Savor the Comfort of The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast
Bring hearty flavors to your table with The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast, a dish that makes tender beef and rich broth come together in one comforting meal. Every bite carries that slow-cooked essence, yet with the convenience of pressure cooking, making it ideal for busy evenings and family gatherings alike.

Whether you are preparing dinner after a long day or hosting friends for a cozy weekend meal, this recipe delivers both comfort and flavor. It transforms a humble cut of beef into a centerpiece that feels indulgent but is easy enough for any home cook to master.
Ideal for those who want depth of flavor without spending hours in the kitchen, this recipe turns the Instant Pot into your secret weapon. Ready to make your kitchen smell like home while delivering incredible tenderness? Let’s explore how to create this savory favorite step by step.
Flavorful and Tender: Why This Is The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast
Cooking The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast is more than just preparing beef—it’s about layering flavors, tenderizing with pressure, and letting simple ingredients shine. The Instant Pot locks in moisture and speeds up cooking, so what usually takes hours in the oven comes together in just over an hour.
Not only is this recipe practical, but it also highlights how spices, herbs, and broth can elevate beef into something extraordinary. With rosemary, thyme, and a splash of vinegar for balance, the roast becomes deeply savory. This pot roast pairs wonderfully with classic sides like mashed potatoes or even homemade bread such as Easy Dutch Oven No-Knead Bread.
Here’s how you can recreate this comfort food favorite, along with tips to ensure the roast turns out beautifully every time.
Pro Tips for The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Season Generously: Don’t hold back with salt and spices—seasoning builds the base flavor that carries through the cooking process.
- Brown the Beef Well: Searing locks in flavor and creates a crust that adds depth to the final dish.
- Scrape the Pot: When adding broth, scrape every browned bit. These caramelized bits enrich the cooking liquid and prevent the burn warning.
- Use Fresh Herbs: Rosemary and thyme sprigs infuse subtle flavors that dried herbs can’t always match.
- Rest Before Serving: Let the roast rest a few minutes after shredding. This allows juices to redistribute and keeps the meat moist.

The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast Recipe
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Cooking time: 60 minutes (plus pressure release)
- Servings: 6
- Equipment: Instant Pot, cutting board, sharp knife, mixing bowl
With this Instant Pot pot roast recipe, your home will be filled with aromas that remind you of classic Sunday dinners.
Ingredients:
- 3 pounds beef chuck, brisket, or round
- Salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 large onion
- 5 medium carrots (12 ounces)
- 4 celery stalks
- 5 to 6 garlic cloves
- 1 ½ tablespoons high-heat cooking oil
- 3 cups beef broth, try homemade beef broth
- 1 to 2 bouillon cubes or bouillon mix, optional
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 4 rosemary sprigs
- 4 thyme sprigs
- 1 bay leaf
- 12 ounces baby potatoes, optional
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch, optional for gravy
- 2 tablespoons cream, optional for gravy
Directions:
- Season the beef: Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt, letting it rest for one hour at room temperature.
- Make the spice blend: Stir onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper together in a small bowl.
- Prepare the veggies: Cut onion into chunks, slice carrots and celery, and smash garlic cloves to peel.
- Brown the beef: Rub spice mixture over beef. Add oil to the Instant Pot on Sauté mode. Brown beef on all sides until golden, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer beef to a plate.
- Sauté the veggies: Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot. Cook until lightly browned, around 6 minutes. Remove to the plate with beef.
- Make the cooking liquid: Pour in broth, bouillon, and vinegar. Scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon to add flavor and prevent sticking.
- Pressure cook: Turn off Sauté. Return beef and veggies to pot. Add rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, and potatoes. Secure lid and cook at Manual High Pressure for 60 minutes. Adjust by 20 minutes per pound of beef.
- Release the pressure: Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest.
- To finish: Remove beef and shred on a cutting board. Serve with potatoes and softened vegetables.
Optional Quick Gravy for Instant Pot Pot Roast
- Reduce the liquid: Remove vegetables and herbs from the cooking liquid. Turn Instant Pot to Sauté and boil until liquid reduces by one-quarter.
- Thicken the gravy: Mix cornstarch with ¼ cup water. Stir into simmering liquid until thickened. Turn off heat.
- Finish and serve: Season gravy to taste. For richer flavor, add cream. Optionally blend softened carrots, onions, and celery into the gravy for extra body.
Why Families Love The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast
This recipe combines tenderness, simplicity, and flavor in a way that appeals to all ages. It’s a satisfying main course that works well for weeknight dinners but feels special enough for Sunday gatherings. Pair it with a sweet side dish like Candied Carrots or a comforting dessert such as Sticky Bun Breakfast Ring.
For a hearty meal plan, you could also serve it alongside cozy classics like Slow Cooker Chicken and Gravy or finish dinner with something simple like Bundt Cake Breakfast. The flavors are timeless, and the process is easy, making it a favorite to repeat.
Ready to Relish This Comfort Classic?
The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast brings old-fashioned flavor into modern kitchens. With tender beef, aromatic herbs, and a rich gravy, it captures the essence of family-style cooking in less than half the time of traditional methods.
Each bite is hearty, flavorful, and perfect with a slice of Homemade Bakery French Bread. Whether you’re feeding your family or impressing guests, this recipe is the one to keep close.
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The Best Instant Pot Pot Roast
With this Instant Pot pot roast recipe, your home will be filled with aromas that remind you of classic Sunday dinners.
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
Ingredients
-
3 pounds beef chuck, brisket, or round
-
Salt
-
1 ½ teaspoons onion powder
-
1 teaspoon garlic powder
-
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
-
1 large onion
-
5 medium carrots (12 ounces)
-
4 celery stalks
-
5 to 6 garlic cloves
-
1 ½ tablespoons high-heat cooking oil
-
3 cups beef broth, try homemade beef broth
-
1 to 2 bouillon cubes or bouillon mix, optional
-
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
-
4 rosemary sprigs
-
4 thyme sprigs
-
1 bay leaf
-
12 ounces baby potatoes, optional
-
2 tablespoons cornstarch, optional for gravy
-
2 tablespoons cream, optional for gravy
Instructions
-
Season the beef: Pat the beef dry with paper towels. Sprinkle with salt, letting it rest for one hour at room temperature.
-
Make the spice blend: Stir onion powder, garlic powder, and black pepper together in a small bowl.
-
Prepare the veggies: Cut onion into chunks, slice carrots and celery, and smash garlic cloves to peel.
-
Brown the beef: Rub spice mixture over beef. Add oil to the Instant Pot on Sauté mode. Brown beef on all sides until golden, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer beef to a plate.
-
Sauté the veggies: Add onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot. Cook until lightly browned, around 6 minutes. Remove to the plate with beef.
-
Make the cooking liquid: Pour in broth, bouillon, and vinegar. Scrape up browned bits with a wooden spoon to add flavor and prevent sticking.
-
Pressure cook: Turn off Sauté. Return beef and veggies to pot. Add rosemary, thyme, bay leaf, and potatoes. Secure lid and cook at Manual High Pressure for 60 minutes. Adjust by 20 minutes per pound of beef.
-
Release the pressure: Let pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the rest.
-
To finish: Remove beef and shred on a cutting board. Serve with potatoes and softened vegetables.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes (plus pressure release)


