Jump to the Instant Pot Pulled Beef Recipe
The kids are back in school now. I want to wax lyrical about the bitter sweetness of that first day back, but somehow two days in that first day seems to be a distant memory. We have quickly gotten back into a routine. The only difference perhaps is that I am having to wake them up for school as they still haven't gotten used to falling asleep early. I think I am probably also one of five people on this planet who really like packing school lunches.
It gives me comfort to know that the kids will resume healthier eating habits now that they're back in school. Also, I will no longer have to watch them eat bite after painfully slow bite. I know some mamas out there get me. Right? Please say something otherwise I am going to have to come back here at a later date and rewrite this whole thing lol.
The number one question I have been getting for the last few days is what are my kids taking for lunch. I will be extremely honest and tell you that lunches are simple and straightforward. Tomorrows will be a cilantro lime chicken pasta leftover from dinner, yesterdays was nuggets and edamame, day before that was a chicken wrap for one and the same thing basically deconstructed for the other. If I had this Kid Friendly Instant Pot Pulled Beef in my fridge or freezer (I usually do) then it would be making several appearances in all our lunches.
Does it sound like the usual blogger hyperbole? My kids will assure you it is not. lol. The flavorful beef makes it way into sandwiches, wraps and quesadillas, tops salads, is a side with mac and cheese on busy days. If I let it sizzle and char slightly in a pan with some green chillies and cilantro it is excellent with fried eggs. If I leave that pan on the island on a weekend it will get picked clean. Now that's the kinda thing a mama needs.
This recipe is adapted from one a friend Maryam once shared. Hers was delicious, but didn't quite work for our family (translation: my kids are not big on the mirchi life) so I made some adjustments to suit our needs. In an IP (or a pressure cooker) this takes 20 minutes to cook and is so tender that all it takes to shred it is a vigorous stirring.
Kid Friendly Instant Pot Pulled Beef for EVERYTHING
Ingredients
- 1 lb beef cubes
- ½ tsp ginger
- ½ tsp garlic
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 2 tsp sambal oelek (can add more)
- 2 tsp oil
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients to the IP with 2 cups water, give it a good stir and put it on Manual (high pressure) for 20 minutes.
- Let the IP natural release or manually vent it after ten minutes, the meat should be super tender.
- Saute and stir to dry up the liquid a little. Done.
"Also, I will no longer have to watch them eat bite after painfully slow bite. " <-- me! I hear you!! However I have no respite as my lil guy only goes to school next year 😭
Oh dear, hang in there! I feel your pain!
If we dont have instant pot, how do we go about the recipe.
Hi Ambreen! Thanks for the great question, I have added recipe notes to help with that. Hope you try it and like it!
Hi! This looks delish and I’m excited to try it but I am just not sure I’ll be able to find sambal oelek very easily- any substitutes you would recommend?
sriracha would work too! this is the same as that rooster brand chilli garlic sauce 🙂
I made this today. Made for a Totally Fuss-Free, super delicious and endlessly versatile iftari! I ate with a big salad and the hubs dug in with sheermal (*eye roll*)
I have a feeling this is going to be a Go-To this Ramzan 😊
Ohmigod I literally laughed out loud because I can totally imagine him eating it with sheermal!!! SO SO glad you enjoyed it!
This looks great! What if I have no siracha or sambal as our kids don’t prefer the spice is there an alternate or can it be missed completely?
hmmm you can miss it entirely and maybe add a little extra soy! When my kids were little I used to saute the meat off in a little butter too for extra flavour!
Minced ginger and garlic or powder? Thanks!
Minced please!
Love love love the recipe!! So easy and turns out perfect!!
Thank you so so much!!!!!
Can I use beef stew meat for this recipe? Or should I use a different cut? Thank you!
Beef stew works! Happy cooking!
Thanks for responding, Sarah. I'm new to this blog - excited to try your recipes! - I'm confused though when you say 'beef cubes' in your beef recipes. Which cut of beef do you mean when you say that? Brisket? Chuck roast? Stew? Maybe you've talked about this somewhere and I'm not looking in the right spot. Any help would be most appreciated! Thank you!!
Trying this out today. Such a fun recipe!
Does it have salt in the ingredients?
Hi Faiza! Because soy sauce and sambal oelek are naturally salty I don't usually add salt, but you absolutely can!
Thank you! I tried out the recipe and it turned out great! Thank you for the yummy recipe of Hanifia burgers!
Wonderful!!! Thank you!
How do I adapt this for chicken instead since my hubby can’t eat red meat…..
Naureen that's a great question, a pulled chicken would work different because chicken doesn't have the flavour beef does. Let me think on this and circle back
I followed the instructions exactly and it came out too tough and with too much liquid for the last step. Disappointed.
Hey Virginia! I am surprised to hear that you followed the instructions exactly and your meat was too tough, but in that case I would typically suggest putting it back in to tenderize it further. Re: Liquid you are meant to dry out as per the instructions because the IP requires a certain amount of liquid to ensure that none of the models go to burn (some are more sensitive than others).