Transform your dinner routine with the ultimate Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe! Imagine succulent, fall-apart beef, perfectly cooked carrots, and tender potatoes, all bathed in a rich, homemade gravy. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary experience designed for convenience and incredible flavor. Our Instant Pot Pot Roast recipe makes the most of your pressure cooker, delivering an entire hearty meal in a fraction of the time it would take in a traditional oven or slow cooker. Get ready to discover your new favorite comfort food, perfect for busy weeknights or special family gatherings.
Effortlessly Tender Instant Pot Pot Roast: A One-Pot Wonder
Say goodbye to long hours of simmering and hello to a remarkably tender pot roast, ready in about an hour of active pressure cooking. This recipe is a game-changer for anyone craving a classic, comforting beef pot roast without the wait. We’re combining a robust beef roast with wholesome baby potatoes and sweet baby carrots, all cooked together in a single pot. The magic of the Instant Pot ensures every component emerges incredibly tender and infused with an unbelievably flavorful gravy, making it a complete meal that will delight your taste buds. Serve it alongside a crisp green salad or some crusty bread to soak up every last drop of that amazing gravy, and you’ve got a perfect, satisfying dinner.
Mastering Instant Pot Pot Roast: Expert Tips for Success
Creating the perfect pot roast in your Instant Pot is surprisingly simple, especially when you know a few key tips. For this particular recipe, we’ve opted for a beef rump roast. This cut is a fantastic choice for pot roasts because it’s lean yet becomes incredibly tender under pressure. While a chuck roast is traditionally popular for its marbling, a rump roast offers a more compact shape that often fits better into standard 6-quart Instant Pot models, allowing for even cooking and easier handling. You could also use a center-cut sirloin roast if you prefer. The beauty of the Instant Pot lies in its ability to transform tougher cuts of meat into succulent, fork-tender masterpieces in a fraction of the time a slow cooker would require.
The secret to this pot roast’s exceptional flavor lies in a unique blend of dry seasoning packets: ranch dressing mix, brown gravy mix, and Italian dressing mix. These may sound unconventional, but trust us, they create an incredibly savory, well-rounded, and deeply satisfying flavor profile that sets this pot roast apart. Each packet brings its own distinct contribution: the ranch adds a zesty, herbaceous note, the brown gravy mix provides a rich, umami depth, and the Italian dressing mix introduces aromatic herbs and a subtle tang. Together, they form a harmonious seasoning base that infuses the beef, potatoes, and carrots with an irresistible taste, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor.
Essential Ingredients for Your Instant Pot Pot Roast:
Gathering your ingredients is the first step to creating this mouth-watering Instant Pot Pot Roast. You’ll find the full, detailed recipe card with precise measurements and instructions at the very bottom of this post, but here’s a quick overview of what you’ll need to create this incredibly tender and flavorful meal:
- Beef rump roast (approximately 2-3 pounds)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Olive oil (for browning)
- Little or baby potatoes (around 1.5 pounds)
- Baby carrots (about 1 ½ cups)
- Water
- One packet of dry ranch dressing mix
- One packet of dry brown gravy mix
- One packet of dry Italian dressing mix
- Minced garlic (fresh or jarred)
For thickening the gravy at the end (an optional but highly recommended step for that perfect consistency):
- Cornstarch
- Cold water
These simple ingredients, when combined with the power of your Instant Pot, will yield a rich and satisfying pot roast that tastes like it took hours of effort.
Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Perfect Instant Pot Pot Roast
Making this incredible Instant Pot Pot Roast is simpler than you might think. Follow these detailed steps for a tender, flavorful beef roast with its own delicious gravy, all cooked in one pot!
1. Browning the Roast for Depth of Flavor
First, we’ll brown the beef roast. While this step is technically optional, we highly recommend it. Browning the meat creates a rich, caramelized crust through the Maillard reaction, which locks in moisture and adds incredible depth of flavor that you simply can’t achieve otherwise. It also gives the finished dish a beautiful golden-brown color that’s incredibly appetizing.
