Instant Pot Shredded Beef
Looking for an easy, flavorful protein that you can use in everything from nachos to tacos to salads? Look no further than this Instant Pot Shredded Beef recipe! Perfectly seasoned, juicy, and ready in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods, this beef can be used in a variety of dishes like nachos, tacos, burritos, quesadillas, or even salads. Seriously it is a dinner saver!
The beauty of using the Instant Pot is that it allows you to develop deep, rich flavors quickly, and the pressure cooking ensures the beef is tender enough to shred effortlessly. Let’s break down how to make it, some tips for getting it just right, and ideas for customizing and storing your shredded beef.
Pair with Tomatillo Dressing, Cowboy Caviar Salsa, and Easy Guacamole along with some Homemade Tortillas for an amazing meal.
Instant Pot Shredded Beef Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2-3 lbs. boneless chuck roast
- 2 tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup cilantro, chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp. water
- 1 ½ tbsp. cornstarch
How to Make Shredded Beef
- Prepare the Beef: Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Trim excess fat from the chuck roast and cut the beef into 2-inch cubes. Place the beef cubes into a bowl and toss with 1 tbsp of olive oil, taco seasoning, and lime juice to coat evenly.
- Sear the Beef: Add the remaining olive oil to the Instant Pot and sauté the seasoned beef on all sides for 3-5 minutes until browned. This step locks in flavor and adds a nice texture to the beef.
- Pressure Cook: After the beef is browned, pour in the beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to avoid the “burn” notice. Secure the lid and seal the valve. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes. Once cooking time is complete, let the pressure naturally release for 20 minutes before doing a quick release of any remaining pressure.
- Shred the Beef: Use two forks to shred the beef directly in the pot or remove the beef with a slotted spoon and shred on a cutting board. Return the shredded beef to the pot.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): For a slightly thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the beef and sauce mixture in the Instant Pot until it thickens.
- Add Cilantro and Adjust Seasoning: Stir in chopped cilantro if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, and lime juice as needed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Use the shredded beef as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. It also makes an amazing topping for nachos, or a protein for salads and rice bowls!
Why the Instant Pot is Perfect for Shredded Beef
The Instant Pot is a game-changer for busy weeknights. What used to take hours in the oven or slow cooker can now be done in less than an hour with the Instant Pot’s pressure cooking function. The high pressure breaks down the tough fibers of the chuck roast, resulting in tender beef that’s perfect for shredding. Plus, the sauté function allows you to brown the meat directly in the pot, adding an extra layer of flavor without dirtying extra pans.
Versatile Uses for Shredded Beef
Once you’ve made your shredded beef, the possibilities for how to use it are endless. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Tacos: Pile the beef into soft tortillas with your favorite toppings—like cheese, salsa, and guacamole—for quick and delicious tacos.
- Burritos: Wrap the shredded beef in a large tortilla with rice, beans, and veggies for hearty burritos.
- Nachos: Layer tortilla chips with beef, cheese, jalapeños, and pico de gallo for loaded nachos.
- Quesadillas: Use the beef as a filling for quesadillas with melted cheese and sautéed onions.
- Salads: Top a bed of greens with shredded beef, Cilantro Lime Rice, avocado, corn, black beans, and a cilantro lime dressing for a Southwest-style salad.
Customizing Your Shredded Beef
- Spice Level: You can customize the heat by adding ingredients like chipotle peppers in adobo, a dash of cayenne pepper, or hot sauce to the mix. If you prefer a milder flavor, opt for a mild taco seasoning. But my top suggestion: Make your own Taco Seasoning or use your favorite brand for the best results.
- Citrus Kick: Add more citrus by increasing the lime juice or even adding a splash of orange juice for a hint of sweetness.
- Herbs and Spices: Feel free to switch up the taco seasoning for different spice blends, like fajita seasoning or a simple blend of cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika.
- For a BBQ Twist: Swap out the taco seasoning for your favorite barbecue rub and add a bit of barbecue sauce to the beef before pressure cooking. You can serve the beef in sandwiches or sliders with coleslaw for a BBQ shredded beef sandwich.
Tips for Shredding the Beef
- Shred While Warm: It’s easiest to shred the beef while it’s still warm and tender. If you wait too long, the beef will cool and become more challenging to shred.
- Two Forks Method: The simplest method is to use two forks. Hold the beef steady with one fork while pulling it apart with the other.
- Shredding Tools: If you have a stand mixer, you can use the paddle attachment on low speed to quickly shred the beef without any effort. Or use meat claws to shred.
Storing and Reheating Shredded Beef
- In the Fridge: Store leftover shredded beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It’s perfect for meal prepping as it reheats beautifully.
- In the Freezer: Shredded beef also freezes well. Allow it to cool completely, then store in freezer-safe bags or containers for up to 3 months. To thaw, transfer to the fridge overnight, or use the defrost setting on your microwave for a quick thaw.
- Reheating: To reheat shredded beef, place it in a skillet over medium heat with a little beef broth or water to keep it moist. You can also reheat it in the microwave, covered, until heated through.
Instant Pot Shredded Beef is a flavorful and versatile recipe that makes meal prep easy and gives you plenty of options for dinner throughout the week. Whether you’re using it for tacos, nachos, or salads, this recipe is the ultimate time-saver. Plus, the Instant Pot makes it all possible in a fraction of the time it would take using traditional methods. Customize it to your liking, store leftovers for later, and enjoy a week of delicious, effortless meals!
More Great Recipes
- Easy Chicken Tacos
- Grilled Fish Tacos
- Shredded Pork Mole Tacos
- Sweet Potato Black Bean Burritos
- Instant Pot Kalua Pork and Pineapple Salsa
Shredded Beef
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs. boneless chuck roast
- 2 tbsp. olive oil divided
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 lime juiced
- 1 cup beef broth
- ½ cup cilantro chopped (optional)
- 1 tbsp. water
- 1 ½ tbsp. cornstarch
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Turn your Instant Pot to sauté mode. Trim excess fat from the chuck roast and cut the beef into 2-inch cubes. Place the beef cubes into a bowl and toss with 1 tbsp of olive oil, taco seasoning, and lime juice to coat evenly.
- Sear the Beef: Add the remaining olive oil to the Instant Pot and sauté the seasoned beef on all sides for 3-5 minutes until browned. This step locks in flavor and adds a nice texture to the beef.
- Pressure Cook: After the beef is browned, pour in the beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot to avoid the "burn" notice. Secure the lid and seal the valve. Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high for 30 minutes. Once cooking time is complete, let the pressure naturally release for 20 minutes before doing a quick release of any remaining pressure.
- Shred the Beef: Use two forks to shred the beef directly in the pot or remove the beef with a slotted spoon and shred on a cutting board. Return the shredded beef to the pot.
- Thicken the Sauce (Optional): For a slightly thicker sauce, mix the cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry. Stir it into the beef and sauce mixture in the Instant Pot until it thickens.
- Add Cilantro and Adjust Seasoning: Stir in chopped cilantro if using. Taste and adjust seasoning with extra salt, pepper, and lime juice as needed.
- Serve and Enjoy: Use the shredded beef as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. It also makes an amazing topping for nachos, or a protein for salads and rice bowls!
Notes
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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