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easy portuguese slow cooker pot roast (alcatra)

(1 rating)
Northwestgal avatar
Recipe by
Vickie Parks
@Northwestgal
Renton, WA

This is a Portuguese pot roast recipe called Alcatra. It's a traditional dish in Azorean cuisine, from Terceira Island off the west coast of Portugal. Azorean grass-fed cattle provide tasty natural beef, and the warm spices add an amazing rich flavor. It's a trusted recipe that usually pleases all, and it's one you'll be giving out the recipe to all who have the pleasure of sampling it.

(1 rating)
yield 8 to 10
prep time 30 Min
cook time 8 Hr
method Slow Cooker Crock Pot

Ingredients For easy portuguese slow cooker pot roast (alcatra)

  • 1/2 lb
    bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 1 lg
    onion, diced
  • 2
    bay leaves
  • 1 Tbsp
    whole allspice
  • 1/4 tsp
    ground cinnamon
  • 5
    whole cloves
  • 16
    peppercorns
  • 4 clove
    garlic, minced
  • 2 Tbsp
    tomato paste
  • 2 tsp
    salt
  • 1 tsp
    black pepper
  • 4 lb
    beef chuck roast or rump roast
  • 2 c
    red wine
  • 2 c
    water (or more, if needed)

How To Make easy portuguese slow cooker pot roast (alcatra)

  • 1
    In a large stock pot, add the bacon and fry over medium-high heat just until crisp.
  • 2
    Add the onion, bay leaves, allspice, cinnamon, cloves, peppercorns, garlic and tomato paste. Cook until onions are soft, about 10 minutes. Transfer the onion mixture to slow cooker.
  • 3
    Season the roast with salt and pepper, then cut the roast into medium-sized cubes. Place the roast chunks on top of the onion mixture in the slow cooker.
  • 4
    Add the wine and water to the stock pot, stirring to scrape up all of the browned bits on the bottom, and allow it to boil for 5 minutes. Pour the wine mixture over the roast, and top with the bacon. Add more water, if necessary.
  • 5
    Cover and set the slow cooker for about 8 hours. At the 4 hour mark, flip the roast over, cover and continue to cook another 4 hours or until thoroughly done.
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