This easy Instant Pot roast beef recipe delivers a tender, flavorful meal that will have your family asking for seconds. The secret lies in the pressure cooker, which infuses the beef with rich flavors and makes it incredibly tender.
If you've been searching for a hearty, comforting dish that's simple to prepare, this instant pot roast beef recipe is your answer. Using a pressure cooker in an instant pot, this method dramatically reduces cooking time and gives you a tender, delicious roast that's guaranteed to impress your family and friends.
This instant pot roast beef recipe is a surefire hit, and if you enjoy it, you'll also appreciate my Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli, a delicious mix of protein and greens. Alternatively, my Instant Pot Beef Stew is a comforting dish that's perfect for those chilly nights.
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- How to Make Instant Pot Roast Beef
- Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Roast Beef
- Serving Suggestions
- Recipe Variation Ideas
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Store Leftovers
- Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Recipe Card
- Easy Instant Pot Roast Beef Recipe (Classic Flavors!)
- Comments
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: This Instant pot roast beef recipe is a time-saver. With the instant pot doing most of the work, you can have a delicious meal ready in no time.
- Easy to Make: The steps are straightforward and simple, making it perfect for beginners or those who prefer uncomplicated recipes.
- Classic Flavors: This recipe uses traditional ingredients like garlic, onion, and bay leaf, giving the roast beef a classic, home-cooked flavor.
- Family Favorite: This recipe is a hit with both kids and adults alike, making it a go-to for family dinners.
- Crowd Pleaser: Whether you're hosting a dinner party or a holiday meal, this roast beef is guaranteed to impress your guests.
- Comfort Food: There's nothing like a hearty roast beef to warm you up on a cold day. This recipe is the epitome of comfort food.
Key Ingredients
All you need are some simple pantry staple ingredients to make this instant pot roast beef recipe at home. Let's look at them in more detail:
For a full list of ingredients and quantities, please check the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Beef: The star of our dish, a good cut of beef like a beef chuck roast or round roast will guarantee a tender and flavorful roast beef.
- Butter: This will be used to saute the garlic and onion, adding a rich, buttery flavor to the dish.
- Garlic Clove: A must-have for any roast, it adds a subtle hint of flavor that compliments the beef perfectly.
- Yellow Onion: This will be sauteed in butter to add a sweet and savory flavor to the dish.
- Mrs. Dash Seasoning: A blend of herbs and spices that adds depth and complexity to the flavor of the roast.
- Beef Bouillon: This will be used to add a rich, meaty flavor to the dish.
How to Make Instant Pot Roast Beef
Making this incredible instant pot roast beef is easier than you think. Here's how to make them at home step by step:
For a full list of ingredients and instructions, see the recipe card below.
Preparation of the Beef
Soak or rinse the beef: First, if you've bought your beef from the store, it's likely been coated with red dye. To remove this, soak and rinse your beef. Cut your 3 lbs. beef chuck roast into 2 or more chunks and soak them, changing the water multiple times over about 30 minutes. If you prefer not to rinse your meat, you can skip this step.
Prepare the other ingredients: While your beef is soaking, chop your onion and garlic into very small pieces. Also, prepare and measure out the rest of your ingredients.
Searing the Beef
Sear the beef: Rinse your chunks of beef and pat them dry with a paper towel. Turn your instant pot onto the "Saute" setting. Heat the inner pot for 30 seconds, add 2 tbsp. of olive oil, and place your chunks of beef in the pot. Brown the first side for about 4 minutes and the other side for 2 minutes. Use a splatter screen to minimize splatter.
Saute the garlic and onions: Remove your beef from the instant pot and place it on a platter. Add butter and garlic to the inner pot of the instant pot and saute for 15 seconds. Then, add your chopped onions and continue to saute for another minute, stirring constantly.
Adding the Rest of the Ingredients
Prepare the pot: Add a cup of cold water to the pot and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly to remove any burned stains from the bottom of the pot.
Add the dry ingredients: Turn off the "Saute" setting and add your dry ingredients: salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash Season, and beef bouillon.
Return the beef to the pot: Place your seared roast beef chunks back into the instant pot, add a bay leaf, and cover the pot with its lid.
Cook the Roast Beef
Cook the beef: Turn the valve to sealing, press “Pressure Cook” and set the cooking time for 55 – 65 minutes.
Release pressure and shred the meat: Once the roast is done cooking, turn the valve to the vent to release the pressure. Press the "Saute" setting again and saute the meat while shredding it into pieces. If you're not serving the roast immediately, turn off the saute setting and turn on the keep-warm setting.
Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Roast Beef
- Soak and Rinse the Beef: Before starting the recipe, soak and rinse the beef to remove any possible red dye. This guarantees a cleaner, healthier cut of beef for your dish.
- Sear the Beef: For the best and most flavorful gravy, sear your beef roast before cooking. Doing this right in the instant pot keeps things easy and adds a depth of flavor to your roast beef.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Cut fresh onion and garlic into very small pieces. Using fresh vegetables enhances the flavor of your dish.
- Don't Forget the Bottom of the Pot: After sauté, add a cup of cold water and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly to remove the burned stains on the bottom of the pot. This step is crucial to prevent your instant pot from giving a burn notice.
- Use the Right Cut of Beef: Beef chuck roast, brisket, or round roast are the best cuts of meat for this recipe. They become tender and flavorful when cooked under pressure.
Serving Suggestions
- For a hearty dinner, serve this flavorful roast beef with a side of creamy mashed potatoes. The buttery potatoes compliment the savory beef perfectly, making for a satisfying meal.
