BBQ Shredded Beef

When I think of comfort food, nothing beats a good BBQ Shredded Beef sandwich. It’s a dish that brings back memories of family gatherings, backyard barbecues, and lazy Sundays. The aroma of the beef cooking low and slow fills the house, making it impossible to resist. I can still recall the first time I made it—my friends were over for a game day, and I wanted something hearty yet easy to prepare. As I watched the beef transform into tender, flavorful shreds, I knew I was onto something special.

There’s something magical about how the flavors meld together in this dish. The sweetness of the brown sugar, the smokiness of the BBQ sauce, and the natural richness of the beef create a perfect harmony. Every bite is a taste of summer, even if you’re enjoying it in the middle of winter. Whether it’s served on a bun or on its own with a side of coleslaw, this dish never fails to impress. With just a few simple ingredients and a little patience, you can have a meal that feels like a celebration.

What’s great about BBQ Shredded Beef is its versatility. You can easily adapt it to suit your taste or dietary preferences. Want a little more kick? Add some extra chili powder. Prefer a sweeter sauce? Feel free to experiment with your favorite BBQ brand. It’s all about making it your own. So grab your Instant Pot or slow cooker, and let’s dive into the delightful world of shredded beef.

Key Ingredients for BBQ Shredded Beef

The ingredients in BBQ Shredded Beef are simple yet impactful. Each one contributes to the final dish, creating a rich, hearty flavor profile. The star of the show is, of course, the beef, which becomes incredibly tender as it cooks. You’ll also need a few spices and sauces that work together to enhance the natural flavors.

• 4 pounds boneless chuck roast – This cut is perfect for shredding and holds up well during slow cooking.
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar – Adds a touch of sweetness that balances the spices.
• 1 teaspoon chili powder – Gives the dish a subtle kick.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder – Enhances the savory profile.
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder – Complements the overall flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt – Essential for seasoning.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper – Adds warmth and depth.
• 1/2 cup beef stock – Keeps the beef moist and flavorful.
• 18 ounces BBQ sauce – The key ingredient that brings everything together.
• 8 sandwich buns (optional) – Perfect for serving the shredded beef.

How to Assemble BBQ Shredded Beef

Assembling BBQ Shredded Beef is a delightful process that allows you to get your kitchen filled with mouth-watering aromas. Let’s dive into the steps that will guide you to create this scrumptious dish.

1. Start by cutting your boneless chuck roast into 2-inch chunks. This size ensures even cooking and tender shreds once done. Don’t worry too much about removing all the fat; some fat can add flavor and moisture.
2. Next, place the beef chunks in a medium-sized mixing bowl. It’s time to spice things up! In a separate small bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. This spice blend is what gives the meat a delicious depth of flavor.
3. Once mixed, sprinkle this spice blend over the cubed beef and toss to coat each piece evenly. Make sure every chunk gets its fair share of flavor. You can practically smell the goodness at this stage!
4. Now, it’s time to transfer your seasoned beef into the inner pot of your Instant Pot. Pour in the beef stock, which will enhance the juiciness of the final product.
5. Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, turning it to the closed position. Ensure the vent is in the sealed position to trap all the delicious steam inside.
6. Set your Instant Pot to the manual high setting for 50 minutes. This high-pressure cooking is what will tenderize the beef beautifully.
7. After the cooking time is up, allow the Instant Pot to naturally release for 10 minutes. This means you don’t touch it; just let it do its thing. This extra time helps in getting even more tender beef.
8. After 10 minutes, release any remaining pressure by venting the Instant Pot. Carefully open the lid, keeping your face away from the steam. You’ll be greeted by the tantalizing aroma of perfectly cooked beef.
9. Remove the beef from the Instant Pot and place it on a large plate or cutting board. Use two forks to shred the beef. It should fall apart effortlessly due to the long cooking time.
10. Don’t forget to save 1 cup of the stock left in the pot. This liquid is full of flavor and will be used to make the beef even better. Discard the rest of the stock.
11. Mix the shredded beef back into the pot with the reserved stock and stir in the BBQ sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, add a bit more of the reserved stock to reach your desired consistency.
12. If you want to keep the beef warm while serving, just set the Instant Pot to “keep warm.”
13. To serve, spoon the BBQ Shredded Beef onto sandwich buns for a delicious meal that everyone will love.
14. If you prefer, you can also make this in a slow cooker. Simply add the seasoned beef to the crock along with the beef stock and cover. Cook on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours, then follow the same shredding and mixing steps as above.

Recipe Notes about BBQ Shredded Beef

Making BBQ Shredded Beef is a fun adventure, and I’ve gathered some extra notes to help you along the way:

• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop.
• Freezing: You can freeze the shredded beef for up to 3 months. Just ensure it’s in a tightly sealed container or freezer bag.
• Pairing: Serve with coleslaw, pickles, or potato salad for a classic barbecue experience.
• Spice Level: Adjust the chili powder according to your heat preference; more for spice lovers, less for a milder taste.
• Serving Size: Consider 1/2 cup of shredded beef per sandwich for a hearty serving.
• Making Ahead: This dish is perfect for meal prepping. You can make it in advance and enjoy it throughout the week.

