Instant Pot Pot Roast
Ingredients
- 3 pound beef chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion
coarsely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic
minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 4 sprigs fresh thyme
or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 6 medium carrots
cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1.5 pounds whole baby potatoes
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
Directions
- 1
Cut the beef chuck roast in half.
- 2
Sprinkle the salt, pepper and 1 teaspoon dried thyme (if not using fresh thyme) on all sides of the beef. (If using fresh thyme sprigs you will add them later.)
- 3
Heat the olive oil in the Instant Pot using the saute setting until hot.
- 4
Place the seasoned beef in the pot and brown on both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Do not move the beef until you are ready to turn it; once it has seared it should easily release from the bottom of the pot. After browning the beef on both sides transfer it to a clean plate.
- 5
With the Instant Pot still on saute mode, add the onion to the pot. Cook until softened and lightly browned, stirring often and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot, about 4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and press cancel to turn off the Instant Pot.
- 6
Add the tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and beef broth. Stir and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- 7
Place the beef back in the pot. If using fresh thyme sprigs add them now.
- 8
Close the Instant Pot lid and turn the steam release valve to the sealing position. Cook on Manual/Pressure Cook, high pressure, for 60 minutes. When the cook time ends, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes and then quick release any remaining pressure by turning the valve to the venting position.
- 9
Open the Instant Pot and add the carrots and potatoes on top of the beef. Close the lid and pressure cook for 10 minutes more on high pressure using the Manual/Pressure Cook function. When the cook time ends allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes.
- 10
Remove the beef and vegetables from the Instant Pot. Discard the thyme stems. Use two forks to shred the roast into chunks.
- 11
Thicken the juices in the Instant Pot (optional): Turn the Instant Pot on saute mode. Stir together 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 2 tablespoons water in a small bowl and pour into the liquid in the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until gravy has thickened slightly.
- 12
Serve pot roast with the gravy.
Instant Pot Pot Roast
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About this Recipe
Craving a deeply flavorful, fall-apart tender pot roast but short on time? This Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe delivers classic comfort in a fraction of the traditional cooking time, perfect for a hearty family meal any night of the week.
Why This Recipe Works
The magic of the Instant Pot transforms a humble beef chuck roast into meltingly tender perfection. By searing the beef and then pressure cooking it with aromatic onion, garlic, rich tomato paste, savory Worcestershire sauce, and fragrant thyme, you create a complex, deeply satisfying gravy and perfectly cooked vegetables all in one pot. This method ensures maximum flavor extraction and incredible tenderness without hours simmering on the stovetop.
What to Expect
Prepare for an incredibly satisfying meal featuring beef so tender it practically melts in your mouth, bathed in a rich, savory gravy. The carrots and baby potatoes emerge perfectly cooked, tender yet still holding their shape, having absorbed all the wonderful flavors of the braising liquid. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of earthy vegetables, robust beef, and a deeply umami sauce that will warm you from the inside out.
Customization & Variations
While this recipe is perfect as written, you can easily adapt it. If you don't have fresh thyme, the recipe provides an option for dried thyme. For an even deeper flavor, you could add a splash of red wine along with the beef broth, adjusting the amount of broth slightly to compensate. To adjust the thickness of your gravy, you'll use cornstarch at the end, allowing you to achieve your desired consistency.
Serving & Context
This Instant Pot Pot Roast is the ultimate cozy dinner, ideal for a family gathering or a comforting weekend meal. Serve it straight from the pot, perhaps alongside some crusty bread to sop up every last drop of that amazing gravy.