This Pot Roast Seasoning recipe is a savory, homemade blend that transforms any cut of beef into a tender, flavorful roast; without relying on store-bought packets. It’s quick to mix, easy to store, and works perfectly in your slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven.
I hate to spend money on all those little seasoning packets. So I make my own blends. Two of my favorites for meat are my dry rub for chicken and my best fajita seasoning.
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Why this Pot Roast Seasoning Recipe is a Keeper
This seasoning mix is a total keeper because it checks every box.
- Classic Flavor Profile: The combination of garlic, onion, herbs (oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme), salt, and pepper creates a perfectly balanced and traditional flavor base that complements beef beautifully. It evokes the nostalgic taste of home-cooked pot roast.
- Convenience: Having a pre-mixed blend saves time and effort during meal prep. Instead of fumbling with multiple spice jars every time, you simply grab your jar of homemade seasoning.
- Cost-Effective: Buying individual spices in larger quantities and mixing your own blend is often more economical than purchasing pre-made seasoning packets, which can also contain fillers or anti-caking agents you might not want.
- Customizable: While this recipe is excellent as is, it serves as a perfect blank canvas for personalizing the flavors to your liking. You have full control over the ingredients.
- Long Shelf Life: Dried herbs and spices, when stored properly, last a long time, making this a great pantry staple.
- Versatile Beyond Pot Roast: While designed for pot roast, this blend’s robust flavors make it suitable for a variety of other dishes or delicious sides like italian seasoning.
- No Unwanted Additives: You control what goes into it, avoiding excessive sodium, anti-caking agents, or other fillers often found in commercial blends.
How Much Seasoning Do I Use?
Use about 1 tablespoon of seasoning per pound of meat. For a 3-pound roast, use approximately 3 tablespoons. You can always adjust based on taste or if you’re using additional broths or sauces.
Pro Tip to Make the Best Pot Roast
If you are sensitive to salt, you can reduce the amount of Kosher salt and add more to taste when cooking your pot roast.
Get 200 easy and delicious dinner recipes, so you'll never have to worry about what to make for dinner again.
Key Ingredient Notes to Make Pot Roast Recipe
This blend uses all pantry staples, so you probably have everything on hand already. This is a great family recipe that everyone loves. I even use it on side dishes.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Paprika: Sweet or smoked adds warmth and color.
- Rosemary & Thyme: Dried herbs help mimic that “slow-roasted all day” flavor.
- Garlic & Onion Powder: Essential for base flavor.
- Chili Powder or Cayenne (optional): Add just a touch for subtle heat.
Variations and Substitutions for the Best Pot Roast Seasoning
This crock pot roast seasoning recipe is super easy to customize. I like to take it to the next level by using different ingredients or trying different flavors.
- Smoky Flavor: Add 1-2 teaspoons of smoked paprika or chipotle powder (for a bit of heat).
- Add Depth: Stir in instant coffee or cocoa powder for umami boost.
- Add Sweetness: A pinch of brown sugar rounds out the spice if you like a hint of sweet-savory.
- Herbal Variations: Experiment with other herbs for different flavors. While difficult to incorporate into a dry blend, adding 1-2 whole bay leaves directly to your pot roast during cooking will enhance the flavor. Marjoram is a nice addition for a slightly sweeter, more delicate herbal note (1-2 teaspoons).
- Umami Boost: 1-2 teaspoons of mushroom powder or a small amount of dried porcini mushroom dust can add depth.
- Citrus Zest: For a brighter flavor, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of dried lemon zest, or fresh lemon zest directly to your pot roast.
- Garlic & Onion: If you prefer a stronger garlic or onion flavor, you can increase the amounts to 3 tablespoons each.
Special Equipment Needed for Dry Rub
Although there aren’t any tools needed to make homemade spice mixes, a few are useful when it comes to storing this easy recipe.
- Airtight Container: A small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid (like a spice jar, jelly jar, or small canning jar) is ideal for storage.
- Funnel & Label Tags: Helpful for gifting small jars of the seasoning.
How to Make Homemade Pot Roast Seasoning
This homemade spice blend recipe comes together in just 1 extremely quick and easy step. This delicious seasoning is essential in making the perfect pot roast.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Mix Roast Seasoning Ingredients: In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, parsley, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper.
Prep Ahead Suggestions for Easy Pot Roast Seasoning
I like to make this slow cooker pot roast seasoning ahead of time so that I can add a little bit in my next pot roast.
- Make Ahead: This entire seasoning for pot roast is a prep-ahead suggestion. Mix a batch whenever you have extra time, and it will be ready to go for future meals.
