Mastering the Perfect Instant Pot Beef Shoulder Roast

For many home cooks, roasting a beautifully tender and flavorful beef shoulder roast seems intimidating. The cut of meat is often tough with connective tissue that requires lengthy braising to break down. But with the magic of the Instant Pot, you can achieve fork-tender, fall-apart beef shoulder roast in a fraction of traditional oven roasting time.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through my proven step-by-step method for cooking beef shoulder roast to perfection in the Instant Pot. You’ll learn key tips on selecting the right roast, prep work, seasonings, liquid, pressure cooking times, natural release, and more I’ll also provide plenty of serving ideas so you can enjoy this economical cut in a variety of delicious ways. Follow this Instant Pot beef shoulder roast recipe for fantastic results every time!

Benefits of Cooking Beef Shoulder Roast in an Instant Pot

Before we get cooking, let’s overview the advantages of using the Instant Pot for beef shoulder roast versus traditional oven braising:

• Reduces cook time from 4+ hours down to 1 hour
• Infuses meat with lots of moisture and flavor
• Minimal hands-on time and monitoring needed
• Doesn’t heat up kitchen like oven
• Easy cleanup with no mess or splatter

The quick pressure cooking time helps break down tough connective tissues in the shoulder roast Then finishing with a natural pressure release keeps the meat incredibly tender,

Tips for Selecting the Best Beef Shoulder Roast

One key to success is choosing the right cut of beef shoulder for the Instant Pot. Here are some things to look for:

• Whole roast – Size between 3-5 pounds works well
• Bone-in or boneless – Both will be tender, bone-in imparts more flavor
• Chuck roll or shoulder clod – Most flavorful shoulder cuts
• Well-marbled – This helps the meat stay moist during cooking
• Thick and evenly shaped – Aids in even cooking

I recommend selecting a roast on the smaller side if it’s your first time. Larger, thicker roasts may need longer cook times. Ask your butcher for advice picking the best size shoulder roast for the Instant Pot.

Preparing Beef Shoulder Roast for the Instant Pot

Getting the roast ready for the pot only takes a few easy steps:

• Trim excess fat – Leave about 1/4 inch fat cap
• Pat completely dry – Removes surface moisture for better browning
• Season generously with salt and pepper – For flavorful crust
• Tie with butcher twine – Maintains shape during cooking
• Lightly brown all sides – For greater depth of flavor

Browning creates a nice sear on the exterior of the roast. You don’t need to cook it entirely at this stage. Just a quick sear locks in juices and gives great texture.

Ingredients to Cook with Beef Shoulder Roast

In addition to the roast itself, you’ll want flavorful ingredients to cook it with in the Instant Pot. Here are some versatile options:

• Onion and garlic – Classic aromatic base
• Fresh herbs – Rosemary, thyme, parsley all work
• Beef broth or stock – Provides moisture and beefy flavor
• Red wine or balsamic vinegar – Acidity balances richness
• ** Tomatoes or tomato paste** – Adds sweetness and body
• Root vegetables – Potatoes, carrots, parsnips

Use broth or stock as the base cooking liquid. The other ingredients help build complexity and gives you a sauce for the cooked roast.

Step-By-Step Instant Pot Beef Shoulder Roast Directions

Now let’s get into the foolproof steps for amazing Instant Pot beef shoulder roast:

1. Season the Roast – Generously rub salt, pepper, and any other dry spices or herb rub into all sides of the roast. This adds tons of flavor.

2. Brown the Roast – Select the “Saute” function to heat the Instant Pot. Add 1 tbsp oil and sear roast on all sides until browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove roast to a plate.

3. Cook Aromatics – Add more oil if needed and saute onions and garlic until softened, 3-5 minutes. Add any other vegetables at this stage.

4. Deglaze Pot – Pour in 1/2 cup broth and scrape up browned bits from pot bottom for extra flavor.

5. Add Liquids – Pour in remaining broth, red wine, tomatoes, or other cooking liquid ingredients.

6. Insert Roast – Place seared roast into pot along with any accumulated juices.

7. Pressure Cook – Lock lid, make sure valve is sealed, and pressure cook on high for 55-65 minutes (time varies by size).

8. Natural Release – Let roast naturally release for 15-20 minutes before quick releasing remaining pressure.

9. Check for Doneness – Roast should be fall-apart tender when poked with a fork. If not, pressure cook for 10 mins more.

10. Rest and Serve – Let beef rest at least 10 minutes before carving. Spoon over cooking juices for incredible results!

The hands-off pressure cooking does all the work to give you amazing beef shoulder roast. Let’s look at some serving suggestions.

Creative Ways to Use Instant Pot Beef Shoulder Roast

Shredding or slicing the fall-apart tender cooked beef opens a world of serving possibilities:

• Beef tacos or burritos with salsa and cheese
• Hearty beef sandwiches with caramelized onions
• Over egg noodles or mashed potatoes
• In gravy over biscuits or Yorkshire pudding
• On top of rice bowls or cauliflower rice
• Mixed into red pasta sauce with rigatoni or penne
• As the star of a fork-tender beef stew

Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 4-5 days. The cooked roast also freezes well for longer term storage.

Handy Instant Pot Beef Roast Cooking Checklist

For easy reference, print out this handy checklist:

• 3-5 lb beef shoulder roast (chuck roll or shoulder clod work best)
• Generously season roast all over
• Sear roast on saute mode until browned
• Cook aromatics like onions, garlic, carrots, celery
• Deglaze pot with broth, wine or vinegar
• Add remainder of liquids (broth, tomatoes etc)
• Pressure cook 55-65 minutes + natural release
• Check for fork-tender meat
• Let roast rest 10 minutes before serving

In just an hour or so, you’ll have the most insanely delicious, fall-apart beef shoulder roast thanks to the magical Instant Pot!