Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

The Juiciest Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe You’ll Ever Make

Tender, juicy beef transforms a simple dinner into a memorable meal with this incredible instant pot pot roast recipe.

Weeknight cooking just got easier with this foolproof method.

The pressure cooker works magic, breaking down tough meat fibers into melt-in-your-mouth deliciousness.

Rich beef broth and aromatic herbs infuse every bite with deep, comforting flavors.

Hearty vegetables mingle with succulent meat, creating a one-pot wonder that satisfies hungry families.

This recipe promises a delectable dinner that comes together quickly and tastes like it simmered all day.

You’ll love how effortlessly this pot roast delivers restaurant-quality results right in your kitchen.

Instant Pot Pot Roast: Cozy Comfort At Its Best

  • Conquer Comfort Cooking: Master a hearty one-pot meal that transforms tough meat into tender, mouthwatering perfection with minimal kitchen effort.
  • Customize Your Feast: Easily swap vegetables or herbs to match family preferences, making this recipe adaptable for picky eaters or seasonal ingredients.
  • Speed Up Dinner Magic: Leverage Instant Pot technology to deliver a traditionally slow-cooked meal in a fraction of the time, without sacrificing rich, deep flavors.
  • Nourish With Simplicity: Create a complete balanced meal with protein, vegetables, and savory broth all prepared simultaneously, reducing cleanup and maximizing nutrition.

All The Good Stuff For Instant Pot Pot Roast

Meat:
  • Chuck Roast: A flavorful and tender cut perfect for slow cooking and braising.
Aromatics:
  • Onions, Garlic: These ingredients provide a rich, deep flavor base for the pot roast.
Herbs and Seasonings:
  • Thyme, Rosemary: Classic herbs that add earthy and aromatic notes to the roast.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall taste of the dish.
Liquid and Flavor Enhancers:
  • Beef Broth: Creates a savory cooking liquid that keeps the meat moist and tender.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tangy and umami depth to the cooking liquid.
Vegetables:
  • Carrots, Potatoes: Hearty vegetables that cook alongside the roast, absorbing the delicious broth and providing a complete meal.
Oil:
  • Olive Oil: Used for browning the roast and creating a flavorful base in the Instant Pot.

Let’s Make That Pot Roast (Instant Pot Edition)

Step 1: Sear the Beef

Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using sauté mode.

Carefully place the roast into the hot oil and brown each side to develop a rich, caramelized exterior.

This technique locks in the meat’s delicious flavors and creates a beautiful golden crust.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

Remove the roast from the pot.

Toss in chopped onions and minced garlic, stirring until they become soft and translucent.

This builds a delicious foundation for the dish’s overall taste profile.

Step 3: Build the Braising Liquid

Add these ingredients to the pot:
  • Beef broth
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Fresh thyme
  • Fresh rosemary
  • Salt
  • Black pepper

Scrape the bottom of the pot to release all the flavorful browned bits, creating a deep, complex cooking liquid.

Step 4: Return Roast and Add Vegetables

Place the seared roast back into the Instant Pot.

Arrange these vegetables on top:
  • Whole carrots
  • Chunky potato pieces

Step 5: Pressure Cook the Roast

Secure the lid on the Instant Pot.

Set to high pressure and cook for one hour.

This ensures the meat becomes incredibly tender and infused with herbal aromatics.

Step 6: Release Pressure

Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes.

Then perform a quick release to finish the cooking process.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Slice the roast against the grain.

Plate with the soft, flavor-packed vegetables and ladle the rich braising liquid over the top.

Serve hot and savor the melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

Roast Like A Pro: Instant Pot Edition

  • Brown the roast thoroughly to develop a rich, caramelized exterior that locks in delicious taste and creates a beautiful golden crust.
  • Place potatoes and carrots on top of the roast to prevent overcooking and ensure they remain tender and perfectly cooked.
  • Select a well-marbled chuck roast or beef shoulder for maximum tenderness and rich flavor that breaks down beautifully during pressure cooking.
  • Use fresh thyme and rosemary sparingly to complement the beef's natural taste without overpowering the dish's overall flavor profile.
  • Allow a 10-minute natural pressure release to help the meat retain its moisture and become more tender before quick releasing the remaining pressure.

Mix Up Your Pot Roast: New Flavors To Try

  • Vegetarian Pot Roast: Replace beef roast with jackfruit or seitan, using vegetable broth for a plant-based alternative with similar texture and flavor profile.
  • Low-Sodium Version: Use low-sodium beef broth, eliminate added salt, and replace Worcestershire sauce with balsamic vinegar for depth without extra sodium.
  • Keto-Friendly Option: Swap potatoes with cauliflower chunks, use grass-fed beef roast, and add extra herbs like parsley for enhanced flavor while maintaining low-carb requirements.
  • Slow Cooker Adaptation: Follow same ingredient list but cook on low for 8-9 hours instead of pressure cooking, perfect for those without an Instant Pot.

