Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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This Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe is quick to prep and just as delicious as a classic recipe. Chuck roast, red wine, carrots, potatoes, broth, and just a few other ingredients cook in a pressure cooker for an easy and comforting dinner. It’s the best meal for cozy nights!

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Table of Contents

What’s in this Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe

Making a classic pot roast in a pressure cooker is so easy thanks to quick prep time. A comforting dinner will be ready in no time!

  • Chuck Roast: Look for chuck roast, shoulder steak, boneless chuck roast, chuck shoulder pot roast, chuck seven-bone pot roast, or beef chuck arm.
  • Broth: Use beef or chicken broth.I use low-sodium, but that’s up to you.
  • Red Wine: Use a dry red wine, like a Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Carrots: Cut into 2-inch pieces.
  • Garlic: Everything needs a little garlic!
  • Onions: Peel and cut onions into quarters. Sweet yellow onions work best.
  • Spices: Use smoky or sweet paprika (whichever you prefer), and some salt and pepper.
  • Herbs: Fresh rosemary and thyme adds the best flavor to pot roast.

Can I add carrots and potatoes to this easy pot roast?

There are some carrots in the pot roast, but you can add more vegetables to fill out your meal if you like. Add more carrots and onions, along with potatoes, to cook directly on top of the pot roast in the pressure cooker.

Instructions are included in the recipe card, but it’s as simple as throwing them in the Instant Pot along with everything else!

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How long do you cook pot roast in an Instant pot?

The roast will take about 55 minutes to cook in the pressure cooker, but you will need to allow time for the pressure release and some prep beforehand.

What is the best cut of beef for a pot roast?

Tougher cuts of meat are best for pot roast, because it will break down the longer it cooks, and become incredibly tender and juicy. I recommend using chuck roast, or you can use round cuts (like rump roast).

What’s the best Instant Pot for this pot roast?

If cooking for a family of 4, I think the 6 quart is more than big enough, but I recommend getting an 8 quart for regular use.

How do you make gravy for the pot roast?

The easiest option is to use an immersion blender, so you can simply puree any leftovers directly in the bottom of the pot. Otherwise, pour into a high-power blender and puree.

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How to Store and Reheat Pressure Cooker Pot Roast

Store pot roast, gravy, and vegetables in airtight container. I recommend storing the gravy separately. Keep everything in the refrigerator up to 4 days.

You can reheat everything in the microwave, oven, or stove top.

How to Freeze Leftover Roast

Let leftovers cool to room temperature, then store in freezer-safe containers up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

What to Serve with Instant Pot Roast

This dish is filled with juicy beef and hearty vegetables, so you have pretty filling dinner as is. I always serve it along with some bread, like cheddar bay biscuits or just crusty pieces of French bread or sourdough. If you’re skipping the potatoes in the Instant Pot, make these creamy mashed potatoes instead. And for an extra cozy meal, start with this flavorful mushroom soup.

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Recipe

Easy Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

4.48 from 260 votes

Author: Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 1 hour hour 20 minutes minutes

Total: 1 hour hour 35 minutes minutes

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Serves4

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Cooking pot roast in an Instant Pot is so easy, and it gives you the most deliciously juicy beef.

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Ingredients

For Cooking the Roast:

  • 3 pounds chuck roast
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoky or sweet paprika
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 large sweet yellow onions peeled & quartered
  • 3 large carrots washed & cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 2 garlic cloves peeled & halved
  • 1 cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth
  • 1 cup red wine
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme

If adding Root Vegetables as a Side Dish:

  • 1- pound Baby Dutch Yellow or Baby Red potatoes
  • 3 large carrots washed
  • 1 large sweet yellow onion peeled & quartered

Instructions

  • Set Instant Pot to “Sauté”.

  • Sprinkle both sides of the pot roast with salt, black pepper and paprika and set aside.

    3 pounds chuck roast, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon smoky or sweet paprika

  • Add oil and butter to the Instant Pot. When the oil is hot and has a shimmer, use tongs to add the roast (resist the urge to flip it for 3-4 minutes). The roast should have a beautiful golden brown sear. Turn the roast over and sear it on the opposite side. Transfer the roast to a plate.

    2 tablespoons canola oil, 2 tablespoons butter

  • Add the quartered onion and carrots. Cook 3-4 minutes or until vegetables begin to caramelize and brown. Add garlic and sear for 30 seconds.

    1 large sweet yellow onions, 3 large carrots, 2 garlic cloves

  • Slowly add the broth (deglaze) while scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spatula.

    1 cup low-sodium beef or chicken broth

  • Place the Instant Pot trivet over the vegetable/broth mixture and set the Instant Pot to “Pressure Cook or Manual” on HIGH and set for 55 minutes.

  • Place the roast in the Instant Pot on top of the trivet.

  • Place the rosemary and thyme sprigs on the roast.

    2 sprigs fresh rosemary, 2 sprigs fresh thyme

  • If adding root vegetables (to eat as a side) place them on the top of the roast and sprinkle with additional kosher salt and pepper.

    1- pound Baby Dutch Yellow or Baby Red potatoes, 3 large carrots, 1 large sweet yellow onion

  • Pour the wine over the vegetables and roast.

