This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Italian Red Wine Roast Beef slowly cooks in the crock-pot creating an unforgettable dinner with almost no effort at all.
This smells absolutely fantastic as it slowly cooks through the day.

Crockpot Roast Beef
I could hardly wait to taste this pot roast the first time I made it and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Seasoned with a light blend of Italian spices and then cooked in red wine, served with Baby Red Potatoes and Roasted Green Beans this roast is happily eaten by every member of the family.
I’ve been making this Red Wine Roast Beef for a few years now and it never fails to impress. This recipe was originally inspired by a recipe I found over at allrecipes.com. I’ve simplified it over time and the whole family enjoys it.
The aroma, while it cooks, is almost as amazing as the resulting meat. I could eat this roast beef every week all year long with no complaints.

Red Wine Roast Beef
What really makes this Italian roast beef recipe stand out is the red wine that it cooks in. I use a dry red like cabernet or a merlot to fill this roast with delicious flavor. (Not a big wine drinker? I buy these tiny bottles of wine and stash them in the pantry. I use one small bottle each time we make this roast recipe.)
The red wine gives this meat a whole extra dimension of taste. It tastes better than any roast beef I’ve had at a restaurant but is incredibly simple and easy to make. This is a standard dinner time main dish for us by now but we never ever get tired of eating it.
I first made this pot roast with red wine by baking it in the oven. The meat was perfectly tender and fell apart on the fork easily. I had a feeling the recipe would work well in the slow-cooker, too and I was right.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast with Red Wine
Making Italian roast beef in the crock-pot is incredibly easy and fills the house with an aroma that smells almost as good as the meat tastes. Aside from mixing the Italian spices and seasonings together in a small bow, the whole recipe comes together in just one pot.
After pouring the red wine over the beef, the whole thing cooks slowly for at least 8 hours or until the meat is easy to shred. Both the oven method and the slow cooker method taste delicious but I love getting this roast beef ready in the morning and letting it cook throughout the day in the crock-pot.
Whichever way you make this recipe, I know you won’t be disappointed.

By the time dinner time arrives, we’re all excited to sit down and finally eat the roast beef that we’ve been smelling all day long. Every single member of my family cleans their plate when this is on the menu.
The roast pairs well with so many different side dishes. We always enjoy it with a side of Rosemary Roasted Potatoes or Boiled Baby Red Potatoes. It would also be amazing with our favorite Garlic and Paprika Roasted Cauliflower or Roasted Broccoli.
Leftovers of this roast beef are great to have on hand, too. Enjoy the roast beef cold tossed into salads or stacked on juicy roast beef sandwiches. The meat is also delicious fried up with potatoes for a mouthwatering hash skillet.

Slow cookers or crockpots are an appliance of which I have more than one. If you are an avid slow cooker user like I am, you might understand the need for more than one. So, let’s talk about my favorites:
First up is this 6-quart slow cooker that has a locking lid. These crockpots are fantastic for transporting foods. Mine has gone everywhere from church potlucks to barbecues, game nights to Thanksgiving dinner. However, fair warning, these slow cookers run crazy hot. Low is closer to a boil than a simmer, the warm setting actually simmers. So trust me when I say HIGH is high.
My everyday slow cooker is this 8-quart Crockpot. It’s my go-to appliance for cooking large roasts and big batches of chili. Fun fact: did you know that a full 4-quart cooker, actually cooks more slowly than a half-full 8-quart cooker?
For just cooking a few pounds of chicken to shred for enchiladas or other smaller recipes, this 3-quart version is perfect.
Thanksgiving has become a breeze since I have mastered how to hold all of the side dishes using these medium-sized round slow cookers.
If you aren’t a fan of the idea of keeping more than one slow cooker in the house, these CrockPockets are a game-changer when it comes to preparing and holding multiple dishes at the same time. They slide into a standard 6-quart crockpot, dividing it into two sections that are perfect for serving different side dishes or keeping taco fillings warm for parties.

{Slow-Cooker} Italian Red Wine Roast Beef
Ingredients
- 2½ pounds beef round roast
- 1 small onion sliced thinly
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup red wine cabernet, merlot, or pinot noir work well
- 1 teaspoon basil
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon marjoram
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- Combine all the spices in a small bowl. Stir to combine and set aside. Place the roast in the bottom of a crockpot or dutch oven. Sprinkle the spices all over the roast, turning to coat thoroughly. Top the roast with the onions and pour the wine and water into the bottom of the pot.
Crockpot Directions
- Cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the meat is falling apart. When the meat is done cooking, shred gently and then toss in the juices to keep it moist.
Oven Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Cover the roast and bake for 3 hours. Check the meat and if it needs more liquid, add a bit more water.
- Cook another hour or so, until the meat is falling apart. When the meat is done cooking, shred gently and then toss in the juices to keep it moist.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally posted 2/9/12 – photos and recipe notes updated 8/9/22}














One of my favourite recipes for a few years now. There's enough where the two of us have the beef with a tomato-y risotto for night one, and then the rest of it makes great shredded beef tacos or enchiladas when you add in some mexican seasoning the next night. And so easy- no mess at all to clean up after dinner!
I attempted the oven method and it came out tough and dry. Not sure where I went wrong. Placed the meat in a glass baking dish and poured liquid ingredients around it. Roasted at 350 for 3 hours then added about 1/4 cup more of water and a splash of wine and let it roast another hour at 350.
I've never used a glass baking dish for roasting like this. I typically use a dutch oven or heavy pot with a lid. How were you covering it?
I made this last night, as I knew I was going to be out of my apartment for 11 hours. IT WAS AMAZING. I prepped the night before (which took 5 minutes), so the beef marinated in the wine, water, spices overnight. I put it on low for 10 hours and it switched to warm after 10 hours. It was so tender and delicious. I want to make it a staple!
Sounds like a good old fashioned Sunday dinner of my childhood (minus the crockpot) Am heading to the store for the roast and plan to make this tomorrow.
Can't wait to taste it ! Thanks for sharing !
Which cut of meat specifically should I use? Top round? Bottom round? Eye of round?
I tend to use bottom round, but a chuck roast will work fine as well.
Thanks!
I tested this recipe twice before hosting a dinner party and serving. The best result was when I seared the meat on the stove w/ the seasonings massaged in … before dropping into the crockpot. Delicious recipe! Thank you!
I've had the best luck with bottom round. I can never seem to find a piece without that big hunk of fat on one side. Lemons to lemonade, I just make sure to put it in fat side up. Ends up making the roast extra juicy! I also toss in mushrooms to cook along side the roast. If you're a fan of mushrooms I highly recommend it! They turn out amazing!
This is our "go to" meal. And it smells heavenly while it is cooking.
Can you add carrots and potatoes and if so, for how long?
I've never cooked this with carrots and potatoes. It should work, but you'll want to add them towards the end of the cooking time, not at the start.
What would you serve for sides with this?
I typically serve this with mashed potatoes and either a salad or roasted vegetables. Enjoy!
The BEST roast EVER!! I don’t feel the need to ever try another recipe😀 I use the oven roasting method…because I enjoy basting and coddling it along the way. Lol. Thank you for sharing this!!
I am thrilled that you enjoyed it! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Am I reading this right? 8-10 hrs.in a crockpot & then 3 or so hrs.more in the oven? I’ve never made anything like this so Id. Will the meat not dry up?
You can cook the roast in the crock-pot OR in the oven. Directions for both methods are included with the recipe. Enjoy!
Love this reciepy/