If you’re craving a rich, comforting meal that brings together the best of French cuisine and hearty pot roast goodness, this Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe is an absolute must-try. Combining tender, flavorful beef with caramelized onions and a luscious, savory gravy, it’s a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Best of all, the Instant Pot cuts down the cooking time without sacrificing those deep, slow-cooked flavors we all love, making it perfect for busy weeknights or special family dinners.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are both simple and essential, each playing a vital role in building the layers of flavor, texture, and color that make this Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe so irresistible.
- 3 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 10 chunks: This cut is perfect for slow cooking, becoming tender and juicy with minimal effort.
- 3 tablespoons steak seasoning: Adds a robust, savory base that enhances the beef’s natural flavor.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt: Essential for seasoning that brings out depth in all the ingredients.
- 4 cloves garlic, minced: Adds aromatic warmth and subtle pungency.
- 2 large white or yellow onions, sliced: These onions soften and sweeten as they cook, contributing to that classic French onion taste.
- 1 ½ cups reduced-sodium beef broth, divided: The broth keeps everything moist and infuses rich beefiness into the dish.
- 1 tablespoon Better Than Beef Bouillon: Intensifies the beef flavor for an unbeatable gravy.
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch: Used to thicken the gravy into a silky sauce that clings beautifully to the meat.
- 1 bay leaf: Adds a subtle herbal note that rounds out the flavors.
How to Make Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Meat
Begin by cutting your chuck roast into manageable chunks, about 10 pieces. This helps the meat cook evenly and absorb all those delicious flavors during the pressure cooking process.
Step 2: Season the Meat
Place the chunks into the Instant Pot’s inner pot, then generously sprinkle the steak seasoning and kosher salt over the beef. This step is crucial because it locks in savory notes that become the backbone of the dish.
Step 3: Add Onion, Garlic, and Broth
Pour in 1 and 1/4 cups of reduced-sodium beef broth, ensuring the meat is surrounded by liquid for even cooking. Top the meat with the minced garlic and the sliced onions, which will slowly soften and impart that rich French onion flavor as they cook.
Step 4: Add Bouillon and Bay Leaf
Sprinkle the Better Than Beef Bouillon over the mixture and tuck in the bay leaf. These two simple ingredients elevate the broth’s depth, giving you a gravy that tastes like it simmered all day long.
Step 5: Pressure Cook
Seal and lock the Instant Pot lid, set the pressure release valve to sealing, and cook on manual high pressure for 60 minutes. This step transforms the chuck roast into fork-tender bliss, all while blending the flavors beautifully.
Step 6: Natural Pressure Release
Once the cooking is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 25 minutes. This gentle cooldown lets the meat relax and keeps it juicy and tender.
Step 7: Shred the Meat
Carefully remove the beef chunks and shred them with two forks. Don’t forget to discard the bay leaf—it has done its job providing flavor but isn’t meant for eating!
Step 8: Thicken the Gravy
Mix the remaining 1/4 cup beef broth with the cornstarch to create a slurry. Switch your Instant Pot to sauté mode, stir in the slurry, and cook until the gravy thickens to the perfect consistency. Pour this luscious sauce over the shredded meat for ultimate comfort.
How to Serve Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or thyme brightens up the dish visually and adds a fresh herbaceous note that pairs wonderfully with the rich gravy. You can also add a few caramelized onion slices on top for extra texture and flavor.
Side Dishes
This pot roast is fantastic when paired with creamy mashed potatoes or buttered egg noodles, which soak up every bit of the incredible gravy. Roasted vegetables like carrots and green beans also bring a crisp contrast to balance the softness of the meat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the shredded pot roast on toasted baguette slices to create a hearty open-faced sandwich. Alternatively, spoon the meat and gravy over creamy polenta or buttery grits for a soul-satisfying meal with a little Southern flair.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and flavorful for up to 4 days, perfect for quick meals later in the week.
Freezing
You can also freeze the leftover roast and gravy in a microwave-safe container for up to 3 months. Be sure to leave some space at the top for expansion and thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally so the gravy warms evenly without drying out the shredded beef. Add a splash of beef broth if the gravy thickens too much during storage.
