Description
A tender, flavorful shredded beef recipe made in an Instant Pot with chipotle peppers and spices, ready in under an hour for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 pounds chuck roast
- 1 large white onion, quartered
- 6–8 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 cup beef broth (low-sodium)
- 2–3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- 1 tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cup salsa (verde or red)
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon oil (avocado or vegetable)
- Corn or flour tortillas, for serving
Instructions
- Pat the chuck roast dry and trim large hard fat pieces. Cut into 2-3 large chunks to fit flat in the pot.
- Set Instant Pot to ‘Sauté’ on High. Add oil and heat until shimmering. Sear beef chunks in a single layer for 2-3 minutes per side until browned. Remove meat and set aside.
- Keep pot on Sauté. Add quartered onion and smashed garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until softened. Deglaze pot by scraping up browned bits.
- In a small bowl, mix beef broth, chipotle peppers (and adobo sauce), cumin, oregano, and a pinch of salt. Pour into pot and scrape bottom clean.
- Return beef to pot, nestling into liquid. Add bay leaves. Secure lid, set valve to ‘Sealing’. Select ‘Pressure Cook’ on High for 40 minutes.
- Allow pressure to release naturally for at least 15 minutes, then carefully vent remaining pressure.
- Remove beef, onions, garlic, and bay leaves. Discard aromatics. Shred beef with two forks.
- Pour cooking liquid back over shredded meat. For thicker sauce, set to ‘Sauté’ and reduce liquid for 5-10 minutes. Stir meat back into sauce.
- Warm tortillas and serve topped with barbacoa, diced onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
Notes
Ensure the pot is thoroughly deglazed after searing to prevent the ‘Burn’ warning. Use fresh lime juice for best flavor. The recipe can be adapted for slow cooker (Low 8 hours) or vegan (jackfruit).
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Shredded beef on tor
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 4
- Protein: 35
Keywords: Instant Pot, beef barbacoa, tacos, chuck roast, pressure cooker, easy dinner, Mexican food, shredded beef