Instant Pot French Onion Pot Roast is a delicious, savory chuck beef roast cooked with lots of onion and seasonings until fall apart tender.
Gather everything you need, and prepare the veggies, etc. before you start cooking.
Turn on the pot's Sauté setting. When it is hot, add the olive oil and the butter.
Add the onions and bay leaf. Stir. Then let them sit for a few minutes before stirring again. Cook only until the onions start to turn translucent. Stir occasionally.
Add the garlic and stir. Cook about 45 seconds, stirring frequently.
Add the thyme leaves, dehydrated onions, and Worcestershire sauce, wine (if using), and stir.
Place the three chuck roast pieces on top of the onions.
Pour the French onion soup over the meat. Don't stir.
Dissolve the beef bouillon in the beef broth and pour over the meat.
Cancel the Sauté setting. Close the lid and set the steam release knob to the Sealing position.
Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button or dial, then the +/- button or dial to select 60 minutes. High Pressure. The pot will take several minutes to come to pressure.
When the cook cycle has finished, turn off the pot and let it sit undisturbed for 15 minutes (15 minute natural release). Then turn the steam release knob to the Venting position to release the remaining steam/pressure.
When the pin in the lid drops back down, open the lid.
Use a large spoon to skim off some of the fat and then remove and discard the bay leaf.
Remove the meat to a large plate and use 2 forks to shred the meat (or cut into bite sized pieces, if desired).
Mix the corn starch and cold water together until dissolved to make a slurry.
Turn on the Sauté setting. When the sauce starts to simmer, stir in the corn starch slurry, and stir until the gravy is thickened.
Turn off the pot.
Add the meat back into the gravy and stir.
Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or whatever you like!