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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Instant Pot Beef

    Instant Pot Beef Pot Roast – Complete Guide

    Published: Nov 9, 2021 by Susie Weinrich · This post may contain affiliate links. 2 Comments

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    Instant Pot Beef Pot Roast is an excellent family dinner. Beef chuck roast turns out juicy, tender and super flavorful in the Instant Pot. Then the veggies and gravy cook in that same pot. You will have the pickiest eaters licking their plate.

    Instant Pot Pot Roast on a plate with potatoes and carrots

    To make this in your oven pop over to this recipe for Beef Pot Roast with Gravy. Or if you love this Instant Pot Roast recipe, try this Instant Pot Pork Roast with Veggies & Gravy next.

    Why It’s SO Good

    There are a lot of Instant Pot Pot Roast recipes around, you will find that this one gives you all the tips and tricks to make it the very best:

    • If you have time, let your chuck roast set at room temp for about 30 minutes. This is called tempering and is a great way to have really flavorful beef.
    • Searing the beef after seasoning makes a really flavorful crust that everyone will rave about.
    • Adding onion powder to the initial seasoning adds depth of flavor in this recipe.
    • Cooking the veggies in a “second cook” makes sure your veggies are not turned to mush.
    • Fresh herbs, rosemary and bay leaves, flavors the gravy so much more than dried herbs will.

    What is Beef Pot Roast

    Some people think that “pot roast” always refers to beef. However that is not the case. Pot Roast actually means that it is slow roasted in a heavy pot, usually in the oven, as in the case of my Chicken Pot Roast.

    But a “Beef Pot Roast” is obviously beef, usually chuck roast or round roast. It is generally slow braised with some broth and surrounded by herbs, potatoes, carrots, onions and sometimes mushrooms.

    a close up of pot roast,cooked carrots and mashed potatoes

    In this recipe we are braising a little faster with the help of pressure and steam in the Instant Pot (Electric Pressure Cooker).

    Ingredients

    Pictured are the ingredients you need to make Instant Pot Beef Pot Roast, plus some tips on a few key ingredients:

    Ingredients for Instant Pot Pot Roast with text labels

    Potatoes – you can use Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes.

    Russets will hold up a little better to the pressure cooker, but Yukon golds soak up the cooking liquid.

    Carrots – make sure to cut your carrots a little bigger (about 2 inches) so they do not over cook.

    Mushrooms – we like a Baby Bella Mushroom for this recipe as they have a stronger earthy flavor that holds up to the beef and gravy. However, you can use button mushrooms if that is what you have or prefer.

    Cut really large mushrooms in half, but the smaller ones can stay whole to stand up to the pressure cooker.

    Chuck Roast

    Chuck Roast is a cut of beef that is traditionally used for Beef Pot Roast. It is cut from the shoulder and is known for its rich beefy flavor. It is a tougher cut that does well being slow roasted or braised.

    raw beef chuck roast
    Image credit – Beef It’s What’s For Dinner

    When picking a chuck roast you want one that is a nice red color with some marbling.

    Cook Times for Chuck Roast in Instant Pot

    It is recommended that you cook your fresh chuck roast for 20 minutes per pound in the Instant Pot. Most chuck roasts weight between 3-5 lbs..

    Chuck Roast in Instant Pot

    Time to set your Instant Pot to cook your Instant Pot Beef Pot Roast, all of these times will be followed by a 10 minute natural release, then a quick release.

    2.5 lbs. = 50 mins.

    3 lbs. = 60 mins.

    3.5 lbs. = 70 mins.

    4 lbs. = 80 mins.

    No matter what size your chuck roast is you will want to do a 10 minute natural release at the end of the cook time. This is a “resting” period for the meat before you do a quick release.

    Avoiding the Burn Warning

    You should not have troubles with the burn warning in this recipe, there is plenty of liquid to protect the bottom of the pot.

    However, you will want to make sure you FULL DEGLAZE the bottom of the pot when you pour in the beef broth. Leaving any bits on the bottom may trigger the burn notice.

    Step by Step Picture Instructions

    Follow these steps for the Best Instant Pot Beef Pot Roast!

