Frozen Roast in Instant Pot

Instant Pot frozen roast for dinner is possible! Similar to our frozen roast in a slow cooker instructions but much faster. This is how long to get a tender, flavorful, piece of beef right out of the freezer that is not thawed.

Pressure Cooker Frozen Roast Recipe

If you’re staring at your rock hard piece of beef right now looking for a little guidance, do not fret!! Dinner will come out perfectly and nobody will know you had a forgetful moment. 😉 I wasn’t so sure how good Frozen Chuck Roast Instant Pot would work but it was amazing.

in Ninja Foodi

If this has never happened to you, bravo. You can use the same recipe below if you’re using a Crockpot Express, Mealthy or as an easy Ninja Foodi recipes using the lid that is not attached. Works just as well no matter what brand you own.

Ingredients

1. 3 lb. frozen beef roast is what was used here
2. Broth or water but Beef broth gives you more flavor
3. Onion we like for added flavor and a bit of texture
4. Minced garlic will add a bolder taste
5. Salt and pepper, onion powder and garlic powder could be added as well

with Vegetables

If you wanted to add something else for a complete meal, halved red potatoes and peeled large chunks work well. Choices should be firm and need a long time so they don’t fall apart.

What is the best cut of roast for this?

A boneless chuck roast is the best choice for pot roast, quite inexpensive too. It has outstanding marbling which makes the beef tender and juicy when cooked in any method really. Remember that fat=flavor so don’t choose a piece that is lean (those can be more expensive anyway).

I of course have made a pressure cooker roast before, when I have bought it fresh, but straight out of the freezer requires different directions.

How long to cook 3 pound frozen roast in Instant Pot

90 minutes was perfect for this size. Of course yours may not be exactly this size but you can adjust it rather easily with about 10 minutes per pound with this in mind meaning; 2 pound frozen roast = 80 minutes cook time & 4 pound frozen roast takes 100 minutes to pressure cook.

I actually wasn’t so sure cooking frozen meat would even work, and wondered can you cook a frozen roast without defrosting it first and still have it come out tender? The answer was a resounding YES! The trick is high pressure AND allowing the steam to naturally release slowly which will continue to break down the connective tissues so it is fork tender.

Shredded Beef From Frozen Roast, pork, and lamb roasts are safe to cook in the frozen state. The only real big difference is that the cooking time. Frozen meats typically take 50 percent longer in the oven, but not in a pressure cooker.

That’s the game changer. Now you can cook an Instant Pot chuck roast from fresh or a frozen state and have it come out perfect! Of course if it’s already defrosted it is quicker to do. .

What is one of the most important steps when making an Instant Pot pot roast, or any large piece of meat?

Cooking Tips

• When you cook a roast in a pressure cooker it is best to do a natural release of the pressure once the cook time is up.
• Following this rule will keep your meat much more tender and almost fall apart when touched with a fork.
• If you choose to quick release it instead a lot of the moisture inside will escape and you won’t achieve the outcome you want.
  • This step may take about 20 minutes to 30 minutes to complete, beyond the cooking time, but is well worth it.

How to Cook a Frozen Roast in Instant Pot

1. First of course you will want to unwrap your beef. Since it is frozen you won’t be able to trim it at all but that is okay. For this type of meat you really want the fat in tact because it will make it more moist in the end.
2. Place a trivet inside your pot
3. Set frozen roast on top.
   1. remember that timing below is based on a 3 lb. piece
   2. if yours is much larger than that you may need to increase a few minutes on high
4. Pour in your broth or stock on top followed by a sprinkle of your sliced onion.
5. Sprinkle on seasonings you like on top now.
   1. the ones we have are just suggestions, if you usually use your own mixture go right ahead and load it on.
   2. you can also just use these ready made roast seasonings in a packet. These were originally made for the slow cooker but work great using this method as well.
6. Close lid and steam valve and set to high pressure
7. Lift meat out, allow to rest
8. If you want to make a gravy out of the drippings, follow our pressure cooker gravy directions.

with Pork Roast

We now have frozen pork roast Instant Pot directions too! Any large cuts have a great result this way. Actually, the longer it cooks the more tender it gets so it is hard to mess up. 😉

Can you cook a roast partially frozen?

Yes, even half solid I would follow the same timing though. These are the steps to follow when making this pot roast recipe. There really isn’t any difference between the two under high pressure.

Want to try this another time defrosted? I mean the outcome is a bit better if you have the time to thaw it in the fridge overnight to make pressure cooker roast beef inside slider buns for a one pot meal.

Sliced or shredded it is always a great meal option because there is a multitude of ways it can be served like: Then you could follow one of our easy Instant Pot beef recipes.

1. Served over a bed of pressure cooker mashed potatoes
2. With a side of Instant Pot carrots
3. Made into soft tacos in Instant Pot with small flour tortillas and lots of cheese
4. Sunday roast typically consists of roast beef, potatoes, and a variety of Instant Pot steamed vegetables.

There are a lot of different chuck roast ideas out there you can try, most are not able to accommodate a frozen piece though. That is where these directions come in handy. If you want to make Instant Pot carnitas, seen below, follow this recipe but the timing below if it’s frozen.

How to save leftovers

If you store it properly in airtight containers or freezer bags, cooked beef roast will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator. If you know you won’t eat it all before then, you should freeze it in covered containers free from leaks or wrap tightly with aluminum foil or freezer wrap. Then slice and heat as air fryer roast next day.

Ready to take your pulled beef to the next level once it is defrosted? Make it into Instant Pot BBQ beef like we did here! Either way they turn out fabulous paired with a vegetable and starch of some kind.

Need instructions on how to cook frozen chicken in the Instant Pot too? We have it!