French Onion Pot Roast (Instant Pot)
Tender shredded beef in a rich onion gravy, this Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast has all the flavour and fall-apart tenderness of a slow-cooked roast in a fraction of the time.
Easy Instant Pot Roast
This Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast tastes like it simmered all day on the stovetop, but comes together in a fraction of the time with minimal prep. Tender, shredded beef in a rich, flavourful broth inspired by classic French onion soup. It’s an easy, cozy, family-style meal made with simple pantry ingredients that delivers traditional Sunday roast vibes without all the effort.
Recipe Rundown: Chunks of beef pressure cook in a rich broth, then become fall-apart tender and easy to shred into a savoury gravy thickened with xanthan gum for a naturally gluten-free, grain-free roast gravy that’s perfect spooned over mashed potatoes, creamy mashed cauliflower or rutabaga.
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Here’s the main ingredients needed to make French onion pot roast. See the recipe card for full ingredients and instructions.
- Beef Roast – I recommend cutting the roast into large 3-inch cubes to ensure you’re left with tender, fall-apart beef shreds. There’s nothing more disappointing than releasing the pressure on your Instant Pot after an hour of cook time and 15 minutes of natural pressure release to find that the beef is still tough (yes, I’ve been there!). Cutting it into cubes helps the meat cook evenly, so you’re left with perfectly shreddable beef every time.
- Onion – Sliced yellow onion brings that classic French onion soup flavour. I like to cut my onion slices to be about ½-inch wide so they’re discernible and don’t completely dissolve. But, if you’re serving picky eaters you may opt for a thinner slice so the onion is less obvious.
- Broth – Beef broth is traditionally used in French onion soup and it works beautifully here. I also like mushroom broth as an alternative to beef broth. It’s got a similar deep brown colour and a bold umami flavour.
- Tamari – Brings saltiness and depth of flavour. You can also use soy sauce.
- Worcestershire – Adds a rich umami flavour.
- Herbs de Provence – This French herb blend compliments the French onion soup vibes perfectly. You could also use dried thyme or Italian seasoning
- Xanthan Gum – Replaces flour or cornstarch for thickening the gravy, making this naturally gluten-free, grain-free, and keto-friendly. Tapioca starch is another good option that’s gluten- and grain-free (but not low-carb).
French Onion Pot Roast (Instant Pot)
Ingredients
- 3 lbs beef roast, cut into 3" cubes
- 3 cups yellow onion, thickly sliced
- 2 cups beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tamari
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire
- 1 teaspoon herbs de Provence (or Italian seasoning)
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¾ teaspoon xanthan gum
- salt + pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Season the beef cubes with salt and pepper. With the Instant Pot set to "Saute", sear the cubes on all sides to form a crust, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the beef to a plate and turn off the Instant Pot.
- Add the onions to the Instant Pot and place the seared beef cubes on top. Add in the broth, tamari, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, and herbs de Provence.
- Lock the Instant Pot and set the valve to "Sealing". Cook on the "High Pressure" setting for 60 minutes (20 minutes per pound of beef). Turn off the Instant Pot and let sit for 10-15 minutes before releasing the pressure valve.
- Using two forks, shred the meat into bite-sized pieces. The roast should be tender and shred easily.
- To thicken the gravy, whisk in the xanthan gum until smooth.
- Serve over creamy polenta, mashed potatoes, cauliflower, or rutabaga.
More roast beef recipes
- One Pan Sunday Roast Dinner
- Instant Pot Roast Beef French Dip Sandwich
- How to Make Deli-Style Roast Beef
- Slow Cooker Beef Birria
About Amelia
I’m Amelia, modern homemaker and author of the Sunday Home. I love sharing easy, from-scratch meals made for real life. Personal recipes I’ve developed and refined in my home kitchen using simple, honest ingredients you can trust.
