Instant Pot pork roast features tender pearl onions, potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots. From start to finish, the whole dish is ready to eat in under an hour!

close up image of sliced instant pot pork roast and veggies.

Pin this recipe now to save it for later

When it’s time for an easy weeknight meal, we so often turn to ground beef or chicken recipes. But don’t underestimate pork! Whether it’s Baked Breaded Pork Chops or Slow Cooker Pork Carnitas, there are so many easy ways to make pork for dinner.

And this Instant Pot pork roast might just be one of my favorites! Thanks to the pressure cooking method and quick release of steam, it always turns out perfectly. Plus, it has a quick cooking time so you don’t have to stand around the kitchen all day.

top down image of instant pot pork roast served on a large oval plate.

Instant Pot Pork Roast Recipe

I spent years cooking pork roast in the oven and I hated how long it took. My pork also came out dry and flavorless. I knew there had to be a better way! 

That is when I started playing around with cooking pork roast in the Instant Pot. I was so impressed by how the meal came out that I started making this recipe all the time.

The pressure cooker cooks the pork fast, but it also keeps it tender and moist. Trapped inside the pot, the steam and liquid absorb into the meat and veggies. As a result, the meal turns out juicy and flavorful every time!

Then, all the juice left in the bottom of the pot turns into a thick sauce. So, we use every bit of flavor from the Instant Pot. This is an amazing recipe I know you will love!

ingredients to make instant pot pork roast.

Ingredients

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions. 

  • Pork shoulder
  • Russet potatoes 
  • Sliced mushrooms – I like to use baby bellas. Make sure you wash the mushrooms well before adding them to the pot.
  • Pearl onions – Use frozen pearl onions, which you can find year-round.
  • Chopped carrots 
  • Olive oil
  • Minced garlic
  • Bay leaves – Bay leaves add a woodsy flavor that makes the sauce herby and flavorful. 
  • Chicken stock – Chicken stock makes the sauce rich and pungent. It also boosts the flavor of the pork. If preferred beef broth will also work.
  • Red wine – I like to use dry red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon. A red wine table blend will work great! Just remember, if you wouldn’t drink it, you shouldn’t cook with it. Quality is important! 
  • Cornstarch – A little cornstarch helps thicken the sauce after the pork roast has cooked. 

Variations

  • Use small red potatoes in place of russet potatoes. Tri-colored mini potatoes will also be delicious and colorful. 
  • Use sliced onion in place of pearl onions. One medium white onion will be the perfect amount. 
  • Skip the red wine and add ½ cup extra chicken stock
  • Add a splash of balsamic vinegar with the liquids for extra depth and a sweet and savory taste.

How to Make Instant Pot Pork Roast

  1. Sear the roast: Heat the olive oil in the Instant Pot and sear the seasoned pork roast for a few minutes on each side. Browning the outside of the pork will add a delicious caramel taste to the pork roast. Remove the roast from the Instant Pot once seared. 
  2. Add the veggies: Add the mushrooms to the Instant Pot and sear for a few minutes. Stir in the onions, garlic, carrots, potatoes, and bay leaf. 
  3. Add the liquids: Add the red wine and chicken broth to the pot. Then, stir again, scraping the bits from the bottom of the pan (those browned bits are all flavor!). 
  4. Cook the pork roast: Place the Instant Pot trivet into the pan, placing it on top of the veggies. Put the seared pork roast on the trivet, then cover the pressure cooker and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Do a quick pressure release once the roast has cooked. 
  5. Make the gravy: Remove the cooked pork roast and veggies from the Instant Pot, leaving just the liquid in the pot. Whisk the cornstarch and water in a small bowl, then whisk the mixture into the hot liquid inside the Instant Pot. Keep whisking until thick. 
  6. Enjoy!: Slice the pork roast or shred the pork to create pulled pork. Then, divide it between plates, along with a mix of veggies and potatoes. Top the whole meal with gravy and enjoy! 
close up image of instant pot pork roast cross section served on a white round plate.

How to Store Instant Pot Pork Roast

If you have leftover pork roast, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. You can reheat the leftovers in the microwave, heating in 30-second increments until the leftovers are nice and hot. 

What to Serve With Instant Pot Pork Roast

This pressure cooker pork roast is a complete meal thanks to all the veggies and potatoes in the pot. However, my one-hour dinner rolls are delicious when dipped into the pork roast gravy. Broccoli salad is a great cold side dish and mac and cheese will add to the amazing, filling meal. A warm slice of apple dump cake will be the perfect way to end the meal. 

