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.
I love this recipe! I made it for the first time two weeks ago and my husband LOVED it!! And I’m a terrible cook. I’m always in a hurry due to my two kids!!! So I love crock pot recipes. I’m making this again today and we are so excited to eat it again!
My family loves these. I use both beer and broth; the more liquid the better for us. I love mine served as an open sandwich drowned in the delicious sauce.
I made this recipe over the weekend and it was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G!! My husband is originally from Chicago and says this is the best Italian Beef he’s had in 20 years! A real Chicago-style Italian Beef has a very particular flavor and this recipe nails it. Can’t wait for to make this again!
Chicken didn’t take quite as long to cook. I used 3lbs and cooked on low & it was done in about 4 1/2 hrs.
Thank you so much for sharing. I put a spin to it and used chicken. Yum yum yum.
I can’t find the Mezzetta sandwich giardiniera anywhere! :( I’ve tried Target, Randalls (Tom Thumb), World Market… no one has it. If anyone reads the comments and lives in Texas or the surround states, PLEASE let me know where you found this!
I ran a beef stand in Chicago.. I am now in Denver.
Needless to say I am horny for a good Italian Beef. So I think you have a great recipe. But I think I may try it with a pressure cooker. Should take about 45 minutes. And the meat will be infused with all the flavors. (I think) LOL. Thanks for your posting.
My giardiniera turned into gross mushy slime. If I make this again, I wouldn’t add it to the crockpot until the last hour or so of cooking.
Love this. Excellent sandwiches and I found all the same ingredient at Fareway!
I looked today for the Chicago-style mix and was unable to find it. Wondering what a reasonable substitute might be?
This beef was so delicious! I wasn’t able to find the Chicago-style mix, so I used the Vlasic Farmer’s Garden Zesty Garlic mix. It’s carrots, peppers, and pickles, so not quite the same, but I chopped up the veggies in small pieces and put in a splash of that juice, too. Super tasty! :)
If anyone has a world market in their town. I got it the mix there it’s by Marconi. Boom! Problem solved.
I live in Tucson AZ and I can’t find this “mix” anywhere! I work full time at a fire dept. and I have to cook tomorrow for my crew.
Thought this would be a good choice. Now I’m just panicking. What do I add to substitute or make something comperable to this mix?
Amanda- You are in luck. I have started a business selling giardiniera out in Arizona. AJ’s fine foods actually carries our brand called Kelsey D’s Giardiniera. I know it is a little late but at least you know for next time. Also if you are interested we can sell it to you by the gallon, so that you can keep it at the fire station for sandwiches, pizza, etc. Just contact us on our website http://www.Kelsey-ds.com !