Here are the top best Shoulder roast crock pot recipe voted by readers and compiled by Family Cuisine, invite you to learn

This sluggish cooker beef shoulder roast recipe with pink wine mushroom sauce is big day fancy and weeknight dinner pleasant. It is a pot roast that all the time obtained prime scores at our meal meeting shops due to the AMAZING “gravy” that smothers fork-tender beef.

Sliced Beef Shoulder Roast with pink wine mushroom sauce poured excessive.

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!

Reading: Shoulder roast crock pot recipe

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.

Table of Contents

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.

Collage of predominant components: shoulder roast, mushrooms, pink wine, onion

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.

Hand holding knife reducing shiitake mushrooms.

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!

Spoonful of pink wine mushroom gravy being lifted out of serving bowl.

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!

Raw beef, mushooms and onions in crock-pot and a bowl with sauce pouring into it.

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.