Savory Instant Pot Chuck Roast with Rich Mushroom Gravy
This delectable Instant Pot Chuck Roast is a modern twist on a classic Southern recipe, infusing tender beef with the comforting flavors of savory mushrooms and aromatic onion soup. Originally passed down through generations, this version eliminates the need for condensed soup, while maintaining robust flavors through the use of fresh ingredients. The beef is first seared to lock in juices, then cooked under pressure to create a truly tender roast that will melt in your mouth. The incorporation of sautéed cremini mushrooms alongside a homemade rich sauce ensures that every bite is heavenly. Perfect for family gatherings or a cozy dinner, this recipe promises generous servings of rich gravy, ideal for ladling over mashed potatoes or crusty bread. Enjoy the ease and speed of your electric pressure cooker, and relish the comforting taste of a meal made from scratch without the fuss!
6
Servings
533
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive Oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Boneless Chuck Roast
2 lbs (trimmed (can use up to 3 lbs))
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning the roast)
Onion Soup Mix
1 ounce (for flavoring)
Beef Bouillon Cubes
2 cubes (for stock base)
Water
2 cups (for cooking liquid)
Unsalted Butter
3 tablespoons (for thickening gravy (can use up to 1/4 cup for mushrooms))
Cremini Mushrooms
8 ounces (trimmed and thickly sliced (can use up to 1 pound))
Dry Sherry
1 ounce (splash for sautéing mushrooms)
Cold Milk
1 cup (for making the gravy)
Cornstarch
1/4 cup (for thickening the sauce)
Softened Butter
1 1/2 tablespoons (for gravy)
Beef Bouillon Granules
1 teaspoon (for flavoring the gravy)
Sea Salt
1/2 teaspoon (for seasoning)
Black Pepper
1 dash (for seasoning)
Instructions
1
1. Start by pressing the 'Saute' button on your electric pressure cooker and wait until the display indicates 'Hot'.
2
2. Add olive oil to the heated pot and let it shimmer, signaling that it's ready for searing.
3
3. While the oil heats, generously season the chuck roast with freshly ground black pepper on all sides.
4
4. Carefully place the roast into the pot in a single layer. If it doesn’t fit, brown it in batches to ensure a proper sear. Brown the roast on all sides, then remove it from the pot and set aside.
5
5. In the same pot, add onion soup mix, beef bouillon cubes, and 2 cups of water. Use a flat spatula to deglaze the bottom of the pot, scraping up any browned bits.
6
6. Return the browned chuck roast to the pot, ensuring it's immersed in the mixture.
7
7. Secure the lid on the pressure cooker. Set it to 'Pressure Cook' on High for 25 minutes. While it cooks, prepare the mushrooms.
8
8. In a separate pan, sauté the sliced cremini mushrooms over medium heat until tender and golden. Add a splash of dry sherry and allow it to evaporate, intensifying the flavor. Set the mushrooms aside once done.
9
9. Once the pressure cooking cycle is complete, allow for a natural release of pressure (approximately 20-30 minutes) until the steam pin drops. Carefully remove the lid, keeping hands away from the steam.
10
10. Remove the roast and keep it warm on a serving platter.
11
11. Press the 'Saute' button again on the pressure cooker. To create the sauce, whisk together cold milk and cornstarch in a 2-cup measuring cup until smooth. Then, mix in softened butter, beef bouillon granules, sea salt, and black pepper.
12
12. Gradually add the milk mixture to the pot while whisking continuously until it reaches a gentle boil. Then adjust to 'Less' heat and simmer for one minute until thickened.
13
13. Stir in the sautéed mushrooms and let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
14
14. Slice the roast into thick chunks or slices, and serve it on plates, generously pouring the rich onion and mushroom gravy over each serving. Alternatively, serve gravy in a gravy boat for guests to add as desired.
Nutrition Information
30
Fat
32
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut of meat is used for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a 2 lb boneless chuck roast, though you can use up to 3 lbs if needed.
How long does the roast cook in the Instant Pot?
