Instant Pot Mediterranean Beef

Recipe highlights

• Melt–in-your-mouth. Pressure cooking transforms a budget-friendly beef cut into tender, flavorful shredded perfection infused with savory and subtly sweet flavor. 
• Quick and easy. The Instant Pot significantly cuts down on time spent in the kitchen. Plus, everything cooks in one pot, making cleanup a breeze!
• Versatile serving. The fine dining feel of this dish is perfect for fancy family dinners and impressing dinner guests.

Ingredients you’ll need

• Boneless beef chuck shoulder roast. This cut becomes tender and flavorful when cooked under pressure. Look for a well-marbled piece for the best flavor, but trim any excess fat to avoid a greasy texture. Beef brisket works well as a substitute. 
• All-purpose flour. Used to coat and brown the beef and thicken the sauce. Substitute gluten-free all-purpose flour if you need to. 
• Spices. Dried oregano, salt, and pepper are all you need to elevate the dish’s flavor.
• Onion. Adds sweetness and depth. You can use yellow or white onions here. 
• Shallots. Offer a delicate, slightly sweet flavor. Red onion also works here if you already have one. 
• Garlic. Brings a robust, savory flavor to the dish. Fresh is best, but pre-minced garlic works in a pinch. 
• Extra virgin olive oil. To sauté the beef and vegetables,
• Beef broth. Intensifies the beefy flavor and serves as the base for the sauce.
• Red wine. Adds depth, flavor, and richness to the sauce. Use a red like Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, or Merlot. If you don’t want to use wine, you can just use additional beef broth. 
• Balsamic vinegar. Adds sweet and tangy depth. Choose high-quality balsamic vinegar. It makes a big difference!
• Medjool dates. The natural sweetness and subtle caramel flavor help balance the savory elements. 
• Fresh herbs. I topped this dish with fresh oregano, but parsley works well too. 

How to make Mediterranean Beef in the Instant Pot 

Step 1: Prep the beef. Whisk together the flour and spices. Chop the roast into 2-inch cubes, slicing against the grain, and place in a plastic bag. Add the flour mixture, seal, and shake to coat evenly.

Step 2: Sauté the beef. Turn your Instant Pot to “Sauté” mode and add olive oil. Once hot, add the meat, onions, shallots, garlic, and sauté until the beef is lightly browned.

Step 3: Add liquids and dates. Pour in the broth, wine, and balsamic vinegar. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot –this helps prevent a ‘Burn’ message and adds so much flavor! Add the dates and give everything a good stir.

Step 4: Pressure cook. Cancel the “Sauté” mode. Secure the lid and cook on “Manual” high pressure for 40 minutes. Once the timer stops, let the pressure release naturally -and voila! 

Recipe tips and FAQs

• Take time browning the beef using the “Sauté” function. Make sure to brown the cubes evenly to enhance the dish’s overall taste.
• Beef roast becomes tender and shreds effortlessly when it reaches an internal temperature of around 195°F to 205°F. If unsure, you can check by pulling a piece of meat with a fork. If it’s fork-tender and falls right off, it’s good to go!
• To thicken the sauce, mix a tablespoon of cornstarch with a bit of cold water and stir it into the sauce after cooking. Use the “Sauté” function to simmer until the sauce reaches your desired thickness.

Instant Pot burn notice

The “Burn” warning on your Instant Pot is a safety feature to prevent overheating. While this Instant Pot shredded beef recipe has plenty of liquid to avoid such issues, a few things can still trigger the message:

• Improper steam release valve seal: Double-check that it’s securely closed. 
• Incorrectly installed sealing ring ring: Check that it’s properly in place.
• Food spills: Wipe any spills off the heating element.
• Underglazed bits: Scrape any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot after adding the liquid and stir well to avoid any issues.

Variations

• Kick of heat  –  If you can handle the heat, sauté diced fresh jalapeños with the beef. Or, add some crushed red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the pot before pressuring cooking. 
• Add veggies – Make it heartier by adding vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and add them in with the beef. Just be mindful of their cooking times so they don’t become too soft.
• Include olives or capers – For an extra touch of Mediterranean flair, stir in some chopped olives or capers just before serving.

What to serve with Mediterranean beef

Make your shredded beef a meal! The rich, savory sauce makes it ideal for serving over dishes like rice (white, brown, or wild), mashed potatoes, polenta, orzo, couscous, or mashed cauliflower. 

Consider a simple, fresh salad with Greek salad dressing and a side of these Greek Potatoes with Lemon and Feta to get some veggies on your plate. Most importantly, have warm pita bread, naan, or crusty baguette within reach to scoop up all the saucy beefy goodness. 

Storing & freezing

Storing: Once cooled to room temperature, store any leftover Mediterranean beef in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. 

Freezing: Allow the beef to cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container or freezer bag and keep frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

More Mediterranean-inspired beef recipes

• Mediterranean Steak Quesadilla
• Mediterranean Vegetable Beef Stew
• Mediterranean Steak
• Mediterranean Burgers
• Sheet Pan Greek Meatballs and Vegetables

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