The Instant Pot makes quick work of arm roast, so quick in fact that you'll be enjoying tender, flavorful shredded beef in less than 2 hours (including prep and cook time!). This Instant Pot Beef Arm Roast is quite the time-saver, resulting in tender shredded bits of beef that you'll swear has been simmering away all day in a slow cooker.
I don't consider myself a meal prepper. But I am a protein prepper of sorts because busy weeks mean my Instant Pot is coming out along with plans of cooking a few pounds of meat. Like this Instant Pot Beef Arm Roast. I like to hit it with an all-purpose seasoning before cooking to maximize its versatility throughout the week. And a protein that has big flavor like beef needs that all-purpose goodness to bring mad flavor with such a short cooking time.
Jump to:
- Why You Will Love This Recipe
- What is an Arm Roast?
- Ingredients
- Instant Pot Arm Roast Ingredient Substitutions
- Spicy Instant Pot Shredded Beef Variation
- How to Make Arm Roast in the Instant Pot - Directions
- Equipment
- Top Tip for Tender Results
- Recipe FAQs
- Related to Instant Pot Arm Roast
- Perfect Pairing for Shredded Beef
- Instant Pot Arm Roast
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Ready in Under 2 Hours. The Instant Pot makes quick work of arm roast, making it incredibly tender in just a fraction of the time traditional low and slow methods. You could also use this recipe and cook your arm roast in a slow cooker, set to a low setting for at least 8 hours.
- Minimal Ingredients. This is one beefy cut and because I want the flavors of the beef to come through, the ingredients are kept minimal. And flexible, calling for using your favorite all purpose seasoning as the primary flavor driver.
- Perfect for Weeknight Dinners - and Leftovers. This is a set-it-and-forget-it protein dish; plan for 2 hours (45-minute cook time plus approximately 30-40 minutes for the Instant Pot to come up to pressure and naturally release when finished cooking). Lunch and/or dinner the next day are covered; try making sandwiches or burritos. Speaking of cozy weeknight dinners that are easy to prepare in the Instant Pot, you might also want to check out Instant Pot Pork Butt or this Instant Pot Turkey Breast.
But wait, what is an arm roast anyway?
What is an Arm Roast?
Arm roast is similar to chuck roast, which people tend to be more familiar with. An arm roast comes right from a cow's shoulder, whereas a chuck roast is taken closer to the area where the shoulder and neck meet on a cow. The arm roast usually contains a round bone surrounded by lean meat. Because a cow's shoulder gets exercised, it tends to contain more connective tissues, making it tougher in texture when compared to a chuck roast.
You may have also heard it called an arm chuck roast or an arm pot roast.
And what does the term "roast" usually indicate when it's in the name of a cut of beef? That's right! It means the best cooking to transform that connective tissue into tender, shredded beef is slow cooking. Or, thanks to the Instant Pot, high-pressure cooking that yields tender results in a fraction of the time.
Ingredients
This Instant Pot Beef Arm Roast recipe uses simple ingredients to yield tender shredded beef that has great flavor but is versatile enough to be used for everything from sandwiches to tacos. The resulting flavor is so rich and comforting; tender shredded beef gets transformed into an umami bomb thanks to Worcestershire sauce and all-purpose seasoning. Plus adding fresh garlic and onion - which pretty much just disintegrate into deliciousness during cooking - add further flavorful dimensions.
I'm drooling just thinking about how good this shredded arm roast is on a bun with garlic aioli and banana peppers...
I always tend to reach for an all-purpose seasoning for this Instant Pot Beef Arm Roast recipe, because, hello easy button. I like to use my own special recipe for Adobo Seasoning, but use what you like/have on hand. Or check out my all-purpose seasoning recommendations that are available for purchase online (after the ingredient list below).
- Arm roast, trimmed and bone removed*, cut into large chunks - the arm roast cut comes from the shoulder of a cow and is perfect for cooking methods that are low and slow. You can also swap in a chuck roast if that's what you'd prefer. The two cuts do have some important differences; read more about arm vs. chuck roast here.
- White or yellow onion, sliced (optional) - I love cooking with onions and they contribute great flavor to the leftover jus.
- All-purpose seasoning, like this homemade Adobo Seasoning - Read for that trusty seasoning, you know the one. The default you reach for when you just want a simple seasoning but don't want to have to think too hard. I love adobo seasoning; plus you can purchase it online if you don't want to make your own.
- Beer (I used Alaskan Amber) - Avoid overly hoppy beers, choose something mellow. Or if you'd rather not use beer, use beef stock instead to really double down on the beefiness.
- Apple cider vinegar - This is a rich, comforting dish. And adding a little zing of vinegar really brightens things up.
- Garlic cloves, roughly chopped (optional) - Like the onion, they also make the jus fantastic. If you don't have fresh garlic on hand, feel free to use ¾ teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
- Worcestershire sauce - Also my secret chili ingredient. A few dashes just adds that salty umami that goes so well with beef. Especially in a comforting shredded beef dish.
*Toss that bone into the Instant Pot while it cooks for an even more beefy flavor.
Instant Pot Arm Roast Ingredient Substitutions
Here are some substitutions you can make in a pinch. This is a pretty versatile recipe, so you can make several smart substitutions and still wind up with delicious results.
- Apple cider vinegar - you can use regular vinegar or red wine vinegar if you'd prefer. The addition of vinegar is more about its tenderizing qualities, not flavor.
- Beer - Use beef stock or a soda like Coke or Dr. Pepper instead. Just make sure whatever liquid you choose is complementary to the beef.
