Instant Pot Pot Roast Experiment
In our Instant Pot Pot Roast experiment, we pressure cooked 3 nearly identical chuck roast steak at High Pressure for 20 mins, 45 mins, and 75 mins with an Instant Pot Electric Pressure Cooker.
Out of the 3 results, we enjoyed the 45-Minutes Instant Pot Pot Roast the most.
It was overall the most well-balanced in terms of Meat Texture, Meat Juice, Meat Flavors, and Sauce. It was definitely the most delicious one!
So, we developed this easy pot roast instant pot recipe based on this cooking time.
You can read more about the pot roast experiment here:The Best Pot Roast Cooking Time Experiment.
No Browning Required For Instant Pot Chuck Roast
Many beef roast recipes call for you to brown your roast in a hot pan with a bit of oil prior to cooking it. I have been making beef roasts for years and I personally havenât experienced any boost in flavor from browning. To me, itâs a waste of time .
If you would like to brown your gluten-free pot roast ahead of time, by all means, please do so. You can do it directly in the Instant Pot, using the Saute button/function.
Natural Release Locks In Those Instant Pot Chuck Roast Juices
When cooking meat in the Instant Pot, one important tip is to use natural release vs. the quick release method. Natural release is when you allow the Instant Pot to come down from pressure naturally. Now, it does take additional time to do this , but natural release essentially lets the cooked meat rest, which ensures the chuck roast stays juicy. Quick release is when you switch the pressure valve to vent, which prematurely releases the pressure from the Instant Pot.
If you are in a hurry, try to give the Instant Pot at least 15 minutes of natural release before letting out the rest of the pressure manually.
Also Check: Are Instant Pot Lids Dishwasher Safe
Can I Use Frozen Beef
You might be wondering if you can use frozen beef for pot roast. Technically, the answer is yes, the cook time will just be longer .
That said, for the best results, we highly recommend following our method which calls for thawed beef thats seasoned with salt and been left on the counter long enough to take the chill off. This extra time creates the most flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth pot roast. Using thawed beef also allows us to brown the outside of the meat before braising it, which adds a lot of extra flavor to dish.
How Long Do You Cook A Roast In The Pressure Cooker
The big question!
The short answer? About 1 hour.
The long answer:
How long a roast will need to be pressure cooked depends mostly on how large the roast or the pieces are that you cut it into.
I prefer to cut my roasts into chunks that are approximately 1 lb in size . However, the cook time also depends on the thickness of the pieces, so there has to be some wiggle room.
To be on the safe side, you can always allow for a little extra time pressure cooking the meat I opt for about 1 hour pressure cooking on high for smaller pieces. If your roast is frozen, or it is in one large piece, you will want to add a significant amount of time to ensure that your meat is fall apart tender.
Also Check: Must Have Instant Pot Accessories
How To Cook A Roast
Pot roast recipes typically call for thawed beef. Since it can take up to a few days to fully thaw a roast, and weve all had those moments where we forgot to take the meat out of the freezer, I decided to find out if you could get incredibly tender roast beef using a frozen roast in the Instant Pot. The answer is a definite yes!
This roast is pull-apart tender and nobody will ever know that you forgot to defrost your roast in advance.
To make it, simply place your trivet in the bottom of the Instant Pot, add the frozen roast, pour the broth over the roast, sprinkle the seasoning over top, add the garlic and onion, cook it, and let it natural release for 30 minutes.
A quick note its important to pour the broth over the frozen roast rather than adding it to the bottom of the pot before adding the roast. The liquid thaws the edge of the roast just enough to allow the seasoning to stick to it. It makes the final result so delicious!
Katies Framework Pot Roast Recipe
- Total Time:1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield:8 servings
See more of Katie Kimball, CSME in the Media.
Over the last 10 years, Katie has spoken prolifically at conferences, online summits and podcasts and become a trusted authority and advocate for childrens health.
Busy moms look to this certified educator for honest, in-depth natural product reviews and thorough research. She often partners with health experts and medical practitioners to deliver the most current information to the Kitchen Stewardship® community.
In 2016 she created the #1 bestselling online kids cooking course, Kids Cook Real Food, helping thousands of families around the world learn to cook.
A mom of 4 kids from Michigan, she is a Certified Stress Mastery Educator and member of the American Institute of Stress.
Katie Kimball Has Been Featured On:
Please remember that Im just a gal who reads a lot and spends way too much time in her kitchen. We at Kitchen Stewardship® are not doctors, nurses, scientists, or even real chefs, and certainly the FDA hasn’t evaluated anything on this blog. Any products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please talk to your health professional before doing anything you might think is questionable. Trust your own judgmentWe cant be liable for problems that occur from bad decisions you make based on content found here. Here’s the full legal disclaimer.
Read Also: Can You Cook Bacon In An Instant Pot
Pot Roast Recipe In The Instant Pot
In an Instant Pot, youll need at least a cup of liquid and cook on HIGH pressure for 25 minutes per pound.
