There’s something about a pot roast that just feels like home. Even in the middle of summer, the smell of a hearty roast cooking, soft onions, and sweet carrots fills the kitchen and makes everything feel cozy. This Instant Pot pot roast is comfort food made simple, and the pressure cooker does all the heavy lifting.

A Cozy Memory with Pot Roast

I have always loved pot roast. Whenever I think about it, I am reminded of my mom and my grandma. Southern comfort foods were a big part of our family, and pot roast was something my mom made often. Unlike Mississippi Pot Roast with the Au jus and peppers, we always made this more traditional version. Back then, we didn’t have an Instant Pot, so she slow-cooked it in the oven all day. The house would fill with that amazing, savory aroma, and it felt like home. Every time I make this dish now, it brings back those memories and wraps me in a warm, comforting hug. Sometimes I don’t have the time to let a roast cook all day, so it’s such a blessing to be able to throw it together quickly in the Instant Pot and still get that same tender, flavorful result.

Poor quality photo, high quality person and fellow pot roast loving woman aka mom.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 good chuck roast
1 medium onion, sliced
A handful of baby carrots
Salt and pepper to taste

Optional additions: bay leaf, sprigs of thyme, garlic cloves

How to Make Instant Pot Pot Roast

Prep the roast: Place your chuck roast in the Instant Pot and season generously with salt and pepper.
Add vegetables: Layer the sliced onion and baby carrots around the roast. You can tuck in herbs or garlic if you like.
Cook: Seal the lid and pressure cook for 45 minutes.
Natural release: Allow the steam to release naturally for about 20 minutes. This step keeps your roast tender and juicy.
Serve: Remove the roast and vegetables. The meat should be so tender it falls apart at the touch of a fork.

**Helpful tip when cutting onions:** Suck on a peppermint or put a little peppermint oil under your nose and you won’t cry!

To further lock in the juices and flavor, I like to first seer my roast on all sides before adding the veggies.

I like to serve mine with mashed potatoes but this is also delicious when you add baby potatoes and pressure cook them with the veggies.

Tips for the Perfect Pot Roast

Natural release matters. It keeps the meat tender and flavorful.
Choose soft vegetables. Baby carrots or root vegetables soak up the savory juices beautifully.
Season generously. Salt and pepper enhance the natural flavors of the beef.
Optional flavor boosters: Bay leaf, thyme, or garlic add extra depth if you want to experiment.
For larger roasts, add a few extra minutes of pressure cooking.

Tender and juicy beef, no knife required!

Serving Suggestions

Serve with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or a slice of crusty sourdough bread or my One Hour French bread to soak up the juices.
Pair with a simple salad or green beans for a complete family meal.
Leftovers make amazing sandwiches. Warm, juicy, and comforting.

Why I Love This Recipe

This Instant Pot pot roast is the kind of meal that makes you feel cared for. It is cozy, hearty, and simple. No complicated steps, no fancy ingredients, just honest, flavorful comfort food. It is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend meal when you want your home to feel warm and inviting.

Even if it is not fall or winter, this dish brings a sense of calm and satisfaction. The aroma filling the kitchen, the soft vegetables soaking up all the juices, and the tender meat all make this recipe feel like a warm hug. It is the kind of meal you will return to over and over again because it nourishes both the body and the heart.

I hope you enjoy it too!

cozy pot roast with fresh thyme, mashed potatoes and roasted carrots.

Easy and Tender Instant Pot Pot Roast for Cozy Dinners

Make the easiest and most tender Instant Pot pot roast with chuck roast, onions, and baby carrots. This Instant Pot pot roast recipe is perfect comfort food for any cozy dinner.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:15

Cook Time:45

Natural Steam Release:20

Total Time:1 20

Equipment

1 Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

Ingredients

1 Beef Chuck Roast *cooking times vary based on size
1 Yellow Onion
1 package of baby carrots or 3 full sized carrots (peeled and chopped)
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Instructions

Prep the roast: Place your chuck roast in the Instant Pot and season generously with salt and pepper. To further lock in the juices and flavors, sear on all sides.
Add vegetables: Layer the sliced onion and baby carrots around the roast. You can tuck in herbs or garlic if you like.
Cook: Seal the lid and pressure cook for 45 minutes.
Natural release: Allow the steam to release naturally for about 20 minutes. This step keeps your roast tender and juicy.
Serve: Remove the roast and vegetables. The meat should be so tender it falls apart at the touch of a fork.

Course: dinner

Cuisine: American

Keyword: beef, cozy dinner, easy dinner, instantpot, pot roast

Servings: 6

Calories: 560kcal

Author: Brianna Hughes

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