Quick Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe for a Simple Dinner 🥩🥔🥕
1. Introduction
Discover the surprisingly simple way to make a comforting and absolutely delicious instant pot pot roast, perfect for a simple yet deeply satisfying dinner. This recipe masterfully transforms humble, everyday ingredients into a fork-tender, flavorful meal in a fraction of the time compared to those traditional cooking methods your grandma used to swear by! Using an Instant Pot significantly reduces cooking time – think hours shaved off – making it an ideal choice for reclaiming your weeknights. Whether you’re a seasoned culinary artist or just starting your cooking journey, this quick pot roast recipe promises a hassle-free path to enjoying a classic family favorite. Get ready to savor succulent beef and perfectly cooked vegetables with minimal effort, offering a hearty and wholesome experience that warms you from the inside out.
2. Why Choose Instant Pot Pot Roast?
Let’s face it, weeknights can be chaotic. This easy instant pot dinner like pot roast offers many amazing advantages over traditional methods. The Instant Pot’s magical pressure cooking method ensures the meat becomes incredibly tender in a surprisingly short amount of time. This method also works wonders by enhancing the flavors; the sealed environment creates an amazing synergy, allowing the meat and vegetables to cook together, infusing each element with a rich, savory goodness that you just can’t replicate any other way. Forget about long hours of simmering on the stove or babysitting a roasting pan in the oven; with the Instant Pot, a deeply flavorful and hearty pot roast is entirely achievable in just about an hour. This recipe is absolutely perfect for those seeking a delicious, home-cooked meal without having to dedicate the entire day to the kitchen. For another quick and easy weeknight meal, check out this easy creamy beef and shells recipe!
3. Ingredients for the Perfect Pot Roast
To create the ultimate instant pot pot roast, you’ll need:
- A 3-4 pound beef chuck roast (look for good marbling!)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil (for searing perfection)
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped (don’t worry about being precise)
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped (adds sweetness and color)
- 2 celery stalks, chopped (the aromatic backbone)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (because garlic makes everything better)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (earthy and fragrant)
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (a hint of piney goodness)
- 1 bay leaf (a subtle but crucial layer of flavor)
- 2 cups beef broth (low sodium is a good choice)
- 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, quartered (holds their shape beautifully)
- Salt and pepper to taste (don’t be shy!)
4 . Step-by-Step Guide to Making Quick Instant Pot Pot Roast
1. Prepare the Roast
Begin by seasoning the beef chuck roast *generously* with salt and pepper. Don’t be afraid to really coat it! In the Instant Pot, heat the olive oil using the sauté function. Once hot – and I mean *really* hot – sear the roast on all sides until a deep, rich brown crust forms. This step is absolutely crucial; it’s all about developing those rich, complex flavors and a beautiful crust on the meat, dramatically enhancing the overall taste of your quick pot roast. Think of it as flavor insurance.
2. Add Aromatics and Liquid
After searing the roast to golden-brown perfection, remove it carefully from the Instant Pot and set it aside on a plate. Now, add the chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot and sauté until they begin to soften and caramelize slightly, usually about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, dried rosemary, and that single bay leaf; cook for another minute until the garlic is fragrant and intoxicating. Pour in the beef broth, being sure to scrape up *all* those delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot to deglaze. This seemingly simple step adds an amazing depth and complexity to your easy instant pot dinner, so don’t skip it!
3. Pressure Cook the Pot Roast
Return the beautifully seared roast to the Instant Pot, nestling it lovingly among the sautéed vegetables. Scatter the quartered Yukon gold potatoes around the roast. Secure the lid on your Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is correctly set to the “sealing” position. Cook on high pressure for a total of 60 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, resist the urge to immediately release the pressure! Instead, allow a natural pressure release for a full 15 minutes. After that, perform a quick release for any remaining pressure to avoid overcooking. This two-step release method is key to ensure that the beef is not only incredibly tender but also retains its precious juices, and that the vegetables are perfectly cooked but not mushy in this phenomenal pressure cooker pot roast.
4. Serve and Enjoy
Carefully remove the now unbelievably tender instant pot pot roast from the Instant Pot. Place it on a cutting board and let it rest for about 10 minutes before shredding (my preference!) or slicing against the grain. Serve the succulent beef and fork-tender vegetables with that intensely flavorful cooking liquid. For an even richer gravy that will have everyone begging for more, you can easily thicken the liquid with a simple cornstarch slurry (just whisk together 1 tablespoon of cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of cold water) and simmer it on the sauté function for a few minutes until it reaches your desired consistency. Finally, step back and enjoy the well-deserved praise for your delicious and utterly satisfying quick pot roast! You deserve it. If you love simple beef recipes, you should try this quick and simple beef lombardi casserole recipe!
