This easy dump-and-go Amish Chuck Roast recipe comes from our neighbors, who make it a regular post-church meal on Sunday afternoons. The one-pot supper is comfort food at its finest, and it works perfectly in a pressure cooker, in a slow cooker, or in an oven!
It doesn't get much easier than a meal that you can "set and forget!"
This particular chuck roast recipe comes from our neighbors, who hunt, grow, and bake a lot of their own food. Even better? They share a lot of their homegrown food with us!
That means that in the summer I regularly receive bags of garden fresh veggies over the fence, and in the winter we're often treated to freshly baked rolls or bread.
I've been making Mrs. Peachey's Stuffed Peppers for years, so when Mr. Peachey shared this recipe with Keith last year, I instantly knew that I would give it a try.
Mr. Peachey told Keith about their favorite roast recipe when he gave Keith one of his venison roasts. While I'm not big on venison, I knew that it would work equally well with a beef roast (and I was right)!
What is a chuck roast?
Also called a "Chuck Eye Roast," "Chuck Pot Roast" or "Chuck Roll Roast," this cut of beef comes from the front portion of the animal. It is a classic pot roast cut, as it becomes moist and tender when braised.
How do you tenderize a chuck roast?
The best way to turn this tough cut of beef into a tender, juicy dish is by cooking it low and slow. That means that it does best at a low temperature for a long time (unlike more tender cuts, such as filet mignon, which are best when quickly grilled or seared).
How to make an Amish Chuck Roast recipe:
This chuck roast recipe is one of those gems that's SO EASY you don't even have to write it down!
Ingredients for Amish Chuck Roast:
- A boneless beef chuck roast
- A packet of Lipton onion soup mix and seasoning
- Coca Cola
- Onion, potatoes and carrots
I used my Instant Pot for the meat that you see here, and it worked incredibly well. Such tender, juicy, beef that literally melts in your mouth.
First, brown the chuck roast on both sides to give it some great color and flavor. Meanwhile, toss the veggies with some olive oil and the onion soup mix seasoning.
Place the roast and the vegetables in the Instant Pot, slow cooker, or Dutch oven. Pour Coke over top, close the lid, and cook for about 70 minutes on "HIGH" pressure. In a Crock Pot, you can let the roast cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
How long do you cook a roast at 350 degrees?
If you prefer an oven baked chuck roast recipe, this works as well! Follow the same instructions as above, and cook the beef and vegetables in a Dutch oven at 350 degrees F for 2-3 hours. The roast is done when it's fall-apart tender!
Pick your favorite cooking method and go with it!
What to serve with Amish Chuck Roast:
Since you have potatoes, carrots and beef all in one pot, you really don't need any additional sides. That said, here are a few nice options that pair well with the pot roast:
- A simple green salad dressed in Buttermilk Dressing
- Perfect Roasted Asparagus
- Southern Collard Greens
- Aunt Bee's 3-Ingredient Buttermilk Biscuits
- Fried Cabbage with Apples and Onion
Whether you serve it for a post-church meal on Sunday afternoon (like the Peacheys do), or enjoy it on a cold weeknight (like us), this is comfort food that will make you feel cozy, nourished, and satisfied!
More beef chuck recipes that you might enjoy:
- Italian Slow Cooker Pot Roast
- Balsamic Slow Cooker Roast Beef
- Classic Pot Roast (Oven Baked or Slow Cooker)
Amish Chuck Roast Recipe {for the Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker or Oven}
Ingredients
- 1.5 - 2 lbs. boneless beef chuck roast
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 cups Coca Cola
- 1 (1 ounce) envelope dry onion soup seasoning mix
- 1 sweet onion, quartered
- 1 lb. baby gold potatoes, not peeled
- 1 c. baby carrots
Instructions
INSTANT POT INSTRUCTIONS:
- Season both sides of the chuck roast with salt and pepper; set aside.
- Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to Instant Pot and set to "Saute."
- When oil becomes hot and shimmery, add pot roast and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until browned all over.
- While the roast is browning, place onion, potatoes, and carrots in a large bowl (or in a large zip-top plastic bag. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with dry onion soup mix. Toss to coat.
- Transfer seasoned vegetables to the Instant Pot and arrange around the roast.
- Pour cola over everything.
- Place lid on Instant pot with steam valve closed.
- Switch Instant Pot setting to "manual" and set for 60-80 minutes on "high" pressure. I used 70 minutes for my 1.75-lb. roast, but you can adjust the timing according to the size of your meat.
- Do a natural release for at least 10 minutes, then quick release.
- Remove roast from pot, slice, and serve with vegetables.
SLOW COOKER INSTRUCTIONS:
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place meat in the pot and sear it for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until browned all over.
- While the roast is browning, place onion, potatoes, and carrots in a large bowl (or in a large zip-top plastic bag. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with dry onion soup mix. Toss to coat.
- Transfer the roast to a large slow cooker. Add seasoned vegetables to the pot and pour cola over everything.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
OVEN INSTRUCTIONS:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Place meat in the pot and sear it for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until browned all over.
- While the roast is browning, place onion, potatoes, and carrots in a large bowl (or in a large zip-top plastic bag. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with dry onion soup mix. Toss to coat.
