Italian beef sandwiches undoubtedly reign supreme among Chicago’s culinary offerings. Ask late night icons Jay Leno and Jimmy Fallon (via NBC), who are obsessed with this meaty masterpiece: “There may be nothing more Chicago than an Italian beef sandwich, no offense to the famous deep-dish pizza or the ever-popular hot dog.” Although the exact origins of this mouthwatering treat are unclear, many people believe that the Italian-American immigrant tradition of the “peanut wedding” is to blame (via Thrillist). Nor is the identity of the inventor clear, for that matter, though some say its Als #1 Italian Beef on Taylor St. in Chicago. But if anything is certain, it’s that we are incredibly appreciative of whoever came up with it!
The soft French roll-encased Italian beef sandwich is packed with taste and tradition, making it appear as though there is no skill involved in placing an order for it. False! Chicago natives who are experts at ordering this renowned juicy sandwich need not worry about anything at this location. However, for those who are unsure of how to do it correctly, here are a couple of lessons because, as with everything in life, there are restrictions when ordering the life-altering Italian beef sandwich.
What Is Italian Beef?
Italian beef is a type of sandwich meat that is typically slow-roasted and made from beef chuck roast. The meat is seasoned with an assortment of herbs and spices before being cooked to a very tender state. After cooking, the beef is served on a crusty roll with a variety of dipping sauces, either in thin slices or shreds.
What Is French Dip?
Traditionally, a French dip sandwich is made with thinly sliced roast beef on a crusty roll. After that, the sandwich is dipped in au jus, a beef broth flavored with herbs and spices. Other meats, like pork or chicken, can also be used to make French dip sandwiches.
French Dip vs. Italian Beef
The method of cooking the meat is where French dip and Italian beef diverge most. In contrast to French dip, which is made with thinly sliced roast beef that hasn’t fully cooked, Italian beef is slow-roasted until it is incredibly tender. This implies that compared to Italian beef sandwiches, French dip sandwiches will have a slightly different texture.
The sauces used in these two types of sandwiches also differ from one another. While French dip is typically eaten with au jus, Italian beef is typically served with a variety of dipping sauces.
How to Make Italian Beef?
Here is a recipe for how to make Italian beef:
Ingredients:
- 1 (3-pound) beef chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup giardiniera, optional
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the beef chuck roast in the addition of the oil until evenly browned.
- After taking the beef out of the pan, season it with salt, pepper, the onion, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Cook until the onion is translucent.
- Add the Worcestershire sauce, red wine, beef broth, and giardiniera (if using).
- After bringing the mixture to a boil, turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Put the beef in a sizable baking dish, then top with the sauce.
- Bake the dish covered in foil for three to four hours, or until the beef is extremely tender.
- Serve the beef on crusty rolls with your preferred dipping sauce after shredding it with a fork.
How Do You Order an Italian Beef?
An Italian beef sandwich can be ordered in a few different ways. The most typical method is to request it “dry” or “dipped.” When a sandwich is described as “dry,” it will only have beef and sauce on it. When it is described as “dipped,” the entire sandwich will be dipped in au jus before being served.
You can also order your sandwich “sweet” or “hot. “Sweet” denotes the addition of giardiniera to the sandwich, while “hot” denotes the addition of peppers.
You can also order an Italian beef pizza if you want to try something a little unique. The ingredients for this pizza are the same as those for an Italian beef sandwich, but the pizza crust is used in place of the roll.
How to Make French Dip?
Here is a recipe for how to make French dip [1]:
Ingredients:
- 1 (3-pound) beef chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup red wine
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the beef chuck roast in the addition of the oil until evenly browned.
- After taking the beef out of the pan, season it with salt, pepper, the onion, garlic, oregano, and thyme. Cook until the onion is translucent.
- Add the beef broth, red wine, and Worcestershire sauce.
- After bringing the mixture to a boil, turn the heat down to low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Put the beef in a sizable baking dish, then top with the sauce.
- Bake the dish covered in foil for three to four hours, or until the beef is extremely tender.
- Slice the beef thinly and serve it with au jus for dipping on crusty rolls.
Can I Make French Dip In the Crockpot?
You can make French dip in the crockpot, just follow the instructions above and cook it on low for 6 to 8 hours instead of in the oven.
How To Store French Dip Sandwiches?
You can keep leftovers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Simply reheat in the microwave or a skillet over low heat until thoroughly heated.
French dip sandwiches can also be frozen for up to three months. When you’re ready to eat, simply store them in a freezer-safe bag or container and defrost in the refrigerator.
You can choose which dish you want to try now that you know the difference between Italian beef and French dip; if you’re feeling adventurous, why not try both? They are both delicious in their own ways.
Reference:
Why Sandwiches Dipped in Beef Juice are a Culinary Delight
FAQ
What is the difference between French dip and Italian Beef?
Technically speaking, an Italian Beef is braised with lots of Italian herbs, spices, and pickled vegetables giving it a distinct tang that the French Dip doesn’t have. A French Dip is made with thinly sliced beef and braised in a broth or au jus.
What’s the difference between Italian Beef and roast beef?
Compared to Italian beef, roast beef is typically a leaner cut of beef. It is thinly sliced and placed on a bun before being covered in cheese, pickles, and barbecue sauce. The cold deli sandwich is another name for a roast beef sandwich.
What’s the difference between a French dip and a cheesesteak?
One example is that a Philly cheese steak is made with thinly sliced steak that is served on a hoagie roll, as opposed to a French dip, which is typically made with thinly sliced roast beef that is served on a baguette.
What makes an Italian beef sandwich?
A Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich is made with thin slices of seasoned roast beef that have been simmered and served with au jus on a long French roll. The sandwich’s history dates back at least to the 1930s.