Emilie Meyer
Cooking a roast in the Instant Pot is a great way to get a delicious, tender roast in a fraction of the time it would take in an oven or on the stove. The pressure-cooking method intensifies the flavours of the ingredients and makes the meat tender. It usually takes about an hour and a half to cook a roast in the Instant Pot, depending on the size of the roast and whether it's thawed or frozen. The Instant Pot is also versatile, as it can be used with any pressure cooker and can cook frozen beef. The key to a good Instant Pot roast is to start with a good cut of beef, usually a tougher cut like chuck, brisket, or round, as these have high amounts of collagen that break down into gelatin, tenderising the meat.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Time | 1 hour to 2 hours |
| Meat | Beef, preferably chuck roast |
| Cut | Tougher cuts with high collagen content |
| Weight | 3-4 lbs |
| Size | Large chunks |
| Temperature | High pressure |
| Add-ons | Baby potatoes, carrots, onions, rosemary, cornstarch, cream, garlic |
| Pre-cooking | Rub spices on the roast |
| Post-cooking | Natural release for 10 minutes, quick release for remaining pressure |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right cut of meat
Chuck roast, derived from the rear of the cow, is a popular choice for pot roasts due to its high collagen content. It is leaner than brisket and traditional chuck roast, so adding extra fat during cooking, such as oil or butter, can prevent it from drying out.
If you prefer a fattier option, brisket is a suitable alternative. Round roast is another cut that can be used, though chuck is generally preferred for its superior flavour and texture.
When selecting a cut of meat, consider the size of your Instant Pot. Larger cuts may not fit in smaller models, so it is advisable to opt for smaller or rolled cuts if necessary.
Additionally, the cooking time will depend on the size of your roast. A 3-4 lb chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes, for example, may require 15 to 40 minutes of cooking time on high pressure. Adjustments may be needed based on your specific cut of meat and personal preferences for doneness.
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Preparing the roast
Preparing a roast in the Instant Pot is a quicker alternative to the traditional oven method, with the pressure cooking process intensifying the flavours of the ingredients and making the meat tender. The time taken to prepare a roast in the Instant Pot depends on the size of the roast and whether it is thawed or frozen.
To prepare the roast, start by selecting a good cut of beef. Tougher cuts with high amounts of collagen, such as chuck, brisket, or round, are ideal for pot roasts as the long cooking time helps break down the collagen into gelatin, tenderising the meat. If your cut of beef is lean, consider adding extra fat like oil or butter to prevent it from drying out during cooking. You can also use frozen beef for this recipe, eliminating the need to thaw the meat beforehand.
Next, rub spices onto the roast. Smoked paprika, garlic, and rosemary are popular aromatics that can enhance the flavour of the dish. Once seasoned, place the roast into the Instant Pot and add any desired vegetables. Potatoes, carrots, and onions are common choices that pair well with the meat. You can also wrap the vegetables in tin foil pouches and place them on top of the meat to ensure even cooking.
Finally, secure the lid on the Instant Pot and begin the pressure cooking process. The cooking time will vary based on the size of your roast and the desired level of doneness. For a 3-4 lb chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes, cooking times can range from 15 minutes to 40 minutes on high pressure with a quick release. Larger chunks of meat will require longer cooking times. After cooking, allow 10 minutes for natural release before releasing the remaining pressure and serving your roast.
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Cooking time
The cooking time for a roast in an Instapot varies depending on the size of the roast and whether it is thawed or frozen. Tougher cuts of beef with high amounts of collagen, such as chuck, brisket, or round, are best for the Instapot as they become tender when cooked over a long period. Chuck roast is traditionally considered the best cut for pot roast, followed by round roast and brisket.
For a 3-4 lb chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes, the cooking time is around 15 to 40 minutes on high pressure with quick release. The Instapot website recommends cooking small chunks of beef roast (450 grams or 1 pound) for 15-20 minutes and large chunks for 20-25 minutes.
If you are cooking vegetables with your roast, it is recommended to cook the meat for 15 minutes, add the vegetables, and then cook for another 15 minutes. You can wrap your carrots and potatoes separately in tin foil and place them on top of the meat inside the pot.
The total cooking time for an Instapot roast is just over two hours, with most of that time being inactive. The pressure cooking process intensifies the flavors of the ingredients and makes the meat tender. Once the cooking program has ended, allow 10 minutes for natural release before releasing the remaining pressure.
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Natural release
The cooking time for a roast in the Instant Pot varies depending on the size of your roast and whether it is thawed or frozen. For a 3-4 lb chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes, the cooking time is around 15-40 minutes on high pressure. For small chunks of beef roast (1 inch or smaller), the Instant Pot website recommends 15-20 minutes per 450 grams or 1 pound, and for large chunks (2-3 inches), they recommend 20-25 minutes per 450 grams or 1 pound.
After the pressure cooking cycle has ended, it is important to allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 10 minutes. This is known as Natural Release. During this time, the pressure inside the Instant Pot will gradually decrease, allowing the meat to rest and ensuring that it is tender and juicy.
Once the Natural Release period is over, you can then perform a Quick Release of any remaining pressure by carefully switching the vent to the open position.
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve a roast cooked in the Instant Pot. You can shred the roast into chunks and serve it with mashed potatoes and the cooking liquid spooned over the meat. You can also serve the roast with a side of crusty bread or dinner rolls to soak up the extra gravy.
If you prefer your potatoes whole, you can serve them with the roast and a ladle of broth. You can also add other vegetables like carrots, celery, and onions. For softer vegetables, pressure cook for 2-3 minutes, and for extra soft vegetables, pressure cook for 8-10 minutes.
If you want to thicken the gravy, whisk together water and cornstarch and stir until the gravy thickens. You can also add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking a roast in an Insta Pot is quicker than the low and slow method, although it still takes a good amount of time. The pressure cooking process also intensifies the flavours of the ingredients and makes the meat tender.
Tougher cuts with high amounts of collagen work best for an Insta Pot roast. Chuck roast is traditionally considered the best cut, followed by round roast and/or brisket.
The cooking time for an Insta Pot roast depends on the size of the roast and whether it is thawed or frozen. For example, a 3-pound chuck roast cut into 1-inch cubes may take 15 minutes, 25 minutes, or 40 minutes on high pressure with quick release.
You can add potatoes, carrots, onions, and rosemary to an Insta Pot roast. Cornstarch and cream can also be used to thicken the gravy.
No, you do not need to sear the meat. Simply rub the spices on the roast and put the frozen roast in the pot before pressure cooking.
