Instant Pot Roast is a method of cooking a beef roast (like chuck roast) quickly using an Instant Pot, which is a type of electric pressure cooker. This cooking technique allows you to achieve tender, flavorful meat in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods.
Here’s a quick overview of how it works:
- Searing: First, you typically sear the roast in the Instant Pot using the sauté function. This step adds depth of flavor by browning the meat.
- Adding Ingredients: After searing, you add aromatics like onions and garlic, along with liquids such as broth or wine, and any vegetables you want (like carrots and potatoes).
- Pressure Cooking: Close the lid and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook. The high pressure cooks the meat quickly, usually around 60-90 minutes, depending on the size of the roast.
- Natural Release: Once the cooking time is up, you can let the pressure release naturally for about 10-15 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure.
- Serving: The result is a deliciously tender roast that can be served with the vegetables and the flavorful cooking liquid, often thickened into a gravy.
It’s a great way to enjoy a hearty meal without spending hours in the kitchen! If you’re interested in trying it out or adding your own twist, you can experiment with different seasonings or sides.
Here’s a simple recipe for making an Instant Pot Roast:
Ingredients:
- 3-4 pounds of beef chuck roast
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups beef broth (or enough to cover the roast halfway)
- 3-4 carrots, cut into chunks
- 3-4 potatoes, cut into chunks
- 2 teaspoons dried thyme
- 2 teaspoons dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
- Sear the Roast:
- Set your Instant Pot to the sauté function. Add the olive oil.
- Season the chuck roast with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, add the roast to the pot and sear it on all sides until browned (about 4-5 minutes per side). Remove the roast and set it aside.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the onion is translucent.
- Deglaze the Pot:
- Pour in a bit of the beef broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. This adds flavor to the dish.
- Add Ingredients:
- Return the roast to the pot. Add the remaining beef broth, carrots, potatoes, thyme, rosemary, and Worcestershire sauce if using.
- Pressure Cook:
- Close the lid, making sure the valve is set to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 60-90 minutes, depending on the size of your roast. For a 4-pound roast, 90 minutes is ideal.
- Natural Release:
- Once the cooking time is complete, let the pressure release naturally for about 10-15 minutes, then carefully switch the valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
- Serve:
- Remove the roast and vegetables from the pot. You can shred the meat or slice it. If desired, you can thicken the remaining liquid into a gravy by turning the Instant Pot back to sauté and whisking in a cornstarch slurry (1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water).
Enjoy your delicious Instant Pot Roast! Feel free to add your own twists with different herbs or vegetables as you experiment with flavors.