Instant Pot Pork Roast with Gravy
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A good roast with gravy is always a welcome meal at my house, especially when Sunday dinner rolls around. My family loves classic comfort food, and this Instant Pot Pork Roast with Gravy has become an easy way to make one of our favorites. It gives you that hearty, home-cooked roast dinner feel without needing to spend hours watching it in the oven.
One of the things I really love about this recipe is how simple it is. The roast is seasoned with just a few basic spices, but it still turns out full of flavor. Then, as it cooks in the Instant Pot, all those juices come together to help create a tasty gravy to serve alongside the pork. It is such an easy way to get a complete, comforting meal on the table with very little fuss. This process is also much quicker than slow cooking.
Since my family really loves gravy, I ended up making a little extra at the end so we had plenty to go around. I added another package along with the necessary water to give us enough for both the pork and the mashed potatoes I served on the side. That extra gravy was definitely worth it, because everyone wanted plenty spooned over their whole plate.
Ingredients for Instant Pot Pork Roast
- OLIVE OIL
- ONION POWDER
- GARLIC POWDER
- SALT
- PEPPER
- PORK LOIN ROAST
- CHICKEN BROTH
- PORK GRAVY
Instructions for Instant Pot Pork Roast Recipe
Start by adding the oil to the Instant Pot pressure cooker and turning on the sauté setting. While the pot heats, stir together the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Rub half of the seasoning mixture over one side of the pork roast and the remaining half over the other side.
Once the oil is hot, place the roast in the Instant Pot and sear it on both sides until nicely browned. This step adds extra flavor to the finished dish. When the roast is browned, turn off the sauté setting.
Pour the broth into the pot around the roast. Place the lid on the Instant Pot and make sure the valve is set to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 20 minutes. After that, carefully release any remaining pressure and remove the lid.
Transfer the pork roast to a serving platter and let it rest while you make the gravy. Turn the Instant Pot back to the sauté function. In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and water until smooth, then slowly whisk that mixture into the liquid in the pot. Cook for about 2 minutes, stirring until the gravy thickens.
Slice or shred the tender pork roast and serve it with the warm gravy spooned over the top. This recipe serves 6.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cut of meat works best for this recipe?
A pork loin roast or pork shoulder roast can both work well in the Instant Pot. Just keep in mind that pork shoulder is usually more tender and flavorful, while pork loin is leaner.
Do I really need to brown the roast first?
Yes, if possible. Browning the roast adds extra flavor and helps give the pork a richer, more savory taste.
How do I know when the pork roast is done?
The pork should be tender and easy to slice when it is finished cooking. If you want to be extra sure, you can check that the internal temperature has reached a safe temperature for pork.
Can I cook vegetables with the roast?
You can, but softer vegetables may become very mushy during the long cook time. It is usually best to cook vegetables separately or add larger, firmer vegetables if desired.
What kind of broth should I use?
Chicken broth works great, but vegetable broth or even beef broth can also be used, depending on the flavor you want.
How do I make the gravy thicker?
If you want a thicker gravy, you can mix together a little more cornstarch and water and whisk it into the liquid while it simmers on sauté mode.
What if my gravy is too thick?
Just whisk in a little extra broth until it reaches the consistency you like.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftover pork and gravy in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 to 4 days.
Can I freeze leftover pressure cooker pork roast?
Yes. Let the pork cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe container along with some of the gravy to help keep it moist. Freeze for up to 2 to 3 months.
How do I reheat leftover pork roast?
Reheat it gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little gravy or broth to keep it from drying out.
Why do I need a natural release for 20 minutes?
A natural release helps the roast stay more tender and allows the meat to finish cooking gently before releasing the rest of the pressure.
What should I serve with Instant Pot pork roast?
This pork roast goes well with mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables, green beans, or a side salad.
Tips and Tricks
- Pat the roast dry before seasoning. If the surface of the pork is too wet, it will not brown as well. Blotting it dry with paper towels helps the seasoning stick and gives you a better sear.
- Do not skip the browning step. Searing the roast before pressure cooking adds extra flavor and gives the finished pork a richer taste.
- Scrape the bottom of the pot after adding the broth. If there are any browned bits stuck to the bottom from sautéing, use a spoon to loosen them after pouring in the broth. This helps prevent a burn notice and adds flavor to the gravy.
- Check the texture before slicing. If the roast is not as tender as you would like, you can always seal the pot again and cook it for a few more minutes.
- Whisk the cornstarch slurry well. Make sure the cornstarch and water are completely smooth before adding them to the liquid in the pot. This helps prevent lumps in the gravy.
- Add the slurry slowly. Pour it in while whisking so the gravy thickens evenly and smoothly.
- Let the roast rest before slicing. Giving the pork a few minutes to rest on a platter helps the juices settle into the meat.
- Slice against the grain. Cutting against the grain will help make each slice more tender.
- Taste the gravy before serving. Depending on the broth you use, you may want to add a little extra salt or pepper to the gravy at the end.
- Save the leftovers with some gravy. Storing the pork with a little gravy helps keep it moist when reheating.
FOR MORE RECIPES LIKE THIS, TRY:
- Foolproof Roasted Pork Tenderloin
- Slow Cooker Pork Roast and Gravy
- Slow Cooked Honey Mustard Pork Roast
- Brown Sugar and Maple Pork Roast (Slow Cooked)
Instant Pot Pork Roast
Real Mom Kitchen
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 2 1/2-3 lb pork loin roast that will fit in your instant pot
- 1 cup chicken broth
- .87 oz pkg pork gravy
Instructions
- Add the oil to the Instant Pot and set it to sauté mode.
- In a bowl, combine the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread half of the mixture on one side of the roast and the other half on the other side.
- When the oil is hot, brown the roast in the Instant Pot on both sides. Turn off the saute mode.
- Add the broth to the Instant Pot. Put on the lid and be sure the lid is set to seal. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes and then allow for a natural pressure release for 20 minutes. Release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the roast and place it on a platter. Turn the Instant Pot on to saute. Combine the cornstarch and water together. Whisk the mixture into the pot and thicken for about 2 minutes to make a gravy.
- Slice pork or shred and serve with gravy. Serves 6.
