Whether you’re an avid barbecuer or tearing up some chicken for a hearty bowl of soup, you may find yourself shredding meat by hand from time to time. But doing so can be a tedious process, and handling meat fresh off the grill can be painfully hot. However, we’ve found a solution that not only…
Mixing Things Up
A stand mixer is the tool you never knew you needed for shredding meat. The key is to use the appliance’s paddle attachment (aka flat beater), as it results in uniform shreds and effectively contains the mess. Other attachments, such as the wire whip or dough hook, won’t be much help. If you don’t own a stand mixer, you can use a hand mixer with a beater attachment on the lowest speed setting. (Beaters are the standard attachments most models come with; they are teardrop-shaped with two loops of twisted metal.)
Once you’ve attached the paddle to your stand mixer, break the meat into large chunks and add it into the bowl. Turn the mixer to its lowest speed setting, and watch how quickly the paddle works its magic. The entire process may take only about 10 seconds (assuming the meat is tender and still warmed through).
It’s always a good idea to shred meat while it’s hot, or at least warm, as the heat helps the muscle fibers separate cleanly. This results in long, fine shreds with a fluffier texture.
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Once the meat is shredded, stop the mixer, add in your favorite barbecue sauce (if desired), and run the appliance for five more seconds to mix everything together. At this point, your meat should be evenly sauced and ready to serve.
One-Bowl Wonder
Not only does the mixer do a better job of shredding than hands ever could, but the bowl captures juices that would have otherwise been lost on the cutting board. You can then use these captured juices to make a sauce or help keep the meat moist. The bowl also serves as the perfect vessel for combining messy ingredients, such as pulled pork and coleslaw when preparing sandwiches.
This mixing method saves you a good chunk of time and makes cleanup a breeze, since the entire mess stays contained within the bowl and on the paddle, rather than spreading all over the countertop. The faster you finish cleaning, the sooner you can get to enjoying the delicious meal in front of you.
