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!
This is the top-rated recipe for Instant Pot Pot Roast and happens to be one of my most popular Instant Pot Recipes. And with good reason! My Instant Pot Roast recipe includes a few key secrets to achieve the most tender pot roast and directions on how to cook the potatoes and carrots so that they won’t get overcooked. This is sure to become your go-to recipe for Instant 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. It cooked for hours and hours and while delicious, it was not a FAST recipe.
I have taken his famous pot roast recipe and made it Instant Pot friendly. This method for cooking a pot roast in the instant pot is just as delicious as the classic recipe but takes a fraction of the time.
why you'll love Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Simple and fast. This recipe for instant pot beef roast is made with only 5 key ingredients and in a fraction of the time of classic pot roast recipes. It puts a flavorful dinner on the table with minimal effort and quickly!
- You can use a frozen chuck roast. Because of how fast the Instant Pot heats ups, you can safely cook a frozen beef roast in the Instant Pot.
- Flavorful and tender. My Papa's secret ingredient to achieving the BEST pot roast was horseradish. The horseradish is key to tenderizing the meat and adding so much flavor. But don't worry about it causing the pot roast to be overly spicy, as it only adds a subtle, yet irresistible flavor.
- Perfectly cooked vegetables. This recipe for Instant Pot Pot Roast, just like my recipe for Instant Pot Corned Beef and Cabbage, includes directions for a two-step cooking process to keep the potatoes and carrots from becoming overcooked. No mushy vegetables here!
Notes on Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chuck Roast: For a tender roast, you really want to select a cut of beef that is well-marbled, like a chuck roast. A round roast or brisket will work, but won't be as tender. Chuck roast is always my preferred choice when making pot roast.
- Beef Broth: Use low-sodium beef broth or stock to control the sodium content.
- Horseradish: Use prepared horseradish, not horseradish sauce. Prepared horseradish comes in a jar in the refrigerated section of the grocery store (usually by deli meat), and is simply grated horseradish, water, vinegar, and salt.
- Potatoes: You can use any potato you like--russet, red, Yukon Gold, or baby potatoes. They all work great and help to round out this pot roast dinner.
- Carrots: Use baby carrots or whole carrots that have been peeled and chopped.
How To Make Instant Pot Pot Roast
Step One: Sear Roast
Searing the meat will help to seal in the juices of the roast and add a bit of texture to the final product. While you technically don't have to sear the meat, if you have a few extra minutes, it is worth the extra step to sear your chuck roast before pressure cooking.
- Turn your pressure cooker to the Saute function and pour in 1 tablespoon of oil.
- While the pressure cooker is heating, liberally season the chuck roast on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Place the seasoned roast into the heated inner pot, and sear the roast for 3-4 minutes per side or until browned.
- Turn the instant pot OFF from the saute function and remove the pot roast from the inner pot and place it on a platter.
Step Two: Deglaze Inner Pot
Anytime you sear ANYTHING in the inner pot, it is crucial to scrape up any browned bits off the bottom of the inner pot. This will allow pressure to build appropriately and prevent a burn notice from occurring. Once the pot is deglazed, you can add the ingredients to pressure cook the chuck roast.
- Pour in about ½ cup of the beef broth and use a spatula or wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot.
- Add the seared roast back to the inner pot. Pour in the rest of the beef broth and then sprinkle with additional salt, pepper, and onion powder. Top the roast with minced garlic and horseradish.
Step Three: Pressure Cook
Chuck roast needs to be cooked on high pressure for 20 minutes per pound. It is also crucial you let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes after pressure cooking, as this will help ensure the roast stays super tender and does not seize up.
- Hit manual or pressure cook on the Instant Pot and set the cooking time to 20 minutes per pound. This would be 60 minutes for a 3-pound roast, which is the average size of a roast.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes. That means just leave the instant pot alone for at least 10 minutes and do not try to do a quick release of any pressure. Do not ignore this advice. If you quickly release pressure, your meat will likely become tough.
Step Four: Rest Meat
Anytime you cook beef, it is a good idea to let the meat rest after cooking. This allows the juices to redistribute through the beef, ensuring every bite is juicy and flavorful.
- Remove the pot roast from the liquid in the inner pot. and place it onto a platter or cutting board. It is okay if it falls apart as you remove the roast, as it should be fall-apart tender after pressure cooking.
- Tent the meat with foil and let rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding or slicing and serving with the cooking juices.
Step Five: Cook Vegetables
For a complete meal, potatoes and carrots always pair perfectly with a tender pot roast. However, 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. Instead, it is best to cook your potatoes and carrots AFTER the roast has cooked, when the meat is resting.
- Add the potatoes and carrots to the cooking liquid left in the inner pot.
- Set the cooking time to high pressure and cook for 5 minutes for just tender vegetables and 10 minutes for super tender potatoes and carrots.
- After the cooking time has elapsed, you can do a quick release of any remaining pressure.
- Slice the rested roast beef and serve the pot roast with the vegetables and cooking liquids.
