Sometime in the early 1970’s, my Mom got a Pressure Cooker. We thought it was the funniest kind of contraption, and had a tough time figuring out how exactly it worked. It had a lid that locked, and a little “hat” on top of the lid that jiggled noisily back and forth when something was cooking. And whatever was in there, it seemed to cook in no time flat. We were also told it was dangerous – it might explode with all of that pressure – so don’t touch it! Especially the jiggley noisy hat. (Ok, we were kids. I think Mom and Dad didn’t want us trying to open the hot pot.)
I have to admit, some delicious food came out of that funny speed cooker. And by “some” I mean one dish. I only remember a single dish ever being cooked in the Pressure Cooker – something called “Swedish Pot Roast” and, My Oh My, was it de-lic-ious! I think the recipe came from the little cookbook that came with the pressure cooker. We loved Swedish Pot Roast as much as any other dish Mom ever made. It is that good.
Now, several years ago, I was trying to think of something new to cook for dinner when I fondly recalled the flavors of this ultra-tender, fall-apart-with-a-fork roast: a little wine vinegar, which sweetens up a bit with cooking, some beautifully carmellized onions, and the warmth of a bit of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. Wait…..did you read that right? What? Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Ginger? Those are cookie spices! Why yes, they are! But in my house, they are also Swedish Pot Roast Spices!
You will not believe the beautiful flavors these spices add to the beef. Did I mention they are delicious? Anyway, I looked long and hard for a Swedish Pot Roast. I asked my Dad, I asked my sisters, I asked my friends, I asked my Swedish friends – they had no idea what I was talking about. I’m guessing this may not even be Swedish. (!?) No one knew where I could find this recipe. The only solution? Internet. Of course. I Googled “Swedish Pot Roast”, and found several recipes. All exactly the same recipe. So I guess everyone’s Mom made Swedish Pot Roast in a Pressure Cooker?
Anyway, here’s the part I hate: I don’t even have a pressure cooker. Drat! So I tried it in a Crockpot. Same recipe, same ingredients, same amounts. About 9 hours. So easy to prepare. I didn’t sear it, though, just rubbed the spices and poured over the sliced onions and liquids. It was great! So this time, I used my Dutch Oven, searing both sides, then assembling it it that same pan, and placed it in a 250F oven for 6 or 6 1/2 hours. Delish! Even better than the CrockPot. That being said, if you have a Pressure Cooker, that’s the way to go. If not, either of the other two are not only acceptable, but fantastic! (Although I’d give the Dutch Oven the edge.) I’d love to try an Instant Pot. If you have one, please let me know what you think! I imagine it would be perfect for this recipe!
So don’t be afraid of the Pressure Cooker! Or the cinnamon! Both are SOOO worth it for this Swedish Pot Roast! Enjoy!
Swedish Pot Roast
This recipe for Swedish Pot Roast is so easy and super-delicious. It is unlike any other Pot Roast you’ve made. It will become a family favorite, guaranteed! Add Potatoes and Carrots for complete meal! Special equipment needed: One of the following: a Dutch Oven, Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker, or CrockPot.
Ingredients
- 4 lb Chuck Roast
- 1 tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 tsp. Nutmeg
- 1 tsp. Dried ginger
- 2 tsp. Salt
- 1/8 tsp. Pepper
- 4 Bay leaves
- 2 tbsp. Cooking oil, such as Canola or vegetable
- 2 Onions, sliced
- 1 Clove Garlic, minced
- 1/2 c Brown Sugar (dark or light ok)
- 1/2 c Vinegar or red wine (I used Red Wine Vinegar)
- 1/2 c Water or Beef Stock
Instructions
- Combine cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt and pepper. Rub into all sides of roast. Heat Dutch oven or pressure cooker/InstantPot pot (if using one of these), pour in the cooking oil and brown the roast on all sides.
- To the pot, add sliced onions, garlic and brown sugar dissolved in the vinegar or wine, water and bay leaves.
- If using Dutch Oven: place lid over Dutch Oven, and roast in 250F oven for 6-6 1/2 hours until meat literally falls apart when you lift it from the Dutch Oven.
- If using Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot: Close and lock Pressure Cooker. Heat until Pressure Regulator begins rocking slowly. After 40 minutes of rocking, turn off heat and let pressure drop of its own accord. For Instant Pot, set at High Pressure for 45 minutes. After cooking, let pressure drop naturally before opening and serving.
- If using Crock Pot, Cook roast and all ingredients on High for 3-4 hours or Low for 8-9 hours.
- Serve roast with roasted potatoes and carrots, along with sauce from the meat.
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Swedish Pot Roast will be you new family favorite!
I was searching for this recipe as my dad used to make it from the cookbook that came with his pressure cooker when I was little. We have made your recipe twice in an installer and my kids call it “Grandpa’s Pot Roast”. Thank you for bringing the memory back to me so I can share it with my kids.
Thanks so much, Alexandra, for stopping by to comment! This warms my heart – exactly the reasons I make this yummy roast, too! I love when we all can share the dishes we loved as kids with our own children! Glad you love it like we do!
i’ve definitely had that oh, i thought this was a special family recipe but guess not, revelation a lot ? for butter mochi, furikake chex mix, alaskan blueberry coffee cake (okay, maybe that last one wasn’t that surprising, since none of my family is from alaksa), etc.
Crazy, right! We aren’t Swedish, so… what was I thinking, really?
I made this today in my Instapot. I had to tweak the spaces a bit based on what I had on hand. It came out very well. I put carrots, onions, new potatoes, and turnip in with it as well.
Awesome! So glad you liked it! I love making this in the InstantPot! I like the addition of turnips too! Thanks so much for your comment!
That looks delicious, the meat is so succulent, Laura ! The pressure cooker is such a handy apparatus, I use it to cook all the lentils and roast beef in the cooker. Even potatoes are so much quicker in the pressure cooker 🙂 A good quick option. This recipe is a lot similar to the Goan beef roast, except for the sugar, we add dried red chillies 🙂
Oh my Freda, that sounds wonderful! A dash of chili pepper would be sooo good!
🙂
Sounds fabulous! Love your story, too. I remember that little top bouncing noisily on my mom’s pressure cooker. I’ll ask her if she still has it.
Thanks! New cookers do seem sleeker, easier and quieter but they are amazing for cooking certain dishes! I’m hoping to get one!