The roast is cooked on High Pressure for 25 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release of 20 to 30 minutes.
Why do I need to sear the beef first?
Searing the chuck roast on the 'Saute' setting helps lock in the juices and creates a better depth of flavor for the final dish.
What type of mushrooms should I use for the gravy?
This recipe uses 8 ounces of cremini mushrooms, which are trimmed and thickly sliced.
How do I thicken the mushroom gravy?
The gravy is thickened by whisking together 1 cup of cold milk and 1/4 cup of cornstarch, then simmering it in the pot with the cooking juices.
Can I substitute the dry sherry?
Yes, the dry sherry is used to intensify the mushroom flavor. If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can omit it or use a splash of beef broth.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 6 generous servings.
What is the best way to serve this chuck roast?
It is best served sliced into thick chunks or slices and topped generously with the mushroom gravy over mashed potatoes or crusty bread.
Do I need to add water to the Instant Pot?
Yes, 2 cups of water are added along with the onion soup mix and bouillon cubes to provide the necessary liquid for pressure cooking.
What are the nutritional values for this dish?
Each serving contains approximately 533 calories, 30g of fat, and 32g of protein.
Can I use frozen meat for this recipe?
It is recommended to use thawed meat so that you can properly season and sear the roast before pressure cooking.
How do I prevent the 'Burn' notice on the Instant Pot?
Make sure to deglaze the bottom of the pot thoroughly with a flat spatula after searing the meat to remove any browned bits before starting the pressure cycle.
What is the role of the onion soup mix?
The onion soup mix provides a robust, savory base for the cooking liquid and the eventual gravy without needing condensed canned soups.
Can I use white mushrooms instead of cremini?
Yes, white button mushrooms can be used, though cremini mushrooms offer a slightly deeper, earthier flavor.
What should I do if the gravy is too thin?
You can simmer the gravy for an extra minute or two on the 'Saute' setting, or add a very small amount of additional cornstarch slurry.
Is it necessary to use a natural pressure release?
Yes, a natural release is crucial for beef roasts to ensure the meat remains tender and doesn't become tough from a sudden release of pressure.
Can I make the mushrooms in the Instant Pot instead of a separate pan?
The recipe recommends a separate pan to achieve a golden sear on the mushrooms while the roast cooks, but you could saute them in the pot before starting the roast.
What are the primary seasonings for the roast?
The roast is seasoned with fresh ground black pepper, onion soup mix, beef bouillon, and sea salt.
How much butter is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter for the mushrooms and 1.5 tablespoons of softened butter for the gravy.
Can I use beef broth instead of water and bouillon cubes?
Yes, you can substitute the 2 cups of water and 2 bouillon cubes with 2 cups of high-quality beef broth.
Does this recipe use condensed cream of mushroom soup?
No, this is a modern version that eliminates condensed soup in favor of fresh mushrooms, milk, and cornstarch.
How do I prep the mushrooms?
The mushrooms should be trimmed and thickly sliced to ensure they hold their texture in the rich gravy.
Is the chuck roast trimmed of fat?
The recipe suggests using a trimmed chuck roast to prevent the gravy from becoming overly greasy.
Can I add potatoes and carrots to the pot?
While this specific recipe focuses on the roast and mushroom gravy, you could add vegetables, though they may become very soft during the 25-minute pressure cycle.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch?
Cornstarch acts as the thickening agent to turn the cooking liquids into a silky, pourable gravy.
What type of milk is best for the gravy?
Cold milk is used to mix with the cornstarch. Using whole milk will result in a richer gravy, but any milk will work.
Should the roast be sliced or shredded?
The recipe suggests slicing the roast into thick chunks or slices for a traditional presentation.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but you may want to reduce the additional sea salt added later in the recipe to control the sodium levels.
How long do I simmer the gravy after adding the mushrooms?
Once the mushrooms are stirred into the thickened sauce, let it simmer for another 1-2 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Is this a traditional Southern recipe?
It is a modern twist on a classic Southern recipe, updated for the Instant Pot and using fresh ingredients instead of canned goods.