The Pioneer Woman Instant Pot Pot Roast: Your Guide to Delicious, Quick Comfort Food

Craving a hearty, flavorful pot roast but short on time? The Instant Pot is your secret weapon! This easy Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe delivers the tender, melt-in-your-mouth goodness of a slow-cooked roast in a fraction of the time. Inspired by the home-style cooking of the Pioneer Woman, this dish is perfect for a family dinner any night of the week. Forget spending hours waiting – with this Instant Pot method, you can have a comforting pot roast with vegetables on the table in just over an hour.

Pot roast is a classic comfort food, traditionally requiring hours of slow cooking in the oven or a slow cooker. While those methods yield fantastic results, sometimes life calls for speed. That’s where the magic of the Instant Pot comes in. This pressure cooker allows you to achieve the same level of tenderness and flavor in significantly less time. This recipe embraces the spirit of simple, delicious home cooking that The Pioneer Woman is known for, making it accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

If you’re new to Instant Pot pot roast, you might be wondering about the key differences compared to conventional roasting. Let’s clarify:

Pot Roast vs. Roast Beef: What’s the Difference?

While both are beef dishes, the cooking method distinguishes them. Roast beef is typically cooked dry in the oven without added liquid, relying on the natural moisture of the meat. Pot roast, on the other hand, is a braise. Braising involves cooking the beef in liquid, such as broth, water, or wine. This moist heat method is crucial for tenderizing tougher cuts of beef.

Choosing the Right Beef Cut for Instant Pot Pot Roast

For the best Instant Pot pot roast, you’ll want to choose cuts that thrive with braising. These are typically less expensive, flavorful cuts with some fat and connective tissue. Excellent choices include:

Chuck Roast: This is arguably the most popular and widely recommended cut for pot roast. It’s well-marbled, becoming incredibly tender and flavorful as it braises.
Brisket: Another fantastic option, brisket is known for its rich, beefy flavor. It has more fat than chuck roast and becomes wonderfully pull-apart tender.
Round Roast: While leaner than chuck or brisket, round roast can still work well for pot roast, especially if you prefer a less fatty result. Be mindful not to overcook it to prevent dryness.

These cuts are ideal for pot roast because the longer cooking time (or in this case, pressure cooking time) breaks down the connective tissues, resulting in incredibly moist and tender meat. The Instant Pot accelerates this process, giving you the same delicious outcome much faster.

Step-by-Step Guide to Instant Pot Pot Roast Perfection

Let’s walk through how to make a mouthwatering Instant Pot pot roast, inspired by hearty, home-style recipes.

Searing the Roast: Turn your Instant Pot to the “Sauté” setting and add butter and oil. Season your beef roast generously with salt and pepper. Once the butter is melted and the pot is hot, sear the roast on all sides until deeply browned. This searing step is crucial for developing rich, complex flavors in your pot roast. Aim for about 1.5-2 minutes per side. Remove the seared roast and set aside.
Sautéing Aromatics: In the same Instant Pot, add diced onions and sauté until softened and translucent, about 3 minutes. Then, add crushed garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Turn off the “Sauté” setting.
Pressure Cooking the Roast: Return the seared beef roast to the Instant Pot. Pour in beef broth (or your chosen liquid). Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the valve is set to “Sealing.” Select “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” and set the cooking time for 50 minutes.
Adding Vegetables: Once the cooking cycle is complete, you can use either a natural pressure release (allowing the pressure to release slowly) or a quick pressure release (carefully venting the steam). Then, add your vegetables – carrots and potatoes are classic choices. Place the lid back on, and cook for an additional 10 minutes on “Manual” or “Pressure Cook.”

Instant Pot Pot Roast Ingredients & Customizations

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients and some easy substitutions to tailor this Pioneer Woman inspired Instant Pot pot roast to your taste:

Oil & Butter: A combination of butter and oil is used for searing. Butter adds flavor, while oil prevents the butter from burning at high heat. Use any neutral-flavored oil like vegetable or canola oil.
Beef Roast: Choose a 3-5 lb chuck roast, brisket, or round roast, depending on your preference and availability.
Onion & Garlic: These aromatics are essential for building a flavorful base for your pot roast.
Beef Broth: Beef broth is the classic braising liquid, adding depth of flavor. You can substitute with water or even add a splash of red wine for extra richness.
Vegetables: Carrots and potatoes are traditional pot roast vegetables. Feel free to add other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips. For a low-carb option, replace potatoes with cauliflower or add mushrooms or bell peppers.
Seasoning: Simple salt and pepper are the base. Consider adding dried herbs like thyme or rosemary for a more complex flavor profile, or use a pre-made pot roast seasoning blend. You can even make your own homemade pot roast seasoning for a truly personalized touch.

Troubleshooting: Why Is My Instant Pot Roast Tough?

If your pot roast comes out tough even after pressure cooking, it simply needs more time. Toughness in pot roast usually means the connective tissue hasn’t fully broken down yet. Don’t worry, it’s an easy fix!

Simply return the roast to the Instant Pot, add a bit more broth if needed, and cook for another 15 minutes. Check again for tenderness after this additional cooking time. It should become wonderfully tender and fall-apart.

How Much Liquid for Instant Pot Pot Roast?

Unlike oven roasting, pressure cooking requires liquid to create steam and pressure. For this recipe, 1 cup of beef broth is sufficient for a 3-5 lb roast. Ensure there’s always liquid in the pot when pressure cooking to prevent burning and ensure proper cooking.

Serving Suggestions for Your Pioneer Woman Style Pot Roast

This Instant Pot pot roast, with its tender beef, carrots, and potatoes, is a complete meal in itself. For a simple side, consider adding a green vegetable like roasted green beans or a fresh salad to balance the richness of the roast.

Alternatively, if you omit the potatoes during cooking, you can serve your pot roast over creamy mashed potatoes or polenta for a truly comforting and satisfying meal. A side of crusty bread is also perfect for soaking up the flavorful gravy.

Storing Leftover Pot Roast

Leftover pot roast is delicious the next day! Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Leftover pot roast is also fantastic in sandwiches, tacos, or shepherd’s pie.

Recipe Hints & Tips for the Best Instant Pot Pot Roast

Don’t skip the searing: Searing the roast is a critical step for flavor development. It creates a rich crust and adds depth to the final dish.
Season generously: Season your roast liberally with salt and pepper before searing to enhance its natural flavors.
Adjust cooking time for size: Cooking times may need slight adjustments depending on the exact size and thickness of your roast. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe 145°F (for medium-rare, pot roast is typically cooked to well-done for maximum tenderness).
Deglaze the pot: After searing the roast and sautéing vegetables, deglaze the pot by pouring in the beef broth and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. These browned bits (fond) add even more flavor to your gravy.

Enjoy the ease and deliciousness of this Instant Pot pot roast recipe! It’s a modern take on a classic comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights or relaxed weekend dinners, and inspired by the hearty, family-friendly style of The Pioneer Woman.

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Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 7 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 22 minutes

Ingredients

2 Tablespoons butter
2 Tablespoons oil of choice
1 3-5 lb beef roast (chuck, brisket, or round)
1 onion, diced
5 cloves garlic, crushed
1 cup beef broth
Salt and pepper, to taste
4 carrots, peeled and chopped
4 potatoes, peeled and chopped (omit or replace with cauliflower if low-carb)

Instructions

Place the butter and oil in your instant pot. Set to Sauté setting.
Season the roast with salt and pepper.
When the butter is melted, add the roast and sear on each side until well browned, about 1 1/2-2 minutes on each side.
Remove roast from instant pot.
Add in the onions, cook while stirring occasionally for 3 minutes until translucent, then the garlic. Cook 1 minute before turning off Sauté setting.
Place the roast in the instant pot and pour in the beef broth.
Secure the lid and select manual for 50 minutes.
Natural or quick release, then add the carrots and potatoes. Cook on manual for 10 additional minutes.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8

Serving Size: 1 Amount Per Serving: Calories: 2723Total Fat: 170gSaturated Fat: 67gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 81gCholesterol: 1028mgSodium: 619mgCarbohydrates: 22gFiber: 3gSugar: 2gProtein: 259g

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment below & if you recreate this recipe, be sure to share a photo on Instagram. Tag me @when.is.dinner and hashtag #whenisdinner!

Essential Tools for Instant Pot Pot Roast

These are helpful tools to have on hand when making Instant Pot pot roast:

Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and WarmerInstant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker and Warmer
Alt text: Instant Pot DUO60 6 Qt 7-in-1 Multi-Use Programmable Pressure Cooker for easy pot roast.

OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting BoardOXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board
Alt text: OXO Good Grips Utility Cutting Board, a durable cutting board for preparing vegetables.

J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL 31161-201 CLASSIC ChefJ.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL 31161-201 CLASSIC Chef’s Knife, 8 Inch, Black
Alt text: J.A. HENCKELS INTERNATIONAL Classic Chef’s Knife, a sharp kitchen knife for chopping vegetables and meat.

Emile Henry Made In France Lasagna/Roasting Dish 16.75
Alt text: Emile Henry Made In France Lasagna/Roasting Dish, a versatile dish for serving pot roast or other family meals.

OXO Good Grips Prep Y-PeelerOXO Good Grips Prep Y-Peeler
Alt text: OXO Good Grips Prep Y-Peeler, a comfortable and efficient vegetable peeler.

The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 12-Piece Dinnerware SetThe Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 12-Piece Dinnerware Set
Alt text: The Pioneer Woman Vintage Floral 12-Piece Dinnerware Set, a charming dinnerware set for serving your pot roast in style.