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Move over Chipotle! This Whole30 Instant Pot barbacoa beef is deliciously tender and loaded with flavor. This healthy and easy Whole30 Instant Pot recipe can be prepared once and enjoyed in tacos or burrito bowls all week!
How do I cook this large cut of beef?
Have you ever asked yourself this question? I certainly did when I got a few large bottom roasts in my Butcher Box order. I wasn’t sure the best way to cook them until Amy suggested barbacoa beef.
I took my large cut of beef and made this healthy and delicious Whole30 Instant pot recipe. This Whole30 Instant Pot barbacoa beef rivals the flavor of restaurant barbacoa, but with healthy, Whole30 approved ingredients.
Why should I make this barbacoa beef recipe in the Instant Pot?
Large cuts of beef like a shoulder or bottom round can be very tough. To tenderize this beef you would need to cook it for a very long time. When you cook the beef in an Instant Pot under pressure the meat tenderizes much faster than other methods.

What ingredients do you need to make this healthy barbacoa beef?
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Bottom or shoulder roast
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Oil
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Garlic cloves
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Beef broth or beef bone broth
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Cumin
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Oregano
Let’s make this Whole30 Instant pot recipe!
Step 1: Prep and sear the beef
Trim excess fat from the roast and cut into 3 even pieces. Season the beef liberally with salt on all sides. Heat oil in an Instant Pot on saute. When the oil is hot add the beef to the pot and sear on all sides.
Step 2: make the sauce
While you sear your beef, prepare the sauce. Add garlic, dates, chipotle chilis, apple cider vinegar, beef broth, and spices to a blender. Blend on high until a smooth sauce remains.
Step 3: Cook under pressure
Turn the Instant Pot off saute, but leave the beef in the pot. Pour in the sauce and stir the beef gently. Close the Instant Pot and set the vent to sealing.
Set the Instant Pot on manual for 40 minutes. Allow the Instant Pot to come to pressure and then cook for 40 minutes. When the Instant Pot beeps, immediately release the pressure.
Step 4: shred and enjoy
Remove the beef from the Instant Pot and shred with two forks. Return the shredded beef to the pot to mix back in with the sauce. Now you are ready to enjoy your barbacoa beef on tacos, nachos and burrito bowls!

Keep reading to find the full recipe! If you make this Whole30 Instant Pot barbacoa beef, please let me know in the comments or on Instagram!!


Whole30 Instant Pot Barbacoa Beef
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Mexican American
Description
Make restaurant quality barbacoa beef at home in your Instant Pot with Whole30 ingredients!
Ingredients
- 2.5 lb bottom roast or shoulder roast
- Salt for seasoning
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 dried chipotle peppers
- 2/3 cup beef broth or beef bone broth
- 2 pitted dates
- 1 tbsp cumin
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Trim excess fat from the roast and cut into 4 even peices and salt liberally on all sides
- Blend garlic, dried chipotle peppers, pitted dates, apple cider vinegar, beef broth, cumin, oregano, and salt in a high speed blender and set to the side
- Heat avocado oil in the Instant Pot on saute
- Add the beef to the Instant Pot and brown on all sides
- Turn the Instant Pot off saute
- Pour the liquid in the Instant Pot on the browned beef
- Close the Instant Pot, set to sealing, and set to manual high pressure for 45 minutes
- The Instant Pot will come to pressure, cook for 45 minutes and then beep
- After the beep, manually release the IP pressure
- Remove the beef from the Instant Pot and shred with two forks
- Pour the juice from the Instant Pot over the shredded beef and enjoy!
Keywords: barbacao beef, instant pot, whole30 instant pot
This is so good! I ended up using a slow cooker, so I cooked it for about 6 hours on high. It turned out great and makes really great leftovers!
★★★★★
amazing!! Thank you!!!