Instant Pot Kentucky Beef–chunks of browned beef roast stewed in broth with onions, garlic, fennel seed, thyme, cayenne pepper and maple syrup.
This recipe can also be made in the slow cooker. Instructions are listed in the bottom of the recipe card.

Instant Pot Kentucky Beef
If you have a chuck roast hanging out in your fridge and you’re feeling a little adventurous you may want to try out this Instant Pot Kentucky beef recipe! The beef gets ultra tender because it’s cut into pieces and each individual piece gets succulent. Each piece of meat has lots of flavor from the browning process and the unique taste of fennel. Plus it has a bit of kick from cayenne pepper. Finally there is a bit of a sweetness because the recipe has maple syrup in it. We loved this recipe and it was a different twist on our usual pot roasts we have!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Chuck roast–or rump roast
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion–or shallots
- Celery
- Dried thyme
- Fennel seed
- Cayenne pepper
- Garlic cloves–fresh/frozen is best and I used my garlic press*
- Beef broth–or water and Better than Bouillon beef base
- Maple syrup–or sorghum
- White vinegar–or red wine vinegar
Steps
Season the roast pieces with salt and pepper liberally.

Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in 1 Tbsp of the oil.

Add in the pieces of roast and let brown on one side for 4 minutes. Use tongs to flip the meat over and brown for 4 minutes on the other side. Move meat to a plate and set aside.
Add in the other tablespoon of oil. Add in the onion, celery, thyme, fennel and cayenne. Saute for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.

Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off saute setting.

Add in the beef, maple syrup and vinegar.

Cover and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 45 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 15 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.

Serve beef with some of the juices in the pot and salt and pepper to taste.

Notes/Tips
- Serve with dumpling-style noodles, grits, mashed potatoes, or over rice.
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- What are fennel seeds? Fennel seeds have an oval shape, similar to cumin seeds, and are approximately 4-8 millimeters in length. They have a pale green-brown color and a distinct aroma reminiscent of licorice or anise. The flavor of fennel seeds is slightly sweet and aromatic, with hints of both mint and anise.
- Other recipes you can make with fennel seed are Fennel Seed Spiked Pork Roast and Fennel Soda Bread.
- This recipe is gluten free and dairy free.
- Recipe adapted from Edible Kentucky and Southern Indiana.

More Instant Pot Roast Recipes…
Instant Pot Yankee Pot Roast
A homey, comforting fall apart roast that has loads of fall flavor. This is a low carb recipe that can be served over mashed cauliflower (or if you’re in the not caring about carbs camp serve it over mashed potatoes).
THE Roast
A recipe for the best Instant Pot or Crockpot roast! The roast is tender, moist and full of flavor. This may be the last roast recipe that you ever need!
Marry Me Roast Beef
Marry Me Roast Beef is an Instant Pot or Crockpot recipe for savory, saucy, plate-licking good roast beef and gravy.
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.


Instant Pot Kentucky Beef
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes (plus natural pressure release)
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
Description
Chunks of browned beef roast stewed in broth with onions, garlic, fennel seed, thyme, cayenne pepper and maple syrup.
Ingredients
- 2 pound chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 6–8 pieces
- Kosher salt
- Pepper
- 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 rib of celery, chopped
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp fennel seed
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 5 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp white vinegar
Instructions
Instant Pot Instructions:
- Season the roast pieces with salt and pepper liberally.
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in 1 Tbsp of the oil. Add in the pieces of roast and let brown on one side for 4 minutes. Use tongs to flip the meat over and brown for 4 minutes on the other side. Move meat to a plate and set aside.
- Add in the other tablespoon of oil. Add in the onion, celery, thyme, fennel and cayenne. Saute for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off saute setting.
- Add in the beef, maple syrup and vinegar.
- Cover and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set the manual/pressure cook button to 45 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 15 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Serve beef with some of the juices in the pot and salt and pepper to taste.
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Season the roast pieces with salt and pepper liberally.
- Heat a pan over medium high heat. Add in 1 Tbsp of the oil. Add in the pieces of roast and let brown on one side for 4 minutes. Use tongs to flip the meat over and brown for 4 minutes on the other side. Move meat to slow cooker.
- Add in the other tablespoon of oil into the pan. Add in the onion, celery, thyme, fennel and cayenne. Saute for 4 minutes. Add in the garlic and saute for 30 seconds.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pan to release any browned bits. Pour into the slow cooker.
- Add in the maple syrup and vinegar.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until beef is tender.
- Serve beef with some of the juices in the pot and salt and pepper to taste.
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
Leave a Reply