Savory Garlic-Infused Pot Roast with Herbed Smashed Potatoes
Experience the rich flavors of a perfectly cooked pot roast, infused with garlic and herbs, accompanied by creamy, garlic-smashed potatoes. This recipe utilizes the convenience of an 8-qt pressure cooker to achieve fork-tender beef in a fraction of the time. The blend of hearty vegetables and a hint of French onion soup elevates the taste, making it a comforting dish ideal for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home. With just a few simple steps, you'll have a meal that not only fills your belly but warms your soul. Perfectly seasoned and served with a luscious gravy, this pot roast is sure to impress guests and satisfy even the hungriest appetites.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Boneless beef chuck shoulder pot roast
5 lbs (tied with string)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Freshly ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Vegetable oil
2 tablespoons (for browning the roast)
Onions
2 cups (roughly chopped)
Carrots
1 cup (roughly chopped)
Celery
1 cup (roughly chopped)
Low sodium beef broth or condensed French onion soup
1 can (14.5 ounces) (to add flavor to the pot)
Bay leaves
2 (for flavoring the broth)
Large potatoes
8 (scrubbed (leave whole))
Large garlic cloves
12 (peeled)
Butter
2 tablespoons (for mashing the potatoes)
Fresh parsley
3 tablespoons (roughly chopped (for garnish))
Instructions
1
1. Begin by seasoning the boneless beef chuck roast generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper or your favorite seasoning blend.
2
2. Set your pressure cooker to the BROWN setting and heat the vegetable oil. Once hot, carefully brown the roast on all sides until a deep golden crust forms, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the roast and set it aside on a plate.
3
3. In the same cooker, add the roughly chopped onions, carrots, and celery. Stir occasionally, cooking for 2-3 minutes until the onions start to caramelize and become translucent.
4
4. Pour in the low sodium beef broth or condensed French onion soup, and add the bay leaves. Return the browned roast to the pot, placing it on top of the aromatic vegetables.
5
5. Arrange the whole, scrubbed potatoes around the roast, ensuring they are well-distributed in the pot. Thread the peeled garlic cloves onto skewers, then set the skewers across the top of the potatoes or resting on the roast for maximum flavor infusion.
6
6. Secure the lid of the pressure cooker, ensuring the safety lock is in the LOCK position. Adjust the pressure regulator knob to PRESSURE to prepare for high-pressure cooking.
7
7. For electric pressure cookers, select HIGH pressure and set a cooking time of 80 minutes before pressing START. If using a stovetop pressure cooker, bring to high pressure over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to sustain pressure and begin timing for 60 minutes.
8
8. When cooking is complete, turn off the electric cooker and allow pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes. For stovetop models, let the pressure fall naturally before carefully unlocking the lid.
9
9. Once the lid is removed, transfer the garlic cloves and potatoes to a separate bowl and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Place the roast on a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes before slicing.
10
10. Strain the cooking liquid into a gravy separator to remove excess fat. Discard the bay leaves, then mash the cooked vegetables and stir them into about 2 cups of the flavorful broth to create a rustic gravy. Season to taste.
11
11. For the side dish, mash the potatoes and garlic cloves together with butter, seasoning to taste. Garnish with roughly chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and flavor.
12
12. Serve slices of the pot roast alongside the herbed smashed potatoes, and drizzle the homemade gravy over the top. Enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut of beef is best for this Savory Garlic-Infused Pot Roast?
This recipe specifically calls for a 5 lb boneless beef chuck shoulder pot roast, tied with string.
How should I season the beef roast before cooking?
Season the roast generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, or use your favorite seasoning blend.
What is the first step in cooking the roast in a pressure cooker?
Set the pressure cooker to the BROWN setting and heat vegetable oil to brown the roast on all sides for 4-5 minutes per side.
Which vegetables are used to create the aromatic base?
The recipe uses 2 cups of onions, 1 cup of carrots, and 1 cup of celery, all roughly chopped.
How long should I sauté the onions, carrots, and celery?
Stir the vegetables occasionally for 2-3 minutes until the onions start to caramelize and become translucent.
What liquid options can be used for the cooking base?
You can use one 14.5-ounce can of either low sodium beef broth or condensed French onion soup.
How are the potatoes prepared for this recipe?
Scrub 8 large potatoes and leave them whole; do not peel or chop them before adding them to the pot.
How do I incorporate the garlic cloves into the pot roast?
Thread 12 peeled garlic cloves onto skewers and set them across the top of the potatoes or roast for maximum flavor infusion.
What is the cooking time for an electric pressure cooker?
Select the HIGH pressure setting and set the cooking time for 80 minutes.
What is the cooking time if I use a stovetop pressure cooker?
Bring the cooker to high pressure over medium-high heat, then lower the heat to maintain pressure and cook for 60 minutes.
How should the pressure be released after cooking is complete?
Allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes before carefully unlocking the lid.
How long should the beef rest before slicing?
Place the roast on a cutting board and allow it to rest for 5-10 minutes to ensure it remains juicy.
What do I do with the garlic and potatoes after cooking?
Transfer them to a separate bowl and cover with foil to keep warm until you are ready to mash them.
How is the rustic gravy prepared?
Strain the liquid to remove fat, discard bay leaves, and mash the cooked vegetables into about 2 cups of the broth.
What makes the smashed potatoes 'herbed'?
The potatoes are mashed with the cooked garlic cloves and garnished with 3 tablespoons of freshly chopped parsley.
What is the purpose of browning the meat before pressure cooking?
Browning creates a deep golden crust which adds significant flavor and texture to the final dish.
Is it necessary to use a gravy separator?
Yes, it is recommended to strain the cooking liquid into a gravy separator to remove excess fat for a better gravy consistency.
Can I use different seasonings for the beef?
Yes, while salt and pepper are standard, you can use your favorite seasoning blend to suit your taste preferences.
How do I serve the Savory Garlic-Infused Pot Roast?
Serve slices of the roast alongside the herbed smashed potatoes and drizzle the homemade gravy over the top.
What type of pressure cooker is required for this recipe?
The recipe is designed for an 8-qt pressure cooker, either electric or stovetop models.
What should I do with the bay leaves?
The bay leaves are used for flavoring the broth during cooking and should be discarded before serving.
How many garlic cloves are used in total?
This recipe uses 12 large, peeled garlic cloves.
Is the vegetable oil used for anything other than browning?
The 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil are used specifically for the initial browning of the roast.
How much butter is needed for the smashed potatoes?
You will need 2 tablespoons of butter to mash with the potatoes and garlic.
Can I use smaller potatoes?
The recipe calls for 8 large potatoes; if using smaller ones, you may need to adjust the quantity to ensure there is enough for the side dish.
What is the role of the skewers in this recipe?
Skewers are used to hold the garlic cloves together so they can be easily retrieved and mashed with the potatoes later.
Does this recipe include a traditional thick gravy?
It creates a rustic gravy by mashing the cooked aromatic vegetables back into the flavorful broth.
What size should the carrots and celery be chopped?
They should be roughly chopped, as they will be mashed into the gravy later.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as a comforting dish ideal for family gatherings or a cozy dinner at home.
How many ingredients are required for this recipe?
There are 13 main ingredients including the beef, vegetables, liquids, and seasonings.