Instant Pot Pot Roast is simply the easiest, tastiest way to prepare pot roast. This recipe for Instant Pot Pot Roast creates an amazingly tender and flavorful pot roast that is served with potatoes and carrots for a family favorite comfort food recipe--made fast!
My Instant Pot Roast recipe includes a few key secrets to achieve the most tender pot roast. And there are special directions on how to cook the potatoes and carrots so that they won't get over-cooked. This is sure to become your go-to recipe for Instant Pot Roast.
Instant Pot Pot Roast
I grew up with family dinners every Sunday at my grandparent's house. And my papa was known for his Slow Cooker Pot Roast.
His secret ingredient to making the BEST pot roast was prepared horseradish. Not only does the horseradish work to tenderize the pot roast, but it also helps to make it incredibly flavorful--so much better than any other pot roast I have ever had.
I decided to turn my Slow Cooker Pot Roast into Pressure Cooker Pot Roast.
This method for cooking a pot roast in the instant pot is every bit as delicious as the original method, but take a fraction of the time. Not to mention, you can use a frozen beef roast, which is a big no-no when cooking in the slow cooker.
How To Make Pot Roast in Pressure Cooker
Step One: Sear Roast
- To sear meat in your instant pot, turn your pressure cooker to Saute and pour in 1 tablespoon oil.
- Wait until your pressure cooker reads Hot.
- Sear roast 3-4 minutes per side or until browned.
- Be sure to scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of your inner pot, so that pressure can build appropriately and you won’t get a burn notice.
Step Two: Add beef broth and seasonings
Step Three: Cook Pot Roast
- Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes per pound. (60 minutes for a 3-pound roast).
Step Four: Let Pressure Release
- Let pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes.
Step Five: Serve
- Slice or shred your pot roast and serve with cooking juices.
Instant Pot Frozen Pot Roast
If your roast is frozen when you want to prepare a Pot Roast, do not worry. You can cook your frozen roast right in the Instant Pot.
- Skip searing the meat.
- Place frozen beef roast, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder inside the pressure cooker.
- Pour in beef stock around the roast.
- Add in horseradish.
- Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes per pound (instead of 20 minutes per pound.) For a 3 pound roast that would be 90 minutes.
When do you add Potatoes and Carrots?
For a complete meal, potatoes and carrots always pair perfectly with a tender pot roast.
I do not recommend cooking small potato chunks or baby carrots the entire time you cook your pot roast, as your vegetables will turn to mush.
- Cook your Pot Roast for 20 minutes LESS than the total indicated time. So for a 3-pound fresh roast, cook on 40 minutes on high pressure.
- Allow pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Add potatoes and carrots to pressure cooker.
- Seal pressure cooker and cook for high on 20 minutes.
- Allow pressure to release for at least 10 minutes naturally, then do a quick release of any remaining pressure, and then serve.
- If you would like to skip the step of adding vegetables mid-cooking, add in large red potatoes and thick chunks of carrots and cook with the beef roast for the entire time allotted, keeping in mind the vegetables will get super soft.
- If you would like firmer vegetables, I would cook the roast for 50 minutes, and then allow pressure to release. Add in carrots and potatoes and cook on high for 10 minutes. Still, be sure to let the pressure release naturally though!
What is the best cut of meat for Pot Roast?
Because Pot Roast cooks for a longer period of time, it is the perfect time to use tougher cuts of beef.
The following make great cuts of beef for pot roast, with my favorite cut of beef is a chuck roast for pot roast.
- Chuck Roast
- Brisket
- Round Roast
More Instant Pot Comfort Food Recipes
- Pressure Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
- Instant Pot Chili
- Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup
- Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Lasagna
Instant Pot Pot Roast
Ingredients
- ½ tablespoon oil
- 3-4 pound chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- ¼ cup prepared horseradish
- 4 cups beef stock
- 3 pounds potatoes quartered
- 1 pound carrots peeled and cut into 2 inch chunks
Instructions
Cooking a Fresh Pot Roast (Thawed)
- Season roast with salt and pepper liberally.
- Turn the pressure cooker to saute. Once hot, add in the oil. Sear meat on all sides, 3-4 minutes per side. Remove meat from inner pot.
- Pour in beef broth and scrape up any browned bits on bottom of instant pot.
- Add roast back into the pressure cooker, along with the onion powder, garlic, and horseradish.
- Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes per pound.
- When the cook time has elapsed, allow for pressure to release for 10-20 minutes.
For Frozen Pot Roast
- Place roast, beef broth, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic, and horseradish in the inner pot of pressure cooker.
- Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes per pound.
- When cook time has elapsed, allow for pressure to release for 10-20 minutes.
Pot Roast with Carrots and Potatoes
- Sear roast as directed, if desired.
- Add beef broth, salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic, and horseradish into the pressure cooker and cook for 20 minutes LESS than directions state (Cook for 40 minutes on high pressure for FRESH 3 pound Pot Roast or 70 minutes on high pressure for FROZEN 3 pound roast).
- Once cook time has elapsed, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- Open the instant pot and add in carrots and potatoes, seal pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 20 minutes, or for 10 minutes for less tender vegetables.
- Allow the pressure cooker to naturally release pressure for 10-20 minutes before releasing any remaining pressure. Serve the pot roast.
Equipment Needed
Notes
- Strain the leftover broth out of the inner pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute and add in 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Whisk in 2 tablespoons of flour once the butter has melted and then let cook for 1 minute.
- Slowly whisk in 2-3 cups of the leftover cooking liquid, whisking well.
- Let bubble and thicken for several minutes.
- Alternatively, you can remove the roast, potatoes, and carrots and then turn the instant pot to saute and let the leftover broth come to a boil. Whisk together ¼ cup cornstarch with ¼ cup water and then whisk into the liquid and let thicken.
Nutrition
Jenney Tidwell
Trying to make this tonight. What size/king of potatoes can I use to make sure they are cooked?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Jenney! You can use red potatoes or Yukon gold and quarter them. You can also use russet potatoes, but I would recommend cutting into more like 6 pieces.
Shauna Thomas
I went through many, many, Instant Pot recipes for a pot roast. I was looking for a good 'ole fashioned' one like what my parents were used to making in the slow-cooker. She's nailed the recipe and the instructions. I've not personally added in the horseradish yet, but the parentals expressed a desire to give it a go next time. 10/10 would recommend recipe and instructions. Instructions are easy enough to comprehend that a beginner to the instant pot should have no problems with them (though, with the newer released versions, it might be a little more difficult cause I believe they changed some function names).
Kristen Chidsey
I am so glad you enjoyed Shauna! I will be sure to update with more recent functions, although most brands have a basic manual or pressure cooking setting.
Amy
If you are cooking from frozen when would you add the carrots & potatoes?
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Amy! I would cook for 30 minutes per pound. Then let pressure release, and add in carrots and potatoes and cook for 10 minutes.
Nancy
Do you still add water in the instant pot? Or being as your adding beef broth to the inner pot, you don’t have to add the water????
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Nancy! The beef broth is enough liquid, no need to add water. The rule of thumb is to use 1 cup of thin liquid for a 6 quart instant pot and 1.5 cups for an 8 quart. Enjoy.
Nancy
Thank you
Nicole
Hi I have the 3qt instant pot duo nova .
I have a couple of small lamb rump roast pieces. Adds up to about Aust conversion 500 gram all together..
How much liquid will I need and cook time please .
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Nicole. I have not experimented with lamb, so I am not sure how to advise exactly. I do know that lamb typically takes less time than beef, but with a rump roast, it may benefit from a longer cooking time to become tender. I am sorry I am not more help. If you want to experiment with it, use at least 1 cup of broth and then base the cooking time on the largest cut of meat and try 20 minutes per 500 grams.
Judy Blaise
I made a Chuck pot roast (2.3 lbs) frozen solid! Turned out great. I cooked for 1 hr and 9 minutes and slow released for 20 minutes. It was tender but had some fat, so I’ll get a leaner cut next time. Thank you for the recipe.
Pausha Peters
In your recipe for pot roast you say pressure cook it on high, does that mean leave it on sear and cook at 425?
I just signed up for your emails and am excited to start getting information on how to use my Instant Pot. My kids gave it to me two years ago for Mothers Day and I've only used it once. We are living in our motorhome now and decided I'd put it to use!
Kristen Chidsey
Hi Pausha! When a recipe says to pressure cook on high, it means to hit manual or pressure cook and be to be sure the light for high is lit up. If not hit adjust until high is lit up and then use the +/- buttons to adjust the time for cooking. You will find my post on how to use the Instant Pot Buttons, helpful in explaining this in detail. And it may help you to see me actually set the pressure when cooking, so you know exactly what to do (and what not to do). Here is a video of me explaining the basics of using an Instant Pot. I hope that helps, and don't hesitate to reach out with questions.
Jacqueline W
Made from frozen and it’s fabulous! Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
You are so welcome! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment!