Instant Pot Rump Roast

Q: Why was my rump roast tough in the Instant Pot?

Instant pot rump roast can be tough because of Undercooking , Lack of Liquid , Insufficient Seasoning , Quality of Meat : Higher-quality rump roast tends to be more tender.

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This savory Instant Pot Rump Roast Recipe goes beyond just cooking a rump roast... It combines techniques, ingredient selection, and efficient cooking methods to create a savory and tender rump roast that can be enjoyed as a centerpiece for a special occasion, Sunday dinner, or an easy weeknight family dinner.

instant pot rump roast recipe sliced on plate with text

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Instant Pot Rump Roast
Ingredients
Directions
Instant Pot Rump Roast -Tender & Easy Recipe
FAQ's

Using an Instant Pot not only saves time but also helps lock in flavors and moisture. The pressure cooking method ensures that your meat cooks evenly quickly, resulting in a tender and delicious dish roast in a fraction of the time it usually takes!

Ingredients

3-4 lb rump roast
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup beef stock
2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoon dried rosemary
Salt and black pepper to taste

Rump Roast

Rump roast is an affordable choice for this recipe, prized for its marbling that boosts flavor. The pressure cooking method tenderizes it perfectly, making it a cost-effective option for a flavorful roast!

Aromatics

The use of onions and garlic in the recipe not only adds flavor but also serves as the aromatic base. These ingredients create a fragrant and flavorful backdrop for the roast.

Umami Boost

Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste are both umami-rich ingredients. Umami is one of the five basic tastes (alongside sweet, sour, bitter, and salty) and adds depth and so much flavor to your roast.

Thyme & Rosemary

Dried thyme and rosemary are classic herbs for beef dishes. They provide earthy and aromatic notes that complement the meat's flavor. Using dried herbs ensures that their flavors infuse evenly throughout the dish.

Directions

If you have a frozen roast, let in thaw in the fridge the day before.
Start by seasoning the 3-4 lb rump roast generously with salt and black pepper.
Set your Electric Pressure Cooker to the "Sauté" function and heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pot. Cook them until they soften, stirring occasionally.
Once the onion and garlic are softened, add the rump roast to the bottom of the pot and sear it on all sides until it's nicely browned. This step helps lock in the flavors and gives the roast a nice crust. Searing the rump roast before pressure cooking it is crucial. This process, known as the Maillard reaction, creates a flavorful crust on the meat and enhances its overall taste. It's a technique used to develop complex flavors, and slow the natural release of moisture from the meat.

While the roast is searing, in a small bowl, mix together 1 cup of beef broth, 2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste, 2 teaspoons of dried thyme, and 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary. This mixture will be the flavorful cooking liquid for the roast.
After searing the roast, pour the prepared mixture over the rump roast in the Instant Pot.

instant pot rump roast recipe raw with text

Cook

Close the Instant Pot lid and set it to cook on high pressure for 60 minutes of cook time. This will ensure the roast becomes tender and flavorful.
Once the cooking time is up, allow the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes. Then, use the quick release to release any remaining pressure. Natural Pressure Release: Allowing the pressure to release naturally for about 10 minutes after cooking is complete is a crucial step. It helps the meat relax and keeps it moist and tender. Quick releases can cause the meat to seize up and become tougher.

Resting Meat

Carefully remove the rump roast from the Instant Pot and let it rest for 10 extra minutes before slicing thin and against the grain. Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, keeping it juicy and tender. How to cut rump roast! Resting allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, keeping it juicy and tender.

Optionally, you can strain the cooking liquid from the Instant Pot and serve it as a sauce over the sliced rump roast. This sauce will be rich and flavorful, adding extra depth to your dish. Au Jus: Straining and serving the cooking liquid as a sauce is an excellent way to utilize all the flavors that have developed during the cooking process. It's a practical and flavorful way to enhance the dish.

Veggie Variation

Add baby carrots and baby potatoes to the Instant Pot along with the rump roast to make it a complete one-pot meal. Here's how to do it:

After searing the rump roast and before adding the cooking liquid mixture, you can place the baby carrots and baby potatoes in the Instant Pot. You can use approximately 1-2 cups of each, or adjust the quantity to your liking.
If you add vegetables, it's a good idea to add a bit more liquid to ensure there's enough moisture for the vegetables to cook and to create sufficient steam for pressure cooking. You can add an extra ½ to 1 cup of beef broth or even water to the pot. This added liquid will help create steam and maintain the right pressure during the cooking process.
Make sure to season the vegetables with a pinch of salt and black pepper as well to enhance their flavor.
Once you've added the vegetables and extra liquid, proceed with the recipe as usual. The additional ingredients will cook along with the rump roast, absorbing the flavors of the seasonings and creating a complete and delicious meal.

Adding vegetables complements this recipe, creating a balanced combination of flavors, and it can save you time and effort on preparing side dishes separately. Just ensure that there's enough moisture in the pot to accommodate the extra ingredients, and you should have a fantastic one-pot meal.

Side Dishes

So many things go well with this rump roast, but here are a few of my favorites!

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Easy Sourdough Bread for Beginners

Candied yams or baby carrots

How to Store Leftovers

Rump roast can make excellent leftovers. Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. You can use leftover roast beef slices for sandwiches, salads, or even stir-fries. The flavorful cooking liquid can be used as a base for soups or beef stew.