To get sliced roast beef, open up the Instant Pot and check the temp with a meat thermometer. If its at 145F, you can remove the roast and set it on a platter, tent it with foil or an inverted pot, and let it rest for about 5 minutes.
If the temp isnt high enough, return to pressure for 5-10 more minutes.
To make a shredded beef roast for sliders or wraps, go with 30 minutes at pressure per pound and a natural pressure release. With a shoulder roast, you miiiiight not get it to fall apart with only forks, but you should be able to remove, slice with a sharp knife, and return to the juices for 10 minutes to finish getting all shred-y and juicy like you want it.
What To Serve With This Instant Pot Pot Roast
Given the fact that this pot roast is rather hearty, I would pair it with a light salad! This simple tossed green salad would be the perfect appetizer.;
You could also serve with a side of steamed broccoli to add a little color. Crunchy broccoli will contrast nicely with the tender meat!
You might also consider serving your roast beef over a bed of creamy mashed potatoes to help soak up all that gravy, or you could use a good crusty bread! Pick up your favorite baguette at the store or make these quick and easy homemade breadsticks!
Also Check: How To Know When Instant Pot Is Done
Tips For Making Pot Roast
- Pot roasts can be made using many different cooking methods. If you dont have an Instant Pot, you can try our recipes for making pot roast in the slow cooker or in the oven .
- To avoid mushy vegetables just add them later! 10 minutes before your cooking time is up, release the pressure and add the carrots and potatoes. Press cancel and then re-set to high pressure for 8 minutes. If you have bigger potatoes or potato dices, cook for 10 minutes.
- If you have leftovers, roast can easily be shredded and frozen to eat at a later date. Just remove any vegetables and place in a Ziplock bag to freeze. When ready to re-heat thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat or add to your favorite shredded beef recipes.
Why Use An Instant Pot
Have you joined the instant pot craze??
I put it off, like I usually do with new kitchen gadgets, because I was afraid it was a funky trend that would fizzle out but after friends raving non stop about theirs, I broke down and got myself one.
Im obsessed! Where has this thing been all of my life?
And just to clear things up, I say Instant Pot because thats the brand that I own and is most familiar with everyone, but these recipes are not sponsored by the brand in any way and any pressure cooker will do just fine! I dont care what brand it is, just get your hands on one pronto. Its seriously takes one pot cooking to a whole new level of awesome.
Don’t Miss: How To Cook Frozen Tamales In Instant Pot
How To Prepare The Beef For Instant Pot Pot Roast
One of the goals of pressure cooking is to speed up the cooking process and cutting large cuts of meat down into chunks is the best way to achieve this. It can cut the cooking time in half versus tossing in a whole roast. The other benefit is that you can season the individual chunks with the dry rub, covering more surface area of the meat which means more flavor. It also gives you the opportunity to more effectively trim the fat which will yield a better gravy.
Using a sharp knife, cut the roast into 4 to 6 chunks. How many chunks will depend on the size of your roast. If you are using a highly marbled cut of chuck, cut it at the seams where you see veins of fat running through it. Trim and discard the fat from all the edges of each piece. Just do the best you can. There will be small fat deposits left and that is just fine. If you are using a 4 pound highly marbled piece of chuck, you may end up trimming as much as 1/2 pound of fat. This is one of the reasons I prefer using a leaner cut of chuck. They are easier to trim and youll end up with more meat. More bang for the buck! And, trust me, it will still get tender. None of these cuts stand a chance against the Instant Pot.
Sprinkle the dry rub over both sides of the chunks of beef and use your hands to press it into the surface of the meat. I like to do this on a foil lined board for easy cleanup.
The seared chunks of beef are added back to the pot and tucked down into the liquid.
Now, go forth and eat pot roast!
How To Make Instant Pot Pot Roast + Recipe Video
This Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe with step by step recipe video comes together quickly and cooks to perfection in the pressure cooker!
With tender delicious vegetables and seasoned gravy, this recipe is sure to become a family favorite dinner that everyone will love.
Seasoned meat, beef broth, seasonings, carrots, and potatoes come together and cook quickly to make an amazingly rich and tender weeknight dinner recipe.
MORE RECIPES:;Instant Pot Turkey Breast | Best Instant Pot Recipes | Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes | Slow Cooker Beef Dinner Recipes
Read Also: How To Cook Chicken Breast In An Instant Pot
Instant Pot Pot Roast With Veggies And Gravy
This Instant Pot Pot Roast is;everything that a tender, hearty, pot roast should be and more! ;The beef roast is tender and juicy, the veggies are cooked to perfection , and the gravy is;rich and so delicious. ;This is sure to be your;new go-to Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe!
Heyyya my friend!; Today is a special day over here at Taste And See!; Im excited to report Ive mastered the Instant Pot Pot Roast and its a great recipe!!
