This Instant Pot Beef Roast is everything you love about a classic meat-and-potatoes dinner, made in a fraction of the time. A well-seasoned beef roast is pressure cooked until fork tender alongside hearty potatoes, carrots, onions, and a rich homemade gravy for an easy family dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights or Sunday supper.
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There’s nothing cozier than a classic beef roast, but let’s be honest—most of us don’t have six hours to babysit a Dutch oven. This Instant Pot Beef Roast gives you everything you love about a traditional pot roast in a fraction of the time. The beef turns fork tender, the potatoes and carrots soak up every bit of that savory flavor, and the homemade gravy is rich, silky, and downright irresistible.
It's the kind of dinner that feels like Sunday supper but fits into a busy weeknight. With simple ingredients, minimal prep, and mostly hands-off cooking, you'll have a hearty meat-and-potatoes meal the whole family will look forward to.
Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Beef Roast
- Classic meat-and-potatoes comfort: Tender beef, hearty vegetables, and rich homemade gravy in every bite.
- Fork-tender every time: Pressure cooking transforms a beef roast into melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
- One-pot dinner: Beef, potatoes, carrots, and gravy all cook together for easy cleanup.
- Weeknight friendly: Enjoy the flavor of an all-day cook in a fraction of the time.
- Easy to customize: Swap vegetables, use your favorite cut of beef, or make extra gravy.
- Even better as leftovers: Perfect for sandwiches, mashed potato bowls, or another comforting dinner the next day.
Buy Now → What You'll Need & Why
- Chuck roast: Fork-tender and perfect for pressure cooking.
- Seasonings: Salt, garlic, onion, smoked paprika, black pepper, and dill create a savory, flavorful crust.
- Tomato paste: Deepens the flavor of the gravy.
- Beef broth: The base for a rich cooking liquid.
- Onion, carrots & potatoes: A classic meat-and-potatoes combination.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds savory depth.
- Bay leaves: Infuse the beef with classic comfort-food flavor.
- Cornstarch slurry: Thickens everything into a silky homemade gravy.
The Recipe Rundown
- Season & sear the beef until deeply browned.
- Deglaze with tomato paste and beef broth.
- Pressure cook with the vegetables until fork tender.
- Natural release for 10 minutes, then quick release.
- Thicken the cooking liquid into a rich homemade gravy.
- Serve the beef, vegetables, and plenty of gravy.
Swaps & Variations
This Instant Pot Beef Roast is pretty forgiving, so don't stress if you need to make a few changes.
- Love more gravy? Increase the broth slightly and make a little extra cornstarch slurry at the end.
- Use a different roast: Chuck roast is my favorite, but rump, bottom round, or arm all work well.
- Switch up the vegetables: Parsnips, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, or celery make great additions alongside the potatoes and carrots.
- Add fresh herbs: Toss in a few sprigs of rosemary or thyme for even more classic flavor.
- Make it extra rich: Replace about 1 cup of the beef broth with dry red wine before pressure cooking.
Tips For The Best Instant Pot Beef Roast
These small steps make a big difference in tenderness and flavor of this Instant Pot Beef Roast.
- Don't rush the sear: Deeply browned beef creates a richer, more flavorful gravy.
- Cut the vegetables large: Bigger chunks hold their shape better during pressure cooking.
- Scrape up the browned bits: Deglazing the pot adds incredible flavor and helps prevent the burn warning.
- Let it naturally release: A 10-minute natural release helps keep the beef juicy and tender.
- Taste the gravy before serving: A pinch of salt or a splash of Worcestershire can bring all the flavors together.
Instant Pot Beef Roast Recipe
Equipment
- instant pot
Ingredients
- 3-5 lb chuck roast
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp granulated onion
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
- 2 tablespoon tomato paste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 yellow onion, cut into large chunks
- 2-4 carrots, cut into large chunks
- 1 lb baby new potatoes
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1-2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Mix together the kosher salt, granulated garlic and onion, smoked paprika, dried dill weed, and fresh ground pepper.
- Pat the roast dry and season it liberally with the mix. Using the high sauté function on the Instant Pot, sear the beef on all sides until a nice, deep brown color has formed.
- Once the beef is nicely seared and the fond is well developed, remove the roast and set it aside. Add the tomato paste and stir constantly for a few minutes. Deglaze with the beef broth and make sure you scrape up all the little bits on the bottom of the pressure cooker bowl.
- Return the roast to the pressure cooker, add the potatoes, onions, and carrots on top. Add the Worcestershire sauce and a bay leaf.
- Place lid on the pot and turn to locked position. Make sure the vent is set to the sealed position. Switch Instant Pot to “pressure cook” on high and set to 60-80 minutes (60 for a 3 pound roast, 80 for a 5 pound roast.
- Allow the Instant Pot to do a natural release for about 10 minutes or so, then flip the switch and let it quick release until the valve goes all the way down.
- Remove the roast and vegetables.
- Make a slurry with the cornstarch and water. Pour it into the cooker bowl and stir until the braising liquid thickens and turns into a gravy. Plate the beef and veggies and serve the gravy on the side.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
Storage & Reheating
Instant Pot Beef Roast might be even better the next day — here’s how to keep it that way.
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Freeze the beef and gravy for up to 3 months. I don't recommend freezing the potatoes since they can become grainy.
- Reheat: Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave with a splash of beef broth if the gravy has thickened.
You Asked, I Answered
What is the best cut of beef for Instant Pot Beef Roast?
Chuck roast is my favorite because it's well-marbled and becomes incredibly tender under pressure. Arm roast, rump roast, and brisket also work well, though the texture may vary slightly.
Can I cook a frozen beef roast in the Instant Pot?
Yes! Skip the searing step and add about 20–30 minutes to the pressure cook time, depending on the size of the roast. The beef won't develop quite as much flavor, but it'll still be delicious.
How long do I pressure cook pot roast per pound?
The general guideline is 20 minutes per pound of beef.
Most roasts are 3–5 pounds, which puts cook time around 60–90 minutes depending on size and thickness.
Why is my beef roast still tough?
It probably just needs more time. Unlike steaks, tough pot roast usually means it's undercooked. Pressure cook it a little longer and allow for a natural release to help the meat become fork tender.
Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Absolutely. Cook on Low for 6–8 hours or High for 4–6 hours, until the beef easily shreds with a fork.
Can I make this in a Dutch oven?
Yes. Cover tightly and cook at 250°F for 6–8 hours, or until the beef is fall-apart tender.
More Comfort Food Favorites You’ll Love
- Dutch Oven Pot Roast – A low-and-slow classic with rich gravy and fall-apart tender beef.
- Braised Pork Shoulder – An easy, comforting roast in an incredible braising liquid that's perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying as leftovers.
- Roasted Chicken Thighs – Crispy skin, juicy meat, and one of the easiest weeknight dinners you'll make.
- Spatchcock Chicken – A timeless family dinner with golden, crispy skin.
- Baked Salmon – A simple, protein-packed dinner that's elegant enough for guests but easy enough for weeknights.
Who’s Stirring the Pot?
Hi, I’m Ruth—recipe developer, comfort-food creator, and the voice behind Rufus For Real. I specialize in cozy, doable, flavor-packed meals for real-life kitchens, and I’m a firm believer that breakfast, dinner, and everything in between should be simple, satisfying, and impossible to mess up.
You’ll find me sharing even more comfort-food goodness, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos over on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@rufusforreal everywhere).
If you love approachable recipes with a whole lot of personality, pull up a chair—there’s always room at this table.
Happy Cooking!
-Ruth aka Rufus
Breanna says
So simple! So good for busy days!
Mallory F says
such a simple, fast recipe for a busy mom! and very tasty!
Rufus says
Thank you so much for letting me know! Love hearing from you!