Reheating Pot Roast to Perfection

Pot roast is a delicious, hearty meal. Unfortunately, the leftovers don’t always reheat well and can end up dry and overcooked. Follow these tips for reheating pot roast using your microwave, oven, steamer or slow cooker to bring back all the tender, juicy flavors of the original meal.

Reheating Pot Roast in the Microwave

The microwave provides a quick and easy way to reheat pot roast.

• Cut the pot roast into slices or smaller pieces before microwaving. This allows the meat to heat more quickly and evenly.
• Place the sliced pot roast on a microwave-safe plate. Cover loosely with a paper towel to prevent splatter.
• Microwave on HIGH for 2-3 minutes until heated through. Check and stir periodically to ensure even heating.
• Take care not to overcook the meat or it will become tough.
• Let the pot roast rest for 2-3 minutes before serving. The temperature will equalize during this time.
• Add leftover gravy or au jus to keep the pot roast moist. Microwave these sauces separately and pour over the meat.
• Vegetables like carrots and potatoes may also be reheated with the pot roast, though they may require additional time due to their density.

Reheating Pot Roast in the Oven

The oven allows you to thoroughly reheat large portions of pot roast at a lower temperature, preventing them from drying out.

• Preheat your oven to 300°F. Use a baking dish or oven-safe plate.
• For best results, add a little beef broth, red wine or gravy to the dish with the sliced pot roast. This will add moisture and extra flavor.
• Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until fully hot. Check periodically and add more liquid if needed.
• Leftover potatoes, carrots and other vegetables can be reheated alongside the meat. Simply add them to the dish before baking.
• Let the pot roast rest 5-10 minutes before serving. The meat will retain more juices this way.

Reheating Pot Roast with a Steamer

A steamer uses hot steam to quickly reheat pot roast without drying it out.

• Cut the pot roast into smaller pieces no more than 3 inches thick. This allows for faster heating.
• Place the meat in a steamer basket. Add 1/2 cup of broth or water to the basin below.
• Steam the pot roast for 4-7 minutes until heated through. Check frequently to prevent overcooking.
• Transfer the pot roast to a plate or dish. Optionally, cover with foil for 5 minutes before serving. This helps keep the meat moist and tender.
• For best flavor, make a simple au jus from the hot steaming liquid. Whisk in beef broth, red wine or gravy.

Reheating Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker

The slow cooker lets you reheat pot roast low and slow, maximizing tenderness.

• Cut up the pot roast into bite-sized pieces before adding to the slow cooker.
• Add a few tablespoons of beef broth or gravy to prevent drying out. Onion soup mix also adds lots of flavor.
• Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours until heated through and tender.
• If reheating vegetables too, add them to the slow cooker during the last hour so they don’t get overcooked.
• Before serving, use a spoon or spatula to shred and mix the roast for maximum tenderness. The juices redistribute through the meat this way.
• Let the pot roast rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the juices to absorb.

Tips for Reheating Leftover Pot Roast

• Always store pot roast refrigerated in shallow airtight containers. Proper chilling preserves freshness and moisture.
• Pot roast reheats best when cut into smaller, uniform pieces before reheating.
• Add a little beef broth, gravy or wine when reheating to keep the meat tender and juicy.
• Avoid reheating pot roast more than once. Multiple reheatings increase drying and toughening.
• If the pot roast seems dry upon reheating, add extra gravy or cover and let it rest before serving. This allows moisture to redistribute.

FAQs

Q: How do I reheat pot roast in the oven?

A: To reheat pot roast in the oven, preheat the oven to 300°F. Place sliced pot roast in a baking dish and add a few tablespoons of broth, wine or gravy to prevent drying out. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Check occasionally and add more liquid as needed. For best results, let the pot roast rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Q: What is the best way to reheat pot roast to keep it moist?

A: The best ways to keep pot roast moist when reheating are to use steam, slow cooking, or to add liquid. Steaming pot roast with a little broth or water keeps the meat tender. Slow cooking with added broth also prevents drying out. Adding beef broth, wine or gravy when reheating in the microwave or oven will help keep pot roast moist.

Q: How long should I reheat pot roast in the microwave?

A: When reheating pot roast in the microwave, heat it for 2-3 minutes on HIGH per pound. Check it periodically and stir to ensure even heating. Reheating too long can cause the meat to dry out and toughen. Let the pot roast rest 2-3 minutes before serving so the temperature equalizes.

Q: Can pot roast be reheated in a slow cooker?

A: Yes, using a slow cooker is an excellent way to reheat pot roast. Simply add bite-sized pieces of the pot roast along with a little broth or gravy. Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours until heated through and fork tender. The low, moist heat prevents the meat from drying out.

Recipes

Easy Pot Roast

Ingredients:

• 3 lbs chuck roast
• 1 packet onion soup mix
• 1 cup beef broth
• 5 potatoes, quartered
• 3 carrots, cut into chunks
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

1. Season the roast with salt and pepper. Sear on all sides in a pan.
2. Place roast in slow cooker and add onion soup mix, broth, potatoes and carrots.
3. Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
4. Slice roast and serve with vegetables.

Pot Roast Fiesta Bowls

Ingredients:

• Leftover sliced pot roast
• Tortilla chips, crumbled
• Shredded Mexican blend cheese
• Salsa
• Sour cream
• Diced tomatoes
• Shredded lettuce

Directions:

1. Reheat sliced pot roast in the microwave for 2-3 minutes until hot.
2. Divide pot roast between bowls.
3. Top with crumbled tortilla chips, cheese, salsa, sour cream, tomatoes and lettuce.

Product Recommendations for each appliance

Microwave:

• Panasonic NN-SN966S – 1200W, 2.2 cu. ft. capacity
• Toshiba EM131A5C-BS – 1100W, 1.2 cu. ft. capacity
• GE JES1656SRSS – 950W, 1.6 cu. ft. capacity
• Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL – 1200W, 1.2 cu. ft. capacity
• LG LMC2075BD – 1000W, 2.0 cu. ft. capacity

Oven:

• GE JB860SJSS – 5.0 cu. ft. capacity, convection cooking
• Whirlpool WOS31ES7JS – 4.8 cu. ft. capacity, steam-assist technology
• LG LDE4415BD – 6.3 cu. ft. capacity, dual baking racks
• Frigidaire FFEB2726TS – 5.3 cu. ft. capacity, Even-Baking system
• Bosch HGI8056UC – 5.0 cu. ft. capacity, European convection

Steamer:

• Cuisinart STM-1000 – 3 qt capacity, digital controls
• Oster Double Tiered Food Steamer – 5.5 qt and 7.4 qt capacity
• Hamilton Beach Digital Steamer – 5 qt capacity, 2 tiers
• Aicok 3-Tier Food Steamer – 9.5 qt total capacity
• Rosewill RHST-15001 – 3 stackable baskets

Slow Cooker:

• Crock-Pot 6 Qt 8-in-1 Multi-Cooker – stainless steel finish
• Breville Fast Slow Pro – 6 qt capacity, pressure cooking
• Cuisinart Cook Central 3-in-1 Multicooker – 6 qt capacity
• Hamilton Beach Set & Forget – 6 qt capacity, programmable
• Ninja Foodi Multi-Cooker – 6.5 qt capacity, pressure lid

With a little care, leftover pot roast can taste just as amazing as the original home-cooked meal. Follow these appliance-specific tips to enjoy tender, juicy pot roast every time.