This Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe is one of our favorite Chuck Roast Recipes! It's as easy as searing a roast and adding it to the slow cooker with a jar of pepperoncinis and an Italian salad dressing packet. Simple ingredients and 10 minutes of minimal effort deliver flavorful, tender, juicy shredded beef sandwiches that are popular with the whole family!
As a bonus, Pepperoncini Beef is such an easy dinner to make for a crowd, great to make ahead, and even good to freeze. Read on for our tried and true tips to make this the best dinner of your week!
Slow cooker chuck roast recipes are a tired momma's dream come true - easy, filling, and healthy all at the same time. I think that's why this Crock Pot Chuck Roast is consistently one of our most popular, highly rated recipes.
Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches are no exception and add to a collection of other one pan dinner recipes we've tested and perfected for real people - like you - who want to serve their family really yummy food. A constant crowd-pleaser, we made sure to add these to our collection of game day recipes as well! So enjoy!
Skip to:
- Ingredients for pepperoncini beef sandwiches
- How to choose a chuck roast
- Helpful tools for Crock Pot recipes
- How to make Italian beef sandwiches in the slow cooker
- How to store, freeze, and reheat shredded beef
- What sides go with Italian beef sandwiches?
- FAQ
- Tips and tricks
- More sandwich recipes
- Recipe
- Comments
Ingredients for pepperoncini beef sandwiches
You need 8 basic ingredients to make the most tender roast beef sandwiches. This recipe is also similar to a Mississippi pot roast, so you can serve it with a side of mashed potatoes instead of buns if you prefer.
- Olive oil: You can substitute with avocado oil or your personal preference.
- Chuck roast: I really find this the best cut to get fall-apart shredded beef every time without fail. You can substitute with a rump roast or top sirloin, but it may not be as tender.
- Beef broth: Use canned, a carton, or warm water mixed with beef bouillon.
- Jar of sliced pepperoncini peppers: These are pickled sweet chili peppers - they have a bit of spice, but mostly just tang and delicious flavor. We typically buy Mezzetta brand because that's what our grocery stores carry, but any brand will do.
- Italian salad dressing mix: You can use Good Seasons brand or your favorite. If you don't have a packet on hand, substitute with a mixture of garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasonings (quantities are in the notes of the recipe card).
- Hoagie rolls: Any soft rolls you like! You can also do crusty bread or french bread cut into pieces.
- Softened butter: I always use salted, but unsalted butter is fine too.
- Provolone cheese: Sliced or shredded work fine here. Smoked provolone cheese is also great.
- Optional: Some people like to add drained and chopped giardiniera, which is a mix of Italian pickled vegetables. This is especially common in authentic Chicago-style sandwiches. We don't use it, but feel free to add it.
How to choose a chuck roast
When choosing a chuck roast, look for one that is relatively even in thickness and marbled with fat throughout. Remember, fat is good because it breaks down as it cooks, keeping the roast super moist and tender.
Select beef that is a deep red color, and avoid any that are turning a grayish brown since that is a sign of older meat. Finally, choose a roast that is between 3-4 lbs to generously serve 6-8 people.
How to make Italian beef sandwiches in the slow cooker
Cooking dinner always goes smoother when everything is ready, so my top tip is to read through the recipe fully and grab out all your ingredients before you start.
For more tips, check out our Ultimate Guide: How to Cook Chuck Roast in the Crock Pot.
Start by heating a large skillet over high heat. We love our 12 inch cast iron skillet for this.
Rub the chuck roast all over with oil, then sear each side in the hot pan for 2-3 minutes until a nice golden crust has formed. Now move it to the slow cooker.
Pour the beef stock into the hot pan and simmer for about 30 seconds, using a spatula to scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Brown bits = flavor!
Then pour the liquid into the slow cooker.
Next add the sliced pepperoncinis, ⅓ cup of the juice from the jar, and the Italian seasonings packet on top of the roast. Swish it around a little to combine.
Cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
Once the meat is super tender and easily falls apart when prodded with a fork, use tongs to carefully move it to a cutting board. Use two forks to gently separate any remaining fatty sections and discard the fat.
Then use the forks to pull the meat apart, shredding it into small or medium pieces. Stir the shredded meat back in with the juices in the crock pot.
Time to assemble! Spread a little bit of softened butter on each roll and toast it under your broiler for 2-3 minutes, or until the edges are a toasty golden brown.
Pile each roll with juicy shredded Italian beef and add a slice of provolone cheese (you can pop it back under the broiler if you want the cheese to melt extra fast). Enjoy!
