How Long to Cook Frozen Roast in an Instant Pot

Updated on October 5th, 2023

So, you’re eyeing that brand new instant pot you got for Christmas and wonder what you can do with it. Well, hear this; it makes lots of fantastic recipes, including a delicious serving of pot roast! And what’s more, you can start the recipe with a frozen block of beef roast and still get away with it! But, timing is the key in every recipe, so we’ll help you make the most of it with this one.

Roast Nutrition Facts

Why Use an Instant Pot for Frozen Roast?

Most roast recipes are prepared in an oven, but they need the meat to be fully thawed beforehand. It’s why you’re expected to make enough time, since frozen roast may take days to fully defrost. But the instant pot allows you to skip this step, especially if you forgot to plan and need to cook the recipe in a short time. And the result is an incredibly fork-tender dish that’ll have you doubting you started with a solid block of frozen meat!

Choosing the Roast

One great perk about this procedure is you can use any type of roast you wish. But numerous trials have brought us to conclude that chuck roast makes the best dishes in this manner. Its tender texture and fine marbling render the meal incredibly juicy and tasty. But you can also use rump roast, boosting its lean nature with butter.

Of course, beef cuts aren’t the only frozen roast you can cook in the instant pot. The appliance is also great for pork or lamb, so long as you’re willing to adjust the timing.

Prepping the Instant Pot

You’ll be cooking the meat on the trivet, so place this inside the pot beforehand. The trivet helps to lift the roast over the liquid from which the steam pressure will be generated. This way, the meat is allowed to rapidly thaw, intensely cook, and reach juicy doneness, as opposed to an otherwise soggy result.

Seasoning Tips

A broth is the best liquid base for frozen roast, as it adds an extra burst of flavor to the meat during cooking. But note that it should be poured over the meat instead of directly into the pot under the trivet. The reason is the broth helps to rapidly defrost the frozen meat’s surface just enough so the seasonings and spices sprinkled over it can stick.

You can combine any of your favorite seasonings and spices for instant pot frozen roast. While some prefer to stick with the traditional spices and fresh herbs, others go an extra mile by combining seasoning mixes to make a flavorful blend. You can also consider bottled sauces, soup mixes, or go creative with your blend of ingredients. And don’t forget to add a rich heaping of freshly chopped aromatics like onions, garlic, shallots, chives, leeks, or celery over the pot roast.

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Cooking Time

The pot roast will cook based on its thickness, so measure it according to its weight. If you’re using a 2½ to three-pound frozen pot roast, it’ll need about 90 minutes, followed by a natural release period. The natural release time depends on your instant pot, and most brands take up to 30 minutes to fully drop pressure. And while this extra waiting time may seem tedious, it’s important if you want the maximum tenderness in your pot roast. And once taken out, you can thicken the pot drippings to make gravy and spoon it over the served roast slices or shreds.

Frozen Roast in an Instant Pot (5 Servings)

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• Author: Bobby

Ingredients

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• One chuck roast, three pounds, frozen
• Three cups of beef broth, low sodium
• One teaspoon of kosher salt
• ¾ teaspoon of paprika
• Half a teaspoon of dried oregano
• Half a teaspoon of ground black pepper
• A quarter teaspoon of chili powder
• Four medium garlic cloves, diced
• One medium yellow onion, sliced

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Instructions

1. Set the metal trivet in the instant pot, and put the frozen chuck roast on it.
2. Pour the beef broth over the frozen roast, followed by a sprinkle of the spices. Then, spread the chopped aromatics on the frozen roast, ensuring that most of it sits on its surface.
3. Cover the instant pot, seal the valve, and cook on MANUAL for 90 minutes.
4. Once the time is elapsed, let the pot naturally release pressure. When the pin drops completely to zero, carefully vent the valve, and open the pot.
5. Let the roast cool before lifting it out of the instant pot for serving. If you like your roast with gravy, thicken the pot drippings with cornstarch over medium heat on the stovetop and spoon the sauce on the roast slices,

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