- Make Batches: You can easily scale up the recipe to make a larger batch if you use pot roast frequently or want to give it as a gift. Just multiply all ingredient quantities accordingly.
- Label & Store: Add a date and and the amount of seasoning needed for recipes to your jar (e.g., 1 Tablespoon per pound of meat).
Alternate Cooking Methods for this Classic Pot Roast Recipe
You can make your pot roasts a few different ways.
- Slow Cooker Pot: The most common method is the crock pot. Use it as a delicious dry rub and rub the seasoning generously on the cut of meat, sear if desired, then slow cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours with beef broth and vegetables.
- Dutch Oven (Oven Roasted): Sear the meat, deglaze the pot, add liquid like red wine vinegar and vegetables, then braise in a preheated oven (e.g., 300-325°F or 150-160°C) for 3-4 hours until tender.
- Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker: Rub the seasoning, sear, add beef stock, and pressure cook for a shorter time (e.g., 60-90 minutes depending on meat size) followed by natural release.
- Smoked Pot Roast: Rub the seasoning on the roast and smoke it until tender. This adds incredible smoky depth.
How to Store and Use Leftover Beef Pot Roast Seasoning
- Store: Store the mixed pot roast seasoning in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place like your spice cabinet. This prevents clumping and preserves potency. Avoid storing near the stove.
- Use Leftover Seasoning: There are so many ways to use up the best spice recipe ever:
- Other Beef Roasts: Excellent for beef briskets, beef tenderloin, or even beef stew meat.
- Chicken or Pork: Use as a rub for chicken (whole roasted, breasts, or thighs) or pork loin/shoulder. The robust flavors hold up well.
- Vegetable Seasoning: Sprinkle on roasted potatoes, and carrots and onions, or other root vegetables before roasting.
- Soups and Stews: Add a teaspoon or two to enhance the flavor of savory soups, stews, or even gravies.
- Burgers/Meatloaf: Mix into ground beef for flavorful burgers or meatloaf.
- Dipping Oil: Mix a small amount with olive oil for dipping crusty bread.
- Gravy/Sauce Enhancer: Stir a pinch into pan drippings to boost the flavor of your gravy.
Common Questions About This Chuck Roast Recipe
Yes, but they reduce shelf life so you will need to use immediately.
If stored correctly, it’s best to use this seasoning blend within 6 months.
Expert Tips for Making This Recipe
- Toast Whole Spices (Optional): If using whole spices (e.g., whole cumin seeds, whole peppercorns) that you grind yourself, lightly toasting them in a dry pan for a minute or two before grinding can enhance their flavor. However, this recipe uses pre-ground spices/dried herbs, so this step isn’t necessary.
- Grind if Desired: If you prefer a finer powder, or if your dried herbs are very coarse, you can give the entire mixed blend a quick pulse in a spice grinder or clean coffee grinder.
- Label and Date: Always label your container with the name of the blend and the date it was mixed. This helps you track freshness.
- Buy Fresh Spices: The fresher your individual spices are, the more potent and flavorful your blend will be. Replace individual spices annually for best results.
- Mix Well: Ensure all ingredients are thoroughly combined so that each spoonful of the blend delivers a consistent flavor.
- Rub Liberally: Don’t be shy when applying the seasoning to your pot roast. A generous coating will create a delicious crust and infuse the meat with flavor.
- Allow to Sit: For best results, after rubbing the seasoning on your pot roast, let it sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes, or even refrigerate it overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and penetrate the meat.
- Serve With: Serve this homemade pot roast seasoning recipe with Crock Pot Mississippi Pot Roast Sandwiches, Instant Pot French Dip Sandwich or Crock Pot Beef Stew.
More Recipes You Might Like
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email below and we’ll send this recipe straight to your inbox.
Pot Roast Seasoning Recipe
Equipment
SAVE THIS RECIPE!
Enter your email and we’ll send this recipe to your inbox.
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons Garlic powder
- 2 Tablespoons Onion powder
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher salt
- 1 Tablespoon Black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons Dried parsley
- 2 teaspoons Dried rosemary
- 2 teaspoons Dried thyme
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl and stir well.
- Store in an airtight container.
Christina’s Notes
- Store Smart: Keep your mix in a labeled jar and use within 6 months.
- Customize It: Adjust herbs and heat to your flavor preference.
- Use Per Pound: Plan on about 1 Tbsp per pound of meat.
- Extra Flavor: Add a teaspoon of instant coffee or cocoa powder for a deeper flavor profile.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.