To begin, select the “Saute” function on your Instant Pot. Drizzle a few tablespoons of olive oil into the bottom of the inner pot. Allow the pot to heat up for several minutes until the oil is shimmering and nice and hot. This ensures a proper sear on the meat.
While the pot heats, pat your beef roast thoroughly dry with paper towels. This is crucial for achieving a good sear; excess moisture will steam the meat rather than brown it. Season the roast generously on all sides with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Carefully place the seasoned roast into the hot Instant Pot. Brown one side until it develops a deep, rich color, then flip it over and brown the other side. Once both sides are beautifully seared, hit the “Cancel” button on your pressure cooker to turn off the Sauté function and prevent scorching.
2. Adding the Vegetables and Flavorful Liquid
Once the roast is browned, arrange the little/baby potatoes around the beef in the Instant Pot. These small potatoes are perfect because they cook quickly and absorb the rich flavors of the gravy.
Next, add the baby carrots to the pot, scattering them among the potatoes and around the roast. The sweetness of the carrots complements the savory beef beautifully, and they soften perfectly under pressure.
In a separate bowl (or a large measuring cup for easy pouring), whisk together the water with all three dry seasoning mixes: the ranch dressing mix, the brown gravy mix, and the Italian dressing mix. Add the minced garlic to this mixture as well. Whisk vigorously until all the dry ingredients are fully dissolved and combined, creating a smooth, aromatic liquid that will become your incredibly flavorful gravy.
Carefully pour this delicious mixture directly into the Instant Pot, ensuring it covers the bottom of the pot and surrounds the roast, potatoes, and carrots. This liquid is essential for building pressure and creating the rich gravy.
3. Pressure Cooking to Perfection
Now it’s time to harness the power of your Instant Pot! Place the lid securely on top of the Instant Pot, twisting it until you hear the familiar click that signifies it’s locked in place. Crucially, turn the steam release valve to the “Sealing” position. If you forget this vital step, the pot will not be able to build pressure, and your meal won’t cook correctly.
Press the “Pressure Cook” button (or “Manual” on older models), and then set the cooking time for 1 hour. The display will initially show “On” as the Instant Pot begins to build pressure. This process typically takes about 10-15 minutes, depending on the temperature of your ingredients and the amount of liquid. Once full pressure is reached, the one-hour cooking countdown will begin.
4. Natural Pressure Release for Unrivaled Tenderness
Once the Instant Pot finishes its 1-hour cooking cycle, it will beep and often automatically switch to a “Keep Warm” setting. At this point, resist the urge to immediately release the pressure manually (known as a quick pressure release). Instead, allow the pot to release the steam naturally. This means leaving the valve in the “Sealing” position and letting the pressure dissipate on its own. This natural release process is crucial for pot roast; it allows the meat to rest gradually, preventing it from seizing up and ensuring it becomes incredibly tender and juicy. It also allows the cooking process to gently continue as the pressure slowly drops. This can take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of your roast and the amount of liquid.
You’ll know that all the pressure has been safely released when the silver float valve (a small pin usually located next to the steam release valve) drops completely back down into the lid. Only once this float valve is down will the Instant Pot allow you to open the lid, a built-in safety mechanism. Once the lid can be opened, carefully remove the incredibly tender pot roast, soft potatoes, and sweet carrots from the inner pot and transfer them to a serving platter. The beef should be so tender that it practically falls apart.
5. Thickening the Flavorful Gravy
The liquid left in the Instant Pot after cooking is liquid gold – a rich, savory broth that makes an incredible gravy. To thicken it to perfection, turn the Instant Pot back to the “Saute” setting. The liquid will begin to simmer.
In a small separate bowl, whisk together 3 Tablespoons of cornstarch with 3 Tablespoons of cold water until you have a smooth slurry (a thick, lump-free mixture). It’s important to use cold water to prevent lumps from forming.
