These crock pot Italian beef sandwiches are done right, Chicago style! Each tender sandwich is infused with Italian seasonings and served on a hoagie dripping with juice and loaded with crunchy giardiniera! Not only are they perfect for serving a crowd, they are effortless to make with a crock pot!
Warning – This sandwich is best enjoyed reminiscing about the ’85 Chicago Bears and waxing nostalgically about Mike Ditka. Actually, if da coach were a food blogger an Italian Beef Sandwich recipe would likely be published each week, along with a buzzing Instagram feed of whatever William Perry is eating.
What is a Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich?
More than likely Chicago natives are ready to chastise me for using a slow cooker and shredding the meat for this Chicago specialty. If you are wondering what authentic Italian Beef sandwiches are, traditionally Chicago-style Italian Beef recipes feature an oven-roasted rump roast that is cut into thin slices with a deli slicer, then piled onto a hoagie roll, loaded with crunchy giardiniera, and dipped in the savory au jus!
However, since I suspect most of you don't have a deli slicer at home, shredding these crock pot style is a worthy compromise. However, if you do buy a home deli slicer, get two and share with me. You'll be my favorite reader for a day.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Rump roast - Another cut of beef, such as most any beef stew roast can be substituted. Boneless beef chuck roast is a great option.
- Beef broth - Beef stock works perfectly well too. If you want more control over the salt content use low sodium beef broth or stock.
- Pepperoncini peppers - You want the peppers in a jar, these are typically found by the pickles in the grocery store. Banana peppers are also a great substitute.
- Bay leaves
- Italian dressing mix - Italian dressing seasoning mix is typically found near the salad dressings in the grocery store.
- Ground Black Pepper
- Dried Oregano - You can substitute Italian seasoning.
- Dried Basil - You can substitute Italian seasoning.
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
How to make it in the slow cooker
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches are the perfect set-it-and-forget-it meal. It takes a few minutes to load up the slow cooker with your large roast, broth, peppers, and seasonings. Then you simply go about your day as your home gets filled with the most fragrant aromas!
I have my recipe set to cook on high for four hours, however, you can certainly leave it on low and let it simmer all day. You don't have to worry about crock pot Italian beef overcooking, it just gets more tender and flavor-infused. Once the beef is fork tender, shred beef with a fork and pile the shredded meat on a bun with a ladle of the cooking liquid.
Since no Italian beef recipe is complete without it, I considered including a giardiniera recipe with this post. However since it is a multi-day process to prepare, I figured that defeated the purpose of having an easy crock pot Italian beef sandwiches recipe.
What is the best bun for Italian beef sandwiches?
A classic Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich is dipped in the cooking juices so it is important your bun of choice can stand up to the liquid. An overly light and airy bun is no match for these hearty sandwiches, as they will quickly become saturated and begin falling apart. Instead, look for slightly chewy (rather than overly hard and crusty rolls) hoagie buns, or French / Italian baguette, that can soak up the juice and still maintain its structure.
More Slow Cooker Sandwiches
Storing and Reheating Leftovers
Your leftover Italian beef should be placed in an airtight container and stored in your refrigerator. It is best eaten within five days. Alternatively, your Italian roast beef can also be frozen. Simply place it in a freezer bag, or similar freezer-safe container and freeze up to three months.
The leftover beef can easily be reheated in the microwave or gently simmering it with au jus in a saucepan.
Note: This is a great recipe to make in advance for a party or game day because the flavor of the beef will improve the next day as everything melds together.
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Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches - Chicago Style
Ingredients
- 4 pounds Rump roast (Any stew roast can be substituted, like Chuck Roast)
- 2 cup Beef broth
- 1 cup sliced Pepperonchini peppers drained
- 2 Bay leaves
- 2, Italian dressing seasoning packets (each packet is typically .7 ounces)
- 1 teaspoon Fresh Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- 1 teaspoon Dried Basil
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
For Serving
- Hoagie Rolls
- Giardiniera
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to your slow cooker and set on high.
- Cook 4-5 hours, or until the beef roast is easily shredded, then shred with a fork.
Serving
- This is meant to be a juicy sandwich. Either ladle out some juice to dip your sandwich in, or add the beef to the hoagie along with a generous splash of juice.
- Top meat with giardiniera and enjoy.
Kris
Would you consider sharing your giardineria recipe? I am willing to take a couple of extra days to make it if you have a great recipe!
Alfred J McManama
I too would appreciate the the gardenieria recipe, thanx Al McManama
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks. I considered creating a recipe for it, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. When I get it completed I will update this recipe.
sharron
i feel compelled to comment on this. i lived in chicago for a few years and my husband grew up there. when we think italian beef, we think portillos. so when i saw a recipe for chicago style it beef, that was what we were expecting.
cooked on low all night in slow cooker, it was tender, howevr the pepprocini peppers made it too hot and inedible for my husband. i would advise leaving them out. it was probably good but i have to admit it is so spicy , i almost cant eat it and i like peppers. its a shame .
S
You lived in Chicago and seem like you know what you're talking about when it comes to Italian Beef... But the peppers were too hot? Hahaaha WTF
mark j bradley
lmao
Barbara
You can buy them mild , and this should eliminate the heat
Eileen
could this be made in a Cast iron Dutch Oven? How many hours/ temp?
Fox Valley Foodie
Absolutely! 325 degrees until tender should do it. Figure about 3 hours, but stay flexible and keep cooking until it becomes tender.
