The Juiciest Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe in Your Instant Pot

Crafting a mouthwatering italian beef sandwich in an instant pot promises pure culinary magic.

Tender meat slowly simmers, absorbing rich seasonings and transforming into a delectable masterpiece.

Juicy layers of succulent beef melt in your mouth with each incredible bite.

Regional chicago traditions inspire this hearty comfort classic that speaks directly to hungry souls.

Pressure cooking delivers incredible flavor depth and remarkable tenderness in record time.

Simple ingredients combine to create something extraordinary that will wow anyone gathering around the table.

Prepare to experience a sandwich that turns an ordinary meal into an unforgettable feast.

Pressure Cooker Perfection: Italian Beef Sandwiches

• Speed Up Weeknight Dinners: Instant Pot transforms tough chuck roast into tender, juicy meat in a fraction of traditional cooking time, making it perfect for busy families.
• Customize with Ease: Versatile recipe allows simple ingredient swaps and toppings like giardiniera or provolone cheese, letting everyone create their dream sandwich.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimal cleanup with single pot cooking means less time washing dishes and more time enjoying a delicious meal together.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Bold Italian-inspired flavors and hearty meat make this sandwich a guaranteed hit for gatherings, potlucks, or casual family meals.

Instant Pot Italian Beef: Ingredient List

• Chuck Roast: A flavorful and tender cut perfect for slow cooking and shredding.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing the meat's natural flavors.
• Oregano, Basil, Red Pepper Flakes: Provide classic Italian herb and spice profile for depth and warmth.

• Beef Broth: Creates a rich, savory cooking liquid for the meat.
• Italian Salad Dressing: Adds tangy and herbal notes to the meat.
• Olive Oil: Used for browning the meat and providing a smooth cooking base.
• Onion, Garlic: Develop a foundational flavor base for the recipe.
• Pepperoncini and Brine: Introduce a mild, tangy pepper element and additional moisture.

• French Rolls, Hoagie Buns: Traditional bread choices for serving the shredded beef.
• Giardiniera: Pickled vegetable mix that adds crunch and zesty flavor.
• Provolone Cheese: Creamy cheese option to complement the savory beef.

Making Tender Beef Sandwiches, Fast

Step 1: Spice Up The Roast

Generously coat the chuck roast with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring every surface gets seasoned for maximum flavor.

Step 2: Sizzle And Brown

Turn on the Instant Pot’s sauté mode and add olive oil.

Carefully brown the meat in batches, creating a delicious golden crust that locks in rich flavors.

Step 3: Create Aromatic Base

Remove the browned meat and sauté the onions until they become translucent and fragrant.

• Minced garlic
• Dried oregano
• Dried basil
• Red pepper flakes

Stir the spices to release their incredible aromas and develop a deep flavor profile.

Step 4: Build The Liquid Foundation

• Beef broth
• Italian salad dressing

Use a wooden spoon to scrape up all the delicious browned bits from the bottom of the pot, ensuring no flavor gets left behind.

Step 5: Combine And Pressure Cook

Return the meat to the pot and add pepperoncini peppers along with their tangy brine.

Seal the Instant Pot and cook on high pressure for 40 minutes.

Step 6: Shred And Transform

Once cooking is complete, quickly release the pressure.

Use two forks to shred the meat, creating tender, juicy strands that are packed with flavor.

Step 7: Serve And Enjoy

Pile the succulent beef onto French rolls or hoagie buns.

Optional toppings include spicy giardiniera and melted provolone cheese for extra excitement.

Instant Pot Beef Tips for Success

• Pat the chuck roast dry before seasoning to help achieve a perfect golden-brown crust during searing.
• Let the cooked beef rest for 10-15 minutes after shredding to help retain moisture and improve tenderness.
• Adjust red pepper flakes based on your heat preference, adding more for extra kick or reducing for milder taste.
• Toast the rolls with provolone cheese under the broiler for a crispy, melted topping that adds extra richness.
• This sandwich filling freezes beautifully for up to 3 months, making it perfect for meal prep and quick weeknight dinners.

