Instant Pot Shredded Mexican Beef (Whole30 Paleo) 
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Instant Pot Shredded Mexican Beef (Whole30 Paleo) – this recipe is huge on flavor and super family friendly! Add to tacos, salads, burrito bowls, and more. Freezes great too!
*Post originally published in February 2018 and updated January 2020
Happy New Year, friends! I’m so excited to kick off 2020 with plenty of healthy and delicious new recipes! First though, I had to share this family favorite Instant Pot Mexican Shredded Beef. It’s a simple but flavorful take on shredded beef and is totally versatile. It can be enjoyed in so many ways – tacos, salads, and my favorite – build your own burrito bowls!
This Mexican Shredded Beef is a total crowd pleaser. It makes a ton and is one of my husband’s favorite recipes. He loves all types of braised beef, but this one has a definite Mexican flair and is so flavorful. This recipe also has a little bit of kick to it from some chipotle peppers, but the heat can be easily bumped up or down depending on your taste. If you’re looking to keep it Whole30 compliant, you can even omit the chipotles in adobo.
Beef needs a little longer to cook than poultry in the Instant Pot, so this recipe does require a bit more time, but is still so simple and easy! The sauce could even be prepped the day before and added to the pot when ready to make. This makes a big batch, perfect for feeding a crowd or freezing for later. The leftovers are excellent and can be used all week for lunch!
What Kind of Beef Should I Use?
You’ll want to use about 4 lbs of chuck roast for this shredded beef recipe. My favorite source of really good quality beef is ButcherBox. I can’t recommend them enough. Their meats are ethically raised, organic, and delivered monthly right to your door. The quality and taste is amazing!
How to Make Instant Pot Shredded Beef
Begin by trimming the excess fat off your chuck roast and cut into large chunks. Cook the beef in oil using the saute function on your Instant Pot.
Next, combine the ingredients for the sauce in a blender and puree.
Add the onions and green chilis to the pot with the beef and cover everything with the pureed sauce.
Cook for 50 minutes (using Manual setting), let pot depressurize naturally, then shred the beef.
If desired, reduce the sauce by cooking on Saute setting.
Mexican Shredded Beef Tips
For Whole30, look for compliant chipotles in adobo or leave them out and replace with dried chipotle spice.
Meal Prepping? Try these Meal Prep Chipotle Beef Bowls (also Whole30 compliant.)
Try serving in tacos or burritos, in a taco salad, or build your own burrito bowls with all your favorite toppings.
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Instant Pot Shredded Mexican Beef (Whole30 Paleo)
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs chuck roast
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 7 ounce can diced green chilis
- 2 chipotle peppers in adobo, add more or less depending on desired spice level (see note for Whole30)
- 1 tablespoon adobo sauce, see note below
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 3 teaspoons minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco and fajita seasoning, see recipe below
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon avocado or olive oil
Instructions
- Trim fat off roast and cut into large chunks. Heat oil in the Instant pot on the Saute setting.
- Add meat to the Pot and brown for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally.
- Place chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tomato paste, garlic, lime juice, taco seasoning, and broth in a blender or food processor. Blend until pureed.
- Add onions and green chilis to the Pot with the beef. Pour blended sauce over top. Seal lid and set for 50 minutes on Manual setting.
- When cycle is complete, allow pot to depressurize naturally for about 15 minutes. Remove lid and switch to Saute setting. Shred the beef.
- SImmer on Saute setting until liquids are reduced (about 20 minutes)
Notes
Nutrition
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Vegetarian
Keto Friendly
Dairy Free
10 Comments on “Instant Pot Shredded Mexican Beef (Whole30 Paleo)”
What do I do with the green chilis? throw them in the pot whole?
Hey Joanna,
You’ll want to use a can of diced green chilis. Sorry if that was confusing…I updated the recipe to clarify! Thanks so much!
This looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it. How much dried chipotle seasoning would I need I stead of the chipotle peppers and adobo sauce?
Hey Natalie – a little goes a long way! Maybe 1/2 teaspoon to start and go up from there if you like it spicier. 🙂
Any idea if I need a lower cooking time if I use a smaller size chuck roast?
Can’t wait to try this!!
Hey Lauren – yes, if using a smaller roast, you could probably go down to 35-40 minutes. 🙂
Assume you could make this in a slow cooker and let it cook on low from 6-8 hours?
Hey Melissa – yes, absolutely, you can definitely make this in the slow cooker!
What is the brand of the compliant adobo sauce that you found ? Thanks so much!
Hey Kym, I can’t remember the name but I found one at Whole Foods a while back. For Whole30, I usually just substitute with dried chipotle chili powder. 🙂