There’s a quiet kind of triumph in pulling the lid off a slow cooker after a long day to find a pot roast that’s actually fork-tender, not a dry, stringy disappointment. Most home cooks have been there, though—peering at a hunk of beef that looks promising but then cuts like shoe leather.

Label Value
Recommended cook time (Low) 8-10 hours for 3-4 lb chuck
Recommended cook time (High) 4-6 hours
Best liquid to use Beef broth or stock
Internal temp for tenderness 190-205°F (88-96°C)