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Slow Cooker or Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Beef

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Slow cooker BBQ pulled beef is tender, juicy, easy to make, and packed with flavor. This recipe also includes instructions for making the same shredded beef in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Serve it on hamburger buns, dinner rolls, or slider buns for an easy meal that is perfect for feeding a crowd. It is especially delicious with my popular southern coleslaw.

The best feeling of happiness is when you’re happy because you’ve made somebody else happy. ~ Unknown

Slow cooker pulled beef is one of those simple roast beef recipes you can enjoy any time of year. It can be made on the stovetop, in a slow cooker, or in the Instant Pot, but I especially love making it during warmer months when I do not want to spend hours in a hot kitchen.

When the weather warms up, slow cooker meals become one of my favorite ways to get dinner on the table without a lot of hands-on work. On busy weekdays, weekends, or days when I know I will be out and about, this shredded beef is a reliable, flavorful option.

This BBQ pulled beef is also flexible. You can cook it low and slow until it is fall-apart tender, or you can use the Instant Pot when you need dinner ready faster. Both methods give you juicy beef that shreds beautifully and works well in sandwiches, sliders, tacos, quesadillas, casseroles, and more.

How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Beef

Making slow cooker shredded beef is very easy. Start by seasoning the chuck roast generously. Add the beef broth to the slow cooker, then place the seasoned roast inside.

Cook the beef on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until it is very tender. Carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and place it in a large bowl. The beef will be soft and may fall apart as you lift it, so handle it gently.

Use two forks to shred the roast, or use an electric hand mixer if you want to shred it quickly. Once the beef is shredded, add your favorite barbecue sauce and mix until the meat is evenly coated.

Serve the BBQ pulled beef on hamburger buns for sandwiches or on dinner rolls for sliders. A rich, thick barbecue sauce works especially well with this recipe. If you enjoy making sauces from scratch, try it with this easy homemade BBQ sauce.

How to Make Instant Pot Pulled Beef

There are plenty of Instant Pot beef recipes, but one important step in this recipe is seasoning the roast before it goes into the pressure cooker. A generous coating of seasoning helps create flavorful shredded beef.

To make Instant Pot pulled beef, season the roast on all sides. Add the beef broth to the Instant Pot, then place the seasoned beef inside.

Close and lock the lid. Set the steam release knob to the sealing position. Select the pressure cook setting and cook on high pressure for 60 minutes. Once the cooking cycle is complete and the Instant Pot beeps, allow the pressure to release naturally.

After the pressure has released, carefully turn the steam release knob to venting. Remove the beef and transfer it to a large bowl. Shred it with two forks or an electric mixer, then stir in barbecue sauce until combined.

What Can I Make With Pulled Beef?

Pulled beef is incredibly versatile. It can be served in sandwiches, sliders, hamburger buns, quesadillas, or tacos. It also works well in enchiladas, enfrijoladas, casseroles, and salads.

Shredded beef sliders are a great option for parties, picnics, BBQs, and cookouts because they are easy to serve and perfect for sharing. If you are feeding hungry kids or teens, hamburger buns may be a better choice than small slider buns.

What Kind of Meat Can I Use for BBQ Pulled Beef?

Beef chuck roast is a great choice for BBQ pulled beef. You can also use chuck shoulder or brisket. Cooking times may vary depending on the cut of meat and the size of the roast.

How Long Does It Take to Cook Pulled Beef?

Slow cooker: Plan on cooking pulled beef for about 6 to 8 hours on low. Some cuts may need a little more time, especially if they are larger or thicker.

Instant Pot: If you do not have time for slow cooking, use the Instant Pot and cook the beef for about 60 to 70 minutes. This does not include the time needed for the pressure cooker to come to pressure or release pressure.

What to Serve With BBQ Pulled Beef

BBQ pulled beef pairs well with corn on the cob, macaroni salad, tortellini pasta salad, a light green salad, homemade coleslaw, or cornbread.

For drinks, lemonade, sweet iced tea, a Tequila Sunrise mocktail, or red wine lemonade are all great options.

Slow Cooker + Instant Pot BBQ Pulled Beef

April Boller Wright

Tender, juicy BBQ pulled beef made in the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Serve this shredded beef on buns or rolls for easy sandwiches that are perfect for dinner, cookouts, and feeding a crowd.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 8 hrs

Total Time: 8 hrs 5 mins

Course: Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine: American, Southern American

Servings: 7 people

Ingredients

For the Roast

  • 2.5 lbs boneless chuck roast
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder plus 1/2 tsp
  • 1 tbsp onion powder plus 1/2 tsp
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
  • 1/2 tbsp chili powder
  • 1 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 cup beef broth or Better Than Bouillon beef base
  • Barbecue sauce
  • Bread of choice, such as hamburger buns or dinner rolls

Instructions

For the Slow Cooker

  1. Season the roast on all sides. Pour the beef broth into the slow cooker, then add the beef.
  2. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
  3. Carefully remove the beef and place it in a large bowl. Shred with two forks or an electric hand mixer.
  4. Add barbecue sauce and mix until the shredded beef is well coated. Serve on buns or rolls.

For the Instant Pot

  1. Season the beef generously on all sides. Add the beef broth to the Instant Pot, then place the beef inside.
  2. Close and lock the lid. Set the steam release knob to sealing.
  3. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes.
  4. When the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally.
  5. Turn the steam release knob to venting, carefully remove the beef, and place it in a large bowl.
  6. Shred the beef with two forks or an electric mixer. Stir in barbecue sauce and serve.

Notes

Cook Tips

Instant Pot burn notice: If you receive a burn notice, you may need to add more broth or water to the Instant Pot. The amount of liquid listed in the recipe is a good starting point.

Make sure the steam release knob is set to sealing before cooking. Also check that the lid is properly locked.

Seasoning tip: Press the seasonings into the roast with your fingers so they stick well. Coat all sides of the beef and press firmly enough for the seasoning to stay in place.

Cooking time: If the beef is not tender enough to shred after 60 minutes in the Instant Pot, cook it a little longer. It may need an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. Freeze for up to one month.

Recipe updated 3/6/2019.

Keyword: instant pot shredded beef, pulled beef, shredded beef, slow cooker pulled beef

More Beef Recipes to Try

Best Meatloaf Recipe

Salisbury Steak

Best Beef Tacos

Beef Quesadillas

Best Chili Recipe

If this slow cooker BBQ pulled beef looks good to you, save it for your next family dinner, cookout, or easy crowd-friendly meal.