Instant Pot Mom’s Classic Pot Roast with Savory Onion Gravy
Mom’s classic Sunday pot roast. So fork tender it practically falls apart when you look at it! No knife needed!
- Prep Time: 30
- Cook Time: 90
- Total Time: 1.5 hours
- Category: Beef
- Method: Pressure Cooking
- Cuisine: Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 3–4lb chuck roast *See notes for 3 pound roast
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped small, about 1 1/2 – 2 cups
- 4 whole carrots, cut into 3” sections
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic, fresh
- 3 cups beef stock
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon parsley, dried
- 1 teaspoon thyme, dried
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoon corn starch
- 2 tablespoon water
Instructions
- Coat the chuck roast with 1 teaspoon of salt on all sides. In your pressure cooker either over high heat or on the browning stage, add the oil. Once the oil is shimmering carefully place the roast in the pot searing for 6-9 minutes on each side. Each side should have a dark caramelized crust. Once seared, remove the meat from the pot and set aside.If using a gas pressure cooker, reduce the heat to low. If using an electric pressure cooker, shut the system off.
- Next, in order, place the onions, carrots and garlic. *Note – if you like a more firm carrot, leave them out. See the note about cooking the carrots to have a more firm consistency. On top of the vegetables place the seared meat and any juices that were on the plate.
- In a bowl whisk together the stock, Worcestershire sauce, remaining salt, pepper, thyme and parsley. Pour this over the meat.
- Place the pressure cooker lid on the pot and seal. For a gas pressure cooker, turn the heat to high, set the dial to meat/poultry and the timer to 60 minutes. When the unit reaches temperature (mine chirps to notify me) reduce the heat to low. My unit only goes up to 59 minutes however this roast needs 90 (for a smaller 3lb size see notes as this only needs 70 minutes total) minutes to cook. When it chirps that it’s done simply reset the timer by adding another 30 minutes.For an electric pressure cooker, set it to high and the time to 90 minutes.
- After 90 minutes release the pressure in either pressure cooker using the natural release method. Carefully remove the lid and using large slotted spoons gently remove the roast and set on a serving platter to rest. It should be fall-apart tender. Next, remove the carrots and set aside.
- To make gravy strain any fat off and place the juice back into the pot. Bring the liquid to a boil (electric pressure cooker you’d set it to browning). In a small bowl stir together the cornstarch and water until blended. Whisk in the cornstarch slurry into the pot. Reduce the heat to medium and stir occasionally until desired consistency. Taste the gravy for seasoning – additional salt and or pepper.
Notes
For a 3lb roast, go with a total cook time of 70 minutes. If, after 70 minutes, it’s not fork tender, go with another 5-10 minutes under pressure.
More firm carrots – So I like a super soft carrot but if you do not, follow these instructions. Set the timer for 65 minutes WITHOUT the carrots in the pot. At the end of 65 minutes, do a quick release, add the carrots into the pot then cook on high pressure for 15 minutes. Once done, follow the rest of the recipe for with a natural release.
