Slow Cooker Coca Cola Pot Roast
This Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Pot Roast is tender, comforting, and full of rich, savory flavor with a subtle sweetness that makes it completely irresistible.
Pot roast is one of those dinners that instantly feels like home. It’s the kind of meal that fills the house with the best smells, makes everyone wander into the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready, and always feels a little extra comforting after a long day. For me, it’s the ultimate cozy dinner, hearty, filling, and perfect for slowing things down a bit.
This Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Pot Roast has been one of my favorite ways to make a classic pot roast feel just a little different without making it complicated. The Coca-Cola might sound surprising at first, but it’s one of those ingredients that just works. As it cooks low and slow, the soda helps tenderize the beef and adds a subtle caramelized sweetness that balances perfectly with the savory onion soup mix, Worcestershire sauce, and brown gravy.
What I really love about this recipe is how simple it is. You season the roast, give it a quick sear for flavor, tuck it into the slow cooker with potatoes and carrots, pour over the sauce, and let it cook all day. By dinnertime, the meat is fall-apart tender, the vegetables are perfectly soft, and the gravy is rich and flavorful. It’s the kind of dinner that feels like you worked really hard on it, even though the slow cooker did most of the work for you.
I love to eat it as is, maybe over a bed of fluffy mashed potatoes. Dean likes to take the meat and put it on a soft sub bun for dinner. Either way it is a sure crowd pleaser in my house.
This is a great recipe for busy days when you want something comforting waiting for you at the end of the day. It’s also perfect for Sunday dinners, colder months, or anytime you just want a reliable, stick-to-your-ribs meal that everyone will love.
What Is Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Pot Roast
Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Pot Roast is a classic chuck roast slow cooked with potatoes, carrots, and onions in a savory-sweet sauce made with Coca-Cola, Worcestershire sauce, onion soup mix, and brown gravy mix. The soda helps break down the beef as it cooks, making it incredibly tender, while the seasoning packets and aromatics create a rich, flavorful gravy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
The beef turns out incredibly tender and easy to shred
The slow cooker does almost all the work
Coca-Cola adds flavor without making the dish sweet
The gravy is rich, savory, and perfect over potatoes
It’s a complete one-pot meal
Leftovers reheat beautifully
When to Serve This Recipe
Cozy weeknight dinners
Sunday family meals
Cold or rainy days
Holiday gatherings or casual company dinners
Meal prep weeks when you want easy leftovers
Ingredients
1 (3-pound) boneless beef chuck roast-Chuck roast is ideal because it becomes tender and flavorful when slow cooked.
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon smoked paprika- Adds warmth and depth without overpowering the dish.
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons butter-Used for searing and building flavor.
1½ pounds baby potatoes, halved-Cutting them evenly helps them cook at the same rate.
4 carrots, cut into chunks
1 onion, sliced
1 (12-ounce) can Coca-Cola-Regular Coke works best for flavor and tenderizing.
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 (1-ounce) envelope beefy onion soup mix
1 (1-ounce) envelope brown gravy mix
4 garlic cloves, minced
Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
How to Make Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Pot Roast
Pat the chuck roast dry and season all sides with salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
Sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 2–3 minutes per side.
Transfer the roast to the slow cooker.
Arrange the halved baby potatoes, carrots, and sliced onion around the roast.
In a bowl, whisk together the Coca-Cola, Worcestershire sauce, beefy onion soup mix, brown gravy mix, and minced garlic until smooth.
Pour the sauce evenly over the roast and vegetables.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 6 hours, until the beef is tender and easily pulls apart with a fork.
Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, then serve warm.
Substitutions
Chuck roast → brisket or bottom round roast
Coca-Cola → Pepsi, Dr. Pepper, or root beer
Butter → olive oil for searing
Baby potatoes → Yukon gold or red potatoes
Beefy onion soup mix → regular onion soup mix
Variations
BBQ Pot Roast: Replace half the Coca-Cola with barbecue sauce for a smoky twist
Herb-Forward Roast: Add rosemary, thyme, or bay leaves
Spicy Pot Roast: Add red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño
Open-Faced Sandwiches: Shred the beef and serve over thick bread with gravy
Mashed Potato Version: Skip potatoes in the slow cooker and serve over mashed potatoes instead
Tips & Tricks
Searing the roast adds deep flavor and is worth the extra step
Keep vegetables roughly the same size for even cooking
Whisk the sauce before pouring so the seasoning packets dissolve evenly
Cooking low and slow gives the most tender results
For thicker gravy, remove the roast and vegetables and whisk in a cornstarch slurry, then cook on HIGH for 5–10 minutes
FAQs
Does this taste sweet?
