Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches Recipe + Video
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Make this Italian beef recipe for tender roast beef in a crock pot, then make Italian beef sandwiches with sweet peppers and melted cheese. SO delicious! If you love tender beef, this simple recipe has a lot of flavor!
Italian Beef Recipe
I love cooking beef in my slow cooker. Not only is it quick and easy, but the meat comes out fork tender and delicious every time I make it!
If you want more crockpot beef recipes, you have got to try my Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff.
It’s hearty and flavorful with beef, mushrooms, onions, and garlic that are slow-cooked all day long.
Or, my Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon is full of delicious and tender veggies, with juicy, melt in your mouth beef cooked in wine. And, it’s incredibly easy to make!!
Slow Cooker Beef Brisket is smothered with spices, oven seared, then simmered in the crockpot for a simple recipe that is wonderfully juicy and exploding with flavor.
How to Make Italian Beef in the Slow Cooker
Slow cook a boneless beef chuck roast in your crockpot with bouillon and seasonings until it is fork-tender.
Then, shred the meat and serve on toasted hoagie rolls with provolone cheese for a simple, but delicious dinner!
About the broth
You can substitute 3 cups of boiling beef stock for the water and bouillon, but the bouillon gives it a really great flavor!
I would still add a few teaspoons of the bouillon or beef base when making this Italian beef recipe.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Beef – I use chuck roast for this Italian beef slow cooker recipe because it comes out perfectly tender every time.
But, you could also substitute a rump roast or another type of boneless beef roast if you prefer. - Cheese – We love the taste of provolone cheese on our sandwiches. But, you can use another type of meltable cheese if you prefer.
Good substitutions are mozzarella or cheddar cheese. - Toppings – We top our Italian Beef Sandwiches with roasted red peppers and mild banana peppers.
For a slightly different taste, try swapping those with your favorite giardiniera — Italian pickled vegetables.
Best Bread for Italian Beef Sandwiches
Italian beef is typically served on hoagie rolls, but you can use any thin sandwich-type roll if those aren’t available.
- Brioche sandwich roll
- Ciabatta oblong bun
- French torpedo roll
- Italian sandwich roll
I do not recommend using slices of sandwich bread for this Italian beef recipe.
The bread will quickly become soggy and won’t be sturdy enough to hold all of the shredded beef and peppers.
Storing and Reheating Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Transfer cooked Italian beef from crock pot to a tightly covered container. It will stay good for up to 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator.
To extend the storage time, you can easily freeze your leftovers.
Just place the meat in a freezer bag or wrap it tightly with aluminum foil, then store it for up to 2 to 3 months for the best quality.
To reheat, allow slow cooker Italian beef to thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Place the meat and broth in a pan covered with aluminum foil.
Bake until it is warmed through and serve it on freshly toasted rolls.
Italian Beef Crock Pot FAQ
Typically, Italian beef is made with chuck roast. Other cuts of meat that work well include top round, top sirloin, and bottom round (also known as rump roast).
Although fairly similar, there are a few key differences between each of these types of sandwiches!
Italian Beef: Seasoned and slow cooked beef is shredded and piled on hoagie rolls with roasted or pickled veggies.
Roast Beef: Oven roasted beef is thinly sliced and used in a variety of sandwich recipes. Often paired with peppers and cheese.
French Dip: A type of roast beef sandwich that is served with au jus on the side for dipping.
I’m a big fan of hot peppers or pepperoncini peppers. They just pair so perfectly with the thing slices or cut of beef, and you can add it all on top of crusty rolls. Bell peppers in thin slices are another great option as well.
The best thing about making a delicious Italian beef sandwich is that you can use a number of favorite ways to create it. The juicy beef pairs well with hoagie buns, and easily creates the perfect sandwich for an easy weeknight diner or for the holiday season.
In just a little time, you can have one of the best sandwiches with the slow cooking process and your favorite toppings. I assure you that the flavor of this beef is the perfect way to make the whole sandwich incredibly delicious.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re wondering what to serve with this Italian beef recipe, traditionally, you would serve French fries. But, here are a few alternative options to consider:
Don’t feel like sandwiches? Spoon slow cooker Italian beef or rice or mashed potatoes.
You could even eat it by the forkful with a side of mozzarella sticks and marinara!
Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours.
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Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches Recipe + Video
Ingredients
- 3 cups boiling water
- 5 cubes of beef bouillon
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried basil
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper, to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon ground thyme
- 3 pounds boneless beef chuck roast, 1 3-pound roast, trimmed of most fat
Sandwich Fixin's
- 8 hoagie rolls
- 16 slices provolone cheese
- 16 ounces roasted red peppers, 1 16-ounce jar, sliced
- 16 ounces mild sliced pepper rings, 1 16-ounce jar
Instructions
- Turn 6 quart slow cooker to high heat. Add boiling water, beef bouillon and Worcestershire.
- Combine remaining seasonings in a small bowl. Sprinkle over beef broth and whisk to combine. Add roast and flip to coat both sides. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours or low 8-10 hours. Shred beef by using two forks to pull it apart. Stir to coat all beef in the juices. Cook 1 additional hour covered. (Do not drain)
- When ready to serve: Slice rolls in half, place on a baking sheet and broil in oven for 2-4 minutes until bread is lightly golden brown.
- Scoop beef on toasted roll and top with 2 slices of provolone cheese. Place back on baking sheet and broil until cheese is melted. Top with red pepper slices and mild pepper rings.
- Serve and enjoy.
Video
Donna’s Notes
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.
