Using an Instant Pot to cook roast is a convenient and easy way to prepare a delicious meal. The pressure cooking function helps meat become fall-apart tender in a fraction of the traditional cooking time. However, there are still some tips and tricks to getting roast just right in the Instant Pot.
One common concern when pressure cooking roast is overcooking it. It’s understandable to be worried about drying out or ruining the roast. Thankfully, with some care and technique, it is possible to avoid overcooking roast in the Instant Pot.
What causes roast to overcook in Instant Pot?
There are a few key things that can lead to overcooked roast in an Instant Pot:
- Cooking time is too long – Roasts only need a short time under pressure to become tender. Going over the recommended time can cause meat to become stringy and dry.
- Not enough liquid – Pressure cooking requires a minimum amount of liquid in order to build pressure. Not having enough can lead to burning or overcooking.
- High pressure release – Releasing pressure too quickly at the end of cooking can cause meat to overcook.
- Cut of meat is too small – Smaller cuts like beef tenderloin can overcook quickly in the Instant Pot. Larger roasts are better suited for pressure cooking.
- Incorrect pressure setting – Using high pressure instead of low pressure may overcook delicate cuts of meat.
Tips to avoid overcooked roast in Instant Pot
With a few simple tips, it’s easy to prevent overcooking roast in the Instant Pot:
- Use the right cut of meat – Choose larger, tougher cuts like chuck roast, pork shoulder, or lamb shoulder which stand up well to pressure cooking. Avoid small, delicate cuts.
- Don’t overfill the pot – About 1/2 to 2/3 full is optimal, leaving room for the roast to cook evenly.
- Add enough liquid – Use at least 1 cup liquid like broth or water so pot can build pressure.
- Use natural pressure release – Allow pressure to come down gradually on its own when done cooking.
- Adjust cook time – Start with minimum cook time for recipe and check for doneness. Add more time as needed.
- Use lower pressure setting – Delicate meats may do better on low pressure instead of high.
How to tell if roast is overcooked
Here are some signs that the roast is overcooked:
- Meat is dried out or stringy
- Roast has pulled away from the bone
- Internal temperature is over 205°F
- No pink color in interior of beef, pork, or lamb
- Meat shreds easily or falls apart
Checking for these signs of overdoneness early and making adjustments can prevent ending up with an overcooked roast.
Fixing an overcooked roast
If a roast is slightly overcooked, there are some tricks to salvage it:
- Make roast beef sandwiches – Sliced thin, overcooked beef can still make tasty sandwiches.
- Shred overcooked pork – Pour on barbecue sauce and serve on buns or tacos.
- Make roast beef hash – Dice overcooked beef and sauté with potatoes and vegetables.
- Use in stew or soup – Add bite-size chunks of overcooked meat to soups or stews to rehydrate.
- Roast beef dip – Make a flavorful jus and thinly slice roast to dip in it.
While extremely overdone roast may be beyond saving, with some creativity an overcooked roast can still make for delicious meals.
Conclusion
It is possible to overcook a roast in the Instant Pot if you aren’t careful, but thankfully there are steps you can take to avoid it:
- Use the right cut of meat and don’t overfill the pot
- Add sufficient liquid and allow natural pressure release
- Adjust cook time based on size of meat and follow recipe times
- Use lower pressure setting for delicate cuts
Check for signs of overcooking early and be ready to improvise if needed. With smart pressure cooking, you can make perfectly cooked roast in your Instant Pot every time.
Roast Cooking Time Table
Use this table as a guide for cook times when making roast in an Instant Pot:
| Type of Roast | Size | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pork Shoulder / Boston Butt | 3-4 lbs | 55-65 minutes |
| Beef Chuck Roast | 2-3 lbs | 50-60 minutes |
| Beef Rump Roast | 3-4 lbs | 20-30 minutes |
| Lamb Shoulder | 3-4 lbs | 40-55 minutes |
| Pork Loin Roast | 2-3 lbs | 15-20 minutes |
Cook times are for roasts cooked on high pressure. Use natural pressure release after cooking. Adjust times as needed based on size of meat and doneness.
Tips for Cooking Roast in Instant Pot
Follow these tips when cooking roast in the Instant Pot for best results:
- Sear roast first for flavor – Quickly brown all sides in the pot before pressure cooking.
- Add aromatics – Onion, garlic, herbs add great flavor. Use broth or wine to deglaze browning bits.
