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Make Ahead Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Beef Pot Roast With Potatoes, Carrots and Mustard Gravy!

Make Ahead Slow Cooker Freezer Meal Beef Pot Roast With Potatoes, Carrots and Mustard Gravy!

September 9, 2025
Make-ahead freezer pot roast with potatoes, carrots, and mustard gravy. A hearty, frugal family meal for busy nights! 
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 hours
Making the gravy 10 minutes
Total Time 10 hours 30 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Prep The Freezer Meal
  • 2 to 4 lb beef chuck roast
  • 1 & 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic salt
  • 2 tsp pre-minced garlic from a jar - or 4 fresh garlic cloves, finely diced
  • 1 onion, diced - diced finely or roughly depending on your preference
  • 1/2 small bag baby potatoes, whole with skins left on - about 1 lb
  • 1 small bag baby carrots - about 1 lb
  • 1 to 3 stalks celery, diced - depends on how much you like the flavor of celery but don't skip this step entirely!
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 beef stock cubes - or 2 cups beef broth
  • 4 tbsp Worcestershire sauce - feel free to scale this up or down depending on preferred tanginess
  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos - or Soy Sauce
  • 1 & 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 & 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
For The Gravy
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 4 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp spicy brown mustard

Equipment

  • slow cooker or Instant Pot with slow cooker function I use the Instant Pot Pro
  • 2 gallon freezer-safe food bag
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • cutting board
  • Sharp paring knife
  • mixing spoon
  • small bowl to mix the slurry
  • spider ladle to remove meat and veggies quickly so you can make the gravy

Method
 

Freezer Meal Prep
  1. Label your freezer bag with 'Beef Pot Roast With Potatoes, Carrots and Mustard Gravy' and 'Slow Cook 10 hours on low' or 'Instant Pot Slow Cooker setting for 10 hours on High' depending on which method you are planning to use.
  2. Wash and prep your veggies.
  3. Add all ingredients directly to the bag (except the gravy ingredients which you won't need until after it's cooked). Seal tightly and freeze flat.
Thawing
  1. Move the bag to the fridge 24 hours before cooking, or thaw on the counter overnight.
Cooking Instructions
  1. Pour everything from the bag into your slow cooker.
  2. Cook for:
    Classic slow cooker: Low for 10 hours
    Instant Pot Pro Slow Cooker Function: High for 10 hours
  3. When cooking is done the meat should be fork-tender, and the potatoes and carrots will hold their shape instead of turning mushy.
    Using a spider ladle, lift the roast, potatoes, carrots, and celery into a large serving dish.
Making The Gravy
  1. Switch your Instant Pot or slow cooker to sauté mode. Or transfer some liquid to a pan if your slow cooker doesn't have that function.
    Stir cornstarch and water together to make a slurry.
    Add slurry plus 2 tbsp spicy brown mustard into the pot liquid.
    Stir for a few minutes until thickened to gravy consistency.
  2. Pour the gravy over your roast and veggies for extra flavour. Serve & enjoy!

Notes

 

Storage:

 
Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Freeze portions of beef, potatoes, carrots, and gravy together in freezer-safe containers for 2 to 3 months.
Reheat: Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat on the stove or in the microwave until hot. Add a splash of broth if needed to loosen the gravy.
 
 
 

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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