Shredded meat can be used in a wide range of recipes: tacos, snacks, chili and more! You can shred roasted or cooked beef very easily, with just two forks.
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6 servings
- 900g of boneless beef
- 1 cup (250 ml) of beef broth
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Part One: Fork-Threading Technique
Step 1. Use a whole baked piece
It is not possible to shred raw meat. Thus, it is necessary to prepare the meat before shredding it.
Let it cool a little before shredding it. For this method, the meat needs to be cool enough to be touched without burning your hands
Step 2. Hold the piece firmly with one hand
Place the meat on your cutting board and hold it in your non-dominant hand.
Make sure your hands are clean and dry
Step 3. Shred the meat with a fork
Identify the direction of the meat's fibers. Scrape the tines of the fork along these fibers, releasing portions of the meat as you stir.
The easiest is to hold the piece so the fibers are pointing away from you. As you pass the fork, pull it with the fibers against you
Step 4. Repeat until finished
You can continue with this method until you have all the shredded meat you want or until you finish the entire piece. Take small breaks from time to time to loosen pieces of meat that may have gotten stuck in the fork.
If you notice any pieces of cartilage as it shreds, discard them
Step 5. Use or save the meat for later use
Shredded meat can be used immediately or stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- If storing, place 2 cups (500ml) of meat in a sealable container and pour the liquid from cooking the meat into the container to keep it moist. This helps to keep the meat from drying out.
- If you are not going to use the meat within three days, store it in the freezer for up to three months.
- Thaw the meat in the refrigerator or place it in a pan and heat it over medium heat.
Method 2 of 3: Part Two: Double Fork Technique
Step 1. Use a whole baked piece
If you haven't done so already, you will need to prepare the meat before shredding it. It is not possible to shred raw meat.
Let it cool a little before shredding it. You won't need to touch the meat directly with your hands in this method, so it doesn't have to be so cold. Regardless, let the meat sit for about 5 minutes so that its juice can spread throughout
Step 2. Place the two forks on the part
Clip the tines of the two forks into the meat so that they are adjacent to each other.
Step 3. Pull them in opposite directions
Drag the two forks into exactly opposite positions to remove the pieces of meat.
The ideal is to pull the meat towards the fibers, rather than going against them. This way the process will be faster and easier
Step 4. Repeat the procedure if necessary
Keep shredding the meat until you get the desired amount. From time to time, remove any meat that sticks to the fork. Repeat the process as needed, until all the meat is separated.
If you find fat or gristle in the middle of the meat, discard it
Step 5. Use the meat immediately or save it for later
If you want to keep it, put it in a container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
- For longer periods, store it frozen in the freezer for up to three months.
- To freeze or freeze, separate the meat into 2-cup (500ml) portions in airtight containers. Pour the cooking liquid from the meat itself into the containers to keep it moist.
- Meat can be defrosted in the refrigerator or in the microwave. Alternatively, you can pour the contents into a saucepan and heat it over medium low heat.
Method 3 of 3: Part Three: Preparation Suggestions (slow-cooker)
Step 1. Cut the part in half if necessary
One of the easiest ways to prepare meat for shredding is in a crockpot. Depending on the size of the pan, it may be necessary to cut the piece in half to make it fit.
- For best results, use a 4 or 5 liter pot.
- If the whole piece fits in the pan, place it like this.
Step 2. Mix the meat and broth
Place the piece in the pan and pour the broth over it.
If desired, you can add other ingredients to add flavor. For example: 2 quartered onions and 2 garlic cloves, well crushed. Place these or other aromatic ingredients in the bottom of the pan and place the meat on top of them
Step 3. Cook on high power for 5 to 6 hours
Cover the pan and cook slowly until the meat is tender enough to be shredded using only a fork.
- If you have time, cook on a low temperature for 11 to 12 hours. This way the meat will be even softer than at high power.
- The meat will be well done. If you have a kitchen thermometer to check the internal temperature of meat, wait until it reaches 71 to 77 degrees Celsius.
Step 4. Consider other alternative methods
While the crockpot is one of the simplest means to this end, it's not the only option. If you don't have a slow-cooker or prefer another method, you can use it.
- A simple way to cook meat slowly is in the oven.
- Another way is on the stove, in a cast iron pot.