This simple Instant Pot eye of round roast recipe is a great way to make a tasty meal without having to wait hours for the roast to cook. Perfect for paleo, GAPS, Whole30, and keto!.
My whole life, main dishes have not been my thing. I like meat more now than when I was a kid because of the GAPS diet. You could keep your turkey, chicken, beef, or pork. Gimme all the side dishes!.
If you peruse my blog, you’ll notice that main dishes are still something I struggle with. Most of the time, I make mashed potatoes, cabbage steaks, or coleslaw for dinner for my family. Why spend hours making an amazing-looking main dish when it’s gone in 10 minutes?.
Thankfully, for people like me, there’s the Instant Pot. It makes side dishes really easy (I’ll never cook beans any other way!) and it also makes really easy main dishes that are delicious!
Before a year ago, I bought an Instant Pot. Since then, I’ve been able to make some really tasty meals for my family. Here are a few of their favorites:
The Instant Pot has revolutionized home cooking by making traditionally tough or lengthy recipes incredibly convenient. Case in point: beef eye round roast. This affordable cut of beef can turn out dry and chewy when oven roasted or braised on the stovetop. But with the Instant Pot, you can have fork-tender, juicy beef eye round roast in just over an hour.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make the perfect eye round roast in the Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker. With tips for choosing the right size roast, proper seasoning and searing, recommended cook times, and finishing steps, you’ll be able to make this easy dinner any night of the week. Let’s get started!
Why Cook Eye Round Roast in an Instant Pot?
Cooking beef eye round roast in the Instant Pot has several advantages
- Shortens cooking time significantly compared to oven roasting
- Tenderizes the meat by breaking down tough muscle fibers and connective tissue
- Infuses flavor into the roast with spices, herbs and cooking liquid
- Locks in juices so meat stays succulent and moist
- Allows roast to be made on a busy weeknight in about an hour
- Frees up the oven for side dishes instead of slow roasting
- Minimal hands-on time unlike stovetop braising or simmering
- Easy clean up compared to dealing with a Dutch oven
With the pressurized environment, you get the same tender, pull-apart texture in a fraction of the time. This makes inexpensive roasts like eye round perfect for the Instant Pot treatment.
Choosing the Right Size Beef Eye Round Roast
When shopping for an eye round roast, choose one between 2-4 pounds. This size range works perfectly for cooking in the Instant Pot.
- A 2 pound roast feeds about 4-6 people
- A 3 pound roast feeds 6-8 people
- A 4 pound roast feeds 8-10 people
Keep in mind that eye round roasts are lean with very little internal fat marbling. If you opt for a 5 pound or larger roast it may end up slightly drier around the edges. Stick to 2-4 pounds for the best results.
For just two people, you can cook a 1 pound eye round roast in the Instant Pot as well. Reduce cook time by 5-10 minutes and use quick release instead of natural release.
Seasoning and Browning the Beef Eye Round Roast
To infuse the roast with lots of flavor, take a few minutes to properly season and sear it:
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Generously season all over with salt, pepper and any other spice rubs or herb blends. Garlic powder, onion powder, dried rosemary and thyme all work well.
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Sear the roast on all sides in a skillet on the stovetop. This helps develop a nice crust. Use the sauté function if your Instant Pot has it.
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Deglaze the pan with a bit of broth, wine or water, scraping up any browned bits. This adds extra flavor.
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Pat the roast dry before searing to help it brown properly. Dry meat browns better than wet.
Browning the eye round roast gives you the savory flavors that make Instant Pot beef amazing. Take the quick extra step to sear before pressure cooking.
How to Cook Eye Round Roast in an Instant Pot
Cooking eye round roast in the Instant Pot or any electric pressure cooker involves just a few simple steps:
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Season and sear roast on all sides as outlined above.
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Deglaze pan to get up browned bits then transfer liquid to Instant Pot.
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Add roast to pot along with 1 cup broth, wine or water.
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Pressure cook on High for listed times based on size:
- 1-2 lb roast: 25-35 min
- 2-3 lb roast: 35-40 min
- 3-4 lb roast: 40-50 min
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Allow natural pressure release for at least 15 minutes.
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Check for doneness using a meat thermometer – 145°F for medium.
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Let roast rest 10-15 minutes before slicing against the grain.
It’s that simple! The pressurized steam does all the work of infusing flavor and making the meat juicy.
