You will never cook a pot roast any other way after trying an Instant Pot Frozen Roast. It’s the best and easiest pull-apart tender pot roast you’ll ever make!
Prepare the most delicious and easy to pull-apart pot roast ever! Once you try an Instant Pot Frozen Roast, you’ll never cook a roast any other way.
The weight of your roast will change the cook time for this recipe. Adjust the cook time by 5 minutes per half pound. In this case, 85 minutes would be set for a 2-pound roast and 95 minutes would be set for a 3-pound roast.
If you want to make gravy, take off the trivet, add cornstarch (or xantham gum for a keto option) to the juices, and set the Instant Pot to saute. This will bring the sauce to a simmer and let it thicken.
If you want to cook potatoes and carrots with the roast, this is what youll need to do. Decrease the cooking time by 15 minutes and cut the carrots and potatoes in half. Do a quick release, then add the potatoes and carrots and set to manual for 15 minutes. Once that has finished proceed with the natural pressure release.
Cooking a delicious roast beef joint is a great way to bring family and friends together for a special meal. However many home cooks are unsure if they can cook a roast beef joint straight from the freezer or if it needs to be fully thawed first. The good news is that you absolutely can cook a roast beef joint from frozen! With a few simple tips and tricks, your frozen roast will turn out just as juicy flavorful and tender as if you had thawed it in the refrigerator for days.
How Long Does It Take to Cook a Roast From Frozen?
The most important thing to know when cooking a frozen roast beef joint is that it will take significantly longer than cooking a thawed roast. This is because the frozen meat acts as an insulator, slowing down the cooking process.
Here is a general guideline for how much extra time you’ll need
- For a small 2-3 lb roast, cook 50% longer
- For a medium 3-5 lb roast, cook 75% longer
- For a large 5-7 lb roast, cook 100% longer
So if your recipe says a thawed 3 lb roast takes 2 hours to cook, you’ll want to cook a frozen 3 lb roast for 3 hours instead Monitor the roast closely with a meat thermometer and add more time if needed The center should reach 135°F for medium-rare doneness.
Tips for Cooking a Roast From Frozen
Follow these tips to ensure your frozen roast beef cooks up juicy, tender and full of flavor:
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Use a meat thermometer – This is crucial for determining doneness since cooking times will vary. Insert it into the thickest part of the roast and aim for 135°F for medium-rare.
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Cook at a lower temperature – Cooking at 325°F instead of 350°F allows the inside to gently thaw and cook through without overbrowning the outside.
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Add liquid to the pan – One cup of beef broth, wine or water in the bottom of the roasting pan provides moisture and flavor as the roast cooks.
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Cover with foil at first – Covering the roast while it partially thaws and starts cooking keeps it from drying out. Uncover for the last hour to brown.
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Let it rest before carving – Allow the roast to rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to reabsorb for a more tender and juicy meal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly cooked roast beef straight from the freezer:
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Take the roast out of the freezer and place directly into a roasting pan. Do not thaw!
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Preheat the oven to 325°F.
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Pat the roast dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper and herbs.
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Add 1 cup beef broth, wine or water to the bottom of the roasting pan.
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Cover the roast tightly with foil. This helps retain moisture as it cooks.
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Roast for 20 minutes per pound if under 3 pounds or 15 minutes per pound for larger roasts. Check often with a meat thermometer, until it reaches 135°F for medium-rare.
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Remove foil during the last hour so the roast can brown. Baste periodically with pan juices.
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Once the roast beef reaches the target temperature, remove from the oven. Cover with foil and let rest 15-20 minutes.
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Transfer roast to a cutting board and slice against the grain. Serve and enjoy!
With this easy method, you can skip the tedious thawing process and still enjoy a beautiful, mouthwatering roast beef joint prepared straight from the freezer. Just be sure to allow plenty of extra cooking time. Low and slow is the key to a tender, juicy frozen roast!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put a roast beef joint in the oven frozen?
Yes, you absolutely can cook a roast beef joint straight from the freezer in the oven. Be sure to add extra cooking time. Covering it at first will allow it to gently thaw and cook through.
How long does it take to roast a frozen roast beef?
Cooking times will vary based on size, but plan for 50-100% longer cooking than a thawed roast. A 2-3 lb roast may need only 50% extra time while a 5-7 lb roast may need twice as long. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness.
What temperature should I cook a frozen roast at?
Cooking the roast at a lower oven temperature of 325°F allows it to thaw and cook through gently without burning the outside. Higher heat could result in an overcooked exterior before the inside thaws.
Should you sear a frozen roast first?
Searing before roasting is optional but can enhance flavor. If searing, only brown the meat briefly on all sides before roasting at 325°F. Do not sear extensively or it may toughen the exterior.
Can I cook a roast from frozen in a slow cooker?
Yes, a frozen roast can be cooked in a slow cooker but it will need extra time. Cook on low for at least 8-10 hours for a 3 lb roast. The extended time allows it to defrost and become tender.
Cooking a delicious roast beef joint straight from frozen is easy with these helpful tips! With the right techniques, your freezer roast will turn out juicy, tender and full of flavor.
Do I Have to do a Natural Release?
Yes, you do. Too much water will be lost if you do a quick release on this recipe, and the meat will be much tougher for dinner. That’s definitely not what we want. I know the extra 30 minutes may be a little frustrating, but it’s so worth it, trust me.
I like to make my own seasoning blends. That way, I know they don’t have any fillers, and I can decide how salty it is. Some of my favorite homemade seasoning blends are Chicken Taco Seasoning and Mediterranean Seasoning.
We are going to use kosher salt, paprika, chili powder, black pepper, and dried oregano to season this chuck roast. It’s my favorite seasoning blend for roast!.
One quick note about chili powder: in the US, it’s not the same as in the EU. In the US it’s a blend that’s not overly spicy, whereas in the EU it’s pure chili powder. Pure chili powder would make this recipe much spicier, so I suggest cutting back on the amount if you use natural chili powder.
If you like, you could also add your favorite roast seasoning or onion soup mix to this. That’s right, you could turn this into a Mississippi Pot Roast by adding 1/4 cup of butter, 4-5 pepperoncini, ranch seasoning, and au jus mix.
How to Cook a Roast
Pot roast recipes typically call for thawed beef. I wanted to know if it was possible to make very tender roast beef in the Instant Pot with a frozen roast because it can take up to a few days for a roast to fully thaw. Plus, we’ve all forgotten to take meat out of the freezer at some point. The answer is a definite yes!.
No one will ever know that you forgot to defrost the roast ahead of time because this roast is so tender that you can pull it apart.
In the Instant Pot, put the trivet down first, then add the frozen roast. Pour the broth over the roast, sprinkle the seasoning on top, and then add the garlic and onion. Cook it for 30 minutes, then let it naturally release the pressure.
Just wanted to let you know that you should pour the broth over the frozen roast instead of putting it in the pot first. The liquid thaws the edge of the roast just enough to allow the seasoning to stick to it. It makes the final result so delicious!.