How to store, freeze, and reheat shredded beef
- To store: Save leftover beef with all the remaining cooking liquids poured on top in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Store the bread at room temperature and the cheese separately in the fridge.
- To reheat: You can reheat the beef in the microwave for about 1-2 minutes per serving, or until warmed through. I suggest using a spoon to scoop some of the leftover liquids onto the meat to keep it moist (they may be hardened from the fridge, but will melt when reheated).
- To freeze: You can freeze leftover crockpot Italian beef in an airtight freezer bag or container for 2-3 months. When you need an easy meal, thaw it at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, then assemble your sandwiches with fresh hoagie buns.
What sides go with Italian beef sandwiches?
- Chips
- French fries
- Fresh fruit
- Italian chopped salad
- Coleslaw
- Italian sausage soup
- Pickels
- Roasted broccoli or other veggies
FAQ
The chuck roast is done when it is fall-apart tender, meaning that it very easily shreds when you pull it apart with two forks. If it still feels a little tough at the end of the cooking time, continue to cook it for 30-60 minutes and check again.
The traditional choice is provolone cheese or smoked provolone because it has a mild flavor that pairs well with the tangy peppers. You could also try sliced swiss cheese or shredded mozzarella cheese.
Although they are similar in appearance, banana peppers have a brighter yellow, waxy skin while pepperoncinis are smaller, more wrinkly, and have a yellow-green hue. Pepperoncinis are also a bit spicier. Read more about the differences between banana peppers and pepperoncinis here.
Italian beef is shredded and often made with sweet Italian peppers, giardiniera and seasonings. French dip sandwiches are made with thinly sliced roast beef, swiss cheese, and a signature au jus sauce. Philly cheesesteak is made with thinly shaved beef and cooked on a griddle with bell peppers and melted cheese.
Tips and tricks
- Searing the meat is what really develops great flavor. It's worth the extra step!
- Definitely toast the buns - it makes this feel like a restaurant experience! It's the simple things that make the difference.
- This meat will hold well on "keep warm" in the slow cooker if it's done before you're ready to serve dinner.
More sandwich recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
This post was photographed by the talented Rhadonda Sedgwick.
Recipe
Yummy Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe (Slow Cooker)
Equipment
- 12 inch cast iron skillet or non-stick skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 3 lb chuck roast
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 16oz jar sliced pepperoncinis
- 1 0.07oz Italian salad dressing packet such as Good Seasons brand (substitution in notes)
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- 6 hoagie rolls
- 3 tablespoon butter softened
- 6 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over high heat. Rub the chuck roast all over with oil. Once the pan is hot, sear each side of the roast for 2-3 minutes. Place the roast in a slow cooker.1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 lb chuck roast
- Pour the beef broth into the hot skillet and simmer for 30 seconds, scraping up the brown bits. Pour into the slow cooker.2 cups beef broth
- Drain the pepperoncinis, but save ⅓ cup of the juice. Add the drained pepperoncinis, ⅓ cup pepperoncini juice, Italian salad dressing packet, salt and pepper to the slow cooker. Use tongs to mix it around.1 16oz jar sliced pepperoncinis, 1 0.07oz Italian salad dressing packet, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground pepper
- Cook on low for 8-9 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. The meat should easily fall apart when prodded at the end of the cooking time.
- Remove the tender meat onto a cutting board. Gently separate the meat form the fatty sections and discard the fat. Shred the remaining meat with two forks, then place back into the Crock Pot and stir with the juices.
- To serve, spread the hoagie rolls with butter and broil in the oven until lightly golden brown. Assemble sandwiches with shredded beef and provolone cheese. Enjoy!6 hoagie rolls, 3 tablespoon butter, 6 slices provolone cheese
Notes
- Searing the meat is what really develops great flavor. It's worth the extra step!
- Definitely toast the buns - it makes this feel like a restaurant experience! It's the simple things that make the difference.
- This meat will hold well on "keep warm" in the slow cooker if it's done before you're ready to serve dinner.
Add Your Own Notes
Nutrition
All nutrition information is provided by a third party and is an estimate only. Use your own nutritional calculator for more specific measurements.
Roxie says
I'm not a very good cook, but I followed the instructions carefully, and although I used a 3 quart slow cooker...oh my gosh! This recipe was SO good, the beef practically melted in my mouth.
But the real test was my grown son, he absolutely loved these sandwiches!! Thank you so much:)
Misty says
Reading this made my day!! We're so happy you liked it. Thank you for taking the time to share!
Betsy says
An hour after dinner and my teen sons and husband are still talking about how good it was!
Misty says
That is the best feedback! We love to hear that. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Lee says
So yummy for being so dang easy!