- If you're a fan of pasta, try serving this roast beef over a bed of your favorite noodles. The beef's rich sauce doubles as a delicious pasta topping, adding a meaty twist to your usual pasta dish.
- For a healthier option, pair this roast beef with a vibrant vegetable stir-fry. The vegetables add a refreshing crunch and color to the dish, balancing out the richness of the beef.
- This roast beef also goes well with rice. The fluffy grains soak up the beef's flavorful juices, making every bite a burst of flavor. This is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy your roast beef.
Recipe Variation Ideas
This delicious instant pot roast beef recipe is absolutely perfect as is, but if you're looking to change things up, here are a few variation ideas you can try:
- Vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables you may love such as bell peppers, and mushrooms. You'll still get a flavorful dish, but with less fat and more fiber.
- Herbs: For those who love the fresh, earthy flavor of herbs, this variation is a must-try. Add a couple of sprigs of fresh thyme and rosemary to the pot before cooking. These herbs will infuse the roast beef with their aromatic flavors, making the dish even more delicious.
- Spicy: If you like a bit of heat in your food, this variation is worth a try. Add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to the pot before cooking. This will give the roast beef a spicy twist you will love!
Frequently Asked Questions
The best cut of meat for an instant pot pot roast recipe is a beef chuck roast. This cut of beef is flavorful and becomes tender when cooked under pressure in the instant pot. You can also use a round roast or brisket if you prefer.
If your roast beef is tough, it could be due to not cooking it long enough. The instant pot is excellent at breaking down the tough fibers in the meat, but it still needs sufficient time to do so. Try increasing your cooking time to guarantee that meat becomes tender.
Yes, beef does get tender in the instant pot. The high pressure and steam inside the pot help to break down the tough fibers in the meat, resulting in a tender and flavorful dish.
Absolutely! You can add vegetables like carrots and potatoes to your instant pot roast. Just cut them into chunks and add them to the pot before you start the pressure cooking cycle. They'll come out perfectly cooked and full of flavor.
How to Store Leftovers
- Refrigerate: After enjoying this flavorful dish, store any leftover pot roast in an airtight container in the fridge. It will maintain its deliciousness for up to 3-4 days.
- Freeze: If you have a larger cut of beef and find yourself with more leftovers than you can consume in a few days, you can freeze the roast beef. Place it in an airtight sealed container or freezer bag and it can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Thaw: When you're ready to enjoy your frozen roast beef again, let it thaw in the refrigerator. This process guarantees that the beef maintains its flavor and texture.
- Reheat Instructions: To reheat your roast beef, whether from the refrigerator or after thaw, you can use your oven or saute it on the stovetop. For the best flavor, reheat slowly and add a splash of beef broth to keep it moist.
Similar Recipes You'll Love
- Creamy Mashed Potatoes Recipe
- Chicken Split Pea Soup Recipe
- Vegetable Beef and Bean Soup Recipe
- Garlic Parmesan Ranch Potatoes Recipe
- Easy Instant Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken Recipe
See all Instant Pot recipes.
Recipe Card
Easy Instant Pot Roast Beef Recipe (Classic Flavors!)
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 3 lbs. beef
- 2 tbsp. butter
- 1 large garlic clove
- ½ medium yellow onion
- 1 cup water
- 2 tsp. sea salt (or to taste)
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. Mrs. Dash Seasoning
- 1 tbsp. beef bouillon
- 1 bay leaf
- Organic parsley for garnishing
Instructions
Preparation of the Beef
- Soak or rinse the beef: First, if you've bought your beef from the store, it's likely been coated with red dye. To remove this, soak and rinse your beef. Cut your 3 lbs. beef chuck roast into 2 or more chunks and soak them, changing the water multiple times over about 30 minutes. If you prefer not to rinse your meat, you can skip this step.
- Prepare the other ingredients: While your beef is soaking, chop your onion and garlic into very small pieces. Also, prepare and measure out the rest of your ingredients.
Searing the Beef
- Sear the beef: Rinse your chunks of beef and pat them dry with a paper towel. Turn your instant pot onto the "Sauté" setting. Heat the inner pot for 30 seconds, add 2 tbsp. of olive oil, and place your chunks of beef in the pot. Brown the first side for about 4 minutes and the other side for 2 minutes. Use a splatter screen to minimize splatter.
- Sauté the garlic and onions: Remove your beef from the instant pot and place it on a platter. Add butter and garlic to the inner pot of the instant pot and sauté for 15 seconds. Then, add your chopped onions and continue to sauté for another minute, stirring constantly.
Adding the Rest of the Ingredients
- Prepare the pot: Add a cup of cold water to the pot and bring it to a boil, stirring constantly to remove any burned stains from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the dry ingredients: Turn off the "Sauté" setting and add your dry ingredients: salt, pepper, Mrs. Dash Season, and beef bouillon.
- Return the beef to the pot: Place your seared roast beef chunks back into the instant pot, add a bay leaf, and cover the pot with its lid.
Cook the Roast Beef
- Cook the beef: Turn the valve to sealing, press “Pressure Cook” and set the cooking time for 55 – 65 minutes.
- Release pressure and shred the meat: Once the roast is done cooking, turn the valve to the vent to release the pressure. Press the "Saute" setting again and saute the meat while shredding it into pieces. If you're not serving the roast immediately, turn off the saute setting and turn on the keep-warm setting.
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This recipe was originally posted on February 7, 2019 (original picture below), and updated for a better user experience. The post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure.
Tatyana says
Can I add carrots and mushrooms to the pot roast? if so when do I add them right away or later?
Valya of Valya's Taste of Home says
Yes, you may. When the cooking cycle is done add the vegetables and cook for another 10 minutes. Enjoy!