30-Minute Instant Pot Round Roast with Vegetables and Gravy

My new Instant Pot has quickly become the best addition to my kitchen counter. I’ve been testing larger cuts of meat, and this round roast recipe is a clear winner. It’s remarkably simple to make and consistently delivers tender meat and perfectly cooked vegetables. I cooked onions, mushrooms and potatoes alongside the roast and they absorbed the juices, coming out flavorful every time I tested the method.

instant pot round roast

I plan to try making gravy in the Instant Pot soon, but for now let’s focus on this round roast. The first time I made it I mistakenly bought a round roast when I thought I had grabbed a plain beef roast. When it didn’t shred the way I expected, I finally checked the package and realized the round roast is different from a chuck roast. That surprised me because I don’t cook beef often—chuck roast (pot roast) comes from the shoulder while round roast comes from the hind leg. A quick lookup taught me the difference, and the result was still delicious.

Other Instant Pot Recipes You’ll Love:

Instant Pot Taco Meat

Mexican Shredded Chicken

Honey Lime Chicken Wings

Potato and Bacon Chowder

instant pot round roast

Even though I mixed up the cut the first time, the roast still turned out great. On subsequent tries I used the same cut and got consistent results. If you prefer a classic pot roast, use a chuck roast, but this round roast method works well and produces a satisfying meal with minimal effort.

instant pot round roast

In short: this is a simple, delicious Instant Pot recipe. Try it and tell me which beef cuts you like to cook in your Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Round Roast and Veggies: A Complete Meal in 30 Minutes

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 3 pound round roast (top or bottom)
  • 1 large white onion, sliced or diced
  • 2–3 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 1 pound potatoes, quartered or cubed
  • 3 cups vegetable or beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon thyme
  • Generous pinch of salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons honey (omit for Whole30)

Instructions

  1. Add the broth, olive oil, garlic, thyme, honey (if using), and a generous pinch of salt and pepper to the Instant Pot and stir to combine.
  2. Add the roast, onions and mushrooms to the pot. Do not add the potatoes yet.
  3. Seal the Instant Pot and set it to low pressure for 20 minutes.
  4. When the cook time finishes, perform a quick release and carefully open the lid. Add the potatoes to the pot.
  5. Seal the pot again and cook on low pressure for an additional 5 minutes, then allow a natural release when finished.
  6. Remove the roast and vegetables, slice or shred the meat as preferred, and serve.

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