# What kind of beef for a slow cooker pot roast? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120 "2019-09-12T19:23:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/1 "2019-09-12T19:23:33Z")
The store near me has: “Rump Roast” “Chuck Tender Roast” “Chuck Pot Roast” These all are about the same price, except for the Angus versions. Is there a reason to pick one or the other or are they all about the same, or do differences come to personal preference? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/2 "2019-09-12T19:32:07Z")
The rump roast will be very lean. The chuck roasts will be fattier and more flavorful. Any of them will do in a slow cooker. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/3 "2019-09-12T19:37:57Z")
Another vote for chuck for the same reasons **Silenus** posts. Also, it falls apart easier. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/4 "2019-09-12T19:38:17Z")
I’d go with the chuck. Whichever one is fattier. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/5 "2019-09-12T19:45:13Z")
Did someone say Chuck? I’m now chuckdawrek. Can I eat at your house tonight? (Vote- don’t get the rump roast) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/6 "2019-09-12T21:11:10Z")
Like the aliens who visited Milwaukee in the 1950s: take the [chuck](https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ChuckCunninghamSyndrome). ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/7 "2019-09-12T21:26:54Z")
Obviously Chuck. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/8 "2019-09-12T21:48:10Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Obviously Chuck. 🙂 Yes, I’d go with chuck, as well. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/9 "2019-09-12T21:53:10Z")
Rump roast IMO also makes a good pot roast. You may or may not get a bit more usable meat than with the chuck. You might get a bit better flavor with the chuck, but if the rump is good quality meat it ought to taste fine. Throw a bay leaf in the pot (unless, of course, you don’t like bay leaf.) Whether the Angus is worth the extra price probably depends on your taste buds. There’s some flavor difference between breeds; not everyone notices it, and not everyone prefers the same one. If you’ve got the freezer space, get one of each and find out for yourself. Flavor’s also affected by diet and excercise. I’m going to guess that all of your options are feedlot beef; so you’ll be running near the bottom there (though not as close to the bottom as really bad pasture. Good pasture raised ought to have better flavor, though.) ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2019, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/10 "2019-09-12T21:56:59Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Obviously Chuck. Shouldn’t you be advocating for the other meats like those cows do in the Chick-fil-A commercials? “Eat mor rump!” ---
**Author:** ![Alpha\_Twit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alpha_twit/32/265_2.png) [@Alpha\_Twit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alpha_Twit)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/11 "2019-09-13T02:56:20Z")
Either will do quite well but you’re better off with the chuck. Rump is far easier to overcook into stringy nastiness while chuck is just about bulletproof with low, moist heat. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/12 "2019-09-13T15:44:22Z")
I use chuck, I cut out the biggest wad of fat, though. It’s fatty enough in the ‘lean’ part. A can of gravy, some red wine, some water, a bay leaf, pepper, a dash of A-1, a pinch of rosemary, maybe some onion or garlic, and the house smells divine. I have a de-fatter measuring cup somewhere that I pour the finished juice in, to get rid of an inch of melted tallow. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/13 "2019-09-13T15:53:44Z")
Unlike everybody else, I do not like fatty meat, regardless of the flavor argument. I buy a lean roast and then trim off as much fat as I can. My gf will sometimes collect the drippings to make gravy for her serving. ---
**Author:** ![PlumBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@PlumBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlumBob)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/14 "2019-09-13T15:57:36Z")
A chuck with well marbled fat every time. Bonus if you can get one with a bone attached. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/15 "2019-09-13T16:03:14Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Unlike everybody else, I do not like fatty meat, regardless of the flavor argument. I buy a lean roast and then trim off as much fat as I can. My gf will sometimes collect the drippings to make gravy for her serving. Do the two of you lick the platter clean? ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/16 "2019-09-13T16:06:32Z")
My husband also dislikes fat. I often get round for stew. > [@muldoonthief](#): > > Do the two of you lick the platter clean? Kinda, yes. We joke about that. And we pass a lot of foods back and forth at restaurants. And sometimes I’ll just take the fatty bit that he removed from his meat. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/17 "2019-09-13T16:08:03Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Unlike everybody else, I do not like fatty meat, regardless of the flavor argument. I buy a lean roast and then trim off as much fat as I can. My gf will sometimes collect the drippings to make gravy for her serving. Not everyone else! The point of slow cooking is that a lean cut that would otherwise be tough becomes soft. I personally don’t experience the fat as adding much flavor. I do like having a bone that I’ve broiled to brown goodness (and browning the beef too) along with my seasonings for that flavor element. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/18 "2019-09-13T16:20:22Z")
Classic mom recipe Chuck roast, Lipton soup mix, can condensed cream of mushroom soup and bay leaf. Recipe is on the Lipton soup mix box and has been used since the early 60’s. Very easy and works every time. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2019, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-kind-of-beef-for-a-slow-cooker-pot-roast/840120/19 "2019-09-13T16:31:27Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > Do the two of you lick the platter clean? We have dogs, so we are not given the option.🙂