This slow cooker beef shoulder roast recipe with red wine mushroom sauce is special occasion fancy and weeknight dinner friendly. It's a pot roast that always received top ratings at our meal assembly stores because of the AMAZING “gravy" that smothers fork-tender beef.
Have plenty of mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash on hand to soak up every last drop of the gravy which becomes silky smooth once it thickens in the slow cooker. You're going to want to lick the plate clean!
Even though it's easy to make, we include this recipe in our Special Occasion Dinners collection too. Its presentation is beautiful. There's no rushing around in the kitchen as guests arrive. And, the aroma that fills your house is very, very inviting.
Main Ingredients
The main ingredients you use can take this recipe over the top!
- Beef Shoulder - This is the cut of meat we used at our stores. When cooked slowly over low heat it stays moist and tender. Other cuts you can use: chuck, brisket, or round roasts.
- Mushrooms - Any type of mushroom will work. We used shiitake mushrooms. It's equally delicious with white button, baby bella, or cremini mushrooms. Or, use a mixture of all your favorites. Be adventurous! The recipe calls for 8 ounces, but mushroom lovers may want to use up to 16 ounces.
- Red wine - Use dry red wine. We used Merlot. Other options include Cabernet Sauvignon or Pinot Noir. Use whatever you like to drink. And, if you don't drink wine, just buy little bottles and store them in a cool place for your next recipe!
- Onion - Roughly chopped white or sweet onion.
- Everything else - You'll also need ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt, pepper, and corn starch.
Preparation Tips
The preparation of this pot roast is simple, but I've noted more tips and variations below:
Beef Shoulder
Use a roast that is between 2 and 3 pounds so you'll have plenty of liquid and mushroom gravy for serving time.
I love this cut because it is relatively low in fat and still works well in a crock-pot. You do not need to brown the meat on the stove-top first. But, you definitely can and it only adds to the flavor!
To brown the meat, heat oil (canola, vegetable, or avocado oil) in a large pan over medium-high heat. Pat the shoulder roast dry and add to the skillet. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side or until browned to your liking.
Shiitake Mushrooms
Shiitake mushrooms have a smoky flavor and hold their own in this recipe. If you decide to use this type of mushroom, here are a few tips:
- The stems are tough and should be cut off close to the cap and discarded.
- They're very porous, so it's best to wipe off any dirt which a damp paper towel rather than dousing them with water. This is true no matter which type of mushroom you use.
- Slice the mushroom caps in thin slices.
- Use dried shiitake mushrooms after they've been reconstituted.
Red Wine Mushroom Sauce
To make the sauce, mix together ketchup, red wine, water, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. That combination may sound odd. But, trust me. It's delicious!
Pour it over the beef shoulder, mushrooms, and onions in the slow cooker and let it cook.
The magic occurs at the very end of the cooking process. Lift out the meat and stir a slushy mixture of corn starch and water into the liquid, mushrooms, and onions. Turn the temperature to high and cook for about 10 minutes more. Keep the meat warm.
The sauce turns into a velvety, delicious gravy that you absolutely have to use on everything in sight.
Food allergy tip: Worcestershire sauce contains soy and often gluten. We have left this ingredient out and still marveled at the result.
Cook Time
We suggest cooking a shoulder pot roast on low for about 6-8 hours for the very best result. However, it can be cooked on high for about 4-6 hours too.
We've never made it any other way. But, I'm sure it could be. This Classic Sunday Pot Roast by the Stay at Home Chef has instructions for a dutch oven and an instant pot!
Freezer Instructions
This is a recipe, known as Black Forest Pot Roast, from our meal assembly stores. It's definitely freezer-friendly before you cook it! So, make an extra bag when shoulder roasts go on sale and you have everything out.
To make a bag for the freezer add all of the ingredients (except for the slushy corn starch and water mixture) to a large freezer-safe bag, removing any excess air as you close it. Place that bag inside another one as a safety precaution.
It stores well in the freezer for about 2-4 months. Completely defrost in the refrigerator before cooking. Be sure to label it and make a note that you need to add the corn starch at the end.
FAQ
Pot roast can be tough if cooked too long, not long enough, or if there is not enough liquid in the slow cooker. The proportions and timing for this recipe should yield a fork-tender pot roast with lots of extra sauce.
Add hearty vegetables that can withstand 6-8 hours in a crock-pot, such as carrots. Be mindful of how many extra ingredients you add though so that there is still enough liquid to keep the shoulder roast moist.
Ladle extra sauce over the pot roast. For small portions, you can cover and microwave for several minutes without it becoming dry. For larger portions, place meat topped with sauce in a covered baking dish and reheat at 300 °F until warmed through, about 20 minutes depending upon the amount and thickness.
For red wine mushroom gravy that is stored separately from the meat, cover and microwave on high for 1 minute. Remove cover, stir and continue heating at 30 second intervals until warmed through.
