Pot Roasts Are Even Better With This Pantry Staple Ingredient

Pot roasts are practically a staple for many households — whether it is a Sunday night family dinner favorite or a crockpot fix for a busy weeknight meal, pot roast is a one-and-done dish that is easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Simply add your meat and all your ingredients to a crockpot, turn it on, and enjoy the incredible aroma while it cooks. But if you want a pot roast that really brings the flavor to your dinner table, head to your pantry to up your game by adding some apple cider vinegar to your recipe.

Apple cider vinegar is known for its nutritional benefits, but it is also known for its strong flavor. Derived from apples, it is tart and acidic by itself. But when you mix it with other ingredients, that sharpness is toned down to a sweet flavor that helps mellow the strong, sometimes-gamey taste of some meats, like pork. Paired with classic pot roast ingredients like olive oil, onions, garlic, salt, and pepper, along with whatever additional herbs and spices that suit your tastebuds, the apple cider vinegar will add a fruity zing to your meal. The key is to avoid overdoing it, since too much of this good stuff will leave you with mushy meat, instead of the tender, pull-apart meat you are looking for in a perfect pot roast. 1 to 2 tablespoons will give you the sweet flavor enhancing benefits of apple cider vinegar while still letting it work its magic while the meat slowly cooks.

You might be tempted to clean your kitchen with apple cider vinegar (there are definitely better vinegar options for cleaning in your pantry), but this stuff should be reserved for adding taste and nutrients to your meals and beverages. It will make a homemade ketchup pop or create an aromatic bouquet for smothered pork chops. It also has the added bonus of allowing you to skip much of the prep needed to get a tender, juicy pot roast. Simply mix all the ingredients together (making sure not to forget that apple cider vinegar) and add it to the crockpot along with the meat. No need to marinate the meat ahead of time.

Apple cider vinegar achieves this effect because of its acidic nature. While the meat is slowly cooking, the vinegar breaks down the fibers, tenderizing the meat and releasing more flavor. This is especially beneficial in tough cuts of meat, like chuck roast, which is a great choice for pot roast. A rich piece of meat probably isn't the only thing you'll have in your crockpot on pot roast day — you'll probably be adding vegetables like carrots and potatoes for a more balanced meal. Although these ingredients are classic pairings that are well-known for going well together, adding apple cider vinegar will only enhance the balance of flavors by creating harmony between the earthy-tasting veggies like potatoes and sweeter veggies like carrots. Combine that with the rich flavors of the meat that the vinegar will draw out, and you'll have an irresistible pot roast on your hands come dinner time.