Crock Pot Catalina Roast Beef is a delicious and tender beef recipe that practically melts in your mouth. It’s incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients!
Tender Shredded Beef Dinner: Crock Pot Catalina Roast Beef Recipe
Looking for a flavorful and easy weeknight dinner? This Crock Pot Catalina Roast Beef recipe offers a fantastic twist on the classic pot roast. A tender chuck roast, cooked low and slow with hearty vegetables in a tangy and sweet Catalina dressing-based sauce, creates an affordable and satisfying meal. Don’t let the Catalina dressing throw you off – the flavors meld together beautifully, resulting in incredibly tender meat and perfectly cooked veggies. This recipe is a game changer!
This slow cooker recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Simply toss the ingredients into your crock pot in the morning, and come home to a delicious, home-cooked meal. The long, slow cooking process transforms a typically tougher cut of beef into a succulent, fall-apart tender delight. The vegetables become infused with the savory-sweet sauce, creating a complete and balanced meal that everyone will love.
This Catalina roast beef is not only incredibly flavorful, but also incredibly versatile. Serve it as is, over mashed potatoes, rice, or polenta. Use the shredded beef to make sandwiches, tacos, or sliders. The possibilities are endless! Plus, leftovers are just as delicious, making this recipe perfect for meal prepping.
The secret to this recipe lies in the combination of the Catalina dressing and the dry onion soup mix. The Catalina dressing provides a tangy sweetness that complements the richness of the beef, while the dry onion soup mix adds a savory depth of flavor. This unique combination creates a sauce that is both complex and comforting, making this roast beef truly irresistible.
Frequently Asked Questions About Crock Pot Catalina Roast Beef
While this recipe creates a complete meal in itself, you can easily expand your dinner with a few simple sides. I love pairing it with some fresh Green Beans to add a bit of brightness and color to the plate. To round out the meal, serve with Dinner Rolls, Garlic Bread, or your favorite crusty bread for soaking up all that delicious sauce. A simple side salad also makes a refreshing addition. Bread and salad are always a welcome addition to any pot roast dinner!
If you don’t have chuck roast on hand, there are a few other cuts of meat that will work well in this recipe. A round roast or rump roast are good substitutes. You could even use a pork shoulder for a different flavor profile. The key is to choose a tougher cut of meat that will benefit from the long, slow cooking process. This allows the meat to break down and become incredibly tender. So, don’t be afraid to experiment with different cuts – the result will still be delicious!
This recipe is easily customizable to suit your taste preferences. If you want to add more vegetables, try including parsnips or mushrooms for a more earthy flavor. During the last hour of cooking, you could also add green beans or peas for a pop of color and added nutrients. For those who like a little heat, a splash of hot sauce or a dash or two of red pepper flakes will do the trick. And if you’re a fan of herbs, try adding some fresh thyme, rosemary, or bay leaves to the mix for a more aromatic and complex flavor.
Absolutely! If you prefer a touch of extra sweetness in your Catalina roast beef, you can easily add a couple tablespoons of brown sugar or honey to the sauce. This will create a richer, more caramelized glaze that is sure to please. Start with a smaller amount and taste as you go, adjusting to your desired level of sweetness.
The beauty of this recipe is that you can serve the roast beef however you prefer! Both shredding and slicing work perfectly. If you’re going for a more casual presentation, shredding the meat with forks or meat shredding claws is a great option. The meat will be incredibly tender and easy to shred. If you prefer a more classic and elegant presentation, you can slice the roast beef instead. Choose whichever method best suits your serving style and enjoy!
For the most tender and flavorful results, I highly recommend cooking this Catalina roast beef on low for the full 8 hours. This allows the meat to cook slowly and evenly, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Cooking on high can sometimes lead to a tougher roast, as the meat doesn’t have enough time to break down properly. Since chuck roast is a tougher cut of meat, it really benefits from the low and slow cooking method. This isn’t a recipe you want to rush – the patience will be well worth it!
Leftovers of this Crock Pot Catalina Roast Beef are just as delicious as the day it’s made! To store them properly, allow the roast beef and vegetables to cool completely. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. Add a splash of broth or water if needed to keep the meat moist.
Ingredients Needed for Crock Pot Catalina Roast Beef
(See the recipe card below for the full recipe and detailed instructions)
- Celery: I prefer to use the heart of the celery, but the stems with leaves are also perfectly edible and add great flavor.
- Carrots: In addition to carrots, celery, potatoes, and onions, you could also add some sliced mushrooms for extra depth of flavor.
- Onion: Be sure to arrange all the veggies evenly on the bottom of the slow cooker to ensure they cook evenly and absorb all the delicious sauce.
- Baby Potatoes: Yukon golds or red potatoes are my top choices for this recipe, as they hold their shape well during the long cooking time. However, if you’re in a pinch, you can use larger russet potatoes cut into big chunks. Sweet potatoes are another delicious option for a slightly sweeter flavor.
- Chuck Roast: As mentioned in the FAQ section, the specific weight of the roast isn’t critical. Don’t stress about finding the exact perfect size. Anything around 2-3 pounds will work beautifully. If you’re using a smaller cut, you can scale back the dressing to half a bottle.
- Catalina Dressing: If you don’t have Catalina dressing on hand, you can substitute with French dressing or Russian dressing for a similar sweet and tangy flavor.
- Dry Onion Soup Mix: If you’re out of the pre-packaged packets, you can use some Homemade Onion Soup Mix if you have it already prepared. Alternatively, you can mix up a blend of dried onion flakes, beef bouillon, and garlic powder for a quick and easy substitute.
How to Make Crock Pot Catalina Roast Beef: Step-by-Step Instructions
This recipe is incredibly easy to prepare. Follow these simple steps to create a delicious and comforting meal:
- Add the celery, carrots, onions, and baby potatoes to a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Make sure the vegetables are evenly distributed on the bottom of the crock pot.
- Place the chuck roast on top of the vegetables.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the Catalina dressing and the dry onion soup mix until well combined. This creates the flavorful sauce that will infuse the roast and vegetables.
- Pour the dressing mixture evenly over the chuck roast, ensuring it’s well coated.
Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours. It’s crucial that you DO NOT open the lid during the cooking process. Opening the lid will release heat and moisture, which can affect the cooking time and the tenderness of the meat. Trust the process and let it cook undisturbed. When the roast is ready, it should be incredibly tender and easily shredded with a fork.
Once the cooking time is complete, carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat, discarding any large pieces of fat. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker with the vegetables and sauce. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Craving More Delicious Recipes?
If you enjoyed this Crock Pot Catalina Roast Beef recipe, be sure to check out these other equally delicious and comforting recipes:
- Crock Pot French Dips
- Crock Pot Round Steak and Gravy
- Crock Pot Swiss Steak
- Roast Beef Sliders
- Air Fryer Roast Beef Sandwiches
- Mississippi Pot Roast Sliders
- Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Crock Pot Chicken Pot Roast
- Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
