The Easy Hack For Pot Roast That Tastes Like It Cooked All Day In The Slow Cooker

Following the popularity of the Dutch oven in 19th century America came the upsurge in pot roast's popularity. Today, when Americans think of home, many will tell you about their Sunday pot roast meals with the whole family sitting at the dining table. The dish is prepared in a slow cooker for around eight to 10 hours, resulting in a fully tenderized and flavorful meat. But, believe it or not, cooking it in the slow cooker isn't a non-negotiable. You can ditch the slow cooker for a quicker way to make pot roast, or, you can follow an easy hack to make it taste like it was cooked all day in the slow cooker. All you need to do is wrap it in aluminum foil with generous seasoning and pop it in the oven. This versatile kitchen essential is made of metal, which makes it a good conductor of heat. By wrapping the dish with it, it helps keep the moisture and heat sealed in, which allows for a speedy process, without losing the succulent bite you'd want to achieve.

There has been speculation about aluminum foil's safety in cooking, as aluminum can transfer to your food due to high heat. However, the amount shouldn't be detrimental if used sparingly. As long as you don't use it in cooking every single day, and as long as you don't use it to cook acidic ingredients like tomatoes, it should generally be okay. For added peace of mind, avoid aluminum foil mistakes that compromise kitchen safety, including cooking at temperatures above 400 degrees Fahrenheit and using acidic and salty ingredients.

Cooking pot roast in the oven with aluminum foil shouldn't look that different from cooking it in the slow cooker, though, of course, the cooking time can vary greatly. Using an oven can take as little as three hours with the help of aluminum foil, but it still depends on the cut of the meat. While it will still take some time, it's still far quicker than the average slow cooker. And just like how any recipe starts, marinate the meat with your go-to seasonings for pot roast. You'd want it to soak up all the good stuff for a few hours, though some recipes skip this step and proceed to cook in the oven after seasoning. Whatever choice you fancy, tuck everything into a large aluminum foil pouch and make sure to fold the sides so all the sauces don't spill out. Place it atop a baking pan once it's all prepped and ready.

While both sides of the aluminum foil look different — one is shiny and the other is matte — it ultimately doesn't matter which side is on the inside or the outside because they're the same thing. It's just the result of how it's made. However, it's a different case if you have non-stick aluminum foil. Make sure to place the non-stick side inwards, which is usually the matte one, to avoid the food from adhering to the foil.