Are you looking for a delicious and easy way to cook beef shoulder roast?
Look no further than your trusty Instant Pot!
With just a few simple steps, you can have a tender and flavorful roast that will impress your family and friends.
Whether you prefer a frozen or fresh roast, seared or unseared, we’ve got you covered with two different methods to choose from.
So grab your Instant Pot and let’s get cooking!
How To Cook Beef Shoulder Roast In Instant Pot?
Method 1: Frozen Roast
If you have a frozen beef shoulder roast, don’t worry about searing it first. Instead, pour beef broth into the inner pot and stir in salt, pepper, and onion powder. Add the frozen roast to the pot and top it with garlic and horseradish. Cook on high pressure for 30 minutes per pound with a natural pressure release of 10-20 minutes.
For the vegetables, follow the instructions above and cook potatoes and carrots separately. Once the roast is done, transfer it to a platter and shred it with two forks into chunks. Use a handheld strainer to scoop out bits from the broth in the pot. Set Instant Pot to “soup” setting and whisk together water and corn starch. Once the broth is boiling, stir in corn starch mixture until the gravy thickens. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. Serve gravy poured over roast and veggies and garnish with fresh thyme or parsley if desired.
Method 2: Fresh Roast
For a fresh beef shoulder roast, start by turning on your Instant Pot and setting it to “saute”. In a small bowl, stir together salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Rub mixture all over the roast to coat all sides. Drizzle oil in Instant Pot, wait about 30 seconds, then use tongs to place roast in the pot. Do not move it for 3-4 minutes until well-seared and browned. Use tongs to turn the roast onto another side for 3-4 minutes, repeating until all sides are browned.
Switch Instant Pot to “pressure cook” on high and set to 60-80 minutes (60 for a 3-pound roast, 80 for a 5-pound roast). Add potatoes, onions, and carrots to pot (just arrange them around the roast) and pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over everything. Place lid on the pot and turn to locked position. Make sure the vent is set to the sealed position.
When the cooking time is up, do a natural release for 10 minutes (don’t touch anything on the pot, just let it de-pressurize on its own for 10 minutes). After 10 minutes, turn vent to the venting release position and allow all of the steam to vent and the float valve to drop down before removing the lid.
Transfer the roast, potatoes, onions, and carrots to a platter and slice against the grain. Use a handheld strainer to scoop out bits from the broth in the pot. Set Instant Pot to “soup” setting. Whisk together water and corn starch. Once broth is boiling, stir in corn starch mixture until gravy thickens. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
Choosing The Right Beef Shoulder Roast For Your Instant Pot
When it comes to choosing the right beef shoulder roast for your Instant Pot, there are a few things to keep in mind. The first thing to consider is the cut of meat. Chuck roast is a popular choice because it is well-marbled, which means it has fat running through it that will melt and keep the meat moist and tender during cooking. Other cuts like round roast or brisket can also work, but they may not be as tender as chuck roast.
It’s important to note that not all beef shoulder roasts are created equal. Some cuts may be too tough or lean for pressure cooking, while others may be too fatty and result in a greasy finished product. Look for a roast that has some marbling but isn’t overly fatty.
If you’re unsure which cut of beef shoulder roast to choose, ask your butcher for advice. They can recommend the best cut for your needs and even trim the excess fat if necessary.
Another factor to consider is whether the roast is fresh or frozen. If using a frozen roast, you can skip the searing step and cook it directly in the Instant Pot with broth and seasonings. However, if using a fresh roast, you’ll want to sear it first to create a flavorful crust before pressure cooking.
Preparing Your Instant Pot For Cooking
Before you start cooking your beef shoulder roast in the Instant Pot, it’s important to prepare the pot for cooking. First, make sure the inner pot is clean and dry. Then, turn on the Instant Pot and select the “saute” function. This will heat up the pot and help to sear the roast.
While the pot is heating up, prepare your seasonings and rub them all over the roast to coat all sides. Once the Instant Pot is hot enough, drizzle some oil into the pot and wait for about 30 seconds before using tongs to place the roast in the pot.
It’s important not to move the roast for 3-4 minutes until it’s well-seared and browned. Use tongs to turn the roast onto another side for 3-4 minutes, repeating until all sides are browned. This will help to seal in the flavors and juices of the meat.
Once the roast is browned on all sides, switch the Instant Pot to “pressure cook” on high and set it to the appropriate time depending on the weight of your roast (60 minutes for a 3-pound roast, 80 minutes for a 5-pound roast).
Add your vegetables to the pot, arranging them around the roast, and pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over everything. Place the lid on the pot and turn it to locked position, making sure that the vent is set to sealed position.
After cooking time is up, do a natural release for 10 minutes before turning vent to venting release position and allowing all of the steam to vent and float valve to drop down before removing lid. Then transfer your roast, potatoes, onions, and carrots to a platter and slice against the grain.
By following these steps, you will have a perfectly cooked beef shoulder roast that is tender, juicy, and full of flavor.