How to Make Gravy
While I find that this Instant Pot Pot Roast is so flavorful and so juicy, there is no need for gravy, you certainly can prepare gravy using the remaining cooking liquid. And you can do this right inside your Instant Pot! Yay for one-pot meals!
- After cooking the roast and vegetables, strain off the cooking liquid.
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute and let heat up.
- Add 2 tablespoons of butter to the inner pot and let melt. Once the butter is melted, add in 2 tablespoons of flour and whisk together, to form a roux.
- Let the flour mixture cook for 30 seconds and then slowly whisk in 1 to 2 cups of the strained liquid.
- Cook, whisking constantly until the mixture is thickened.
Instant Pot Frozen Pot Roast
You can easily prepare a pot roast using a frozen chuck roast when cooking in the Instant Pot. Unlike slow cookers, the Instant Pot will get hot enough in a short amount of time to safely cook frozen meat.
- Skip searing the meat, as you can not sear a frozen cut of meat.
- Place the frozen beef roast, salt, pepper, garlic, and onion powder inside the pressure cooker.
- Pour in beef stock around the roast, then top the roast with 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.
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover pot roast with the leftover cooking liquid in a sealed container for up to 3-4 days in the refrigerator. The liquid will help keep the meat from drying out. Leftover potatoes and carrots can be stored with the leftover meat as well.
Instant Pot Pot Roast Video
If you learn better through video, watch my video below where I walk you through how to make pot roast using your instant pot.
More Instant Pot Beef Recipes
- Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches
- Instant Pot Chili
- Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Beef and Barley Soup
- Instant Pot Italian Beef
- Instant Pot Lasagna
- Instant Pot Mississippi Pot Roast
If you enjoyed this easy recipe for Instant Pot Pot Roast, please be sure to leave a comment and review below!
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 cut into 2-inch chunks
- 1 pound carrots peeled and cut into 2-inch chunks
For Optional Gravy
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
Instructions
Pot Roast Directions
- Turn the pressure cooker to saute, add the oil and let heat.
- Season the roast with salt and pepper liberally on both sides. Once seasoned, add the roast to the heated oil and sear the meat on all sides, 3-4 minutes per side. Once the meat is browned, remove it from the inner pot. And turn the Instant Pot off.
- Pour in about ½ cup of the beef broth and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the inner pot. This will prevent a burn notice from happening--so don't skip this step.
- Add roast back into the pressure cooker, along with the remaining beef broth. Sprinkle with onion powder and a pinch of salt and pepper. Top the roast with minced garlic and horseradish.
- Place the lid on the pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 20 minutes per pound.
- When the cook time has elapsed, allow for pressure to release for 10-20 minutes. This is really important, as it keeps the roast tender and juicy.
- Once the pressure has been released, open the inner pot and remove the roast, and place it on a cutting board or platter. Tent with foil and let rest for 10-15 minutes before cutting.
Adding Carrots and Vegetables
- If cooking carrots and potatoes, add them now to the liquid inside the inner pot. Close the lid and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes for just tender vegetables or 10 minutes for softer potatoes and carrots.
- Once the cooking time has elapsed, let the pressure release for 5 minutes and then do a quick release of pressure.
- Serve the potatoes, carrots, and roast with the cooking liquid.
Frozen Pot Roast Directions
- For a frozen pot roast, skip searing the roast. Instead, pour the beef broth into the inner pot and stir in the salt, pepper, and onion powder. Add the frozen roast to the inner pot and top with garlic and horseradish. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes per pound with a 10-20 minute natural pressure release. Cook potatoes and carrots as the instructions above state.
Gravy (optional)
- After the roast and vegetables are cooked, strain the cooking liquid from the inner pot and then return the inner pot to the instant pot.
- Turn the Instant Pot to saute and add 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 1-2 cups of the leftover cooking liquid, whisking well. Let bubble and thicken for several minutes, whisking constantly. Serve with pot roast and vegetables.
Equipment Needed
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally published in 2018 and updated in 2023.
Shaheen
I recently had the pleasure of trying out this recipe at home, and I must say, it exceeded my expectations!
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!
Montana mama
Awesome recipe. Just delicious. I seasoned with Dijon mustard, as well as horseradish and used garden fresh potatoes, carrots and tomatoes. I dredged the pot roast in flour and seasonings before pressure cooking it. So delicious! Huge hit we usually have leftovers and there was none tonight. 5 pound pot roast was gone! Thank you!
Kristen Chidsey
I am so happy to hear your family enjoyed so much!
Nicole Balderson
This was excellent! And so easy to prepare. I had to go buy horseradish. Forgot how good that stuff is on roast beef. Thank you for the delicious recipe! I also added baby portobello mushrooms and onions to my veggie mix.
Kristen Chidsey
I am thrilled to hear you enjoy, Nicole! Thanks for sharing!
Michelle
Amazing! Thank you for also giving a gluten free option for gravy. This could not have been easier - and the roast was delicious!
Kristen Chidsey
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing!