Instant Pot Chuck Roast

I love using my Instant Pot, especially during the holidays or Sunday dinners when oven space is invaluable (and usually already occupied with sides like roasted vegetables or dessert, like pumpkin pie). This Instant Pot chuck roast recipe makes the most delicious, succulent roast beef dinner with minimal ingredients and without turning on the oven.

Traditionally, chuck roast requires low cooking for long hours to become tender. The Instant Pot works its magic to have this juicy pot roast ready in a fraction of the time. Complete with a side of carrots, potatoes, and gravy!

Why This Instant Pot Chuck Roast Is Worth It

• This pressure cooker pot roast is a comfort food dinner ready in a little over an hour.
• As a relatively affordable cut, chuck roast delivers big flavor on a budget, especially when those flavors are concentrated by the Instant Pot.
• Carrots and potatoes cook at the same time, making this an easy one-pot meal without a roasting pan to soak afterward.
• Turn the leftover cooking liquid into a savory beef gravy for serving.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here's a look at the ingredients needed to make this juicy Instant Pot beef roast. See the recipe card for the exact measurements.

• Chuck roast – Chuck roast is a cut of beef from the cow's shoulder. Look for a cut with a lot of fat marbling (fat = flavor). Be sure to buy chuck roast, not chuck steak. A roast is what you use to make pot roast and stews.
• Olive oil – Or your choice of cooking oil.
• Seasoning – Black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
• Garlic – I add lots of garlic to infuse this Instant Pot chuck roast with flavor. You can adjust the number of cloves. If needed, substitute the fresh garlic with jarred garlic, 1 tablespoon per clove.
• Sweet yellow onions – You can use another type of onion if you’d like, or substitute whole pearl onions.
• Beef broth – I recommend a high-quality bone broth for the best possible flavor.
• Balsamic vinegar – You could also use cider vinegar or red wine vinegar.
• Tomato paste – Substitute tomato sauce if needed. To concentrate the flavors, consider cooking the sauce down on the stovetop for a few minutes.
• Baby potatoes – Any shape or color, or a variety of colors, is fine here.
• Carrots – Chop the carrots into chunks. You can leave them whole if using baby carrots.
• Fresh rosemary and thyme – In a pinch, you can substitute dried herbs. Use one-third of the amount, as the flavor of dried herbs is more concentrated.
• Butter and cornstarch – Optional if you're making this a chuck roast with gravy from the pot drippings. You can substitute cornstarch with arrowroot powder if needed.

How To Make Instant Pot Chuck Roast

Ready to get started on this easy Instant Pot dinner? Here’s what you’ll need to do.

• Season. Sprinkle salt all over the beef and let it sit for an hour. After this, pat the beef dry and cut it in half.
• Prepare. Combine the seasoning ingredients in a small bowl; chop the onion and smash the garlic cloves.
• Sear the beef. Turn the Instant Pot to the Sauté setting, set for 15 minutes, and heat the oil. Sear the beef for about 5 minutes per side. Remove the beef and sauté the onion.

• Add the remaining ingredients. Stir in the broth, vinegar, tomato paste, and seasoning mix, scraping the bottom of the pot with a wooden spatula. Put the roast back into the pot and arrange the potatoes, carrots, thyme, and rosemary on top.
• Cook. Place the lid on the pot and turn it to the LOCK position. Select the “Pressure Cook” or “Manual” function and cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. When the cooking time is done, let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes.

• Make the gravy. Whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl. Use a strainer to remove any bits of vegetables and herbs from the liquid left in the pot. Add the butter and, if needed, season the gravy with salt and pepper. Turn the Instant Pot to sauté and cook the gravy for 3 to 5 minutes or until it thickens slightly. Slowly add the cornstarch mixture while stirring constantly.
• Finish. Add the beef and vegetables back to the pot and stir to warm through before serving.

Tips for the Best Pot Roast

• Dry the beef. Making sure the beef is completely dry before searing is key to getting a nice sear on your roast.
• Whisk the gravy well. If you’re making the optional gravy, make sure the cornstarch and water are completely blended before adding the mixture to the pot. You don’t want little clumps of cornstarch in your gravy.
• Adjust the time as needed. If you want to make a bigger roast, you can. As a general rule, when cooking beef roasts in a pressure cooker, you’ll need 20 minutes of cooking time for every pound of meat. 

Recipe Variations

This homemade pot roast is incredibly versatile and can be adapted to fit your tastes and diet. Here are some variations to try:

• Swap out the potatoes and carrots for other root vegetables like parsnips or turnips.
• Try a different blend of seasonings, either a store-bought rub or homemade beef rub.
• Throw in mushrooms for earthy flavor. They taste fantastic with beef!
• Add celery with the carrots and potatoes.

What to Serve With Chuck Roast

This all-in-one Instant Pot pot roast is great served with sides like pumpkin cornbread, mashed potatoes, or low-carb mashed cauliflower. If it's a special occasion, try stuffing and green beans almondine. I'll also serve this roast with brown rice or round out the meal with a simple green salad for a cozy weekend dinner.

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate. Store leftover Instant Pot chuck roast in an airtight container in the refrigerator; it will keep for 3 to 4 days.
• Reheat. You can reheat it in the microwave, or place the roast and vegetables in a roasting pan with some of the cooking liquid (or a splash of broth if you used the cooking liquid to make gravy), cover it with foil, and bake at 325ºF until it’s warmed through.
• Freeze. Seal the Instant Pot chuck roast in an airtight container or freezer bag to freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator and then reheat according to the instructions above.

More Instant Pot Recipes

• Instant Pot Pork Carnitas
• Instant Pot Whole Chicken
• Salsa Chicken
• Instant Pot White Chicken Chili
• Instant Pot Vegan Wild Rice Soup