Pot Roast On The Table: Serving Magic

  • Sunday Family Dinner: Gather loved ones around the table and enjoy this hearty pot roast as a comforting weekend meal centerpiece.
  • Rustic Plating Magic: Arrange sliced roast on a large wooden board, surrounded by colorful roasted vegetables, creating an inviting farmhouse-style presentation.
  • Gravy Lovers' Dream: Drizzle extra cooking broth over meat and vegetables, allowing guests to spoon rich, flavorful sauce directly onto their plates for extra moisture and taste.
  • Leftover Transformation: Shred remaining roast meat and use in sandwiches, tacos, or shepherd's pie the next day for a delicious meal remix.

Pot Roast Leftovers? Here’s How To Keep ‘Em Tasty

  • Store leftover pot roast in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring meat stays moist by covering with remaining broth.
  • Transfer pot roast to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
  • Place pot roast in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of beef broth to prevent drying. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel. Heat on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.

FAQs

  • What meat cuts work best for this pot roast?

Chuck roast or beef brisket are ideal because they have enough marbling and connective tissue to become tender during pressure cooking.

  • Can I use fresh herbs instead of dried?

Yes, use 3 times more fresh herbs compared to dried herbs, which means about 3 tablespoons of fresh thyme and rosemary instead of 1 tablespoon dried.

  • How do I prevent the meat from becoming tough?

Brown the meat first to seal in flavors, cook at high pressure, and allow natural pressure release to help break down tough muscle fibers and ensure a tender result.

  • Is an Instant Pot necessary for this recipe?

While an Instant Pot provides fastest results, you can adapt this recipe for slow cooker or Dutch oven by adjusting cooking times and liquid amounts.

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Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe

Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty instant pot pot roast brings classic comfort directly from grandma’s kitchen to modern dinner tables. Succulent beef, tender vegetables, and rich gravy create a satisfying meal you’ll savor with every delicious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Meat:

  • 3 to 4 pounds chuck roast

Vegetables:

  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 large carrots, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into quarters

Seasonings and Liquids:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons water

Instructions

  1. Activate Instant Pot’s sauté function and warm olive oil to create a golden sear on all surfaces of the roast, developing rich caramelized flavors.
  2. Transfer roast to a plate and quickly sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until they become translucent and fragrant.
  3. Pour beef broth into the pot, stirring in Worcestershire sauce, fresh thyme, rosemary, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper to lift any browned bits from the bottom.
  4. Carefully return the roast to the pot, then strategically arrange carrots and potatoes around and on top of the meat for even cooking.
  5. Secure the lid, ensuring the valve is set to sealing position, then pressure cook on high for precisely 60 minutes to tenderize the meat completely.
  6. After cooking completes, allow natural pressure release for 10 minutes, which helps maintain the roast’s moisture and tenderness.
  7. Gently release any remaining pressure, then carefully remove the roast and vegetables onto a serving platter, slicing against the grain for maximum tenderness.
  8. Spoon the aromatic cooking liquid over the meat and vegetables, creating a succulent presentation that captures all the developed flavors.

Notes

  • Enhance meat tenderness by selecting well-marbled chuck roast with good fat content for maximum flavor and juiciness.
  • Customize seasoning by experimenting with fresh herbs like oregano or adding smoked paprika for deeper taste complexity.
  • Reduce sodium by using low-sodium beef broth and controlling salt quantities for health-conscious individuals.
  • Adapt recipe for gluten-free diets by verifying Worcestershire sauce ingredients and using certified gluten-free versions.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 410 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 40 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Michael Reyes

Michael Reyes

Founder & Lead Recipe Developer

Expertise

  • Southwestern and Latin American cuisine
  • Developing easy single-serving recipes
  • Food styling and food photography

Education

Santa Fe Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts Certificate
  • Focus: Practical, hands-on learning in essential kitchen skills, including food safety, hygiene, knife techniques, and kitchen organization.

Michael’s love for cooking runs deep, rooted in the bold, colorful flavors of his New Mexico upbringing.
After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Santa Fe Community College, he spent years sharpening his skills in kitchens that celebrated traditional Southwestern and Latin American dishes.
He believes cooking should feel approachable and fun, never complicated. When he’s not stirring up new recipe ideas, Michael’s out hiking scenic trails, chatting with farmers at local markets, or chasing the perfect sunset shot for inspiration.

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