How to Brown a Roast for Cooking in a Crockpot

You can cook a roast in a crockpot without browning it, but the meat is more flavorful and appealing if sear it first. The high heat catalyzes the Maillard browning reactions, improving the flavor and texture. The sugars and fats caramelize on the surface of the meat and impart a richer flavor when the roast is finished cooking.

[Edit]Ingredients

Servings: 4 to 8

• 4 to 5 lb. roast (1.8 to 2.2 kg)
• 2 tbsp. cooking oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

[Edit]Steps

1. Rinse the roast with cold water.
   
2. Place the meat on a cutting board.
   
3. Pat it dry with paper towels, pressing to absorb as much water as possible.^[1]
   
   
   • The drier the outside of the meat is, the easier it will be to coat it with seasoning, as well as to sear it.
   • Searing turns into steaming if there is too much moisture on the surface of the meat and in the pan.
4. Trim any excess fat off the meat.^[2]
   
   
5. Cut the roast into smaller pieces if it is too large to fit into your crockpot.^[3]
   
   
6. Heat 2 tablespoons (30 mm) of cooking oil in a large Dutch oven on medium high heat.^[4]
   
   
7. Sprinkle and rub salt and pepper all over the meat.^[5]
   
   
8. Brown the meat in the hot oil for several minutes on each side. Rotate it carefully so that the grease doesn’t splash onto your skin.^[6]
   
   
9. Remove the seared meat and place it in the crockpot you’ll use to roast it.
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Tips

• You can brown the roast the night before and refrigerate it overnight.
• It is a common misconception that browning meat locks in moisture, but it has been conclusively proven false many times.

[Edit]Warnings

• Be sure the oil is hot enough to sear the meat, but not so hot that it burns it.

[Edit]Things You’ll Need

• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Dutch oven (or any pan large and deep enough to contain the roast)
• Paper towels

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Make a Pork Roast in a Crock Pot
• Use a Slow Cooker

[Edit]References

• http://www.cooks.com/rec/search/0,1-0,roast_beef_slow_cooker,FF.html
• http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pot_roast/

1. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-sear-meat-47333
2. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/basic-techniques-how-to-trim-t-73832
3. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/heres-exactly-how-to-slice-meat-against-the-grain-and-why-you-should-be-doing-it-meat-basics-215798
4. ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/220125/slow-cooker-beef-pot-roast/
5. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/pot-roast-recipe-1938843
6. ↑ http://dish.allrecipes.com/how-to-sear-meats/

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