- Elevate roast – Place on rack or vegetables to avoid direct contact with liquid.
- Let rest before serving – Allow roast to rest at least 10-15 minutes before slicing to retain juices.
- Make gravy – Use cooking liquid to make an easy, flavorful gravy to serve with roast.
- Store leftovers properly – Refrigerate within 2 hours and use within 3-4 days.
Delicious Instant Pot Roast Recipes
Try these tasty roast recipes made easily in the Instant Pot:
Instant Pot Roast Beef
Ingredients:
- 3 lb beef chuck roast
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Season roast with salt and pepper.
- Sear roast on all sides in Instant Pot set to Saute.
- Add onion, garlic, broth, Worcestershire sauce, bay leaves and thyme to pot.
- Place roast on rack or vegetables in pot.
- Secure lid and set to High Pressure for 55 minutes.
- Allow natural pressure release, then remove lid.
- Remove roast to cutting board to rest 10-15 minutes.
- Slice roast and serve seasoned with more salt and pepper if desired.
Instant Pot Pulled Pork
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lb pork shoulder roast
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- Pat pork roast dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Sear roast on all sides in Instant Pot on Saute setting.
- Add remaining ingredients to pot and place roast on rack or vegetables.
- Secure lid and set to High Pressure for 65 minutes.
- Allow natural release, then remove lid.
- Remove pork to large bowl and shred with two forks.
- Add cooking liquid as needed to moisten shredded pork.
- Serve on buns or over cornbread.
Instant Pot Lamb Shoulder
Ingredients:
- 3-4 lb lamb shoulder roast
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
Instructions:
- Pat lamb dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Sear roast in Instant Pot set to Saute.
- Add remaining ingredients and place lamb on rack or vegetables.
- Secure lid and set to High Pressure for 50 minutes.
- Allow natural release, then remove lid.
- Remove lamb to cutting board to rest 10 minutes.
- Slice lamb and serve with cooking liquid as sauce.
Troubleshooting Overcooked Instant Pot Roast
If your Instant Pot roast turned out overcooked, review these common issues and solutions:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Roast is dry and stringy | Cook time was too long – Use less time for that cut of meat. |
| Roast is pulling away from bone | Meat cooked too long – Reduce cook time. |
| Roast is tough and chewy | Didn’t use enough liquid – Add at least 1 cup broth or water. |
| Roast looks very overdone on outside but underdone inside | Pot was overfilled – Leave room for steam circulation. |
| Pork roast falls apart but beef roast is still tough | Cook time wasn’t adjusted – Beef needs more time than pork. |
Analyzing what went wrong helps fix the issue next time. Don’t give up – with some trial and error, you’ll be pressure cooking roast like a pro.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to cook a roast in an Instant Pot?
Cook times can vary based on size and cut of roast, but average Instant Pot roast cooking times are:
- Pork Shoulder – 55-65 minutes
- Beef Chuck Roast – 50-60 minutes
- Lamb Shoulder – 40-55 minutes
- Pork Loin – 15-20 minutes
Use shorter times for smaller roasts and extend time for larger cuts or until roast is fork tender.
What roast cooks best in an Instant Pot?
The best roasts for Instant Pots are less tender cuts from the shoulder or round including pork butt, beef chuck, lamb shoulder, and rump roast. Tougher cuts become melt-in-your-mouth tender with pressure cooking.
Should roast be cooked on high or low in Instant Pot?
For most roasts, the high pressure setting is recommended, cooking meat in a fraction of the time with excellent results. Delicate meats like fish or pork tenderloin may do better on low. Refer to recipes for guidance.
How much liquid do you need for roast in Instant Pot?
You need at least 1 cup of liquid in the Instant Pot to build up enough steam and pressure. The liquid might be broth, water, wine, or juice. Adding aromatic veggies like onions, carrots, and celery also provides liquid.
Can you overcook meat in an Instant Pot?
It is possible to overcook meat in an Instant Pot if cooked too long. Fortunately this is avoidable by using the correct cook times and checking for doneness early. Letting pressure release naturally rather than quick-releasing helps prevent overcooking too.
Conclusion
It may seem like the convenience of an Instant Pot could lead to overcooked roasts, but have no fear. With the right techniques, cuts of meat, cook times, and pressure release, you can make tender, juicy roast in your Instant Pot every time. Just be sure to adjust recipes as needed based on the size and type of your roast. With a little practice, you’ll be whipping up fall-apart delicious Instant Pot roasts in no time.