Last week I asked my Facebook and Twitter friends if they’d like to see a crock pot recipe on the blog this week. There were so many exclamation marks in the comments, which I took to mean, ‘heck yes!’ that I immediately started brainstorming.
Everyone knows crock pot recipes are a busy person’s best friend but many of them can be heavy and unappealing at times. While brainstorming a new and interesting crock pot combo I decided the recipe would have to meet the following criteria:
- Beef-based as I have exactly one beef crock pot recipe on the blog – Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce.
- Easy. Nobody likes crock pot recipes with several cooking steps before you even plug the dang thing in.
- Very delicious, unique, and not gloopy whatsoever.
With the aforementioned criteria in mind, I settled on Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches. A mouthwatering, 5-ingredient flavor combo that has just the right amount of zip and zing!
Watch How to Make It!
Chuck roast is slow cooked for 10 hours in a mixture of pepperoncini peppers, Giardiniera, Italian dressing mix, and beef broth then shredded and served on a chewy hoagie bun with melted provolone cheese. Crazy (CRAZY) good, and did I mention that it’s made with just 5 ingredients?!
Ben was skeptical about eating the crock pot version of one of his favorite sandwiches, which is typically made with thinly sliced beef. “Oh…I’ve never heard of a shredded Italian beef sandwich before…” he said in a tone that I knew meant, I am definitely going to hate this.
But guess what? He didn’t! While I stood eating the shredded beef straight out of the crock pot like the refined woman that I am, he inhaled an entire sandwich in under 2 minutes. That is to say, this dish was a total hit!
How to Make Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches:
Start by trimming any large pieces of fat off a chuck roast then cut the roast into seven or eight big hunks and place them in the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot.
Next sprinkle in a packet of gluten free Italian Dressing Mix like Hy-Vee’s Good Graces brand, or Simply Organic. If you don’t need to eat gluten free, you can use Good Seasons Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix.
Add sliced pepperoncini peppers plus a splash of pepperoncini juice, and Chicago-Style Giardiniera which you can find in the olive/pickle aisle at the grocery store. I love Mezzetta brands for both, which is gluten free.
I’d never had Chicago-style Giardiniera, a type of relish made with pickled olives and vegetables that’s packed in herbs and oils, but Ben insisted it go into this dish. I’m so glad he did because OH MY GOSH it is so good! It’s supposed to go over Italian beef sandwiches, but I could have eaten forkful after forkful all by itself.
Because it’s packed in oil though, which would add unnecessary fat to the dish, I scooped out the mix with a fork and let it drain away. You can get Giardiniera that’s packed in vinegar, but I found this style to be a real treat.
Finally, add beef broth then place a lid on top of the crock pot and let it cook on low for 9 hours, or until the beef can be easily shredded with a fork.
Once the roast can be easily shredded with a fork, shred with two forks then slip the meat back into the slow cooker to cook in the juices for 1 more hour on low. Scoop the meat onto hoagie buns then slap a slice of provolone on top to melt from the heat of the beef. Serve with extra pepperoncini peppers and Giardiniera, and you’re set!
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love
- Crock Pot Salsa Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
- Crock Pot Mojo Pork with Cuban-Style Black Beans
- Crock Pot White Chicken Chili
- Crock Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches
Description
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches are the 5-ingredient crock pot version of the popular hot sandwich recipe. This easy dinner recipe is a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
- 3lb chuck roast, trimmed of visible fat and cut into large hunks
- 1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix (see notes)
- 8oz pepperoncini pepper slices + splash of juice, plus extra for serving
- 8oz Giardiniera (Chicago-Style Italian Sandwich Mix,) drained, plus extra for serving
- 14.5oz can beef broth
- provolone cheese slices
- hoagie buns
Directions
- Place chuck roast into the bottom of a 5.5 - 6 quart crock pot then sprinkle with salad dressing mix. Add pepperoncini peppers plus a splash of juice, Giardiniera, and beef broth then lift up chuck roast pieces to get broth underneath. Place a lid on top then cook on low for 9 hours, or until meat shreds easily with a fork. Shred then place meat back into crock pot and cook on low for 1 more hour.
- Split buns in half then scoop the shredded meat mixture on top and add provolone cheese slices. Top with additional pepperoncini peppers and Giardiniera, if desired, then serve.
- Leave a comment and star rating if you loved the recipe! Thank you for considering!