Instant Pot Beef Eye Round Roast Recipe
To put all the steps together, follow this reliable recipe for perfect results:
Ingredients:
- 3 lb beef eye round roast
- 2 tsp each salt, pepper, garlic powder
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth or red wine
Instructions:
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Season roast all over with salt, pepper and garlic powder.
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Heat oil in skillet over med-high heat and brown roast on all sides.
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Deglaze pan with broth, scraping up browned bits. Transfer to Instant Pot.
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Add seasoned roast to pot and pour over broth.
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Pressure cook on High for 40 minutes. Allow natural release for 15 minutes.
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Check internal temperature to reach 145°F. Let rest 10 minutes before slicing.
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Serve roast whole or sliced with drippings poured over the top.
This easy recipe results in the most tender and flavorful eye round roast you’ve ever tasted! The broth bastes the meat while also adding extra moisture.
Serving Suggestions for Eye Round Roast
Beef eye round roast makes a simple, budget-friendly weeknight dinner. Serve it with:
- Mashed or roasted potatoes
- Sauteed mushrooms or onions
- Green beans or roasted Brussels sprouts
- Yorkshire pudding or biscuits
- Horseradish sauce or au jus
Sliced thin while still warm, eye round also makes amazing French dip sandwiches. Pair it with melted Swiss cheese on crusty rolls for a delicious meal.
Leftover roast is fantastic for quick lunches too. Slice it to top salads, stuff it into sandwiches or wraps, or dice it for beef and rice bowls.
Tips for Perfect Instant Pot Eye Round Roast
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For the most tender meat, slice roast across the grain before serving.
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Use a meat thermometer to accurately gauge doneness – 145°F for medium.
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Rest the roast for 10-15 minutes before carving for juicier meat.
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Add aromatics like garlic, shallots or onions to the pot for extra flavor.
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Thicken cooking juices into a gravy or sauce after pressure cooking.
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Shred any leftovers for tacos, pasta dishes or soup.
With the right size roast, cook time and quick release method, you’ll have amazing results with eye round roast every time. This inexpensive cut truly shines with the Instant Pot treatment.
So forget slow roasting eye round roast in the oven. For juicy, fall-apart tender beef in just over an hour, use your handy Instant Pot. This fast weeknight dinner will become a regular rotation once you see how incredible the results are. Give it a try this week!
Easy Instant Pot Eye of Round Roast
Now, I admittedly don’t go out and buy roasts all that frequently. Or really ever. Usually my mom buys them when she visits. But regardless, whenever I have them I usually stick them in the Instant Pot (I use the Instant Pot Duo 6 quart 7-in-1), ’cause who really has three hours to cook a roast in the oven? Not me.
You can put the roast on the little Instant Pot trivet if you only want the roast and not the vegetables. I like to have veggies along with my meat, so I stick them in there, too. ‘Cause I don’t want to cook two things.
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How to make Eye of Round Roast in the Instant Pot (great for stir fry, sandwiches or nachos!!!)
FAQ
Can eye of round be cooked in pressure cooker?
Is eye of round roast good for pot roast?
How do you cook eye of the round so it is not tough?
Why is my roast not tender in Instant Pot?
How to cook eye of a round beef roast in Instant Pot?
Once you try cooking eye of a round beef roast in the Instant Pot, you’ll never make it any other way! Rub the beef with salt and pepper all over. Heat a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the beef and sear for 2 minutes on each side. Insert the trivet in the Instant Pot and add 1 cup of water.
How do you cook a roast in an Instant Pot?
Cook, turning to brown all sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer seared roast to a plate. Cancel the Sauté setting. Stir together sherry, water, fish sauce, and beef base in a small bowl; add to Instant Pot, stirring to combine with roast drippings in the pot. Add garlic, thyme, and bay leaf. Place steam rack in Instant Pot; set roast on rack.
How do you make a roast beef sandwich in an Instant Pot?
Prep you Instant Pot eye of round the day before, refrigerate overnight (this will help lock in those savory juices and make thinly slicing so much easier), slice it up, and then put it out with your warmed jus and all your favorite fixings for a build-your-own roast beef sandwich bar. Set Instant Pot to Sauté on High; let heat 1 to 2 minutes.
How long does roast beef take to cook in Instant Pot?
Set your time for forty minutes. When your roast beef is done cooking, let the pressure release naturally completely. This will take about twenty or twenty-five minutes. Remove the roast beef from the instant pot and slice it against the grain as thinly as possible and serve.