5. Tips for the Best Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Choose the right cut of beef: Chuck roast is *the* ideal choice due to its beautiful marbling (those streaks of fat!), which renders down during the pressure cooking process, resulting in an incredibly tender and flavorful instant pot pot roast. Don’t skimp on quality here!
- Don’t even *think* about skipping the searing: Searing the roast is absolutely essential for developing that crave-worthy rich, deep flavor that makes this dish so amazing. It’s worth the extra few minutes, trust me.
- Deglaze, deglaze, deglaze the pot: Scraping up *all* those browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the Instant Pot after searing is crucial. Those little morsels of concentrated flavor add incredible depth and richness to the gravy.
- Adjust cooking time as needed: Cooking times can and may vary *slightly* depending on the actual size and thickness of your roast, as well as the specific power and quirks of your particular Instant Pot. A little experimentation might be necessary.
- Natural pressure release is key: Allowing for that natural pressure release (at least 15 minutes!) is absolutely vital. It helps the meat retain its precious juices, resulting in a far more tender and delicious quick pot roast. Patience is a virtue!
6. Variations and Additions
Feel free to customize your easy instant pot dinner and make it your very own with these tasty variations and additions:
- Add different vegetables to the mix: Include hearty parsnips, earthy turnips, or naturally sweet sweet potatoes for a delightful twist on the classic recipe.
- Spice things up with a little heat: Add just a pinch of red pepper flakes to the pot for a subtle kick that will awaken your taste buds.
- Experiment with different herbs from your garden: Don’t be afraid to play around with other complementary herbs like fragrant oregano or woodsy marjoram for a truly unique flavor profile.
- Wine not? Add a cup of dry red wine during the deglazing process for a richer, more complex, and deeply satisfying flavor. Just make sure it’s a wine you’d happily drink! Find more recipes on our site!
7. Serving Suggestions
Serve your amazing pressure cooker pot roast with these delightful side dishes for a complete and satisfying meal:
- Classic mashed potatoes or a lighter cauliflower mash
- Steamed green beans or tender asparagus spears
- Crusty bread, perfect for soaking up every last drop of that delicious gravy
- A simple side salad with a vinaigrette for a balanced meal
8. Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Store any leftover instant pot pot roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, or microwave individual portions. Leftovers are also fantastic in sandwiches or tacos, so get creative! For another recipe using leftovers, consider this quick crock pot chicken pot pie recipe made with few ingredients.
9. Conclusion
This quick instant pot pot roast recipe is a true game-changer for busy cooks who still want to enjoy delicious, home-cooked meals. It effortlessly delivers a tender, flavorful, and deeply satisfying meal in a fraction of the time compared to those traditional, time-consuming methods. With simple, readily available ingredients and straightforward, easy-to-follow steps, you can effortlessly enjoy an easy instant pot dinner that’s guaranteed to impress your family and friends. Embrace the incredible convenience of the Instant Pot and effortlessly elevate your weeknight dinners with this timeless classic comfort food. You can also browse our dinner category for more inspiration! For an example of a different take, check out this Instant Pot Pot Roast with Potatoes recipe to see how potatoes can be optimized.
PrintQuick Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe for a Simple Dinner
Experience the comfort of a savory Quick Instant Pot Pot Roast, perfect for a satisfying and easy dinner. This recipe transforms basic ingredients into a tender meal in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods. Ideal for busy weeknights, it promises a hassle-free way to enjoy a family favorite.
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Ingredients
- A 3–4 pound beef chuck roast
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- 1 large onion, roughly chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes, quartered
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season the beef chuck roast generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in the Instant Pot using the sauté function and sear the roast on all sides until browned.
- Remove the roast and add chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the pot, sautéing until softened (about 5-7 minutes). Stir in garlic, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf, then pour in beef broth, deglazing the pot.
- Return the roast to the Instant Pot with the quartered potatoes. Secure the lid and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release for 15 minutes.
- Remove the roast, allow it to rest for 10 minutes, then shred or slice. Serve with the cooking liquid and enjoy.
Notes
- Choose chuck roast for optimal tenderness due to its marbling.
- Searing the roast is key for rich flavor.
- Deglazing adds depth to the gravy.
- Adjust cooking times based on the roast size and Instant Pot power.
- Natural release helps retain meat juices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Balanced
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of the pot roast
- Calories: 450 Kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 105mg