Great Combinations for BBQ Shredded Beef

When it comes to serving BBQ Shredded Beef, the possibilities are endless. This dish is perfect for a variety of occasions and pairs beautifully with several sides:

• Sandwiches: Serve on toasted buns for a satisfying meal. Layer with coleslaw for added crunch.
• Salads: Top a bed of greens with shredded beef for a hearty salad—add some cherry tomatoes and avocado for freshness.
• Tacos: Use the beef as a filling for tacos, topped with diced onions, cilantro, and lime juice for a Mexican twist.
• Rice Bowls: Serve over rice, drizzling with extra BBQ sauce and your favorite vegetables.
• Picnics: This dish is a great option for outdoor gatherings, served alongside chips and fresh fruit.
• Game Day: It’s perfect for game day meals, allowing guests to serve themselves and make their sandwiches or bowls as they like.
• Storage Tips: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container; it will keep well in the fridge or even freeze beautifully.
• Seasonal Pairings: Enjoy with summer salads, or roasted vegetables for a cozy winter meal.

FAQ

Conclusion

Overall, BBQ Shredded Beef is a dish that brings comfort and joy to any table. The rich flavors, tender texture, and versatility make it a go-to recipe for gatherings, weeknight dinners, or meal prep. I encourage you to try making it yourself and enjoy the deliciousness that unfolds as it cooks. You won’t regret it!

BBQ Shredded Beef

The ultimate comfort food, BBQ Shredded Beef is a hearty, flavorful dish that’s perfect for any gathering. Tender beef simmered in savory BBQ sauce creates a mouthwatering meal that will satisfy your cravings. Serve it on fresh buns for an easy weeknight dinner that everyone will love!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 30 minutes mins

Servings: 8 servings

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 4 pounds boneless chuck roast Ideal for shredding and holds up well during cooking.
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar Adds sweetness to balance the spices.
• 1 teaspoon chili powder Provides a hint of heat.
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder Enhances the savory flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder Complements the overall flavor.
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt Essential for flavoring.
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper Adds warmth to the dish.
• 1/2 cup beef stock Keeps the beef moist.
• 18 ounces BBQ sauce Key ingredient for flavor.
• 8 counts sandwich buns Optional for serving.

Equipment

• Instant Pot
• 7 Quart Slow Cooker

Method

 

1. Cut your boneless chuck roast into 2 inch chunks. Remove any large pieces of fat or connective tissue in the roast pieces. Add to a medium-sized mixing bowl.
2. In a small mixing bowl whisk together brown sugar, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper.
3. Sprinkle the brown sugar spice mix over the cubed beef and toss to coat the meat in the spice blend.
4. Add your beef to the inside pot of your Instant Pot and pour in the beef stock.
5. Add the lid to the Instant Pot, turn the lid to the closed position, and make sure the vent is in the "sealed" position.
6. Put the Instant Pot on the "manual high" setting for 50 minutes.
7. After the Instant Pot comes to pressure and cooks for 50 minutes, let the cooker natural release for 10 minutes.
8. After 10 minutes, vent the Instant Pot, and remove the lid.
9. Remove the beef from the Instant Pot and add to a large plate or cutting board to shred.
10. Save 1 cup of stock in the bottom of the pot and throw away the rest.
11. Shred the beef and add back to the pot. Add the BBQ sauce and stir to combine.
12. If the bbq beef is too thick thin it out with some of the reserved beef stock.
13. Keep the Instant Pot on the "keep warm" setting if you want to keep the beef warm while serving.
14. Serve on buns for sandwiches.
15. Add your beef to the inside crock of your slow cooker and pour in the beef stock.
16. Cover the slow cooker and cook on High for 4 hours or Low for 8 hours.
17. Remove the beef from the Instant Pot and add to a large plate or cutting board to shred.
18. Save 1 cup of stock in the bottom of the crock and throw away the rest.
19. Shred the beef and add back to the crock. Add the BBQ sauce and stir to combine.
20. If the BBQ beef is too thick, thin it out with some of the reserved beef stock.
21. Serve on buns for sandwiches.

Notes

• Tip 1: When a recipe calls to let your Instant Pot “natural release,” it means your pressure cooker will naturally release the pressure slowly.
• Tip 2: Many recipes call for natural release for a period of time to help the recipe cook just a little longer.
• Tip 3: Since the pressure cooker will be slowly losing pressure, you do not have to do anything; it will eventually lose all its pressure and the lid will unlock.
• Tip 4: When a recipe calls for quick release, this means you will manually be letting the pressure out of the Instant Pot.
• Tip 5: It is very important that you do not put your hand in the steam as it is VERY HOT.

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Meet Simone Patel

Food is the ultimate connector, and I approach every recipe with the host in mind. I focus on creating meals that scale well for crowds and make entertaining effortless. I cooked and tested this meal to ensure it holds up beautifully from the stove to the serving platter, ready for your guests.