Easy Instant Pot Pot Roast

Name: Easy Instant Pot Pot Roast
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 76 min
Ingredients: 3 pound chuck roast (boneless or bone in); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon minced garlic; 1 tablespoon tomato paste; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 2 cups beef broth; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes; 1 batch homemade onion soup mix (or 1 store bought packet); 1 pound carrots (cut into 2 inch pieces); 2½ pounds small creamer potatoes; 2 tablespoons corn starch; 2 tablespoons water

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This Easy Instant Pot Pot Roast dinner complete with tender veggies and gravy is the perfect family dinner. A flavorful one pot dinner that is sure to please everyone around the table.

Closer view of Instant Pot pot roast on oval serving platter with extra potatoes and carrots in bowl next to platter and bowl of gravy on other side of platter.

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Why We Love Instant Pot Pot Roast

Making a tender, fall apart roast has never been so easy. An easy recipe that makes the pressure cooker do all the work.
Family friendly dinner.
A complete one pot meal with beef, veggies and a flavorful gravy.
Any leftovers make the best shredded beef or smothered hot beef sandwiches.
An entire pot roast dinner done in 2 hours... yes please! That's a fraction of the time a classic pot roast takes in the oven or slow cooker.

Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe Ingredients

Substitution Suggestions:

Beef Chuck Roast: Chuck is the best cut of meat for pot roast because it falls apart so easily and stays moist thanks to all the fat marbling. You could use brisket, but that cut of beef is a lot more money. Top or bottom round roasts can also be used, but can get a little dry since they are leaner cuts of meat.
Olive Oil: Any neutral oil will work. Avocado, canola or vegetable oil can all be used. I use olive oil because I think it has the best flavor.
Homemade Onion Soup Mix: I like to use my own onion soup mix recipe, however you can use a store bough packet if that is easier for you.
Carrots: I like to use regular large carrots for this recipe because they stay more tender. If needed you can use already processed baby carrots, but they will turn out a bit more soft.
Creamer Potatoes: Baby red potatoes would also work well with this recipe. If you want to use russet potatoes or yukon golds, you'll need to cut them into about 1½ inch cubes so they don't get too mushy.

Straight top view of Instant Pot pot roast on oval platter with potatoes and carrots.

This pressure cooker pot roast recipe is a hearty meal and a great recipe to serve to the entire family.

How to Make Instant Pot Pot Roast

Set instant pot to the Sauté function and add olive oil.
Dry beef roast with paper towels and season both sides of the chuck roast with salt and pepper. If needed, cut the roast in half.
Once the pot is hot, add the beef and sear on both sides, about 3 minutes each side. Remove beef to clean plate.
Turn off the instant pot.
Add the minced garlic and tomato paste to the instant pot and sauté for about a minute until the garlic fragrant.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce and beef broth, scraping all the browned bits off the bottom of the pot.
Gently place beef back into the instant pot and sprinkle the top with dried thyme, dried parsley and onion soup mix.

Roast prepared in Instant Pot and ready to be cooked.

Secure the instant pot lid on and set the pressure valve to sealing position.
Select manual high pressure and set for 70 minutes.
When the cook time ends, let the instant pot do a 10 minute natural pressure release. Then carefully do a quick release.
Once the pin has dropped, carefully remove the lid and add the chopped carrots and baby potatoes on top of the roast.

Potatoes and carrots added on top of beef roast in instant pot.

Replace lid on pot, set valve to sealing and set it at high pressure for 6 minutes.
When the 6 minutes ends, carefully do a quick release.
After the pin has dropped, remove the lid and gently remove the carrots and potatoes to a bowl and the beef to a large plate. Leave all the cooking liquid and juices in the pot.
Set the instant pot to Sauté. Whisk together the cornstarch and water to make a cornstarch slurry.
Add the slurry to the juices in the pot and whisk well. Let it cook, whisking often, until the gravy has thickened. Turn instant pot off once thickened.
Shred the pot roast with two forks and serve with veggies and gravy.

Instant Pot pot roast being served wit large serving fork.

Can I Use Frozen Beef in this Recipe?

Yes! Since the roast is being cooked in the pressure cooker you can start with a frozen chuck roast. With a frozen roast you will not be able to sear it, but that's ok it will still end up a delicious pot roast. The cooking process is the same but the cooking time for the roast will need to be increased by 30 minutes.

Storing Leftovers

Any leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Might I add that the roast is even better the second and third day?!

Reheat the beef, veggies and gravy in the microwave until warmed through. Or you can heat them over low heat on the stove.

The leftover pot roast can also be frozen. Freeze individual portions of beef, veggies and gravy together in a freezer safe container. Freeze meals for up to 4 months. Thaw them overnight and reheat in the microwave or over low heat on the stove.

Tips for Instant Pot Pot Roast

If your roast is too big to lay flat on the bottom of the pot, cut it in half and sear it in batches. It won't affect the outcome of the roast.
Don't skip the searing. It adds so much flavor to the beef.
Let the instant pot do the natural release for 10 minutes. That time is necessary for fall apart tender beef.
Don't be tempted to add the vegetables in with the beef right away just to skip a step. The veggies will turn into mush and basically inedible.
If your roast is larger than 3-4 pounds, add 10 minutes per pound to the cook time of the roast.

Instant Pot pot roast potatoes and carrots in white round bowl.

FAQs About Instant Pot Pot Roast

How long should you cook a chuck roast in an Instant Pot?

A thawed 3-4 pound chuck roast will take 70 minutes at high pressure with a 10 minute natural pressure release. Any roast larger than 4 pounds add 10 minutes per pound to the cook time. This method has always worked well for me.

Why is my roast tough in Instant Pot?

Most common reason the roast is tough is because it wasn't cooked long enough. Follow the instructions on the recipe exactly so you get the best outcome. If the beef is still tough, add the lid back on to the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for an additional 10-20 minutes as well as allowing a 10 minute natural release.

Can you overcook roast in Instant Pot?

Yes, you can overcook roast in the Instant Pot. It will end up hard and dry if overcooked.

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

This is a personal preference. Pot roast in the crock pot is really tasty and convenient. However, you'll have to make the gravy on the stove. Pressure cooked pot roast is just as good and it can all be made in the same pot. Both are great options and both are delicious.

Instant Pot pot roast on oval serving plater with gravy over beef and serving fork on the side.

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