Originally published July 2014, updated and republished February 2024
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Please publish Chicago Italian Beef recipe. They are awsome
This is actually pretty close to Chicago. Omit the Worcestershire. Skip toasting the bun and then you have more Chicago style. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
This is no where close to Chicago style Italian beef. I'm from Chgo and can say this with authority!
This is no where close to Chicago style Italian beef. I grew up in the Chicago area. Never with cheese on it. It needs oil marinated giardiniera on the sandwich. Just saying.
80 percent of people in Chicago ask for mozzarella on beef there need now. Omit pepper rings and add giardinera. Dip and enjoy.
ChitownChef
No where close to a real Italian beef and yes I put mozzarella on mine and yes I grew up outside chicago
Agreed. They would taste good, I'm sure. But being brought up on the south side of Chicago, I can say that this is NOT anywhere near a Chicago style Italian Beef. The meat is incorrect in the way it is sliced (Italian beef IS sliced, not shredded),plus you would use a round roast, not a pot roast style cut of beef, there should definitely NOT be cheese, and if anything is put on it, it is either cooked mild(green) pepper strips or same style hot pepper (or giardiniera). Again; looks delicious. But it's NOT Italian beef.
Oh my gosh, I'm drooling looking at that photo! I'm Italian, too, and love Italian beef. I've got a really great, easy recipe for Italian beef as well on my site. I've only recently discovered your blog and have really enjoyed browsing!
Thank you for coming by Fran. I am so happy you enjoy our site. Let us know if you get a chance to try anything. Happy Cooking!
These look great! I love Crock Pot meals.
can you use beef rump roast?
Absolutely. Trim all visible fat and it is perfect. Enjoy!
I've literally been craving a sandwich just like this all day today! I might need to make this sometime this week – it looks beyond amazing. Yum! Pinned 🙂
This looks delicious! I have a jar of sliced pepperoncini in the pantry. Is that the kind of mild pepper rings you used? Thanks.
Hi Lisa, thank you for stopping by! Sliced pepperoncini or banana peppers are perfect. We used the sliced banana peppers this time. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
I made these for dinner tonight and they were absolutely delicious. My house smelled so good all day while they were cooking too. I am not a big beef eater, but I could eat this over and over again. Thanks for another great recipe!
So happy to hear you loved them Stephanie!
Made this and served it at our game day event. Big hit! Not a bite left in the crock pot. Definitely will be making this again. Thanks!
They are so good, I am so happy everyone loved them.
I'll try this recipe — looks great! My one question — I've lived in Chicago all my life and never had an Italian beef with cheese on it, any kind of cheese. Often the garnish is hot jardinière. This really sounds more like a Philly cheese steak, which are also very good (and I've had them in Philly!)
We moved from Chicago and we can not find real Italian beef to satisfy my cravings! I stumbled upon your website and I was drooling at the pictures. I have the crock pot going and the delicious aroma is driving me crazy. I can not wait to taste this! Thank you for publishing this recipe.
Oh my! My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Can't wait to hear how it goes. Enjoy and save me one!
Portillo's has a great beef sandwich. Try it and I'm sure you'll love it. I miss it since I moved to Florida.
I Don't use bouillon cubes-too salty- what would be the equivilant using beef stock or broth?
Getting used to new slow cooker & this looks so good and easy too.
Thanks for the info. June.
I would use 3 cups of beef stock (in place of the water and the bouillon). It will be delightful. Enjoy and let us know how it goes.
I use low sodium beef base from time to time and it is perfect.
Why post a message if you HAVEN'T MADE IT YET! Don't waste people's time and only comment if you have something to contribute. This isn't all about you.
amen to that, or if they change the recipe to no where near the original one
AMEN!!!
I made these over the weekend. Perfect for a snowy last day of February. My family loved it and we had the leftovers on Monday. So delicious!
this was so good my wife made it. having it again soon.
I made this for the first time a few months ago. Have made it several times since and have shared the recipe. Everyone LOVES it. I'm getting ready to shred one I let cook overnight. House smells amazing!!
So happy to hear this was a hit! It would be fabulous for dinner tonight.
Add a can of beer and 1/4 cup of whiskey…PHENOM!
This is really tasty! Will definitely make again!
I know exactly what you mean. And I agree, an Italian beef sandwich is so much better than a burger. This looks really good, too. I can't wait to try this recipe. I'm sure my kids would love it.
I don't have many beef recipes so I'm really happy to have stumbled on this. Thanks for sharing.
By the way, do you have any pizzoccheri recipes? I saw your One-Pot Cheesy Italian Pasta and Chicken recipe and it looked simply amazing.
Made it tonight. Wonderful!
I tried it today….I thought it was a little too spicy. I think 1/2 tsp of crushed red pepper is plenty. Other than that, it was very good & I will make it again.
Can use Serrano peppers also known as sport peppers to really compliment the sandwich
If I Cooke this on high will it still be tender? Not alot of time today!!!
Will it be just as juicy on low for 8-10 hours?
Will it still be as juicy on low 8-10 hours?
I've never used a slow cooker before, so I bought one to try this recipe. The beef is done cooking I just broke it up with a fork to soak in the juice a little longer. It is delicious.
You will love owning a slow cooker, Carl! I use mine all the time! We are so happy you enjoyed it!
I am making it now for the third time. It is wonderful! Even my sons friend made a comment on how good the house smelled. It even tastes better. What a great way to use a chuck roast. Yummy!
That's great!! We are so happy you enjoyed it!