Description
This BBQ Shredded Beef recipe features tender, flavorful beef cooked to perfection in an Instant Pot or slow cooker, then mixed with a rich BBQ sauce for a delicious sandwich filling. Perfectly spiced and easy to prepare, it’s an ideal meal for gatherings or a hearty family dinner.
Ingredients
Beef and Seasoning
- 4 pounds boneless chuck roast, cut into 2-inch chunks
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Liquids and Sauce
- 1/2 cup beef stock
- 18 ounces BBQ sauce (storebought or homemade)
Additional
- 8 sandwich buns (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Cut the boneless chuck roast into 2-inch chunks, removing any large pieces of fat or connective tissue. Place the beef chunks into a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Make Spice Mix: In a small bowl, whisk together brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and black pepper to create the spice blend.
- Season Beef: Sprinkle the spice mixture over the cubed beef and toss thoroughly to coat each piece evenly with the seasoning.
- Cook in Instant Pot: Place the seasoned beef into the Instant Pot’s inner pot, then pour in the beef stock.
- Seal and Cook: Secure the Instant Pot lid, ensuring the vent is set to ‘sealed,’ then set to ‘manual high’ pressure for 50 minutes.
- Natural Release: After cooking, allow the pressure to naturally release for 10 minutes before quickly venting the remaining pressure and removing the lid.
- Shred Beef: Transfer the cooked beef to a large plate or cutting board and shred it with forks.
- Reserve Stock: Save 1 cup of the cooking liquid from the pot, discarding the remainder.
- Combine with BBQ Sauce: Return the shredded beef to the Instant Pot and mix in the BBQ sauce. Thin out the mixture with reserved beef stock if it’s too thick. Use the ‘keep warm’ setting to maintain temperature if desired.
- Serve: Serve the BBQ shredded beef on sandwich buns for a hearty meal.
- Alternatively, Slow Cooker Option: Place the seasoned beef and beef stock in the slow cooker. Cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours.
- Shred and Combine: Remove the beef, shred it, save 1 cup of cooking liquid, discard the rest. Return shredded beef to the slow cooker, add BBQ sauce, and thin with reserved stock if needed.
- Serve: Serve warm on sandwich buns as sandwiches.
Notes
- Allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes before venting to keep the beef tender and juicy.
- Shredded beef can be thinned with reserved cooking liquids to reach your preferred consistency.
- Removing large pieces of fat before cooking helps reduce greasiness and improves texture.
- BBQ sauce choice can be adjusted to personal taste, homemade or storebought both work well.
- For best results, use a fork or meat claws to shred the beef finely.
- Sandwich buns are optional; this shredded beef can also be served over rice or alongside vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: American
