Instant Pot Shredded Beef

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Easy Instant Pot Shredded Beef -- tender, juicy & flavorful. Perfect for tacos, BBQ sandwiches, nachos, or meal prep dinners.

Easy Instant Pot Shredded Beef

I love a good, versatile base recipe that I can build several meals off of, and this Instant Pot Shredded Beef recipe is one of my favorites.

Make the Instant Pot beef roast as written and make a variety of dishes all week long-- nachos, tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, spaghetti, chili, and BBQ sandwiches can be built with this simple start. Heck, add some to your baked beans for the best beans ever.

Slow cookers are a great way to cook a pot roast, but sometimes I don't have time to get it all together before I leave for the day and honestly, I find that many slow cooker meals come in flat in the flavor department.

Instead, I use the Instant Pot to get Shredded Beef in all its glory on your table in two, hands-off hours. Making it perfect for most weeknights, game days, and Sunday dinners.

If you love a good Instant Pot recipe, check out my Instant Pot Cheeseburger Soup and Instant Pot Ham and Beans recipes.

Serving the shredded beef as a sandwich with chips and a pickle.

Ingredients

Here I give you the basic ingredients for a versatile starter for shredded beef.

Olive Oil -- for browning the roast.
Beef Roast -- chuck or arm roast are my favorites here. Beef brisket would also work.
Kosher Salt & Black Pepper
Onion, sliced
Garlic Cloves, minced
Tomato Paste -- brings richness and needed acidity.
White Miso Paste -- brings umami to the dish and is delicious added to many dishes.
Beef Bouillon -- deepens the beef flavor.
Beer, Apple Cider, soda pop, or water -- liquid to tenderize the roast and bring moisture.

See recipe card for quantities.

Ingredients needed to make shredded beef in the Instant Pot.

Need to substitute an ingredient? Ask ChatGPT for suggestions.

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Instructions

Set the Instant Pot to saute to preheat. While seasoning the roast generously with kosher salt and pepper.
Add the olive oil and sear the roast on all sides.
Add in the remaining ingredients and close the Instant Pot lid. Set the steam release to the sealing position.
Set the cooker to Manual or Pressure Cook and cook for 2 hours.
Allow the cooker to rest for 10 minutes, then release the pressure. When the seal is released, remove the lid.
Shred the beef using 2 forks. Serve on buns with BBQ sauce or flavor to your liking for a variety of uses including: tacos, pot roast, quesadillas, enchiladas, spaghetti, chili, etc.

Hint: If your beef isn't tender enough to shred easily after cooking for 2 hours, simply seal the Instant Pot up and cook for 15 to 30 more minutes.

Substitutions & Variations

I like to eat the shredded beef as written, then use the leftovers to mix it up a bit.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork - use a pork butt or shoulder instead of the beef roast for a fabulous pork version.
Mexican Style Shredded Beef - Add 1 can of tomatoes with green chilis, adobo sauce, 2 teaspoons chili powder, and 1 teaspoon of cumin.
BBQ Shredded Beef - Stir in your favorite BBQ sauce, 1 Tablespoon apple cider vinegar, and 1 teaspoon smoked paprika.
Classic Beef Pot Roast - Add carrots and celery to the roast while cooking. Serve over mashed potatoes for a classic beef pot roast dinner.

Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Utilize your slow cooker for fantastic shredded beef that will be ready when you get home.

In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. While heating, season the roast generously with kosher salt and pepper.
Sear the roast on all sides.
Put the roast and the remaining ingredients into the slow cooker.
Set the cooker to low for 6 to 8 hours or high for 4 to 6 hours.
Shred the beef using 2 forks. Serve on buns with BBQ sauce or flavor to your liking for a variety

Storage

Store any leftover shredded beef in a shallow container, tightly sealed in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.

Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

Top Tip

Shred the beef right in the cooking juices. Allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes. This keeps the meat juicy, flavorful, and perfect for sandwiches, tacos, and more.

FAQ

Can I make Instant Pot Shredded Beef in advance?

Yes! This is my favorite way to make it as it allows the fat to separate and solidify on the surface, making it even easier to scoop out.

What's the best liquid for cooking beef in an Instant Pot?

I like to use a liquid that adds flavor to my beef so I lean towards beer, apple cider, apple juice, or beef broth.

How long should I pressure cook beef?

That depends on the size of your beef roast. 20 minutes per pound of beef is a good starting point.

What is the secret to tender shredded beef?

Choose a chuck roast or brisket for the best results. Also, cooking it in the Instant Pot until tender. If it's not shredding easily, pressure cook it for another 10 to 30 minutes and try again.

Have another question? Ask!

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with Instant Pot Shredded Beef:

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Food Safety

Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
Wash hands after touching raw meat
Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
Never leave cooking food unattended

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

Chuckie Hessong