The Easiest Way to Shred Meat Is With a Stand Mixer

We may earn a commission from links on this page.

I've always preferred pulled pork or pulled chicken sandwiches to the whole-cut variety. When meat is shredded it holds onto sauces better, and I've always found that leads to a superior eating experience-this despite the fact that shredding meat is undoubtedly more work than cutting it. Luckily, there's an easier way to get it done: use your stand mixer for the job.

I first learned of this method in a video like this one, focused on making a shredded chicken salad. The person fitted the stand mixer with a whisk attachment, switched on the machine, added their ingredients, and scooped out the finished salad. My initial reaction was that the completed chicken salad looked a bit too smooth and lacking in texture. The video maker essentially admitted as much, but was otherwise pleased with the results.

I was intrigued enough to try shredding in a stand mixer myself-with a few modifications.

How to shred chicken or pull pork in a stand mixer

Usually when I shred chicken with forks I at first think, oh, this isn't so bad," and then a few minutes later, my palms have developed reddened fork handle-dents. It's not that the act of shredding is complicated or particularly hard to figure out, but if you need to shred enough for a barbecue for 20 people, it can be a painful task.The stand mixer method will get the people their pulled pork sandwiches faster.

When stand mixer-shredding for pulled pork or chicken, keep in mind that you need to keep your eye on it so it doesn't get overworked. Pork can be fattier than chicken, and thus even easier to accidentally over-shred. (You might note that slow cooker pulled pork falls apart readily, which is true; I'll reiterate that it's not that pulling apart the meat is hard, it's just a lot to do if you have a large quantity.)

1. Add the correct attachment

Toss the meat into the mixing bowl and use a paddle attachment-not a whisk attachment-to start shredding it.

2. Start the machine on low speed

Keep an eye on the meat's progress. With no exaggeration, my pork was nearly ready in fewer than 10 seconds on the lowest possible setting. What an absolute dream! No reddened hands, and I could empty out the shredded meat and start pulling the next pork butt. If you have a tougher cut of meat, it may take a touch longer.

3. Add sauce if desired

After the meat is pulled to your satisfaction add your favorite sauce and switch on the machine for another 5 seconds. Done.

The best stand mixer for shredding meat

What does this mean for us shredded meat lovers? Well, it means you may want to get yourself a stand mixer if you don't already have one. I think this method is an absolute game changer for tougher, drier meats like chicken, and a very reasonable option for tender meats when you have three or more pounds of it to shred.

I've had my Kitchen Aid Professional 6-quart for more than a decade, and while newer models are quieter, this ol' girl is as effective as ever. Though I can't find the 6-quart model in stock anymore, the 5-quart is a good alternative, or if you're looking to save a little more then try this Hamilton Beach model.

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - KSM150PS $349.99 at Walmart $499.99 Save $150.00 Shop Now Shop Now $349.99 at Walmart $499.99 Save $150.00 This is now my now go-to method for shredding chicken and pork

I always consider clean-up when I'm deciding if a gadget or appliance helps with speedy cooking,and the amount of time saved here cannot be argued. Losing the cutting board, the dripping juice, the knives, and the forks, and simply popping the meat into the mixing bowl-it's a huge mess avoided. The bowl prevents juices lost to the cutting board, and the paddle attachment is easy to clean. Between shredding and cleaning time, I'd estimate it saves me 10 to 20 minutes of effort.

Beyond that, the mixer does the stirring for you, so you can drop in chopped ingredients and sauces for a simple, effective multitask. Essentially, using a stand mixer takes all the tough work out of preparing a pulled meat dish, and makes cooking big batches more accessible too. I would absolutely suggest it to older cooks or anyone with reduced shoulder mobility or arm strength.Your backyard summer parties are about to include much more relaxation, and much less hand pain.