Instant Pot Shredded Beef Recipe (3 Types of Meat to Use)

Hosting a dinner party, feeding a hungry family, or simply craving a comforting meal, shredded beef is a great choice.

I’ve been cooking instant pot shredded beef for years. I experimented with different herbs, spices, broths, and beef cuts until I found the best instant pot shredded beef recipe.

Here’s how to use instant pot to get tender, succulent shredded beef that falls apart at the touch.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour (40 minutes cook time + 20 minutes pressure release)
• Total Time: 1 hour and 10 minutes
• Number of Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 lbs chuck roast
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 tablespoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

Instructions

1. Cut beef into cubes and place in your instant pot.
2. Make the seasoning by mixing it together in a small bowl.
3. Drizzle avocado oil over beef and toss to coat.
4. Sprinkle seasoning over the beef. Make sure to flip it over and stir to cover as much beef as you can.
5. Press the “saute” button on your instant pot. Add more avocado oil so the bottom of the instant pot is coated.
6. Once the pot gets hot, sear the beef. Flip the pieces with tongs or with a spoon. Sear for two minutes on all sides so all the pieces are brown.
7. Once the beef is browned, press cancel and add the broth to the pot.
8. Place the lid on, and close the pressure valve. Choose the “pressure cook” button and cook for 40 minutes at high pressure. Once this time is up, naturally release the pressure for 20 minutes. Manually release the remaining pressure and remove the lid.
9. Shred the beef with two forks in the instant pot.
10. Serve or store for later.

Recipe Notes

Here are my tips and tricks for the most delicious shredded beef:

• Use beef chuck roast with lots of marbling. The color should be bright red, and the meat firm to the touch. Pick a boneless roast because you need to cut it into smaller chunks.
• Use the liquid for tender instant pot shredded beef. Beef stock is a great option, but you can also use chicken stock. If you’re out of stock, use water but keep in mind the beef won’t be as flavorful.
• Use oil to brown the beef. Avocado, canola, or olive oil all work.
• If you want more flavors, add Worcestershire sauce or tomato paste to the instant pot.
• Add cayenne pepper or chili powder if you want spicy instant pod shredded beef.
• Try various seasoning blends. For example, taco seasoning works great if you want to make shredded beef tacos. You can also use your favorite BBQ rub.
• Marinate your beef before cooking to make sure it’s tender.
• Let the beef come to room temperature before cooking. This ensures even cooking.
• Strain the juice after cooking and make gravy. Or, add a cornstarch slurry to thicken the juice.
• Use leftover juices to add moisture to instant pot shredded beef. Use a pastry brush and coat the beef with a layer of juice before serving.
• Cut the beef into cubes before cooking. This step results in faster cooking compared to making a whole roast.
• Use forks or a paddle attachment on a stand mixer to shred the beef. My advice is to stick to forks because the mixer requires more work and cleaning.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. The meat is cooked when it reaches 145 degrees [1].

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 413
• Total Carbs: 5g
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 18g
• Fiber: 1g
• Net Carbs: 0

Which Cut of Beef to Use for Instant Pot Recipes?

You can use chuck roast, brisket, and round roast for instant pot recipes.

• Chuck roast - Has a lot of marbling of fat and connective tissue. These break down, and the meat becomes tender when cooked slowly.
• Brisket - It is tough but full of flavors. It should be cooked slowly for tender meat.
• Round roast - Comes from the cow’s rump. It’s leaner than other beef cuts but is easily shredded.

“Chuck roasts have a nice marbling through them, and that fat will render as the roast cooks and will flavor everything and help the meat fall apart and become tender.”

- A Mind Full Mom, YouTube Channel

Overall, you should choose a beef cut that’s tough and has a lot of connective tissue. The tissue helps the meat break down and turn tender.

You can also have chicken breasts if you want a beef broth substitute. You don’t need to cut them up, but make sure the breasts don’t overlap.

Can You Make Shredded Beef in a Slow Cooker?

Yes, you can make shredded beef in a slow cooker. You should sear the chuck roast before adding it to the slow cooker for the best flavor.

Cook the chuck roast on low setting for eight hours or on high setting for four hours.

Drain 3/4 of the liquid from the pot, shred the beef, and add some fresh lime juice for a refreshing flavor.

Related Articles:

• Slow Cooker Beef Ragu Recipe
• Slow Cooker Brisket Recipe
• Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew Recipe

How to Serve Instant Pot Shredded Beef

Serve instant pot shredded beef in:

• BBQ shredded beef - Mix the beef with BBQ sauce and serve with hamburger buns.
• Beef tacos - Add diced tomatoes and chilies to the instant pot, and serve with tortillas and your preferred toppings.
• Nachos - Get some tortilla chips and top them with shredded beef, cheese, jalapenos, and sour cream.
• Beef noodle soup - Sauté onions, carrots, and celery. Add some chicken broth and egg noodles and have a delicious soup dinner.
• Beefy sandwiches - Add some grilled cheese and caramelized onions.
• Mac and cheese - Tender shredded beef pairs great with a rich cheese sauce and pasta.
• Pizza topping - Make a BBQ pizza with beef.
• Baked potato topping - Bake some sweet potatoes, add beef and your favorite toppings.
• Mexican shredded beef dishes - Use it in quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, taquitos. Use taco seasoning when making shredded meat in the instant pot and Mexican toppings, such as shredded Mexican cheese blend and jalapenos.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat Leftover Shredded Beef

To store leftover beef, make sure it’s cooled. Then store it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for up to four days.

Store the beef with the juices from the instant pot to prevent it from drying out.

If you won’t use the beef roast in four days, you should freeze it.

Store the beef in a freezer-safe container and keep it in the freezer for up to four months for the best quality.

Thaw the beef by leaving it in the fridge overnight. If you’re short on time, use the defrost setting on your microwave and heat in short intervals until it’s warm through.

You can also reheat the meat by warming it with the juice in a skillet on the stove on medium heat. Saute until juices evaporate.

Or, set your oven to broil and line a pan with a sheet for easy cleanup. Place the beef in the pan. Add the juices and broil for five to eight minutes.

Also Read: Beef and Bean Chili Recipe

FAQs

Instant Pot Shredded Beef Made Easy

Make tasty beef by pressure cooking with garlic powder, salt, and cooking liquid, such as little beef broth.

This cooking method results in a fall-apart tender seasoned beef you can use in various delicious recipes. Best of all, it requires little work from you.

Now that you know how to make tender beef using pressure cooking, all you need is quality beef.

We’ve tested countless meat delivery services over the last year and rounded up our choice of the best meat delivery services found on our homepage. These providers offer beef that is not only grass-fed but also grass-finished, ensuring that you get meat free from hormones and additives.

So not only are you getting delicious beef, but you can also rest assured that it's healthy and safe.

References:

1. https://ask.usda.gov/s/article/To-what-temperature-should-I-cook-beef