Katie
This recipe was amazing- made it last night and loved it. Cooked on low for 8 hours and was perfect. But it does make a lot. Can you freeze leftovers?
Fox Valley Foodie
Absolutely!
Brian Harrington
What a wonderful and easy recipe. The meat comes our perfect.
I made a modification by leaving out the Italian dressing packets, since I did not have them at home, and diced up and sautéed a white onion, 3 cloves of garlic and a red bell pepper.I also added 1/4cup of the 1/4 cup of the Peperoncino liquid.
This might have to go in my weekly rotation!
Hannah
Do I cook on low/medium/or high for 4-5 hours?
Fox Valley Foodie
As written the recipe calls for cooking on high, but you can certainly use low or medium instead, it will just take a few hours longer.
Jessie Yung
I've made this twice and am serving it tomorrow for a crowd! Thank you!! We're new to the Fox Valley and were not overly impressed with the area restaurant versions. This was perfect. We've also used other beef roasts with this recipe and served the beef as chunks over rice with broccoli on the side.
Helen Nelson M Nelson
LOVED THIS!! THANK YOU!
I COOKED IT ON LOW FOR 18HRS
AND IT WAS AWESOME!!
Anna Mazza
Best recipe for a party! It's easy, feeds a crowd and everyone wants the recipe before they leave! I've tried it with rump roast and with chuck roast, with one season packet and two and it's great either way. You can't go wrong with this recipe! Thank you!
Jennifer Baldwin
My Mother in law made this for my family last week. It was incredible. Even my picky son loved it. I'm cooking it up right now for dinner tonight. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Shawna
4 to 5 hours on high or low?
Fox Valley Foodie
The instructions specify to set the slow cooker to high, but you can cook on low as well, it will just take longer.
Kristin Martin
If we put the slow cooker on low, what would the time be? Or would you suggest only the high setting for 4-5 hours?
Fox Valley Foodie
It would work perfectly fine on low. Just cook it until it becomes easily shreddable. I don't know exactly how long that would be, but I suspect 8+ hours(?).
Gary
I made this over the weekend. The recipe was spot on but the cook time of 4 hours was way off. I ended up closer to 9 hours. But once I got there it was great.
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad you liked the recipe. Can I assume your 9 hour cook time was on the low setting?
Julie Van Valkenburg
Can I use bottled Italian dressing?
Fox Valley Foodie
I wouldn't recommend it.
Heather
We've had this twice so far and I have it in the crock pot again tonight for lunch tomorrow! I personally love salty foods so it is perfect! A little bit of shredded mozzarella topped with spicy giardiniera and you've got yourself and very yummy sanwhich!
Beth A
Fantastic recipe! My whole family loved it!
FoodJunkie
I have to say I found this recipe way too salty with the salty dressing mix and extra salt.
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks for the comment, if you enjoy food with less salt there are lower sodium beef stocks you can use instead and also if you wait till the end to add the salt you can taste it first to see if it needs it.
Courtney
I followed the directions perfectly and it came out tough and dry 🙁 any tips on what I should do next time?
Fox Valley Foodie
Keep cooking it in the slow cooker. Meat will never be tough when cooked in the slow cooker long enough. The longer it cooks, the more tender it gets. Slow cooker times can vary considerably depending on the meat.
Fox Valley Foodie
If it is too dry and you have to serve it quickly, adding more fat or liquid is a good fix. More beef broth is always good, but water is also a great substitution. Otherwise butter is an easily accessible fat. Though, in a quick pinch, bacon grease would be divine too!
David Bonoma
No need to be defensive about using a roast from a slow-cooker as the base for an Italian beef. I have done it (with a recipe similar to yours - omitting the Italian seasoning packets) and the results were fantastic. The reason it works is that the secret to a good Italian beef sandwich is to keep the temperature of the sliced beef low. If it reaches boiling, the meat shrivels and becomes tough. That's why the slow-cooker is actually the perfect tool for a good Italian beef. You are really on to something here. Nice work!
One thing I would change, based on my personal experience, is to remove the stems from the pepperonchini before putting them in the slow-cooker. It takes some extra work, but when the meat finishes cooking, it will break down into delicious tender pieces, and the inedible pepper stems have to be picked out.
Fox Valley Foodie
Great comment and good point! I updated the recipe to reflect that I used sliced pepperonchini, which eliminates the issue with the stems you mentioned. However, I agree whole pepperonchini would certainly work well too if the stems are removed. Thanks for the feedback!
Sue Kaufman
Cooking it on low would be advisable then...that is what Im doing today. It still only takes 5-6 hours and the meat is indescribably tender.
Rachel
*Insert GIF of Homer Simpson drooling* I just finished breakfast and I'm wishing this was my lunch!
Matt @ RoughEats
This photo is fantastic, and I think the sandwich it brilliant. I want this for lunch now!
Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness
Your pictures are stunning. They make me wish that I could reach into my computer and take one of your delicious Italian beef sandwiches. I love Italian beef, this one sounds like a winner!
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
Oh! My! Heavens! Your photo is 10+ drools. We also have an Italian Beef recipe on our blog with spicy giardiniera but my photos just don't do the dish justice. We made our own Italian rolls, which I must admit are scrumptious but I've got to give credit where credit is due -- your photos are fantastic! Have a great weekend. Oh! I also like the glass of beer in the background 🙂
Fox Valley Foodie
Thanks for the kind words. It is one of my favorite sandwiches!