No. The Coca-Cola adds depth and balances the savory flavors without making the dish sweet.
Can I skip searing the roast?
You can, but searing adds a lot of flavor. If you’re short on time, it will still be delicious without it.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. This pot roast reheats very well and tastes even better the next day.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes, as long as your slow cooker is large enough and not filled more than two-thirds full.
Serving Ideas
Serve as-is for a complete meal
Spoon gravy over mashed potatoes
Pair with crusty bread or dinner rolls
Add a simple green salad on the side
Serve leftovers as sandwiches the next day
Storage and Make Ahead Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days
Freeze shredded beef and gravy for up to 3 months
Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave
Add a splash of broth when reheating if the gravy thickens
If tender, fall-apart roasts and cozy slow cooker dinners are your go-to, these hearty recipes deliver big comfort with minimal effort. Perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed family meals.
Slow Cooker Dr. Pepper Shredded Beef: Sweet and savory shredded beef that’s tender, flavorful, and perfect for piling onto sandwiches or serving with sides.
Slow Cooker Pot Roast Stroganoff: A creamy twist on classic pot roast with rich gravy and comforting flavors that feel extra cozy.
Slow Cooker Roast Beef Po Boys: Juicy, slow-cooked beef tucked into soft rolls for a satisfying, comfort-food sandwich dinner.
Slow Cooker Cranberry Roast Beef: Savory roast beef with a touch of sweet cranberry flavor that feels perfect for cooler weather meals.
Slow Cooker Eye of Round Roast: A budget-friendly roast cooked until tender and juicy with rich, comforting flavor.
Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings: Tender turkey simmered with fluffy dumplings for a warm, classic comfort meal that feels like home.
Slow Cooker Coca Cola Pot Roast
This Slow Cooker Coca Cola Pot Roast is the ultimate hearty, comforting dinner that practically makes itself. A tender, fall-apart chuck roast slow cooks all day with baby potatoes, carrots, and onions in a rich, savory-sweet sauce made with Coca Cola, Worcestershire, beefy onion soup mix, and brown gravy. The soda tenderizes the beef while adding a subtle caramelized flavor that blends perfectly with the savory seasonings. It’s the kind of cozy, stick-to-your-ribs dinner that will have everyone going back for seconds.
Ingredients
- 1 (3 pound) boneless beef chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1.5 pounds baby potatoes, halved
- 4 carrots, cut into pieces
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 (12 ounce) can Coca Cola
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (1 ounce) envelope beefy onion soup mix
- 1 (1 ounce) envelope brown gravy mix
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Season your chuck roast with the salt, pepper, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat melt your butter.
- Sear the roast in the skillet until browned on each side.
- Add the roast to the slow cooker.
- Add the potatoes, carrots and onion around the roast.
- Whisk together the coca cola, worchestershire sauce, beefy onion soup mix, brown gravy and garlic together.
- Pour the sauce over the roast and veggies.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 6 until the meat is tender and falls apart.
- Garnish with parsley and serve!
Notes
- Sear for flavor: Browning the roast before adding it to the slow cooker builds a deeper, richer flavor in the final dish.
- Cut veggies evenly: Keep potatoes and carrots roughly the same size so they cook evenly.
- Don’t skip the sauce mix: Whisking the cola, Worcestershire, soup mix, and gravy together before pouring ensures all the flavors meld evenly into the broth.
- Low and slow wins: For the most tender beef, cook on low for 8 hours instead of high, worth the wait!
Thicken at the end: If you want a thicker gravy, remove the roast and veggies, then whisk a cornstarch slurry (1 tbsp cornstarch + 2 tbsp water) into the sauce and cook on high for 5–10 minutes until thickened.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving:Calories: 377Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 1179mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 7gSugar: 16gProtein: 12g
This Slow Cooker Coca-Cola Pot Roast is one of those dependable, comforting meals you’ll come back to again and again. It’s simple, flavorful, and exactly the kind of dinner that makes everyone feel taken care of. Whether you’re feeding your family on a busy night or serving guests on the weekend, this is a recipe that never disappoints.
