Description
Hearty slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches deliver authentic Chicago-style flavor with tender, juicy meat. Succulent beef roast braised in pepperoncini and herbs creates a mouthwatering sandwich perfect for family gatherings and casual meals.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 lbs (1.4–1.8 kg) chuck roast or rump roast
- 1 packet (1 oz/28 g) Italian dressing seasoning mix
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- ½ cup (120 ml) beef broth
- ½ cup (120 ml) pepperoncini juice
- 8–10 pepperoncini peppers (whole or sliced)
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Worcestershire sauce
- 6–8 crusty sandwich rolls or hoagie buns
- Sliced provolone or mozzarella cheese (optional)
- Giardiniera (Italian pickled vegetables, optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Meat Placement: Position chuck roast centrally in slow cooker for uniform heat distribution and consistent cooking.
- Seasoning Application: Liberally coat roast’s entire surface with Italian dressing mix, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, ensuring complete flavor coverage.
- Liquid Foundation: Pour beef broth around roast, creating a moisture base that covers the bottom of the slow cooker, then add pepperoncini juice and Worcestershire sauce to elevate the meat’s flavor complexity.
- Pepper Infusion: Strategically distribute pepperoncini peppers around and atop the roast, allowing their tangy characteristics to permeate the meat during the slow cooking process.
- Slow Cooking: Cover slow cooker and set to low heat, allowing the roast to tenderize and absorb seasonings for several hours until meat becomes exceptionally tender.
- Meat Preparation: Utilize two forks to shred the roast into delicate, flavor-packed strands, then let the meat rest in its cooking liquid to preserve moisture and intensify seasoning profile.
- Serving: Present the Italian beef on soft rolls, generously spooning additional cooking juice over the meat to enhance overall taste and succulence.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose a well-marbled chuck roast for maximum tenderness and rich flavor, as the fat content helps keep the meat moist during slow cooking.
- Seasoning Technique: Sprinkle seasonings directly on the meat’s surface to create a flavor-packed crust that will infuse throughout the cooking process.
- Liquid Level Crucial: Ensure beef broth covers the bottom of the slow cooker to prevent burning and create a flavorful base for the meat.
- Rest and Absorb: Allow shredded beef to sit in cooking liquid for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance moisture and deepen flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 69
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg