Instant Pot Shredded Beef
Recipe Snapshot
PREP + COOK TIME: 1.5 hours (including time to pressurize)
METHOD: Instant Pot
OTHER TOOLS: forks to shred the beef
The Instant Pot tricks your taste buds into thinking this shredded beef simmered for hours! With flavorful seasoning and a hint of lime juice, Instant Pot shredded beef turns out extra-tender and delicious. It’s a versatile option to serve in so many different ways!
What’s To Love About This Recipe
- This is a perfect option for meal prep or a large family meal. Since there are so many ways to serve it, it’s easy to customize individual plates for everyone!
- It also stores well in the fridge, so you can cook, shred, and portion the meat for quick meals anytime.
- If you need a break from shredded chicken meals, making shredded beef in the Instant Pot is just as simple! With the Instant Pot, I love how you don’t have to put in extra effort to prepare the meat since you can sear and cook in the same pot.
- This is such a versatile dish – you can serve the shredded beef over rice bowls, in tacos or wraps, or top off salads or nachos. Quesadillas, sandwiches… the list goes on! The seasoning is bold but mild enough to work with many other flavors.
Ingredients Needed
This easy instant pot shredded beef recipe uses a full roundup of seasonings that work with lots of other flavors.
- Chuck roast – Chuck roast can also be labeled as “pot roast” at the grocery store. It’s the perfect meat for the Instant Pot because it is somewhat fatty (more flavor!) but also tough since it is a well-used muscle. The Instant Pot tenderizes it in a relatively short amount of time and it turns out so flavorful.
- Seasonings – Rummage through your spice cabinet to create this tasty blend. You probably have everything already on hand. The seasoning creates an earthy and peppery combination – and it smells amazing, too!
- chili powder
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- kosher salt
- cumin
- oregano
- paprika
- pepper
- Olive oil – Olive oil will help create a nice sear on the roast to brown it and seal in the seasonings.
- Beef broth – Beef broth adds the necessary moisture to create the steam. It’s also a more flavorful option than just water!
- Lime juice – A bit of lime juice drizzled over the beef after cooking adds just the right amount of tangy flavor that really brings out the spices.
- Fresh cilantro (optional) – Top the beef with a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro for a burst of herbal flavor!
How To Make Shredded Beef In The Instant Pot
- Rub the roast with the seasonings.
- Heat oil on sauté mode in the Instant Pot.
- Place the roast in the Instant Pot and sear it on both sides until browned.
- Turn off the pot and add beef broth.
- Cover, seal, and set to high pressure for 60 minutes.
- Allow pressure to release naturally.
- Remove the lid and transfer the beef to a large bowl.
- Shred the beef with forks and add lime juice.
- Top with chopped fresh cilantro as desired.
Pro Tips:
- If you cut the meat into smaller chunks, it will reduce the cooking time.
- Shred the beef with two forks in a bowl, or try a stand mixer with a paddle attachment. If you use the mixer, you might want to add a few spoonfuls of the broth into the bowl to maintain some of the moisture.
- Browning the meat is optional, but it helps seal the spices into the meat and reach its full potential!
Recipe Substitutions and Variations
If you have a specific meal in mind for shredded beef, you might want to switch up a few ingredient options!
- Try using different seasonings or blends to change up the flavors (i.e., Homemade Fajita Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning).
- Tri-tip, top round, or bottom round roast would also make good substitutions for the chuck roast.
- If you want to plan ahead, you could also add the spices to the roast and let it sit overnight in the fridge in a zip bag. The extra time will flavor the meat even more!
- If you prefer to use the slow cooker for this recipe instead, it’s also super easy to prepare! Just skip the searing step, rub the roast with the seasonings, and add it to the slow cooker. Increase broth to about 2 cups and set it to low for at least 8 hours.
How To Serve Instant Pot Shredded Beef
If you want to serve shredded beef as your main ingredient, there are lots of side options that would go well! Make a batch of basmati rice and add a scoop of beef (with extra broth) on top. Add some easy Skillet Green Beans or Sauteed Carrots and you’re set with a protein, starch, and veggie!
You can also use the beef to make shredded beef stew and beef sandwiches with a toasted bun, or serve the meat over baked potatoes made in your air fryer. Add some beef to a bowl of egg noodles or alongside mashed potatoes for an extra hearty meal!
I could go on and on about how to use shredded beef – which is even more reason to love this recipe! Tacos, nachos, quesadillas, and salads are some of my favorite options – you really can’t go wrong!
Storing and Reheating
This is a recipe you’ll definitely want to make to have leftovers. Store shredded beef in the fridge for up to 3 days in an airtight container. It would be a great option to portion into meal prep containers with rice and veggies or to heat and serve with a sandwich bun.
Freeze shredded beef in a sealed container or zip-bag for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge, and reheat beef in the microwave or the preferred method with your other meal ingredients.
Freezer meal: If you want to prep the beef ahead for the freezer, season it up and then place it in a freezer-safe bag and remove all air. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months, and allow to fully thaw before cooking in the Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Shredded Beef
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 pound chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- Fresh cilantro optional
Instructions
- Rub roast with seasonings.
- Heat oil on sauté mode in Instant Pot
- Place roast in Instant Pot and sear on both sides until browned
- Turn off pot and add beef broth
- Cover, seal, and set to high pressure for 60 minutes
- Allow pressure to release naturally
- Remove lid and transfer the beef to large bowl
- Shred beef with forks and add lime juice
- Top with chopped fresh cilantro as desired.
Notes
- Store in the fridge for up to 3 days, or portion it into servings in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or your preferred method with other food servings.
- Beef is done when it reaches 205 degrees ℉ and shreds easily with a fork.
- Cut the meat into smaller chunks to reduce cooking time.
- Serve with tacos, burrito bowls, burritos, or as a main dish.
- Chuck roast can also be labeled as “pot roast” at the grocery store.
Instant Pot Shredded Beef FAQs
- Why isn’t the beef shredded easily? If the beef does not shred easily, it may need to be cooked longer to break down more of the connective tissue. You can turn the Instant Pot back on high pressure for another 10-15 minutes. Ensure that it reaches 205 degrees ℉ for maximum tenderness and easy shredding.
- Does the beef need to be completely submerged in liquid in the Instant Pot? The beef does not need to be completely submerged in liquid, but it does need some liquid to create the steam pressure. Use 1 cup of beef broth for a 2 ½ pound chuck roast.
- Is a natural release or quick release better? Generally, a natural release is better for a larger amount of food in the Instant Pot. In this case, the natural release will slowly release the pressure and allow the roast to continue to tenderize and preserve the moisture as it rests.
I used this recipe to make what my husband called “the best tacos he’s ever had in his life.” The meat was so juicy and flavorful and shredded so easily.
Hooray!!
I make burritos with this recipe and my family loves It! Thanks
So happy to hear the family loved it. Thank you for your comment!
This is one of my families most loved ways to cook a beef roast! After I shred it, I place it back into the instapot and simmer it so the liquids reduce and create an amazing sauce. We love it over rice and with a green veg like green beans, broccoli, or asparagus!
Can this be done in the crockpot?
Yes! You can reduce the liquid to 1/2 cup if you like, but I’d probably leave the recipe as is and put it on low for at least 8 hours.
Is this the pressure cook setting for 60 mins or the meat/stew setting?
Just use the manual high pressure for 60 minutes.