With only SIX ingredients and tons of flavor, this simple shredded Italian beef recipe for the crockpot also includes an instructional video for the Instant Pot.
This Italian beef in the crockpot is something that anyone who struggles to stray from a traditional roast beef with gravy should try!
I’ll admit that I was initially dubious because I tend to avoid spicy food and don’t frequently use pepperoncini in my regular cooking.
But this beef and the sauce have such amazing flavors that it’s worth trying!
Even though I adore a traditional slow cooker pot roast and a hearty bowl of honey balsamic slow cooker beef stew, everyone adores this creative and flavorful variation on crockpot beef.
Get it started early in the morning and you won’t have to worry about making dinner because this crockpot Italian beef requires a long (think really long) cook time to break down and become tender.
See my list of ways to use it up or store it for later for more ideas on how to transform the leftovers into delicious sandwiches and quesadillas.
Italian Beef vs. Roast Beef vs. French Dip
Despite being similar, each of these three icons has its own quirks, so what’s the beef with all these different kinds of beef sandwiches?
- Italian Beef. Before being served on a bun with some of its juices, the beef is slow-cooked until fall-apart tender in a mixture of broth, Italian-inspired seasonings, and pickled vegetables.
- Roast Beef. This dish is typically served as a sandwich and is comparable to Italian beef. After being thinly sliced, the beef is then served with cheese and other toppings on top of bread.
- French Dip. This sandwich has a particularly juicy twist even though it also contains thinly sliced roast beef. A cup of beef broth is provided with the sandwich as a delectable dipping sauce.
How to Cook Italian Beef Sandwiches
I was dismayed to discover that almost all of the crockpot Italian beef recipes I found online required a packet of Italian salad dressing mix.
I opened my spice cabinet instead of using a pre-made ingredient to make my own blend.
Italian beef made from scratch has excellent flavor, and knowing exactly what is in it will make you feel good.
- Beef. The star of the show, the beef is incredibly tender and flavorful after spending time in the slow cooker.
What Cut of Beef is Used for Italian Beef
The most common beef cut used for Italian beef is chuck roast. But you could also use top sirloin, top round, or bottom round.
- Giardiniera. Italian beef is enhanced with a delicious mixture of pickled vegetables for that wonderful, traditional flavor.
The pickled vegetables in the grocery store aisle with the giardiniera are typically sold in jars.
You can use either mild or spicy giardiniera depending on how hot you like your Italian beef.
- Pepperoncini. Sweet chili peppers that are pickled and add mouthwatering flavor to the beef (You’ll adore it in this Italian Chopped Salad as well.) ).
- Seasoning. This traditional Italian beef flavor comes from a mixture of Italian seasoning, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. No need for the dressing mix.
- Provolone. No Italian beef sandwich is complete without a melty cheese. I believe that the slight smokiness of provolone pairs beautifully with the beef.
- Hoagie Buns. The ideal vessel for all the drippy, flavor-packed beef goodness.
- Let the meat rest at room temperature. Salt the beef.
- Sear the beef, then transfer it to the slow cooker.
- Add the liquid to the slow cooker after using the beef broth to deglaze the pan.
- Sprinkle the beef with the seasoning after combining the ingredients.
- Add the peppers and giardiniera.
- Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours. Shred the beef. Cook for another 30 minutes.
- The buns should be heated to 350 degrees F for 5 to 7 minutes. Beef, cheese, additional pepperoncini, and giardiniera should be placed on top of the buns. DIG IN!.
To create a richer, more complex flavor, brown the beef on the stove, then deglaze the pan and add the delicious brown bits to the slow cooker along with it. You will never have better homemade Italian beef than this!
How to Serve Italian Beef
You have options for serving this juicy Italian beef after it has cooked in the slow cooker to perfection!
- Italian Beef Sandwich. Serve the traditional Italian beef on a bun with Provolone cheese and more giardiniera to taste.
- Over Rice. If you have guests who are gluten-free, this is a great option.
- Cauliflower Rice. This will give you a low-carb Italian beef.
- Over Potatoes. Try my Crock Pot Baked Potatoes, Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes, or Instant Pot Sweet Potatoes for simple potato cooking techniques.
- Alongside an Italian Appetizer. Serve this Italian Beef with Mozzarella Cheese Sticks to further emphasize the Italian flavors.