Other Shoulder Roast Recipes
We use the same cut of beef to make:
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Beef Shoulder Roast with Red Wine Mushroom Gravy
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Boneless beef shoulder roast Up to 3 pounds
- 1 medium onion roughly chopped, about half of an onion
- 8 ounces mushrooms sliced, shiitake or mushroom of choice
- ½ cup ketchup
- ½ cup dry red wine such as Merlot
- ½ cup water
- ¼ cup Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 Tablespoons corn starch
- 3 Tablespoons water
Instructions
- Place beef shoulder roast in crock-pot.
- Add chopped onions and sliced mushrooms.
- Mix ketchup, red wine, water, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, salt and pepper together in a medium-sized bowl.
- Pour sauce mixture over shoulder roast.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Remove meat from crock-pot and keep warm.
- Mix corn starch with 3 Tablespoons of cold water.
- Add corn starch mixture to the juices in the crock-pot and stir.
- Turn the heat to high and cook for 10-15 minutes more.
- Serve sauce over meat.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published 2/15/2013. It was updated to improve the reader experience.
Ninie
OMG! another deeelish recipe...thank you,
Marjory
It was a tasty Valentine's dinner!
Pamela
I had this the other night and the flavor was wonderful and the meat was tender. I would definitely make this again and serve it over mashed potatoes. I loved the taste of the sauce!
Marjory
So glad you enjoyed it. You can freeze the leftover gravy. If necessary, add a little cornstarch to thicken it up when re-heating.
Michal
Hi
Can I use brisket instead of the shoulder roast? I've got one in my freezer that's looking for a good recipe like this.
Thanks!
Marjory
You absolutely could use brisket!
Michal
Perfect, thanks for the fast reply!
Rebecca
I intend on making this for dinner tomorrow and was wondering if adding some baby carrots and cubed Yukon Gold potatoes would detract from the flavor and/or amount of gravy in this recipe. I have been searching for a recipe for hours and this honestly looks and sounds like the best so far, but I would like all the vegetables to be cooked with the roast.
Marjory
Hi! You should be able to add carrots and potatoes. I would double the sauce...we often do this anyways to have extra! Enjoy!
Rebecca
Thank you so much for your prompt reply, I can not wait to try this recipe! Thanks again for posting this 🙂
Marjory
You are so welcome. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Diana Wilson
Made this tonight and it was wonderful. Not a big fan of pot roasts, but I will definitely be making this again. The gravy was delicious. I will double the next time. Thanks so much for sharing.
Marjory
Thanks for your feedback. I'm so glad you liked it. It's good to have lots gravy...and it's still delicious the next day! 🙂
amy
Can I cook on high in crock pot for 4 hours?
Marjory
Yes you can!
Doris Moore
Yikes!! HELP!!! I bought all the ingredients for this before I actually read the directions, and 3/4 of the way thru dicing the roast did I realize this is a pot roast recipe. /. Stew~ ish recipe??? It’s kind of too late, I put the cubed shoulder, doubled the gravy recipe added everything to the crock pot except the corn starch and water... what do you think???
How long should I cook it? Thank you for your help in advance!
Sincerely,
Doris
Marjory
Hi! I think it should be fine with beef cubes. You don't need to change the cook time. I'd love to know how it turns out!
Sky Ucci
This thread looks old but I'll try to reach you anyway.
When you say double the sauce does that mean doubling these ingredients:
Ketsuo, Red wine, Water, Dijon, Worchestershire, garlic, and pepper?
Marjory
Hi! Yes, double everything except for the meat.
Luz
Can I use a frozen beef roast? Forgot to thaw it.
Marjory
Hi! It's best to defrost the meat before adding it to the crock-pot.
Beth
The sauce is AMAZING. This is the best pot roast I think I've ever had and I've tried quite a few. I did add a little red wine vinegar (1/4 cup or less) which gave a little tang without being sour. I'm sure this recipe will be made many more times!
Marjory Pilley
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I'm going to try a little more red wine vinegar next time...sounds delish!
matt
very delicious..whole family loved it..getting saved for sure
Marjory Pilley
I'm so glad you discovered it! It's a family favorite at our house too!
Don
For a 4.8lb shoulder roast how long to cook? Thanks
Marjory Pilley
You should be fine at 7-8 hours on low. But, be sure to follow any special instructions for your model. Also, be sure to double the sauce! Enjoy!
Don
Thanks so much. I did double up on the sauce.
Zipporah
I don't have a crock pot but I'd love to try this recipe. Do you think I can cook it in the oven? I'd keep it covered and cook it at a low temperature for several hours. Thank you!
Marjory Pilley
You should be able to and I love to know how it turns out! Use a meat thermometer to keep track of the cooking process if possible.
Ed Jenkins
Tried this tonight, doubles as we had lots of meat. It was good, the wine didnt cook off. Next time ill add a bit of sugar as the red wine taste was very overpowering.
Amber
When you add the cornstarch slurry to the slow cooker at the end, do you leave it open or cover it with a lid to thicken for the 10 to 15 minutes on high?
Marjory Pilley
Hi! The cornstarch should thicken it either way. But, I typically leave it off.
John Rhodes
What can i use instead of the wine
Marjory Pilley
Try a red grape juice! It should substitute one for one. To make the juice less sweet add a 1/2 teaspoon of vinegar or more to taste, if desired.