If you’re craving a hearty, soul-warming meal packed with layers of rich flavors, the Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe is going to become your new best friend. Imagine tender chuck roast mingling with caramelized onions and a luscious gravy all made effortlessly in your Instant Pot — pure comfort on a plate!

Why You Should Make This Recipe

Hands-off tender meat: The Instant Pot ensures your pot roast turns out tender and juicy every time with little fuss.
Rich French onion flavor: Caramelized onions and classic French onion soup give this dish a deep, savory sweetness you won’t get anywhere else.
Quick and simple prep: With basic ingredients and a straightforward method, dinner is ready before you know it.
Versatile accompaniments: Perfect served over mashed potatoes, rice, or even egg noodles, making it easy to customize.

A rustic brown bowl holds two main layers: the bottom layer is creamy white mashed potatoes with a smooth and soft texture, while the top layer is a rich, dark brown beef stew with chunks of tender beef and translucent cooked onions mixed in a thick gravy. The bowl is placed on a wooden surface partially covered by a blue and white checkered cloth, and a brass fork rests nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast, French Onion Pot Roast, Instant Pot Beef Roast, Easy French Onion Pot Roast, Slow Cooker French Onion Roast

Ingredients & Substitutions

This recipe relies on a few simple, quality ingredients that each contribute essential layers to the dish: onions add that luscious sweetness, broth brings depth, and the chuck roast turns meltingly soft in the pot.

Flat lay of thickly sliced yellow onions, whole bay leaf, peeled garlic cloves, fresh dried thyme leaves scattered, small pile of dehydrated onion flakes, a rich slab of raw chuck roast beef, a small bowl of dark Worcestershire sauce, a can of condensed French onion soup, and a cup of beef broth, all beautifully arranged with natural light highlighting their textures, placed on a white marble surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast, French Onion Pot Roast, Instant Pot Beef Roast, Easy French Onion Pot Roast, Slow Cooker French Onion Roast

Olive Oil: Helps perfectly sauté your onions and garlic without burning, adding a subtle fruity base.
Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and enhances the savory caramelization of the onions.
Onions: Thickly sliced for caramelizing, they form the heart of that signature French onion flavor.
Bay Leaf: Infuses the braising liquid with delicate herbal notes.
Garlic: Minced fresh garlic boosts aroma and depth without overpowering.
Dried Thyme Leaves: Its subtle earthiness complements the beef and onion beautifully.
Dehydrated Onions: Intensify the onion flavor for that unmistakable French onion essence.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds savory umami layers and slight tang.
Chuck Roast: Cuts of boneless chuck roast are perfectly suited for pressure cooking to fall-apart tenderness.
French Onion Soup or Mix: The condensed soup or a packet with water creates the flavorful braising liquid.
Beef Broth & Bouillon: Provide a rich, robust base to the cooking liquid.
Brandy or Sherry (Optional): Brings a touch of nuance and warmth to the sauce.
Corn Starch & Cold Water: Used to thicken the sauce into a luscious gravy.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

How to Make Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe

Step 1: Sauté the Onions and Garlic

Turn your Instant Pot to the Sauté setting and warm up olive oil and butter until melted and shimmering. Add your thickly sliced onions and bay leaf, letting them cook slowly without too much stirring at first, allowing those onions to soften and start turning translucent—this little patience pay-off is where the magic begins. Then, toss in the minced garlic and cook it just long enough to release its fragrance, about 45 seconds.

Step 2: Layer Flavors and Add the Meat

Sprinkle in dried thyme, dehydrated onions, Worcestershire sauce, and, if you’re adventurous, a splash of brandy or sherry to elevate your sauce. Give everything a good stir. Now, nestle the chuck roast chunks right on top of the savory onion mixture, creating an even, cozy bed for the meat to soak up all those flavors.

Step 3: Pour in the Braising Liquid

Carefully pour condensed French onion soup over the roast, letting it cascade over the meat — resist the urge to stir! Then, dissolve beef bouillon into beef broth and pour it into the pot as well. This flavorful liquid will create the tenderizing environment your roast needs to turn unbeatable.

Step 4: Pressure Cook to Perfection

Seal the pot lid, set the pressure release valve to sealing, and choose High Pressure cooking for 60 minutes. After cooking, let your pot roast rest for 15 minutes of natural pressure release—this step helps the juices redistribute so your beef stays prize-worthy juicy.

Step 5: Finish with Gravy

Once the cooking is done and the lid is off, skim off any visible fat and discard the bay leaf. Transfer meat to a plate and shred it with forks or slice into desired bite sizes. Stir together cornstarch and cold water, then add to the hot pot juices set to Sauté until thickened into a glossy gravy. Return the beef to the pot, stir, and get ready to serve.

How to Serve Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe

A white plate with a pink rim holds a generous serving of creamy mashed potatoes as the base layer, topped with several pieces of browned, tender beef chunks covered in a thick, golden-brown onion gravy with visible cooked onion slices layered over the beef. The plate is placed on a beige cloth with a bunch of fresh green parsley in the background and a metal electric cooker partially visible behind it. The scene is set on a white marbled surface, and there is a silver fork in front of the plate. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast, French Onion Pot Roast, Instant Pot Beef Roast, Easy French Onion Pot Roast, Slow Cooker French Onion Roast

Garnishes

Simple garnishes like chopped fresh parsley or a sprinkle of chives add a pop of color and freshness that brightens the rich, oniony gravy. For a touch of indulgence, a little shredded Gruyère cheese melted on top is a dream come true.

Side Dishes

The cozy, velvety sauce of this Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe pairs beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles. Steamed green beans or roasted root vegetables provide a nice textural contrast and keep the meal balanced.

Creative Ways to Present

Try serving the shredded pot roast in warm rolls for a hearty sandwich or spoon the rich gravy over polenta for a rustic twist. You can even turn leftovers into a decadent shepherd’s pie topped with cheese and crisped golden in the oven.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftover Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors actually deepen and become even more comforting after a day or two.

Freezing

This recipe freezes like a dream. Portion the meat and gravy into freezer-safe containers, leaving some headspace, and freeze for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to keep everything nice and saucy. Add a splash of broth or water if the gravy thickens too much.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Yes! While chuck roast is ideal for pressure cooking because of its marbling and tenderness, you can also use brisket or blade roast. Just adjust cooking times accordingly based on the meat’s size and thickness.
Is the brandy or sherry necessary for the recipe?

The brandy or sherry is optional but highly recommended if you want to add complexity and a slight sweetness to the sauce. If you prefer not to use alcohol, simply omit it and increase the broth slightly.
Can I make this Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe without the dehydrated onions?

Absolutely! The dehydrated onions boost the onion flavor, but if you don’t have any on hand, just increase the amount of fresh onions or use extra French onion soup mix to keep the taste rich and full.
How can I thicken the gravy if I don’t have cornstarch?

You can use an equal amount of all-purpose flour mixed with cold water to make a slurry, or even arrowroot powder if you prefer a gluten-free option. Just add it to the simmering liquid and stir until thickened.

Final Thoughts

There’s nothing quite like the cozy comfort of the Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe after a long day. It’s rich, hearty, and winsome — a dish that invites everyone to gather around the table and enjoy every savory bite. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll quickly earn a permanent spot in your culinary rotation!

Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast Recipe