of these easy sauces to serve alongside your perfectly cooked roast.
Plan a Delicious Roast Dinner
Hosting a crowd for dinner? With the right calculations, seasonings, and side dishes, you can pull off a fantastic roast beef meal. Figure around 3-4 pounds of boneless roast or 6 pounds bone-in to serve 6 generous portions. Cook low and slow, let rest, and carve thick slices. Add mashers, veggies, gravy, and dinner rolls for a mouthwatering feast. Your guests will be begging for seconds!
How to Make Gravy for Pot Roast
To make gravy for your pot roast, take 2 cups of the liquid from the slow cooker and strain it through a fine mesh strainer. Add the liquid to a small saucepan over medium high heat and bring to a simmer.
Separately, mix together 2 tablespoons of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of water. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan and stir constantly for about 1 minute, until thickened. Pour the gravy over the roast before serving or once plated.
Step 4: Add Remaining Ingredients
Add the broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme and bay leaf to the slow cooker. If your slow cooker isn’t very big, you might need to add an extra ½ to 1 cup of broth (or water) to cover the beef and vegetables almost entirely.
Cover and cook on low for 8 – 9 hours or high for 5 – 6 hours. The roast and vegetables should be cooked through.
Remove the beef from the slow cooker. Shred the beef and discard any fat. Discard the bay leaf and serve the vegetables alongside the beef. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste.
Chuck roast is traditionally used for pot roasts. It’s a cut of meat that’s rich and can be fatty. Since chuck roast is a tougher cut of beef, it tastes best when cooked slowly, like in a pot roast.
This recipe calls for a 3 – 5 pound cut of chuck roast. You can choose the size of your roast depending on how many servings you would like to make. A 3-pound roast will serve six people, and a 5-pound roast will serve eight people.
On low, pot roast cooks for 8 to 9 hours, and on high, it cooks for 4 to 5 hours. Once done, the roast and vegetables should be cooked through. A roast is done when the thickest part of the meat reaches 145°F for medium-rare. When a fork goes through the vegetables, they should be soft all the way through.
The Perfect Roast Beef – Medium Rare
FAQ
How big of a roast to feed 6 people?
What weight of roast beef for 6 people?
How big of a joint of beef do I need for 6 people?
How many pounds of beef do I need to feed 6 people?
|
Boneless Meat
|
Number of People
|
Bone in meat
|
|
2lb / 0.91kg
|
4 – 5
|
3lb / 1.36kg
|
|
3lb / 1.36kg
|
6 – 7
|
4lb / 1.82kg
|
|
4lb / 1.82kg
|
8 – 9
|
6lb / 2.73kg
|
|
5lb / 2.27kg
|
10 – 11
|
7lb / 3.18kg
|
What size beef roast for 6 people?
Calculating the perfect size beef roast for six people is a crucial step in ensuring a successful meal. To begin, it’s important to understand the standard portion sizes for meat. A good portion size for any protein is half a pound or 8 ounces of raw meat. For six people, this would equate to around 3 pounds of beef roast.
How big should a roast be?
The appropriate serving size of a roast depends on several factors. When I’m helping a customer decide on how big of a roast to purchase I always start with a basic rule of thumb. A bone in roast requires 1lb of meat per person while a boneless roast requires 3/4lb per person. This is only the beginning of the decision process.
How much beef do you need for a roast?
Look for a roast with lots of marbling to ensure a tender and juicy result. Next, you’ll want to calculate the pounds per person. A good rule of thumb is to plan on a pound for every two guests, and a half-pound per two children. For six adults, this would equate to around 3 pounds of beef roast.
How much beef roast should a family eat?
A good rule of thumb is to plan on a pound for every two guests, and a half-pound per two children. For six adults, this would equate to around 3 pounds of beef roast. However, it’s always a good idea to add an extra pound just in case or for delicious leftovers. If you’re opting for a bone-in roast, figure about one pound per person.