Instant Pot Pork Shoulder Roast & Gravy
This flavorful Pork Roast is so deliciously comforting & satisfying to eat. A simple, budget-friendly meal thats super easy to make with few simple ingredients. Pork Shoulder is a great cut of meat for cooking in an Instant Pot Pressure Cooker because its fatty and full of connective tissues. Recipe from Instant Pot Eats
Don’t Miss: How Long To Steam Broccoli In Instant Pot
Can I Freeze Extras
- Yes, you can! Just place leftovers in shallow food storage containers, or even better, into heavy-duty freezer bags so that you can press out most of the air before freezing.;
- Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- 5largeYukon Gold potatoes,peeled and chopped
- chopped parsley,for garnish
When To Use Quick Pressure Release
As we all know, there are two options at the end of cooking in a pressure cooker: natural; or quick pressure release. So how do you know when to use either? While I may not know the scientific reason for it, here’s my single theory… Never ever use quick pressure release when cooking meat. I find that quick pressure release causes meat texture to change – becoming tough and chewy.
According to this article by The Kitchn, here are the rules:
- Use natural release when;cooking meat, dried beans and legumes, rice, soup, and other foods that are mostly liquid.
- Use rapid release when;adding additional ingredients to the pot , or cooking eggs, vegetables, delicate foods, or ingredients that don’t benefit from additional cook time.
Also Check: How To Use Instant Pot As Crock Pot
Where To Buy An Instant Pot
This is the 6-quart Instant Pot I started out with. After a few years, we added an 8-quart partly because I knew I would use two at the same time often enough, partly because it was the Prime Day sale, and also because I wanted more space for certain recipes. Both are a pretty basic model and you dont need more bells and whistles than that!;
If youre deciding on size, most people say its better to get a deal on the 6-quart and just have 2 rather than go big, BUT if your family has 5 or more people or you really like to batch cook or do more than a pound of beans, the 8-quart may be the best choice. My full Instant Pot review and buying guide for features, size, and model.
If youd like to shop directly at Instant Pots website instead of Amazon , check them out here.
You can even get a carrying case to travel with it! See my review of the Instant Pot carrying case we have.
If youre still on the fence about adding an Instant Pot to your kitchen appliance arsenal here are my Instant Pot pros and cons.
How To Make A Tender Pot Roast In The Instant Pot
FIRST STEP: In your Instant Pot, pour olive oil and butter. Press the Saute button, then Adjust until the red illuminated lights says MORE.
SECOND STEP: Generously salt and pepper both sides of the roast.
THIRD STEP: When the Instant Pot is hot and the butter is melted, place the roast in the Instant Pot and brown on both sides .
FOURTH STEP: Dissolve beef bouillon base in hot water.
FIFTH STEP: Remove from Instant Pot. Sprinkle flour on the bottom of the pot and whisk. Slowly pour in the beef broth, red wine and tomato paste. Whisk until the mixture thickens, about 30 seconds.
SIXTH STEP: Place the roast back into the pot and cover with rosemary and thyme.
You May Like: How To Cook Tuna Steak In Instant Pot
So Why The New Method
My family is constantly asking me to cook pot roast. And traditionally, I’ve had two ways I do that: 1- in the slow cooker ; 2- in the oven . One day in the future, I’ll tell you which is my favorite. The big problem with these two ways is this… Unless everyone is coming to our house for dinner, it’s always difficult to get the serving time right because they both take so long.
For example… We are meeting at my mom’s house for dinner this coming Sunday evening. I live almost an hour from her. And I’m not a big fan transporting cooked food and reheating it. There’s just too much quality lost. Plus, we’ll be at church in the morning. So my best option is to cook at her house. All that to say… It is MUCH more convenient to use my new Instant Pot recipe!
One great feature of the Instant Pot is how easy it is to transport. I can bring it to my mom’s house, set it up, and have a perfectly cooked, fall-apart tender pressure cooker pot roast in two hours flat. 2 hours, people!
How To Make Pot Roast In A Pressure Cooker
In our photos, we are using a 6-quart Instant Pot, which is an electric pressure cooker. Other brands make electric pressure cookers, too. If you own one of them, you should be able to use this recipe without any problems .
Step 1, Season the beef and bring to room temperature. Ive already touched on this above, but Ill quickly do it again, here. After testing, we found that when we left the beef out on the counter to come closer to room temperature before cooking it, the pot roast was much more tender at the end of the cook time. I also love that the beef gets a chance to sit with the salt for about an hour before cooking. In this time, the salt seeps into the meat and helps to season and tenderize it.
Step 2, Brown the beef on all sides. By browning the beef on all sides before cooking at high pressure, we add color to the meat and add lots of flavor to the pot. For a one pot meal, brown the beef right in the pressure cooker using the Saute function. If your pressure cooker does not have this function, simply brown the beef in a heavy pan on the stove. After browning, I remove the beef so I can move onto the veggies.
Step 5, Pressure cook until the beef is tender. As I mentioned above, the time you need to cook will vary depending on how large the piece of beef is that you are cooking. We have found that a 3-pound roast takes 60 minutes at high pressure before it is tender.
Don’t Miss: How To Cook An Artichoke In An Instant Pot
