How to Cook a 2-Lb. Beef Roast

There's something about cool fall and winter weather that makes slow-cooker meals so inviting. Throw a 2-pound roast in the slow cooker for the day, and, as if by magic, you have dinner waiting for you when you get home.

For moist slow cooker roast beef, you can keep things simple by cooking your roast with broth, vegetables, salt and pepper. Our recipe for Healthy Crock Pot Roast is simple yet flavorful, with little more than a handful of ingredients.

If you have more time to prepare your roast, you can also experiment with different ingredients. Our Mississippi Roast recipe will tempt you away from the norm with apple cider vinegar, dill weed and pepperoncini, for example.

Read more: 8 Mistakes You're Making With Your Slow Cooker — and How to Avoid Them

Beef and other red meats offer a few key health benefits. It's rich in essential amino acids, vitamin B12, iron and zinc, according to February 2017 research published in the Journal of Internal Medicine (JIM).

However, red meat is also high in fat and cholesterol. A 3-ounce serving of beef chuck-eye roast contains approximately 116 calories, 17.5 grams of protein, 58.7 milligrams of cholesterol and 5.1 grams of fat, including 2.2 grams of saturated fat, according to the USDA.

JIM adds that eating red meat puts you at risk for certain cancers, stroke, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and other chronic conditions. Therefore, it's best to enjoy your moist slow cooker roast beef only once in a while, not regularly.

You can also choose leaner cuts of red meat to reduce the fat content, as well as load up on nutrient-rich vegetables.

You'll likely find that it's fairly simple to cook a 2-pound roast in the slow cooker as long as you add the right amount of liquids and cook it thoroughly. Simply follow your slow cooker time chart and your favorite recipe to try a variety of flavors throughout the week.

1. Pat-dry a 2-pound beef roast of choice, such as chuck steak or round steak. For frozen meat, defrost it in the refrigerator, not on the countertop, to prevent bacterial contamination, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
2. Season all sides with salt, pepper or your spices of choice.
3. Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat it to medium-high. Brown the roast on the stovetop for about four minutes per side.
4. For easy cleanup, spray the inside of the slow cooker with cooking spray, too.
5. Add firm vegetables like potatoes and carrots to the slow cooker first, as they cook more slowly than meat, says Pennsylvania State University (PSU). Then, add the beef and a liquid, such as broth, water or a slow-cooker sauce. Softer vegetables like tomatoes and zucchini can be added in the last 45 minutes of cooking.
6. Fill the slow cooker at least half full, but no more than two-thirds full, says PSU. Having the right amount of food ensures adequate cooking time. Iowa State University's slow cooker time chart calls for eight hours of cooking time on low for 3 to 4 pounds of beef roast, or 5 3/4 hours on high.
7. Set the slow cooker on high for the first hour, and then reduce the heat to low for the remainder of cooking time according to the suggested slow cooker time chart above.
8. Avoid lifting the lid during cooking. Every time you peek inside, you'll need to add about 15 to 20 minutes of cooking time, says PSU.
9. Add grains like pasta at the end of the cooking process so they don't become mushy. You can also cook them separately and add just prior to serving.
10. Ensure the beef reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit before serving, says the CDC. Refrigerate leftovers within two hours.

Making a 2-pound roast in the slow cooker certainly makes dinner easy. Whether you're making a simple slow-cooker roast or something with more complex flavors, the right recipe may inspire you to try a variety of slow-cooker recipes.

Read more: 8 Deliciously Simple (And Healthy!) Slow Cooker Recipes