Pour this cornstarch slurry slowly into the simmering liquid in the Instant Pot, whisking constantly to incorporate it thoroughly and prevent any lumps. Continue to stir well as the mixture comes to a gentle boil. The gravy will start to thicken quite quickly. Once it has reached your desired consistency (usually a few minutes), hit the “Cancel” button to turn off the Instant Pot. Your rich, homemade gravy is now ready to be poured generously over the sliced or shredded pot roast and vegetables. Serve immediately and enjoy the fruits of your effortless labor!
Expand Your Instant Pot Repertoire with More Delicious Recipes!
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and incredible results of cooking in your Instant Pot, we have a treasure trove of other pressure cooker recipes that are sure to become family favorites. From hearty main courses to quick and easy dinners, the Instant Pot makes meal prep a breeze without sacrificing flavor. Explore these other fantastic Instant Pot recipes:
- Instant Pot Meatloaf with Potatoes
- Instant Pot Cubed Steak and Gravy
- Instant Pot Smothered Pork Chops
- Hearty Instant Pot Beef Stew
- Instant Pot Sausage Mac and Cheese
- Instant Pot Crack Chicken (Video Recipe)
- Instant Pot Chicken Scampi
- Comforting Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Quick Instant Pot Meatballs
- Versatile Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Instant Pot American Goulash
- Tangy Instant Pot BBQ Chicken
- Creamy Instant Pot Mac & Cheese
- Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast (for comparison!)
Instant Pot Pot Roast
This Instant Pot Pot Roast with carrots and potatoes is so tender and makes its own flavorful gravy! It’s an entire meal made in the pressure cooker!
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Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Pressure Release: 30 minutes (Natural)
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus pressure release)
Servings: 6
Author: Brandie Skibinski
Ingredients
- 2-3 pounds beef rump roast
- 3 Tablespoons oil (e.g., olive oil)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1.5 pounds little/baby potatoes
- 1 ½ cups baby carrots
- 2 cups water
- 1 packet ranch dressing mix
- 1 packet brown gravy mix
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- 1 ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- To thicken gravy: (optional)
- 3 Tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 Tablespoons cold water
Instructions
- First, brown the roast. Using the “Saute” option on the Instant Pot, pour olive oil into the bottom of the insert. Allow the pot to heat up for several minutes until it gets nice and hot.
- Pat the roast dry with paper towels (this will help the roast to brown.) Season roast with salt and pepper. Place roast into the bottom of heated 6-quart Instant Pot. Brown one side then flip over and brown the other side. Then hit the cancel button on the pressure cooker.
- Pour the little potatoes and baby carrots around the browned roast.
- In a bowl (or large measuring cup) whisk together water with dry mixes (ranch dressing mix, brown gravy mix, Italian dressing mix) along with the minced garlic.
- Pour this gravy mixture over the roast, potatoes and carrots.
- Place lid on top of Instant Pot (making sure it clicks to lock.) Turn the valve to “Sealing.” It won’t come to pressure if you forget that step.
- Press the “Pressure Cook” button, then set the timer for 1 hour. The display will say “On.” It will take about 10-15 minutes for the pot to come up to pressure. Then it will begin the one hour cooking time.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally. The pot will automatically go to a “Keep Warm” setting.
- You’ll know it has released all the pressure when the silver float valve has gone all the way back down. It’s only then the Instant Pot will allow you to open the lid. This is a safety setting. Once all the pressure is released, you can release the lid.
- Carefully remove the pot roast, potatoes and carrots and set them aside on a platter.
- To thicken the gravy:
- Turn the Instant Pot to the “Saute” setting.
- In a bowl, whisk together cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
- Pour this mixture into the Instant Pot. Stir well. Allow the mixture to come up to a gentle boil, stirring occasionally. Once gravy has thickened to your desired consistency, turn off Instant Pot and serve!
Video
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Nutrition
Calories: 468 kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 44g | Fat: 16g | Sodium: 1018mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 2g
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
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