Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast

Introduction

Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast combines classic French onion soup flavors with the melt-in-your-mouth tenderness of a well-cooked chuck roast—all with the ease and speed of a pressure cooker. With minimal prep and maximum flavor payoff, this meal elevates any weeknight dinner while impressing family and guests alike. If you’re craving a truly comforting main dish that’s as simple to make as it is delicious, this recipe belongs on your table.

Why This Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Stands Out

The secret to this pot roast’s irresistible taste lies in caramelized onions, savory broth, and aromatic herbs infused quickly and deeply thanks to Instant Pot magic. Every bite brings together perfectly seasoned beef and a luscious, onion-rich gravy for a meal that feels slow-cooked—but cooks up in a fraction of the time. Serve over mashed potatoes or creamy polenta for a show-stopping yet effortless dinner.

Making Flavorful French Onion Gravy in The Instant Pot

This recipe uses classic yellow or sweet onions, sautéed right in your Instant Pot until caramelized for layers of sweet, savory flavor. Add in beef broth, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and a fragrant bouquet of herbs to create a luxuriously rich, French-onion-inspired sauce. The pressure cooking process locks in all those flavors, ensuring your roast is fork-tender with minimal hands-on time.

Simple Steps for the Best Instant Pot Pot Roast

Start by searing your well-seasoned chuck roast in the Instant Pot for extra flavor, then sauté the onions until golden and aromatic. Deglaze the pot with beef broth, add the roast back in, and let the Instant Pot work its magic. In just a couple of hours, your kitchen will be filled with the irresistible aroma of French onion soup and homestyle pot roast—ready to serve with your favorite sides.

Serving Suggestions for French Onion Pot Roast

This pot roast shines brightest when paired with smooth mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread for sopping up that luscious onion gravy. Garnish with fresh thyme or parsley, and don’t forget a sprinkle of freshly grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese for the ultimate French onion experience.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields about 6 hearty servings. Each portion provides about 400-475 calories, depending on the size of your roast and your choice of sides. Enjoy as an occasional comfort meal that satisfies both hunger and cravings for robust flavor.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate a shopping list with every ingredient organized by store section—perfect for quick, streamlined grocery trips and stress-free meal planning.

Instructions

1. Season the chuck roast generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
2. Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté.” Add olive oil, then sear the roast on both sides until browned (about 4 minutes per side). Transfer roast to a plate.
3. Add sliced onions to the pot. Sauté until deeply golden and caramelized, about 10–12 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
4. Stir in tomato paste, scraping the bottom to release any browned bits, then deglaze with red wine (or extra broth). Let simmer for 2–3 minutes.
5. Add Worcestershire sauce, beef broth, thyme, and bay leaves. Nestle the roast (and its juices) back into the pot.
6. Lock the lid, making sure the valve is set to seal. Cook on High Pressure for 60–80 minutes (60 minutes for a 3 lb roast, up to 80 for a larger cut).
7. Allow a natural pressure release for 15 minutes, then carefully quick release any remaining pressure.
8. Remove the roast and tent with foil. Discard bay leaves and thyme stems. (Optional: Mix cornstarch with 2 tablespoons cold water, add to pot, and simmer on “Sauté” to thicken the sauce.)
9. Shred roast or slice against the grain. Serve topped with onions, gravy, and (if desired) a sprinkle of Gruyère or Swiss cheese and fresh herbs.

Weekly Meal Planning

This Instant Pot dinner recipe is a meal planner’s dream; leftovers store beautifully and can be repurposed for sandwiches, quesadillas, or over rice. Save and schedule this recipe to map out your week’s meals and develop a consolidated shopping list that covers all your needs.

**Planning Benefits:**

– Calculates precise ingredient amounts across planned recipes
– Groups shopping lists by grocery aisle for trip efficiency
– Reduces food waste and prevents duplicate purchases
– Streamlines prep for effortless weeknight dinners

**Pro Tip:** Schedule this pot roast in the middle of the week and use leftovers to create easy French dip sandwiches or beef and onion wraps, maximizing both flavor and your grocery budget. Add your recipes to CookifyAI and never miss an ingredient again!

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 80 minutes (including sautéing and pressure release)
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

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Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast is the ultimate answer to your search for easy, flavor-packed dinners. Let CookifyAI power your meal planning and shopping for more delicious and stress-free meals!