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.

Here we will share how to cook a frozen roast in a pressure cooker to fall apart tender! Yes sometimes I forget to defrost dinner so this is a helpful Instant Pot recipe hack to keep on hand.

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.

Ninja Foodi Frozen Roast

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.

Ingredient Notes

The size that fits well for this, and cook time reflects that below, would to add a 3 lb. frozen beef roast which feeds the 5 of us well with a side dish for dinner.

What is the best cut of beef to use?

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).

Can you use a frozen 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. 😉

You do need some liquid to steam it and become fall apart tender. Beef Broth is best to add the most flavor but you could use water instead if that is all you had.

To add flavor you would want to add some minced garlic, some Salt and pepper, onion powder and garlic powder could be added as well for seasonings.

Frozen Roast in Instant Pot with Vegetables

If you wanted to add something else for a complete meal you could at the same time but know they will become very soft. Whole red potatoes or russets on top work well to make pressure cooker mashed potatoes, you could peel and cut Instant Pot carrots into thirds and/or quarter an onion. Choices should be firm and need a long time so they don’t fall apart.

I of course have made 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.

Tips for Cooking Roast from Frozen in a Pressure Cooker

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.

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.

How to Make the Gravy

If you want to make a gravy out of the drippings, follow our pressure cooker gravy directions. You will have a decent amount of liquid at the bottom which shouldn’t go to waste and thickening it is better than just pouring it over the top as is.

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.

Made into soft tacos in Instant Pot with small flour tortillas and lots of cheese. 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!