Method 1: Searing The Roast Before Cooking
If you prefer a more flavorful and caramelized exterior on your beef shoulder roast, searing it before cooking in the Instant Pot is the way to go. Start by bringing the roast to room temperature and seasoning it well with salt and pepper. Turn on the Instant Pot and select the “saute” function. Once hot, add oil to the pot and sear the roast on all sides until browned. This should take about 3-4 minutes per side.
Once the roast is seared, remove it from the pot and set it aside. Add onions and celery to the pot and cook for 2 minutes until soft and translucent. Then add garlic, thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf, and continue cooking for 1 minute. Add red wine to deglaze the pot, making sure to scrape up all bits. Let the wine simmer for at least 2 minutes.
Return the roast to the pot and add enough beef broth so that it is just barely covered. Lock the lid of the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 75 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow for a natural release of pressure for about 30 minutes.
While waiting for the pressure to release, prepare the vegetables by cooking potatoes and carrots separately in foil pouches to prevent them from turning into mush. Once the pressure has naturally released, carefully remove the roast from the pot and set it aside to rest.
Using a fine mesh strainer, pour the liquid from the pot into a separate container, then return it to the Instant Pot. Discard any aromatics left in the pot. Add sliced onions, carrots, and potatoes to the pot and close the lid. Lock the lid and cook for 4 minutes at high pressure before quick-releasing pressure.
In a small dish, combine cornstarch and water. Once cook time is complete, open lid, switch to sauté setting, and add cornstarch slurry to pot. Cook until desired consistency is achieved (2-3 minutes). Return roast to pot and pull apart meat as much as you like. Serve together with vegetables and gravy poured over everything.
Searing your beef shoulder roast before cooking in the Instant Pot adds an extra layer of flavor that will elevate your dish to new heights. Follow these steps carefully for a tender, juicy roast that will be sure to impress your dinner guests.
Method 2: Cooking A Frozen Roast In Your Instant Pot
If you have a frozen beef shoulder roast, you can still cook it in your Instant Pot with great results. Start by placing the metal trivet in the pot and placing the frozen roast on top of it. Pour beef broth over the roast, followed by a sprinkle of your favorite seasonings. Spread chopped onions, garlic, and other aromatics on top of the roast, making sure they stick to the surface.
Close the Instant Pot lid and seal the valve. Set the cooking time to 90 minutes on MANUAL mode. Once the cooking time is up, allow for natural pressure release for about 10-20 minutes before manually venting any remaining pressure.
Once the pressure has been released, carefully open the Instant Pot lid and let the roast cool for a few minutes before lifting it out of the pot. If you like gravy with your roast, use a handheld strainer to scoop out bits from the broth in the pot. Set Instant Pot to “soup” setting and whisk together water and corn starch. Once the broth is boiling, stir in corn starch mixture until the gravy thickens. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
Transfer the roast to a platter and shred it with two forks into chunks. Serve with your favorite sides and pour gravy over everything for a delicious meal that’s sure to impress.
Adding Flavor With Seasonings And Broth
One of the most important aspects of cooking a beef shoulder roast in an Instant Pot is adding flavor with seasonings and broth. For a frozen roast, it’s best to add beef broth, salt, pepper, and onion powder to the pot before cooking. This will ensure that the roast absorbs all the flavors as it cooks. For a fresh roast, you can create a rub with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Rub this mixture all over the roast to coat all sides before searing it in the Instant Pot.
In addition to seasonings, adding beef broth to the pot will help create a rich and flavorful liquid that can be used as a gravy. When cooking a fresh roast, pour beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over everything in the pot before setting it to pressure cook. For both frozen and fresh roasts, use a handheld strainer to scoop out bits from the broth in the pot before making the gravy.
To make the gravy, set the Instant Pot to “soup” setting and whisk together water and corn starch. Once the broth is boiling, stir in corn starch mixture until the gravy thickens. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste. The resulting gravy will be rich and flavorful and perfect for pouring over your roast and vegetables.
Cooking And Releasing Pressure
When cooking beef shoulder roast in an Instant Pot, it is important to understand how to properly cook and release pressure for the best results. For frozen roast, it is recommended to cook on high pressure for 30 minutes per pound with a natural pressure release of 10-20 minutes. This allows the roast to cook evenly and stay tender.
For fresh roast, start by searing the roast on all sides in the Instant Pot using the “saute” setting. Then, switch to “pressure cook” on high and set the time based on the size of the roast. Once the cooking time is complete, it is important to let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before manually releasing any remaining pressure. This helps ensure that the meat stays tender and does not become tough.
After releasing pressure, carefully remove the roast and set it aside to rest. Use a handheld strainer to scoop out any bits from the broth in the pot. To make a gravy, set the Instant Pot to “soup” setting and whisk together water and corn starch. Once the broth is boiling, stir in corn starch mixture until the gravy thickens. Add salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste.
By following these cooking and pressure releasing techniques, you can achieve a perfectly cooked beef shoulder roast in your Instant Pot every time.