Instant Pot Shredded Beef (Two Ways!)

Slow-cooked flavor without the wait can be yours any day of the week with this Instant Pot Shredded Beef on the menu. Budget-friendly chuck roast gets fall-apart tender with a rich homemade sauce. The result is shredded beef perfect for serving in sliders, over creamy polenta, or a myriad of other ways. The shredded beef itself is Whole30-compatible and is nearly irresistible when stuffed into a baked potato or sweet potato. No matter how you choose to serve it, we know you’re going to love it!

Shredded Beef in the Instant Pot: Easy does it!

The beauty of this recipe is the rich, homemade barbecue sauce that has a hint of natural sweetness from the onions and comes together with a handful of pantry staples. The other thing you’ll love about it is that it’s made entirely in one pot, thanks to the saute feature of the Instant Pot. The saute feature allows you to brown the meat and onions right in the Instant pot before adding the sauce ingredients. It all cooks under high pressure for a fraction of the time that you would need to cook this meal in the slow cooker. Browning the meat and onions deepens the flavor of the dish. So, while you could skip that step, we definitely recommend doing the saute. It’s worth the tiny bit of extra time and effort to produce crave-worthy shredded beef.

No Instant Pot? No problem.

While we couldn’t imagine living without our Instant Pots at this point, we know that not everyone has gotten on board the electric multi-cooker train. So if you don’t have an Instant Pot, but you want to make this recipe, please check out our delicious Slow Cooker BBQ Beef recipe. You’ll get the same slow-cooked barbecue flavor and tender beef without having to add another appliance to your arsenal.

Ingredients to make Instant Pot Shredded Beef

We know you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see how insanely delicious this shredded BBQ beef in the Instant Pot turns out. You need just a handful of pantry staples and a good piece of beef chuck roast. Here’s what it takes:

• Boneless beef chuck roast
• Avocado oil or olive oil
• Yellow onion
• Water or beef broth
• Tomato paste
• Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Chili powder
• Fine salt and black pepper

How to Make Instant Pot BBQ Beef

Here are the easy steps to make barbecue beef in your Instant Pot.

1. Select the ‘Saute’ function on the Instant Pot. When the pot is hot, add the oil. When the oil starts to shimmer, add the onion and cook until the onion starts to soften, stirring frequently, about 2-3 minutes. 
2. Press ‘Cancel’ and add the cubed beef; stir. 
3. Add the water, tomato paste, mustard, vinegar, garlic powder, paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine. 
4. Lock the lid into place and cook at high pressure for 40 minutes. When the cooking time is up, allow for 5 minutes of natural pressure release before flipping the vent valve to ‘venting’ to release any residual pressure. 
5. Using two forks, shred the beef directly in the pot (or transfer the beef to a plate for shredding, if that’s easier, then return it to the pot). Stir to combine the shredded beef with the sauce. Serve on buns, sliders, or over polenta. 

Two Delicious Ways to Serve Shredded Beef

1. for game day, parties, or easy weeknight meals

For the perfect hand-held entree or appetizer, pile the saucy shredded bbq beef onto slider buns and top with our simple creamy coleslaw (recipe below), and pickles or pickled jalapenos.

For easy entertaining, we like to set the Instant Pot to ‘Keep Warm’ to keep the shredded beef warm for serving. Then, set out a plate or basket filled with slider rolls and any desired toppings so guests can serve themselves.

2. For date night-in or an easy-yet-impressive dinner with friends

One recipe, two serving options – because who doesn’t love options? This Instant Pot Shredded Beef is just at home in a bun as it is over a bed of creamy polenta (prepared according to package directions or use this recipe). We think it’s the perfect no-fuss meal for a romantic date night-in or when you have friends coming for dinner. Sprinkle servings with fresh parsley and serve with a side of roasted veggies for deliciously balanced meal.

Instant Pot Shredded Beef: Frequently Asked Questions

• Is this recipe Whole30-friendly? The shredded beef itself is Whole30-compatible but the slider buns and polenta are not. See below for some Whole30-friendly ways to serve.
• Can this shredded beef be prepared ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare shredded BBQ beef up to 4 days in advance and reheat in a covered saucepan on the stove or in the microwave before serving.
• How do I store leftover Instant Pot BBQ Beef? You can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Can Instant Pot Shredded Beef be frozen? You bet it can be! Be sure to chill the cooked bbq beef in the fridge before transferring it to a freezer-safe container and freezing. Freeze for up to 6 months.
• How do I defrost frozen shredded beef? We recommend thawing it overnight in the refrigerator then reheating, as desired, to 165℉ before serving.
• What are some other ways to serve shredded bbq beef? For a Whole30-compatible option, we suggest serving the shredded beef over baked or mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes. Other ideas are to serve the shredded beef in wraps or taco shells, over salad greens, or bowl style with corn and coleslaw.
• Can I make this in the slow cooker instead? We’ve got a recipe for that! Our Slow Cooker BBQ Beef is every bit as delicious and perfect for those days you just want to set it and forget it.

Video: how to make instant pot shredded beef sliders

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Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Rachel of Half Acre House.

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