- To Store. For up to three days, keep the beef in the refrigerator in an airtight container. If you have any extra cheese or bread for sandwiches, store it apart from the beef.
- To Reheat. In a Dutch oven over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave, reheat leftover beef.
- To Freeze. Beef can be frozen for up to three months in an airtight freezer-safe storage container. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Meal Plan Tip
The day before, combine the seasoning ingredients. Cover and store at room temperature.
What to Serve with Italian Beef
- Slow Cooker. The key to our slow-cooked beef.
- Dutch Oven. Ideal for searing the meat.
- Extra Large Cutting Board. You’ll love all the extra space!
The Best Slow Cooker
This kitchen tool is a must-have whether you’re cooking this recipe or one of my other delectable slow cooker recipes. You’ll love the hands-free cooking.
This Italian beef has you covered whether you’re looking to feed a large group, need a dinner you can prepare ahead of time, or want a freezer meal.
As usual, please leave a comment and rate this recipe for slow cooker beef. Your opinions motivate me and are crucial to others as well.
- Round roast or chuck roast weighing 3 to 4 pounds and defatted in large chunks
- Kosher salt
- 14.5 ounce can beef broth divided
- Slices of pepperoncini peppers weighing 8 ounces, along with 1/4 cup of juice and more peppers for serving
- Giardiniera, 8 ounces (mild or spicy), drained, plus extra for serving; opt for the chopped variety rather than the whole variety.
- Provolone cheese slices for serving
- Hoagie buns for serving
- Allow the meat to rest for 15 minutes at room temperature while you measure the rest of the seasonings. Season the beef all over with kosher salt.
- Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. When it is hot, sear the meat until golden brown on all sides while moving it as little as possible to help it form a nice crust (10 minutes). Transfer to the slow cooker.
- Turn the heat to medium. To add flavor, carefully splash in some broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up the browned bits from the pan’s bottom. Place the beef on top of the liquid and any leftovers in the slow cooker.
- Combine the seasoning components in a small bowl, including the Italian seasoning, sugar, garlic, onion, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Sprinkle on top of the beef.
- Add the pepperoncini peppers and juice. Add the giardiniera (do not add any giardiniera juice).
- Pour in the remaining broth.
- Cook the meat in the covered crockpot on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or until it easily shreds with a fork. Shred the beef, then stir it together with the juices. Cover and cook on low for 30 additional minutes.
- For serving, split the hoagie buns and toast them (if desired) for 5 to 7 minutes at 350 degrees on a baking sheet. Top with provolone, pepperoncini, and Giardiniera as desired after adding the shredded Italian beef (make sure to get plenty of that delicious, messy juice!). Enjoy! .
- *You can replace this recipe’s homemade Italian seasoning blend with a 7 ounce packet of Italian dressing mix.
- STORAGE: Store Italian beef in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container.
- REHEATE: Warm up leftovers in the microwave or a Dutch oven over medium-low heat.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze beef for up to three months in an airtight freezer-safe container. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
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Johnnie’s Iconic Italian Beef Is A Delicious Mess Of Beef And Gravy | Legendary Eats | Insider Food
FAQ
What cut of meat is Italian beef?
Chuck roast, the meat used for pot roast, is slowly cooked with savory Italian seasonings to produce Italian beef, which is soft and tender and can be easily shredded with a fork. This shredded meat is placed inside soft hoagie rolls to make the famous sandwich, which is then topped with sliced provolone and pickled peppers.
What is the best cut of meat for Italian beef sandwiches?
Crockpot Italian Beef can be made with a variety of beef cuts, including bottom round, top round, shoulder roast, and chuck roast. But the BEST Italian beef sandwich recipe calls for the boneless chuck roast, which is the Mercedes of roasts.
What meat is used for Chicago Italian beef?
Roasted, thinly sliced sirloin tip or top round beef is the main component of an Italian beef roast. It is seasoned with Italian herbs like oregano and basil, as well as spices like red and black pepper, and occasionally nutmeg and cloves.
What is Italian sliced beef called?
The traditional Italian dish of beef carpaccio requires little preparation and is a classy appetizer or lunchtime dish. Because the beef will be served raw, select premium cuts of meat that have been properly aged to enhance flavor and texture.