Step 1

Season Roast: Start by seasoning the chuck roast with the salt, pepper and garlic powder. Make sure to rub in the spices and evenly coat the roast.

Step 2

Sear Roast: Turn on 'Sauté' and adjust the heat level to 'More'. Allow the pot to heat up until the display reads 'Hot' and then add the vegetable oil and allow it to heat up. Next, place the chuck roast in the pot and sear undisturbed on one side for at least 5 minutes or until it's nicely browned. Then, turn the roast over and brown on the other side. Once the roast has browned nicely on all sides, remove it from the Instant Pot and set aside. Leave the browned bits in the bottom of the pot.

Step 3

Sauté Onion: Add the sliced onion to the Instant Pot and sauté, deglazing the bottom of the pot and tossing the onion in the browned bits as they cook. Continue to sauté the onions until they are a golden brown and starting to caramelize. About 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 4

Add Red Wine: Add the red wine to the onions and cook, continuing to deglaze the bottom of the pot, until the wine is reduced by half. About 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 5

Add Soy Sauce, Stock & Roast: Add the soy sauce and beef stock to the pot, place the chuck roast back into the pot and then add the bay leaf. Turn off the Sauté function.

Step 6

100-Minute Cook Time: Close the Instant Pot, set the pressure release valve to 'Sealing' and set the pot to cook on 'Manual' or 'Pressure Cook', 'High Pressure' for 100 minutes.

Step 7

25-Minute NPR: Once the 100-minute cook time has completed, allow for a 25-minute Natural Pressure Release. When the 25-minute NPR has finished, release the remaining pressure and then open the pot.

Step 8

Serve Roast: The chuck roast is ready to serve. It will fall apart as you try to remove it from the pot. I usually serve it straight from the pot, pulling pieces of meat off the roast using my metal tongs. I'll then scoop out some of the juice (au jus) with a ladle and serve it in a small ramekin for dipping.

Step 9

Toast Bread: Cut each loaf of french bread into 2 to 4 sections (depending on length), butter each side and toast on a skillet.

Step 10

Add Cheese & Roast: Place two slices of provolone cheese on the bread and serve the roast over the top of the cheese.

Step 11

Enjoy the best French Dip sandwiches ever!