- Transfer seasoned vegetables to the pot and arrange around the roast. Pour the cola over everything.
- Cover tightly with a lid.
- Bake roast in a 350-degree oven for about 2 hours. The roast is done when it’s fall-apart tender!
Linda Dums
Silly question but is the caffeine still present when this is made? What would be a good caffeine free substitute, root beer?
Blair
Hey, Linda! Not a silly question -- I honestly don't know how the cooking process affects the caffeine content in the soda. If you want to err on the side of caution, root beer would be a great substitute!
Susan
They make caffeine free coca cola
Blair
Yes! Great suggestion, Susan!
Rebecca
Evidently the caffeine doesn’t cook out, according to Google.
Kristy from Southern In Law
I always look at chuck roasts in the grocery store - but I’ve never actually tried cooking them. It looks like that needs to change ????
Blair
Oh, definitely give them a try, Kristy! 🙂
Fallon
Hi! Do you think I could freeze the leftovers?
Blair
Hi, Fallon! Yes, the leftover meat freezes really well! I've never tried freezing the veggies, but I imagine they would be fine, but the texture would probably change a bit.
Sandy Blose Birely
Yes you can freeze the left overs. I was raised on a check roast dinner almost exactly like this and the left overs are great. Let it defrost and slowly warm it up. Enjoy
Blair
Thanks, Sandy!
Janiece
In the oven directions you left out the coca cola, but I would think it's the same for the other methods. I will pour it over the roast before I cover it. I've never thought of using the dry onion soup mix to season the veggies. I've always just sprinkled it on the roast. this sounds interesting.
Blair
Hi, Janiece! Thanks for letting me know about that typo (I fixed it now). 🙂 I hope that you enjoy the roast!
Maureen Jenkins
I put the soup mix over diced up yukon potatoes an bake them such a great flavor and side dish.
Blair
Great idea for a side dish, Maureen! Thank you!
Kylie Lawson
This looks absolutely Scrumptious I can't wait to try this one out on the Kids Another Family Favorite I think ????????????
Blair
That's great, Kylie! I hope that the little ones love it, too! 🙂
Angela
Would a Diet Coke work as well as a regular Coke? We don't buy Regular Drinks since 2 of us are diabetics
Blair
Hi, Angela! I honestly don't know, since I've never tried it with Diet Coke, but I think that it would be totally fine -- so long as you like the taste of the diet drink (since it will definitely be different than the regular soda). 🙂
Steph
We don’t eat onions so I was wondering if there’s something I can use to replace the onion mix
Blair
Hey, Steph! The onion soup mix is a combination of a lot of different seasonings, as well as beef flavoring, sugar and cornstarch (a thickening agent). I would just use other seasonings of your choice (garlic, parsley, celery seed, paprika...whatever) and a little bit of cornstarch if you'd like to thicken the broth a bit. It obviously won't taste the same, but I guess that's a good think since you don't eat onions. 🙂 Hope that helps, and enjoy!
Michael Reilly
I used Diet Coke, and it came out perfectly.
Blair
Great to know! Thank you, Michael!
Debbie Russell
Am trying this tonite...probably the oven way...sounds delicious!
Blair
Wonderful! Enjoy, Debbie!
Karen
Have everything except the roast and it’s shop day. I’m so used to my way seasoning the meat, this will be an awesome change
Blair
Awesome! Enjoy, Karen!
Clark
Can you substitute beef stock for the cola?
Blair
Hey, Clark! Yes, you definitely can do that -- it will just have a different taste, but it should still be good. 🙂
Steel
Can you marinate the roast beforehand bu
Blair
Yes, that should be fine! 🙂
Rachel
Years ago a friend dropped off a pot roast meal for me after a sudden illness. It was amazing, and she mentioned it had cola in it. I was searching for some pot roast ideas to change up what I typically prepare in the slow cooker. I live close to an Amish community in Pennsylvania so its unique to learn cola is actually used. I know birch and root beer made by the Amish is non carbonated so maybe try that as an option instead (root over birch for flavor). Going to make this recipe next week in my meal rotation.
Paula
Does this recipe leave enough drippings to make gravy?
Blair
Hi, Paula! Yes, I think it should!
Mary Ellen
I hope this question isn't too silly. I have a 5 lb. roast in the freezer, can I just multiply the other ingredients by 2.5? I'd use the oven method due to the size of the meat and vegetables.
Blair
Hey, Mary Ellen! It's not a silly question at all! Yes -- you can definitely just multiply all of the other ingredients by 2.5 and it should work well! Since the roast is larger, you may need to plan for closer to 3 hours in the oven. 🙂
Rjv
Looks great and can’t wait to try it. I have a pork loin recipe that is basically coke, onion, and garlic cooked in the oven and comes out very nice and tender.
My only issue is that I am a chef and also spent a little time around Amish country and not sure I can agree with the name of recipe (unless they’re very extremely modern Amish) due to the use of soda and dry onion soup mix. Lol
Lisa K Hagans
I made this today in the crockpot and it was wonderful!! Followed the recipe exactly, except my roast was a little larger and used Coke zero. Absolutely delicious. Will be making again!
Blair
Thanks, Lisa! I'm so glad that you enjoyed it. I love pot roast with Coke, but I've never tried it with Coke Zero. Good to know that it works, too!