beef pot roast instant pot recipes
Beef Pot Roast Instant Pot Recipes
Imagine coming home after a long day and finding a hearty beef pot roast ready to serve in under an hour. Using an Instant Pot makes this possible, turning tough cuts of meat into tender, flavorful dishes. You’ll find that with just a few ingredients and some easy steps, you can create a comforting meal for your family. Curious about how to get started and what makes this method so effective?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
When you try an Instant Pot beef pot roast recipe, you’ll quickly discover how convenient and delicious it can be. You’ll love the fast cooking time, often taking under an hour from start to finish.
With just 10 to 20 minutes of prep, it’s a quick meal option that fits into any busy schedule. This recipe is adaptable too, allowing you to use various beef cuts like chuck or brisket. Tough cuts like chuck roast are ideal for optimal tenderness.
You’ll enjoy a balanced meal packed with protein, potassium, and iron, all cooked in one pot with potatoes and vegetables. Plus, the pressure cooking guarantees tender beef and rich gravy, infused with deep flavors from herbs and spices.
It’s a complete meal that’s satisfying and easy to make!
History
Pot roast has a rich history that blends various cultural traditions and cooking methods. Its origins include French boeuf à la mode and German sauerbraten, alongside influences from Ashkenazi meat stews. The American version often features slow-cooked beef with vegetables like carrots and potatoes, using tougher cuts of meat that become tender through cooking. Traditional recipes often call for chuck steak or bottom round. Over time, pot roast has developed regional variations, such as Mississippi Pot Roast, which includes ranch seasoning and pepperoncini. Modern techniques, like using an Instant Pot, have simplified the cooking process, resulting in succulent, fall-apart flavor. Pot roast remains a beloved comfort food, often served at gatherings, reflecting its significance in many cultures and families.
Recipe
Ingredients:
– 3-5 pound boneless beef chuck roast
– 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
– 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
– 2 tablespoons seasoning salt
– 1 teaspoon garlic powder
– 1 teaspoon onion powder
– 1 teaspoon pepper
– 2-3 carrots, chopped
– 2-3 potatoes, chopped
– 1 onion, sliced
– 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
– Cooking oil for sautéing
– Optional: tomato paste or red wine, smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary
Cooking Instructions:
- Start by seasoning the beef chuck roast with a mixture of seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Make sure to coat the roast evenly on all sides.
- Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and add a splash of cooking oil. Once hot, sear the roast on all sides until it’s browned. This should take about 4-5 minutes per side.
- After searing, remove the roast and add sliced onions and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Return the roast to the pot and pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. If desired, add tomato paste or red wine for additional flavor.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting. For a 3-5 pound thawed roast, cook on high pressure for 60-80 minutes. For a frozen roast, increase the time by 20-30 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, allow for a natural release for 10-15 minutes before switching to a quick release to let out any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the roast from the pot and shred it with two forks. Strain the broth using a handheld strainer to remove any bits and pieces.
- To make the gravy, whisk together water and cornstarch, then stir it into the boiling broth until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Serve the shredded roast with the carrots and potatoes, drizzling the thickened gravy over the top. Instant Pot facilitates easy meal preparation for busy lifestyles.
Extra Tips:
For the most flavorful pot roast, allow it to marinate in the seasoning for a few hours or overnight if time permits.
Additionally, if you prefer more tender vegetables, consider adding them to the pot after the roast has finished cooking to prevent them from becoming too soft.
Finally, feel free to customize the recipe by adding your favorite herbs or vegetables for a personalized touch!
Final Thoughts
Although preparing a beef pot roast in an Instant Pot is straightforward, it offers a delicious and hearty meal that suits various tastes and dietary needs.
You’ll appreciate how quick the cooking time is, often under two hours, including prep. With the option to add different vegetables, like carrots and potatoes, you can easily customize your dish. Additionally, each serving is a good source of protein, providing 63% of the Daily Value.
The Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process, meaning less effort and cleanup for you. Don’t forget to sear the beef beforehand for extra flavor!
Using beef broth for deglazing enhances taste, while a touch of cornstarch thickens the gravy. Plus, many recipes are dairy and gluten-free, making them suitable for a variety of diets.
Enjoy the flexibility and convenience of this meal!
FAQ
When you’re new to making beef pot roast in an Instant Pot, you might’ve some questions about the process.
First, if your roast is thawed, plan for 60-80 minutes on high pressure, depending on its size. For frozen roasts, add 20-30 minutes. Remember to seal the vent for pressure cooking and perform a natural release for 10-15 minutes afterward.
For seasoning, rub your roast with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Instant Pot cooking reduces the preparation time significantly while still delivering tender meat.
Searing the roast on all sides before cooking enhances flavor, so don’t skip that step. You can add potatoes and carrots with the roast or cook them separately afterward.
Finally, feel free to experiment with different vegetables and seasoning blends for variety.

Beef Pot Roast Instant Pot Recipes
Ingredients
- Ingredients:
- - 3-5 pound boneless beef chuck roast
- - 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- - 2 tablespoons seasoning salt
- - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- - 1 teaspoon onion powder
- - 1 teaspoon pepper
- - 2-3 carrots chopped
- - 2-3 potatoes chopped
- - 1 onion sliced
- - 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- - Cooking oil for sautéing
- - Optional: tomato paste or red wine smoked paprika, thyme, rosemary
Instructions
- Cooking Instructions:
- Start by seasoning the beef chuck roast with a mixture of seasoning salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper. Make sure to coat the roast evenly on all sides.
- Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function and add a splash of cooking oil. Once hot, sear the roast on all sides until it's browned. This should take about 4-5 minutes per side.
- After searing, remove the roast and add sliced onions and minced garlic to the pot. Sauté until the onions are translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Return the roast to the pot and pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. If desired, add tomato paste or red wine for additional flavor.
- Close the lid, set the valve to sealing, and select the Manual or Pressure Cook setting. For a 3-5 pound thawed roast, cook on high pressure for 60-80 minutes. For a frozen roast, increase the time by 20-30 minutes.
- Once the cooking time is up, allow for a natural release for 10-15 minutes before switching to a quick release to let out any remaining pressure.
- Carefully remove the roast from the pot and shred it with two forks. Strain the broth using a handheld strainer to remove any bits and pieces.
- To make the gravy, whisk together water and cornstarch, then stir it into the boiling broth until thickened. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
- Serve the shredded roast with the carrots and potatoes, drizzling the thickened gravy over the top. Instant Pot facilitates easy meal preparation for busy lifestyles.