FAQs
Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?
Absolutely! While chuck roast is ideal for tenderness and flavor, you can also use brisket or rump roast. Just keep in mind that cooking times may vary slightly depending on the cut.
Is it necessary to use Better Than Beef Bouillon?
Not strictly necessary, but it adds an extra depth of savory beef flavor that really takes the gravy to another level. If you don’t have it, a beef bouillon cube or concentrated stock will work as a substitute.
Can I skip the cornstarch and reduce naturally?
You can, but the gravy will be thinner. If you prefer a heartier sauce, the cornstarch slurry is your best bet for that classic luscious texture.
How long does the natural release take on the Instant Pot?
For this recipe, plan on about 25 minutes for the natural pressure release. This allows the meat fibers to relax and keeps the roast extra tender and moist.
Can I prepare this recipe without an Instant Pot?
You can use a slow cooker or a Dutch oven for a similar result, but keep in mind the cooking time will increase to several hours to achieve the same tenderness and flavor infusion.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the way this Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe brings together simplicity and soul-satisfying flavor in a fraction of the time traditional methods require. It’s perfect for cozy dinners with loved ones or impressing guests with minimal effort. Give it a try—you’ll quickly find it belongs on your regular dinner rotation!
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Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast recipe combines tender chuck roast with rich French onion flavors, simmered to perfection in an electric pressure cooker. The beef is seasoned with steak seasoning and kosher salt, layered with garlic and caramelized onions, then cooked under high pressure to achieve juicy, melt-in-your-mouth results. The dish finishes with a luscious onion-infused gravy thickened with cornstarch, making it perfect for a comforting family meal in under two hours.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 3 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, cut into 10 chunks
- 3 tablespoons steak seasoning
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Vegetables
- 2 large white or yellow onions, sliced
Liquids and Bouillon
- 1 ½ cups reduced-sodium beef broth, divided (1 ¼ cups + ¼ cup)
- 1 tablespoon Better Than Beef Bouillon
Thickening Agent & Spices
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Prepare the Meat: Cut the boneless beef chuck roast into 10 separate chunks to ensure even cooking in the Instant Pot.
- Place the Meat in the Pot: Put the chuck roast pieces into the inner pot of the Instant Pot, spreading them evenly for optimal pressure cooking.
- Season the Meat: Sprinkle the 3 tablespoons of steak seasoning and 1 teaspoon kosher salt evenly over the beef chunks for a well-balanced flavor base.
- Add Garlic and Onions: Pour 1 and 1/4 cups of the reduced-sodium beef broth over the meat. Then, top with the minced garlic and sliced onions, layering to enhance the flavor infusion while cooking.
- Add Bouillon and Bay Leaf: Stir in 1 tablespoon of Better Than Beef Bouillon and add the bay leaf into the pot to deepen the savory, umami taste.
- Cook Under Pressure: Close and lock the Instant Pot lid, making sure the pressure release valve is set to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to manual high-pressure cooking for 60 minutes to tenderize the roast thoroughly.
- Natural Pressure Release: Once cooking is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 25 minutes to keep the meat juicy and tender.
- Shred the Meat: Carefully open the lid, remove the bay leaf, and shred the beef chunks using two forks or tongs to your preferred consistency.
- Prepare the Gravy: Mix the remaining 1/4 cup of beef broth with 2 tablespoons cornstarch until smooth. Switch the Instant Pot to sauté mode, stir in the cornstarch mixture, and cook the liquid until thickened into a rich gravy.
- Serve: Pour the thickened onion gravy over the shredded meat and serve immediately for a hearty and delicious meal.
Notes
- For best flavor, let the roast rest for a few minutes after shredding to allow juices to redistribute.
- If you prefer a thicker gravy, add more cornstarch by mixing 1 teaspoon at a time with cold beef broth before adding to the pot.
- Feel free to substitute beef broth with homemade broth for a richer taste.
- Leftovers store well and can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure that the steak seasoning and bouillon are certified gluten-free.
