I was going to call this Pot Roast for Dummies. Not very nice, I know, but seriously you could train your cat to make this recipe. No joke! He would only need to know how to use a can opener. Oh, and he’d have to actually give a toot about you and your needs, which cats famously do not. So, skip that idea, and teach the dog instead. But make sure he’s a vegan, otherwise the meat will never make it to the crock pot. Ah, nevermind. Just do it yourself. Trust me, it only takes five minutes and then you’re D-O-N-E. Then you can la-la-la all the way out the door as you head out to do your errands. You know – spin class and yoga, then off to see the pet hypnotist, have a tattoo removed, and finally to meet the parole officer at Starbucks. But enough about my day 😉 What’s your crazy day like?
This pot roast is for those of us who occasionally have no time to cook, thanks to our crazy lives, but would still like a home-cooked meal. I don’t know where this recipe originiated from, but it has gotten me out of many a jam, and I come out smelling like roses (and cranberry sauce and onions) every time. It’s a crime to even call it a recipe. You simply take a nice pot roast (see here for choosing a good cut of meat) and add the following ingredients:
That’s right, this recipe has exactly 3 ingredients: a hunk of meat, an envelope of onion soup mix, and a can of jellied cranberry sauce. No water, no anything. Plop it all in the crockpot, cover it, and cook on Low for 6-7 hours. It should be fork tender with plenty of delicious sauce, which is surprisingly strong in neither onion nor cranberry flavor, but a lovely fusion of the two along with the slow-cooked meat. Feel free to add carrots to the crockpot (a 1-pound bag of baby carrots would be perfect), and be sure to serve with something that likes to be covered in sauce — like brown rice or mashed potatoes.
Sorry for the sloppy plating job below, but I just had to show off the yummy sauce. It goes well with everything, as you can see here!
Enjoy!
Jeanie Campbell says
It was so easy, and loved the favors! Even my husband, who generally isn’t a pot topast fan loved this one. I’ve already shared it with a few friends.
Thaniks for sharing!
Juggling With Julia says
Wahoo! Spread the word, this recipe is a keeper! Glad you liked it.
Lynn says
3 ingredients..even I can do this!
(P.S. thank you Cheryl for always re-posting on FB..I have finally gotten around to signing up)
Juggling With Julia says
Welcome, Lynn 🙂 Hope it turns out great. Thanks for signing up!
Shirl says
makin’ this tomorrow!!
Juggling With Julia says
Whooppeee! Hope you love it!
Liz says
This is seriously the easiest and tastiest recipe…I mentally thank Julie every time I make it! My sister makes this for her family of 6 on a regular basis and its always a hit!
Juggling With Julia says
Thanks, Lizzie! You are right – tasty every time.
Rebecca says
Sounds great! I’m always looking for another way to use my crock-pot, and we are always up for roast. Julie your blog is inspiring, thanks for sharing!
Juggling With Julia says
Thanks, Becca! 🙂