Cooking beef roast in an instant pot is a quick and easy way to make a delicious, tender pot roast for your family. With just a few simple steps, you can have fork-tender meat and flavorful gravy ready in under an hour with an instant pot
Choosing the Right Cut of Beef
The first step in making the perfect instant pot roast is choosing the right cut of beef. The best cuts of meat for pot roast are generally tougher cuts that become tender and juicy when cooked low and slow.
Popular options include
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Chuck roast – This is the most traditional and commonly used cut for pot roasts The high collagen content in chuck roast melts into gelatin during cooking, making the meat incredibly tender
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Bottom or rump roast – Other good budget-friendly options. These leaner cuts benefit from the moist cooking environment of the instant pot.
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Brisket – A fattier cut that turns out very juicy and flavorful after the long cooking time.
For a 3-4 pound roast, a chuck or bottom roast is your best bet for great results in the instant pot.
Determining Cook Time
Cooking time can vary based on the size and cut of the roast. Here are some guidelines:
- 1-2 pounds -Cook for 25-35 minutes
- 3-4 pounds – Cook for 45-60 minutes
- Over 4 pounds – Cook for 1-1 1⁄4 hours
For a 3 pound chuck roast, cooking for right around 60 minutes is perfect.
Always remember to factor in the time it takes the instant pot to come up to pressure (typically 10-15 minutes) when determining the total cook time.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Season the roast generously with salt and pepper or a spice rub. Browning the meat first helps develop a nice crust and deeper flavor. Use the Saute function to brown all sides of the roast right in the instant pot inner pot.
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Add sliced onions, carrots, celery and garlic to the pot and give them a quick saute. Pour in 1-2 cups of beef broth to create a flavorful cooking liquid.
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Place the trivet in the bottom of the pot. Put the roast on top of the trivet so it is elevated above the vegetables and broth.
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Lock the lid and make sure the pressure release valve is in the Sealing position. Set the instant pot to Manual/Pressure Cook on High for the determined cook time based on size.
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When time is up, use the Natural Pressure Release method – just let the pot sit until the pin on the lid drops on its own (15-20 minutes). Avoid quick releasing the pressure.
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Remove the roast and set it aside to rest, tented with foil. Remove the vegetables and trivet.
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Make an easy gravy by mixing together 1 tbsp cornstarch with 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid. Add it to the inner pot, stir, and simmer until slightly thickened.
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Slice or shred the roast and serve topped with the gravy along with the cooked vegetables.
This easy method results in wonderfully tender and juicy roast beef. The meat just falls apart after cooking under pressure!
Tips for the Best Instant Pot Roast
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Use plenty of aromatics – Onions, garlic, fresh herbs add great flavor. Try adding Worcestershire or soy sauce.
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Cook at least 60 minutes – Cooking time directly correlates to tenderness. Don’t skimp on time.
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Let pressure release naturally – Avoid quick releasing after cooking meat to prevent toughness.
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Use broth or wine for flavor – Water alone won’t impart much flavor. Use beef broth, red wine, etc.
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Make ahead – Cooked roast keeps well refrigerated for up to 4 days. Reheat slices in the gravy.
Trying Other Instant Pot Roast Recipes
Once you get the basic method down, it’s fun to try different seasonings or ingredients like these:
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Pot Roast with Mushroom Gravy – Sauté mushrooms with the aromatics and use beef and mushroom broth as the cooking liquid. Thicken it all for a mushroom gravy.
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Italian Pot Roast – Use Italian seasoning on the meat. Add a jar of pepperoncini peppers to the pot along with tomatoes, broth and red wine.
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BBQBrisket – Transform brisket into smoky, saucy barbecue by finishing it with your favorite barbecue sauce after cooking.
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Mexican Pot Roast – Season the meat with chili powder and cumin. Add peppers, beans, corn and cilantro at the end. Serve with tortillas.
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Sunday Pot Roast – Go classic with carrots, potatoes, celery and onion. Season with rosemary and thyme.
The possibilities are endless when it comes to turning tougher cuts of meat into fork-tender roasted perfection in the instant pot. With just a little prep and minimal hands-on time, you can enjoy incredible homemade pot roast any night of the week.
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what to serve with instant pot roast beef
I love this recipe, because it is an entire meal in one pot! You get the savory meat, tender vegetables, and gravy all in one recipe. Therefore, I don’t have any side recommendations, because you just don’t need any! When you have leftovers and run out of gravy, remember to whip up a quick au jus recipe to drizzle on top of reheated pot roast. For a creative way to use up leftovers, turn them into french dip sandwiches! You can also use it to make roast beef sliders too.