    • Pat the roast dry and season all sides with salt, pepper and onion powder.
    • Sear on sauté mode, in oil, in the Instant Pot. About 7 mins. per side. Remove to a plate.
    • chuck roast seasoned with salt, pepper and onion powder
    • a chuck roast that is seared with a nice crust
    • Add more oil and sauté the onions, garlic and celery for a minute.
    • Pour in the beef broth and fully deglaze the bottom of the pot.
    • Stir in the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, rosemary, and bay leaves.
    • Add the chuck roast and any juices back to the pot.
    • Lock the lid in place and set to cook on manual/pressure setting for 20 minutes per pound.
    • Do a 10 minute natural release, then finish with a quick release.
    • celery, onion and garlic in the instant pot
    • beef broth with onions, celery and garlic in the instant pot
    • seared chuck roast in the Instant Pot

    Veggies

    • Remove the roast from the pot and set aside, cover with foil to keep warm.
    • Place all the veggies in the pot – potatoes first, then carrots and top with mushrooms.
    • Lock the lid in place and set to cook on manual/pressure setting for 5 minutes.
    • Do a quick release. Spoon the veggies to a serving plate.
    • potatoes, carrots and mushrooms in a bowl
    • cooked potatoes, carrots and mushrooms in the Instant Pot

    Gravy

    • Strain the remaining liquid and then pour back into the pot.
    • Turn on sauté mode. Add the flour/butter mixture and whisk in to make the gravy.
    • It will thicken as it simmers.

    Serving

    Pot Roast is such a classic Sunday Family Dinner! Serve your roast sliced or pulled into tender chunks then drizzle with gravy. Serve with potatoes, mushrooms and carrots on the side.

    Dinner rolls and butter are a great accompaniment too. Any of these dishes would also make a great side to Instant Pot Pot Roast:

    • Easy Jiffy Corn Casserole
    • Broccoli Bacon Salad
    • Homemade Creamed Corn
    • Oven Roasted Asparagus
    • Easy Oven Roasted Fennel
    • Sautéed Green Beans with Garlic

    Storing

    Store leftover Pot Roast, veggies and gravy in the fridge, in a covered container for up to 5 days.

    gravy being poured over beef pot roast and veggies

    Tips for the Best Pot Roast

    • Dry your chuck roast with some paper towels before seasoning and searing. By removing the moisture content you will get a better sear/crust.
    • Use all the salt, pepper and onion powder to season the roast, it sears into the crust and creates a ton of flavor!
    • Don’t skimp on the searing…7 minutes will feel like forever, but it creates the most beautiful crust.
    • Use fresh herbs! The dried stuff will not give you the same punch of flavor.
    • Taste the gravy before serving, you may want more salt, pepper, Worcestershire or balsamic. Season to your taste!

    More Instant Pot Chuck Roast Recipes

    • Instant Pot Shredded BBQ Beef
    • Instant Pot Beef Ragu
    • Instant Pot Italian Beef

    Susie Weinrich washing produce

    Did you make this recipe?!

    If you make this recipe I would love to hear your review. Pop down to the comment section and connect with me.

    Then sign up for our Weekly Newsletter so you never miss a new recipe!

    Rate This Recipe

    Instant Pot Beef Pot Roast Recipe

    An excellent recipe and guide to making the best Beef Pot Roast in your Instant Pot, as well as potatoes, carrots, mushrooms and gravy for serving!
    5 from 4 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved to Grow
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 1 hour
    Pressure and Release Time: 20 minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 648kcal
    Author: Susie Weinrich

    Equipment

    • Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker

    Ingredients

    • 3 lb. beef chuck roast
    • 2 tsp. Kosher salt
    • 1 tsp. ground black pepper
    • 1 tsp. onion powder
    • 3 Tbsp. Olive oil – divided
    • 1 Large white onion chopped 1 inch pieces
    • 1 cup chopped celery chopped 1 inch pieces
    • 3 cloves garlic rough chop
    • 1 ¼ cup beef broth or stock (see notes)
    • 1 Tbsp. Tomato Paste
    • 1 Tbsp. Balsamic Vinegar
    • 1 Tbsp. Worcestershire Sauce
    • 1 tsp. fresh rosemary leaves removed from woody stem
    • 2 bay leaves
    • 6 large carrots peeled and cut into 2-3 inch chunks
    • 8 oz pkg whole baby bella mushrooms half the large ones, leave the smaller ones whole
    • 1.5 lbs Russet or Yukon Gold Potatoes (see notes)

    Beurre Maine for Gravy (Thickener)

    • 1 Tbsp. butter at room temperature
    • 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you are cooking!