    1 cup red wine

  • Place the lid on the pot and turn to LOCK position. Set the vent to the SEALED position.

  • When the cooking time is done, allow the Instant Pot to natural release. This will take about 10 minutes. When the float valve (red valve) drops, it is safe to open the lid.

  • Transfer the root vegetables to a platter, and (carefully) remove the roast by the handles of the trivet. Discard the herb sprigs and transfer the roast to the platter with the vegetables. Cover the platter with foil to keep the food warm.

  • Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté”.

  • To make the gravy, use an immersion (or hand) blender to purée the liquid and vegetables in the bottom of the pot. (If an immersion blender isn’t available, carefully purée the mixture in a regular blender, in batches.) If needed, season the gravy with salt & pepper, and cook the gravy for 3-5 minutes or until it thickens a little.

  • While the gravy thickens, use a fork to remove excess fat from the roast and the divide the roast into large chunks, for serving. Quarter the carrots.

  • Serve the root vegetables and roast with the hot gravy.

  • Enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 931kcal (47%) Carbohydrates: 36g (12%) Protein: 70g (140%) Fat: 52g (80%) Saturated Fat: 21g (131%) Cholesterol: 249mg (83%) Sodium: 1092mg (47%) Potassium: 2187mg (62%) Fiber: 6g (25%) Sugar: 7g (8%) Vitamin A: 15790IU (316%) Vitamin C: 33.1mg (40%) Calcium: 122mg (12%) Iron: 8.8mg (49%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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More Roast Recipes We Love

  • Red Wine Pot Roast
  • Slow Cooker Pot Roast
  • Mississippi Roast
  • Prime Rib Roast

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FAQs

Why is my pot roast still tough in the Instant Pot? ›

If it's still tough, you will need to cook it longer. The pressure cooking process breaks down tough meat, making it tender. Put the lid back on, seal the pressure cooker, and cook at high pressure for another 10 to 20 minutes.

Can you overcook a pot roast in an Instant Pot? ›

If your roast is tough in the Instant Pot, it likely needs to be cooked longer. Chuck roast will become more tender the longer it cooks, so extra time may be needed. However, you can overcook beef in the Instant Pot, so keep an eye on it if you add extra time.

Is it better to slow cook or pressure cook a chuck roast? ›

Some people prefer a roast that has more substance, so if you do, the Instant Pot is the winner. I have tried cooking a roast for up to 120 minutes in the Instant Pot and the texture still didn't match a slow cooker, but every 10 minutes of added pressure cooking will definitely make the meat more tender.

Does pot roast get more tender the longer you cook it? ›

Yes, pot roast absolutely becomes more tender the longer it cooks. Roasts are generally made from tougher cuts of meat, such as chuck or brisket, which contain a lot of collagen, connective tissue, and fat. These tougher tissues require a long cooking time to break down and for the collagen to converts into gelatin.

What happens if you pressure cook a roast too long? ›

Unfortunately, once you overcook a piece of meat in the pressure cooker, there's no going back. You'll be left with a pile of dry, crunchy, tasteless fibers and no amount of additional pressure cooking is going to put that moisture back into the meat. Earlier, I explained how ingredient size affects the cooking time.

Why is my roast still tough after 7 hours? ›

There are several reasons why this could have happened even after so much cooking. First, your choice of a rump roast could be a factor since cuts from the hind quarter are very muscular and, since muscles are the most resistant to breaking, this cut is quite stubborn when it comes to becoming tender.

How much water do I put in my Instant Pot for a roast? ›

The key here is to give it a good start at high pressure and then let the roast cook low and slow as the pressure naturally releases. Remember to add the broth. The Instant Pot won't come to pressure without a bit of liquid. We found 1 cup was just enough to avoid stewing the beef.

Does meat need to be covered with liquid in Instant Pot? ›

While you may cover meat almost completely for a conventional braise, use just enough liquid for the cooker to reach pressure – during pressure cooking the meat will release it's own juice and braise in that flavorful liquid, instead. DO use fresh herbs.

Should Instant Pot roast be fat side up or down? ›

..and place the roast on top of the trivet, fatty side-up (this will allow the juices from the fat to coarse through the meat as it cooks). Top it off with some big, beautiful, sliced Portobello mushrooms. Than take some beef broth and pour it over everything in the pot…

Can you soften tough meat in an Instant Pot? ›

The pressure cooker can tenderize the most stubborn cut of meat and turn tough chewy fibers into gelatin, but a few wrong moves can turn meat into a shriveled tasteless lump. Here are my do's and don'ts for getting the most flavor out of your pressure cooked meat.

How do you soften a tough pot roast? ›

Cook it low and slow with some liquid.

Simmering helps break down the connective tissue. Connective tissue breaks down to collagen. Collagen tenderizes, and adds flavor and juiciness to the roast.

Why is my stew meat tough in Instant Pot? ›

The Secret to Super Tender Beef

The best way to ensure your beef is tender in your Instant Pot stew is to braise it (aka pan sear it first, then let it stew). Braising turns tough cuts of beef into tender, fall-apart bites. But skip the pre-cut stew beef.

Why is my beef still tough after slow cooking? ›

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

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