Italian beef sandwiches are a staple of comfort food, and once you’ve tried making them with slow-cooked, tender beef, it’s hard to go back to any other method. The combination of the fall-apart texture and rich flavors is truly irresistible. This recipe for Slow Cooker Italian Beef is a game-changer for anyone who loves a good sandwich or hearty meal. By using boneless chuck roast and flavoring it with herbs and spices, you’ll end up with a dish that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Italian Beef
This slow-cooked Italian beef recipe is incredibly easy to prepare, as it requires minimal effort and attention throughout the cooking process. Simply add all the ingredients to your crock pot, set it, and let it do its magic for hours. The result is a hearty meal that’s perfect for dinner, served as is or paired with some crunchy chips and a simple side. But what really sets this recipe apart is the rich and intense flavor it develops through slow cooking. The tender beef and peppers in a tangy and zesty broth, all wrapped up with melted provolone cheese on a crusty hoagie roll, makes for an unforgettable culinary experience.
How to Make Tasty Italian Beef Sandwiches
To create this mouthwatering Italian beef sandwich, start by preparing the meat. Begin by salting the beef to bring out its natural flavors, then allow it to come to room temperature. Next, sear the beef on all sides until it reaches a golden brown color. Once cooked, place the chuck roast into your slow cooker and add in the broth and other ingredients for a leisurely 9-hour cooking session. As the meat tenderizes, use this time to toast some hoagie rolls and melt provolone cheese on top. Finally, once the beef is easily shredded with a fork, give it an additional hour of cooking or until it reaches your desired level of tenderness. Finish by assembling the sandwiches with the beef, pepperoncini, and toasted rolls, and get ready to indulge in a truly satisfying meal.
Substitutions and Variations
This classic Italian beef recipe, also known as ‘drop beef,’ offers a high degree of customization. Feel free to substitute top round roast, eye round roast, or rump roast for the chuck roast, as any type of stewing beef would work well. For added depth, consider adding minced garlic or swapping some pepperoncini with pickled jalapeños for an extra kick. Additionally, you might want to include sliced bell peppers in your dish. Mozzarella cheese can be used in place of provolone if that’s a preference, and Swiss cheese would also be a suitable substitute – although it may not be as authentically Italian! If you enjoy easy Italian recipes as much as I do, you might also appreciate this stromboli recipe or traditional Italian tomato soup.
What to Serve with this Italian Beef Recipe
While traditional Italian beef sandwiches are delicious, there’s more to this classic dish than just serving it on a hoagie roll with melted provolone cheese. The Chicago-style way of serving is indeed iconic, but it’s not the only way to enjoy the tender and flavorful beef au jus. Consider using those juices to flavor mashed potatoes, rice, or even low-carb options like mashed cauliflower or spaghetti squash. These sides not only soak up the rich flavors of the dish but also complement the tender chunks of beef chuck roast perfectly.
Storage Instructions
When storing, allow the Italian beef to reach room temperature before sealing it tightly in an airtight container and refrigerating for a maximum of three days. For longer preservation, cool the meat completely then transfer it to a Ziploc bag or airtight container, securing it within a fridge freezer compartment for up to ninety days. To rehydrate, place the frozen Italian beef in the refrigerator overnight to thaw. Alternatively, gently warm leftover servings by pan-frying or microwaving until they reach desired temperature.
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches FAQs
Italian Beef Sandwiches in an Instant Pot: A Game-Changer! You can easily recreate this classic hot sandwich recipe using your Instant Pot. Simply cut the beef into smaller pieces and sear it with the sauté function, then add all the other ingredients and cook on manual for 45 minutes before letting it release naturally and shredding it. The end result is a tender and flavorful roast that’s ready in under an hour – perfect for those busy days when you need dinner fast. And if you’re wondering what to do with leftover Italian beef, don’t worry, there are plenty of creative ways to use it up! Try combining it with cooked rice, canned tomatoes, and some sautéed bell peppers for a tasty filling. The best part? This recipe is naturally gluten-free, so all you need to do is swap out your regular buns for some gluten-free ones.
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Recipe
Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Once you’ve experienced the rich flavors of slow cooker Italian beef, it’s a dish that will quickly become a staple in your culinary repertoire. The tender and flavorful beef, served on toasted rolls or hoagie buns as part of an Italian beef sandwich, is sure to satisfy even the heartiest of appetites. As the slow cooking process breaks down the connective tissues in the meat, it achieves an unparalleled level of tenderness that’s simply irresistible. With a mere 10 minutes spent on preparation and over 10 hours dedicated to cooking time, this recipe yields 9 generous servings that are sure to please.
Equipment
Instructions
Generously season the chuck roast on all sides, allowing it to reach room temperature as the salt dissolves. Next, heat a large Dutch oven over high heat, brushing its interior with grapeseed oil. Sear the meat on both sides for 5 minutes before removing it and transferring it to the slow cooker. To deglaze the Dutch oven, pour in half of the broth, scraping up any browned bits that have formed. This liquid then joins the rest of the ingredients in the slow cooker, where everything is covered and allowed to cook on low for 9 hours. As the beef tenderizes, it’s shredded and cooked for an additional hour. Finally, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, toast hoagie buns topped with provolone slices until the cheese melts, and serve them alongside the now-tender Italian beef and pepperoncinis.