    Instructions

    • Take your chuck roast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temp for 30-45 minutes. **Only if you have time, this step is not totally necessary.
      This is called tempering your beef and will create a more beautiful crust on the outside and help it cook more evenly.
    • Turn the Instant Pot Sauté Function on and add 2 tablespoon oil. Let the Instant Pot heat up for approx. 5 minutes or until it registers “Hot”.
    • Meanwhile, pat the chuck roast dry with a paper towels. Mix together the salt, pepper and onions powder. Then sprinkle on all sides of the roast.
    • Add the seasoned roast to your hot Instant Pot and sear for 7 minutes – a deep brown crust will form (do not move the roast around during this process). Turn the roast over and sear the other side for another 7 minutes.
    • Remove the roast to a plate.
    • Add the remaining 1 Tbsp. olive oil to the pot. Add the onions, celery and garlic and sauté for 2 minutes.
    • Add the beef broth to the pot and completely deglaze by scraping off all of the browned bits from the bottom.
      Burn Notice – by completely deglazing the bottom of the pot you will prevent the burn notice!
    • Whisk in the tomato paste, balsamic vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and add in the rosemary and bay leaves.
    • Add the roast back into the pot along with any accumulated juices.
    • Place the lid on the Instant Pot, set the valve to the sealing position. Turn the Instant Pot on to Manual Pressure Cook setting and set the time for 20 minutes per pound.
      2.5 lbs. – 50 minutes
      3 lbs. – 60 minutes
      3.5 lbs. – 70 minutes
    • Once the cooking time is up, let it natural release for 10 minutes then do a quick release. When the pressure has fully released, open the lid and remove the roast to a plate and tent with foil to keep it warm.

    Potatoes, Carrots, and Mushrooms

    • Add the veggies to the Instant Pot in this order… adding the potatoes first, then the sliced carrots, and top with the mushrooms
    • Close the lid and set the vent to sealing position. Turn the Instant Pot on to Manual Pressure Cook setting and set the time for 5 minutes.
    • When time is up do a quick release.
    • Use a slotted spoon and carefully remove the veggies to a serving plate. Season with salt and pepper.

    Gravy/Sauce

    • In a small bowl mash together the 1 tablespoon softened butter and 2 tablespoon flour. Set aside.
      This is called a beurre manie and is a thickener for your gravy.
    • Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Strain the solids from the liquid.
      Pour the liquid back into the Instant Pot and then discard the solids.
    • Turn the Sauté Function on and bring the liquid to a simmer.
    • Whisk the flour mixture (beurre manie) into the sauce until it "melts" in. Let it simmer for a few minutes to thicken.
      Taste the sauce/gravy for seasonings and add more salt/pepper or Worcestershire or Balsamic if needed.

    Serving

    • Slice the roast against the grain or pull it into tender chunks, drizzle with a little gravy, and serve the rest on the side. Also serve the potatoes, carrots, and mushrooms on the side.

    Notes:

    Beef Broth- You can use all beef broth here, or if you love red wine make it ½ cup red wine and ¾ cup beef broth!
    Potatoes– You can use Russet, Red or Yukon Gold Potatoes here. The russet will hold up better to the pressure of the Instant Pot, but the Red and Yukons soak up the sauce beautifully!
    Red and Yukon Gold: do not peel, quarter large ones and half the smaller ones.
    Russet: peel and then cut into quarters.
    Did you try this recipe? Connect with me & let me know how it turned out by commenting below!
    Jump to Comments
    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 648kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 162mg | Sodium: 1121mg | Potassium: 1657mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 10354IU | Vitamin C: 28mg | Calcium: 95mg | Iron: 7mg

    If nutrition facts are provided they are calculated as an estimate to the best of our knowledge.

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    About Susie Weinrich

    Susie Weinrich is the recipe developer, food photographer, and content creator behind Mom's Dinner. She has over 20 years experience in the food industry. Currently, Susie shares all her recipes and food knowledge on Mom's Dinner. You will find her recipes are easy to follow and full of tips and tricks to make sure the recipe you are making turns out perfect!

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    1. Angie B

      November 17, 2022 at 7:56 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing thank you for sharing this recipe! My husband loved it and it takes a lot to impress him.

      Reply
    2. Lauren

      November 18, 2021 at 5:18 pm

      5 stars
      the carrots!! the potatoes!! the mushrooms! The BEEF! every morsel was delicious. Thank you for sharing this wonderful recipe!!

      Reply

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