Notes
- I like Simply Organic or Good Grace's gluten free Italian Dressing Mix. Good Season's Zesty Italian Salad Dressing Mix is a good option if you do not need to eat gluten free.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Video
This is one of my favorite crock pot recipes to date. Could not have been easier to make and the flavors from the pickled vegetables, pepper rings, and Italian dressing mix really made the beef sing. SO GOOD. Hope you’ll give it a try sometime!
Robyn 08.28.2018
Do you think just making the meat with the broth, seasoning and pepper juice would taste as good and putting the actual peppers and olive mix on the side for the guests who don’t like the actual peppers? I don’t want to ruin a good recipe!
Wendy Forster 08.17.2018
I was looking for a recipe just like this but for venison. I have a very lean roast I need to do something with. Would you do it just the same as with the beef? Recipe looks ama zona and i happen to have all the ingredients except for the beef roast
Melissa Ulch 07.31.2018
Hello! I was wondering if I could cook this in my slow cooker on high for half of the amount of time?
Kristin 07.31.2018
Hi Melissa! I haven’t tried cooking this particular recipe on high – usually the big cuts of beef or pork need the really low/slow heat to become very tender. If you give it a try, let us know how it turns out!
Win Eyrick 07.21.2018
What can be used in the Italian beef sandwich in place os the Italian Seasoning mix? My son also has celiac.
Kristin 07.31.2018
Here is a copycat recipe I found online (note: I have not personally tested it): https://bakeatmidnite.com/copycat-good-seasons-italian/
Sarah Dickmeyer 04.25.2018
The manufacture has discontinued this sandwich mix 3-13-18!! I’m so sad, any suggestions on replacement ingredients??
Angela Lupo 04.02.2018
This is a great recipe and very delicious
21 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes | Healthy Life Tips 03.29.2018
[…] iowagirleats.com […]
21 5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes - Growing Beans in Large Scales 02.23.2018
[…] iowagirleats.com […]
Tammy 02.13.2018
Made this for company tonight and received many compliments on how delicious it was. So easy to make and is now one of my go to recipes!
40 Mouth-Watering Recipes That Use 5 Ingredients Or Less - Write Your Story 01.31.2018
[…] -Italian Beef Sandwiches […]
Shelly 01.04.2018
Was too salty for my liking & I even used no salt beef stock.
brittni 12.27.2017
I have made this recipe at least a dozen times and love it!! I like to make my own beef broth or sometimes I will use beef consomme. Everyone that eats this loves it…my daughter was eating this at 9 months old!!
Nancy Wood 12.27.2017
This is without a doubt and absolutely the best Italian Beef recipe for home cooks in the world. It’s also the simplest.The game-changer is the oil-packed gardineria.I thank you. My family thanks you. My friends thank you.
Adrienne 12.12.2017
Has anyone tried this in an Instant Pot? This recipe using a crock pot is a favorite of ours. Just got an instant pot for Christmas and want to try this amazing recipe in our new gadget!
25 simple beef crockpot recipes you have to try – Site To US 12.10.2017
[…] Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches (Iowa Girl […]
Michelle Meyer 11.08.2017
Do you know how you would adapt this to the instant pot? Just started looking at your website and I think I’ll be making a regular stop here!
Kristin 11.11.2017
I asked a friend whose made it in the IP and she said: “60 minutes high pressure then 10 minutes natural pressure release. Then a quick release.” I hope this helps!
Mandy 12.01.2017
Thank you so much for the IP tip! I came to the comments just to see if anyone has tried it! I love this recipe and want to make it tomorrow, but I would have to wake up SUPER early in order to make it in the crock pot before I have to leave. You’re a lifesaver!
Food, glorious food! | kmkat & her kneedles 10.27.2017
[…] Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches. I just recently discovered this site, Iowa Girl Eats. Looking forward to more easy recipes. She and her family have health issues related to food — celiac and allergies — so this might be a site that could be useful to others. Happily, we have no such issues here. The author has two small children at home, so you know her recipes will be non-complicated to prepare. Also, slow cooker. […]
Jessica 10.08.2017
What kinds of sides would be good to eat with this? I’m drawing a blank!
Kristin 10.10.2017
A big salad would be good, or these Garlic Butter Mushrooms! https://iowagirleats.com/2015/04/15/easy-garlic-butter-roasted-mushrooms/
Nora 10.02.2017
My chuck roast is in the crock pot, I can’t wait. Unfortunately, after hunting at three stores for the giardiniera mix, I couldn’t find anything close – just marinated carrots and cauliflower. I’m sure it will still taste wonderful.
September Menu by Audrey Chlarson | Audrey Chlarson Under Construction 09.12.2017
[…] https://iowagirleats.com/2013/10/23/crock-pot-italian-beef-sandwiches/ […]