If you are looking for a cocktail to pair with this dinner:
A bourbon mule is cool and refreshing, with the heat of bourbon instead of vodka.
For those who like a spicy cocktail, the smoky heat of this mezcal old fashioned cannot be beat.
A classic bourbon manhattan is simple and easy to make in a big batch for a dinner party.
Let’s not forget about ending the meal with something sweet!
Three ingredient Nutella cake bites are decadent and insanely easy to whip up.
Since this meal is heavier, a light and bright mango mousse is a lovely creamy option to end the meal with.
Top off a bowl of vanilla bean ice cream with raspberry compote!
why should I use an Instant Pot?
Out of all my appliances, the Instant Pot is my favorite. At first, I acquired the gadget to make rice and use the slow cooker function. I was actually scared of using the pressure cooking function for a bit.
However, once I tried using it, I instantly became obsessed with it. Of course, Instant Pot is the brand that I am loyal to (I am always trying out the latest model!), but honestly any electroni pressure cooker works the same.
If you haven’t picked one up yet, do so immediately. It will change the way you cook and you’ll be enjoying meals that are typically reserved for the weekend (like a pot roast made in the oven) any night of the week with ease.
Instant Pot Classic Pot Roast Recipe
FAQ
How long does it take to cook 2 pounds of beef in the Instant Pot?
Our pressure cooker: We have the 6-quart Instant Pot. Cooking time: When cooking a pot roast in an Instant Pot, allow 20 minutes for every pound of meat.Apr 14, 2025
How long do you cook a 3 lb roast?
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Reddit · r/cookingforbeginnershttps://www.reddit.comMy roast is always a brick. How long and at what temp should I cook a …Feb 3, 2025 — I usually braise chuck roasts that are about 3 pounds for 3 hours at 300. Ovens vary so check it after 30 minutes. You want it simmering, not boiling…
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Quorahttps://www.quora.comHow long do I cook a 3 lb beef roast, on low in a crock pot, for?Jan 28, 2018
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Real Simplehttps://www.realsimple.comHow Long to Cook a Roast in the Oven for the Best ResultsAug 7, 2024 — It’s best to cook a roast for about one hour per pound at a temperature of about 325 degrees. For example, the included recipe is for a 3-pound chuck…
How long to cook 4 lb frozen roast in Instant Pot?
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Pressure Cook Time:A 4 lb frozen roast will likely require about 120 minutes (2 hours) of pressure cooking.
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Natural Pressure Release:Allow the pressure to naturally release for 15-20 minutes after the pressure cooking time is complete.
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Quick Release:If there’s any residual pressure after the natural release, you can manually quick-release it.
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Additional Notes:Some recipes recommend browning the roast before pressure cooking for better flavor, but this step can be skipped for frozen roasts.
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Adjusting for Size:If you’re using a roast that’s larger or smaller than 4 lbs, adjust the cooking time accordingly, adding or subtracting 10-20 minutes per pound.
How to cook roast beef in the pressure cooker?
Place the beef in a pressure cooker. Add garlic, onion, beef stock and red wine in. Lock lid on pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 45-50 minutes. Remove pressure cooker from heat and use the quick release method.
How long do you cook a beef roast in an Instant Pot?
The Instant Pot website lists the cooking time for small chunks of beef roast at 15-20 minutes per 450 grams or 1 pound and large chunks at 20-25 minutes per 450 grams or 1 pound. I prefer roasting a large roast that is not cut into chunks to avoid accidentally overcooking or drying it.
How do you Pressure Cook a roast in an Instant Pot?
Roast till golden. Pour in 4 cups milk. Add in ½ cup sugar and mix well. Now press cancel and cover the instant pot with lid. Set the instant pot to pressure cook mode and set pressure cook for 3 minutes. Make sure instant pot pressure vent is set to seal. Once cooked, wait for the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes.
What temperature should a roast be in Instant Pot?
*Pro Tip: For medium rare roast beef, we are aiming for 120°F. If the temperature is too low, simply place the roast beef back in Instant Pot on the trivet, then close the lid. Do not pressure cook again because we’re using the “Keep Warm” mode to slow roast the beef roast. The temperature should rise 7°F – 10°F per 5 minutes.