Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches are a 5-ingredient crock pot recipe version of the popular hot sandwich recipe. This easy dinner recipe is a crowd-pleaser!
“All I can say is WOW!!!! … My husband, who doesn’t get all that worked up about food and doesn’t care for roast, LOVED this recipe!! After we finished our dinner, he asked me if I could make it again soon for his men’s group!”
Recently I asked my Facebook and Instagram friends if they’d like to see a crock pot recipe on the site sooner vs later. 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 many chicken-based crock pot recipes already.
- 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
Slow Cooked Italian Beef
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?!
My husband 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 is 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 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 brand for both, which is gluten free.
If you’ve never had Chicago-style Giardiniera, a type of relish made with pickled olives and vegetables that’s packed in herbs and oils, you are in for a treat! It’s typically served over Italian beef sandwiches, but I love infusing the beef with the mixture from the get-go.
Because this style of giardiniera is packed in oil, drain the mixture using a fork or fine mesh sieve before adding to the crock pot. You can get Giardiniera that’s packed in vinegar, but I find 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 is extremely tender, shred with two forks then slip the meat back into the slow cooker to cook in the juices for 1 more hour on low.
Lastly, 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!
This is one of my all-time favorite crock pot recipes. Could not be easier to make and the flavors from the pickled vegetables, pepper rings, and Italian dressing mix really made the beef sing. SO GOOD. Enjoy!
More Crock Pot Recipes You’ll Love
- Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
- 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
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 lb chuck roast, trimmed of large pieces of fat then cut into large pieces
- 1 envelope Italian salad dressing mix, see notes
- 8 oz pepperoncini pepper slices + splash of juice, plus extra peppers for serving
- 8 oz Chicago-Style Giardiniera, drained, plus extra for serving
- 14.5 oz can beef broth
- provolone cheese slices
- buns
Directions
- Place chuck roast into the bottom of a 6 quart crock pot then sprinkle with salad dressing mix. Add pepperoncini peppers plus a splash of juice, drained 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 juices inside 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 (if using gluten free buns, toast/broil first). Top with additional pepperoncini peppers and Giardiniera, if desired, then serve.
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.
- Adapted from Pioneer Woman
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
This sandwich looks yummy and easy to make. I think I will try it in the weekend.
If it takes 9 hours in the crock pot, how long should I cook the beef in an Instant Pot?
Can you do the Italian beef in the insta pot?
This has become a favorite in my house! Everyone loves this recipe and I love how easy it is! It is in the crockpot right now, albeit, on high for 5 hours because it slipped my mind that I needed to start it earlier. Cant wait for dinner tonight!
I’ve made this many times! I’m also pleased that it holds up well enough to reheat because I feel like a lot of the time crock pot shredded meat doesn’t keep well. This is still good as leftovers! My biggest struggle is my local stores inconsistently stock the giardiniera (fellow Iowan here!) It’s gotten to where whenever I see it somewhere I stock up in case the mood for beef sandwiches strikes!
Same with my local store – it’s super hit and miss. Good idea to stock up when you can! :D
I’ve made this four times now – BIG HIT with the whole family! One improvement I’d suggest is that if you don’t mind another dish, sear the beef after cutting it up. It adds a little more depth to the flavor.
Love the Italian Beef, this is a great recipe!!
Have made this numerous times- we absolutely love it!!! Only difference is we didn’t have the gardeneri- and we added 1/2 bottle beer? Don’t know why- that’s the way the recipe came! Lol never investigated it! Lol. And I usually serve it with summer tomato pie- a meal fit for a king- ( and queen) ?❤️
This was delicious!! Made it yesterday. Instead of provolone I used Asiago cheese and served with onion bun instead of a hoagie. So good!
How many adults will
This serve? Love it!
This recipe should make 5-6 sandwiches!
This is my favorite recipe ever!!! Have made it for family dinner, potlucks, superbowl parties, and even just for myself! Super easy and full of flavor!!!
I have gotten a sirloin roast honey sliced or shaved by the meat department. I have added the juice and contents of mild sport peppers, banana peppers, olives, and sliced onion and celery to the pot. S&P, oregano, garlic and onion powder. I use need for the rest of the liquid and slow cook on low for 10 or so hours. This recipe looks good! We have a Portillo’s in the next town and it’s hard to drive by without stopping for a dipped beef!
This recipe is a winner. Have used again and again. Thank you for a great go-to recipe.
This sounds so good. I love cooking with my crock pot and I love all the fresh fixings you put on top of that perfectly moist and delicious looking beef! Pinning to try soon!