FAQs

How long do you cook pork in an Instant Pot?

This 2-pound pork roast cooks for 60 minutes on high pressure. Different cuts of meat may cook faster or take longer in the Instant Pot, depending on their thickness and size.

Why is my pork roast tough in Instant Pot?

If your pork roast is tough, it needs to cook longer. I recommend sealing the Instant Pot and cooking for another 10-20 minutes if your roast is still tough after 60 minutes of cooking. You’ll need more time if your pork is larger than two pounds.

How do you make pork soft and tender?

Thick pieces of pork, like a shoulder or butt, cook best when cooked at low temperatures for a long time. Low and slow is the way to go! This helps the proteins in the pork break down, making the meat tender and soft.

What’s the best cut of pork for this recipe?

I recommend using pork shoulder for this recipe. However, any tough, fibrous cut will work. Pork loin roast and pork butt are common cuts that work well.

More Delicious Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot pork roast on a plate with veggies.

Instant Pot Pork Roast

Instant Pot pork roast features tender pearl onions, potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots. From start to finish, the whole dish is ready to eat in under an hour!
4.67 from 3 votes
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 8 servings
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes

Equipment

  • 1 Instant Pot
  • 1 Small bowl

Ingredients  

  • 3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 pounds pork shoulder
  • 2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • 1 cup pearl onions
  • 2 Tablespoons minced garlic
  • 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed
  • 1 cup chopped carrots
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 2 Tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 Tablespoons cold water

Instructions 

  • Add one tablespoon of the olive oil to the Instant Pot and turn the pot on to the saute setting. Heat the oil for one minute.
    3 Tablespoons olive oil
  • Sprinkle the salt and pepper over the entire outside of the pork then add the pork shoulder to the hot oil in the Instant Pot. Sear each side of the pork for 4 minutes (cooking all 4 sides for 4 minutes, making it 16 minutes of searing time).
    2 pounds pork shoulder
  • Remove the pork shoulder from the Instant Pot and set aside on a plate for now.
  • Add the mushrooms to the pot and cook for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    2 cups sliced mushrooms
  • Add the onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots and bay leaf to the Instant Pot and stir again.
    2 large russet potatoes, peeled and cubed, 1 cup pearl onions, 1 cup chopped carrots, 2 Tablespoons minced garlic, 2 bay leaves
  • Add the chicken stock and red wine to the pot and stir, scraping the bottom of the pot with a spoon to get all the cooked bits of veggies off the bottom.
    1 cup chicken stock, 1/2 cup red wine
  • Add the Instant Pot trivet to the pot, placing it on top of the veggies. Place the seared pork roast on top of the trivet and then cover the pot, seal it and set it to cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
  • Once the 60 minutes of pressure cooking is done, do a quick pressure release. Be careful as the steam coming out of the pot is very hot!
  • Remove the pork and veggies from the Instant pot, leaving behind the liquid.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water. Whisk this mix into the hot liquid in the Instant Pot. This will make a delicious, thick gravy.
    2 Tablespoons cornstarch, 2 Tablespoons cold water
  • Slice the pork roast and divide it between plates with the veggies. Pour some of the gravy over each plate and enjoy while hot!

Notes

You can make this recipe in the slow cooker as well. Sear the port and cook the veggies in a large skillet and then transfer them to a slow cooker. Cover and cook on high for 6 hours. Make the gravy as directed and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 282kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 115mg | Potassium: 870mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 2681IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 41mg | Iron: 2mg
Did you make this recipe?Mention @kasey_allthingsmamma or tag #allthingsmamma!

Categories: , , ,

About Kasey Schwartz

For over 15 years, Kasey Schwartz, the mastermind behind All Things Mamma, has been the ultimate go-to for mouthwatering family recipes. Her work has been featured on Today.com, Buzz Feed, Better Homes and Gardens, and more, making her your go-to mom next door for all things delicious and family-friendly.

Comments

  1. Christina Myers says:

    5 stars
    This came out great. It was super easy and flavorful. My roast was very tender. One small suggestion…I would specify, for beginners, that the instant pot should be set to sauté when making the gravy. I had to let it bubble quite a bit to get it nice and thickened. Yum!!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.