- All-purpose seasoning - Other fantastic all-purpose seasonings that would be good for this Instant Pot Arm Roast recipe:
Spicy Instant Pot Shredded Beef Variation
This Instant Pot Arm Roast recipe isn't spicy at all, but if you want to add some zing, here are a few ingredients to add to the mix. My advice would be to add ¼-1/2 teaspoon of the dry spices, 1-2 tablespoons of the sauces, and 1-2 fresh peppers if you want the heat present but agreeable to most palates.
- Cayenne pepper
- Hot Hungarian paprika
- Chili powder
- Chipotle chili powder
- Chipotle en adobo sauce
- Hot sauce (like Tabasco)
- Jalapenos, serranos, or other fresh hot pepper
How to Make Arm Roast in the Instant Pot - Directions
- Add the sliced onions and crushed garlic to the Instant Pot (optional).
- Add the apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a 12-ounce bottle of beer.
- Sprinkle the adobo seasoning (or another all-purpose seasoning) all over each arm roast chunk, making sure to coat the exterior evenly. Add the seasoned beef arm roast chunks to the Instant Pot.
- Put the lid on and set your Instant Pot to High Pressure for 45 minutes. The Instant Pot will take around 10-12 minutes to come to pressure. When the beef arm roast has finished cooking, let the pressure naturally release.
- If you opt for a quick release, I can't promise the meat will be as tender as this rapid air expulsion tends to dry meat out. This will take around 20 minutes. The steam release valve will fall when the pressure has naturally dissipated.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a large bowl and use two forks to shred it into smaller pieces. Toss the bone if you used it during cooking.
- I like to add some of the liquid remaining in the Instant Pot back to the shredded meat to keep it juicy - 2-3 tablespoons - and then save the rest of the liquid for another use.
Use the shredded beef for tacos, sandwiches, and more! The flavor is neutral enough for many different applications.
Equipment
I have an 8-quart Instant Pot, this exact model. This recipe also works with 6-quart Instant Pot models.
Top Tip for Tender Results
Breaking the meat down into smaller chunks before cooking in the Instant Pot will speed up the cooking process. If you decide to leave your arm roast whole, you'll need to cook it for at least an hour or so, depending on how large of a cut you are using.
Don't release the pressure right away! Let the pressure naturally dissipate, which helps keep the meat tender. The downside is the waiting for it, but I promise it's worth it. The rapidly escaping pressure brings the moisture with it, drying the meat out.
Recipe FAQs
It sure is! The Instant Pot makes quick work of the connective tissue in arm roast, breaking it down quickly during pressure cooking. You could absolutely serve this as a pot roast, along with your favorite sides! Feel free to swap in chuck roast instead. And if you love cooking proteins in the Instant Pot as much as I do, you've gotta try this Instant Pot Porketta Roast and this Instant Pot Salsa Chicken.
As someone who cooks for two, I LOVE having leftovers! Store leftover Instant Pot Beef Arm Roast in a lidded container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Or freeze in an airtight container for 3-6 months.
I know, you heard the hype about the incredibly tender results you can expect from this Instant Pot Arm Roast recipe, but then you wind up with a tough roast. What went wrong? Most likely it's undercooked. The recipe instructions were developed using a 3-4 pound arm roast (bone included), broken down into chunks for faster cooking. If you tried cooking a larger roast or didn't break down your roast before cooking you might find that you have to cook it longer.
Also, if you skip the natural release the rapid release of heat can dry out your meat. It's best to wait.
There are so many different routes you could go here! My recommendations would be to pair this with a Cheesy Potato Soup or Creamed Kale or Top Ramen Noodle Salad. Also, amazing paired with this homemade Creamy Dill Cucumber Salad and this zesty Marinated Tomato Salad.
Related to Instant Pot Arm Roast
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Perfect Pairing for Shredded Beef
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Instant Pot Arm Roast:
Instant Pot Arm Roast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3-4 lb arm roast trimmed (bone removed*, cut into large chunks)
- 1 white or yellow onion sliced (optional)
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose seasoning
- 1 12 ounce bottle beer (I used Alaskan Amber)
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 5-6 cloves garlic, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Add the sliced onions and crushed garlic to the Instant Pot (optional). Add the apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and a 12-ounce bottle of beer.
- Sprinkle the adobo seasoning (or another all-purpose seasoning) all over each arm roast chunk, making sure to coat the exterior evenly.
- Add the seasoned beef arm roast chunks to the Instant Pot.
- Put the lid on and set your Instant Pot to High Pressure for 45 minutes (I also select the Keep Warm setting). The Instant Pot will take around 10-12 minutes to come to pressure and start cooking.
- When the beef arm roast has finished cooking, let the pressure naturally release. If you opt for a quick release, I can't promise the meat will be as tender as this rapid air expulsion tends to dry meat out. This will take around 20 minutes. The steam release valve will fall when the pressure has naturally dissipated.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a large bowl and use two forks to shred it into smaller pieces. Toss the bone if you used it during cooking.
- I like to add some of the liquid remaining in the Instant Pot back to the shredded meat to keep it juicy - 2-3 tablespoons - and then save the rest of the liquid for another use.
- Use the shredded beef for tacos, sandwiches, and more! The flavor is neutral enough for many different applications.
Elisa says
What is with no comments?! Everyone says it’s the best roast in ver, I cook it slightly less than the time specifies because we like to be able to slice it instead of shredding it. I think 30 min.
It caught my attention because 1) I wasn't aware of what an arm roast is and we received it in a box with other great cuts and 2) you used Alaskan Amber, out current favorite & 3) you Dont try to cook meat w/ vegetables in the instant pot. If we want potatoes, carrots or anything else we cook them on the side whether its stovetop or in the oven. (haha or sometime in the pressure cooker but not with a roast.)