Flavor Variations for Italian Beef

• Slow Cooker Version: Replace Instant Pot with a slow cooker, cook on low for 8-10 hours until meat is tender and easily shredded.
• Vegetarian Jackfruit Swap: Substitute chuck roast with young jackfruit, using vegetable broth and matching seasonings for a plant-based alternative.
• Spicy Chipotle Remix: Add chipotle peppers in adobo sauce for a smoky, intense heat profile that transforms the classic Italian beef flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Option: Serve shredded beef over cauliflower rice or wrapped in large lettuce leaves instead of bread, eliminating carbohydrate-heavy rolls.

Classic & Fun Ways to Serve Italian Beef Sandwiches

• Hearty Family Feast: Serve these sandwiches with crispy potato chips or a tangy coleslaw for a complete meal that satisfies everyone.
• Spicy Sidekick: Add extra red pepper flakes or hot giardiniera for those who love a kick of heat with their sandwich.
• Cheese Lover's Dream: Melt provolone directly on the sandwich under the broiler for a golden, bubbly cheese topping that elevates the entire dish.
• Leftover Magic: Transform remaining beef into a delicious topping for nachos or stuff into quesadillas for a next-day meal that's equally delicious.

Storing Italian Beef Sandwiches

• Store shredded beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Cover with remaining cooking liquid to keep meat moist and prevent drying out.
• Transfer cooled beef to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air, seal tightly, and freeze for 2-3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place shredded beef in a microwave-safe dish, add a splash of beef broth or cooking liquid. Cover and heat on 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to ensure even warming.

FAQs

• What makes Italian beef different from regular roast beef?

Italian beef is slow-cooked in a flavorful broth with pepperoncini and Italian seasonings, creating a juicier, more seasoned meat compared to traditional roast beef.

• Can I make this recipe without an Instant Pot?

Yes, you can use a slow cooker or Dutch oven. For slow cooker, cook on low for 8 hours. For Dutch oven, braise in the oven at 325°F for 3-4 hours until meat is tender.

• Is Italian beef spicy?

The recipe has mild heat from red pepper flakes and pepperoncini. You can adjust spice level by reducing or increasing red pepper flakes or adding hot giardiniera.

Italian Beef Sandwich (Instant Pot) Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 17 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 6 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Hearty Italian beef sandwich delivers Chicago’s legendary street fare straight to kitchen tables with rich, savory flavors. Tender meat, pepperoncini-infused jus, and crisp rolls combine for a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat:

• 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chuck roast (trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces)

Seasonings and Herbs:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Liquid and Accompaniments:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion (thinly sliced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth (low sodium)
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) Italian salad dressing
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) pepperoncini (sliced)
• 2 tablespoons pepperoncini brine
• 6 French rolls or hoagie buns
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) giardiniera (drained and chopped)
• Provolone cheese (sliced, optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Generously coat chuck roast with salt and black pepper for deep flavor infusion.
2. Heat Instant Pot on saute mode, drizzle olive oil, and methodically brown meat sections to develop rich caramelization.
3. Transfer browned meat, then sauté onions until translucent and fragrant, introducing minced garlic, oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes to enhance aromatic complexity.
4. Deglaze pot with beef broth and Italian salad dressing, carefully scraping accumulated browned fragments from bottom surface.
5. Reintroduce meat to liquid, incorporate pepperoncini and accompanying brine for tangy undertones.
6. Secure Instant Pot lid, pressurize at high setting for 40 minutes to tenderize meat completely.
7. Perform rapid pressure release, then utilize two forks to meticulously shred meat into succulent strands.
8. Assemble sandwiches on French rolls or hoagie buns, optional garnishing with zesty giardiniera and melted provolone cheese for additional texture and flavor dimensions.

Notes

• Check meat temperature carefully to ensure it’s fully cooked but still tender and juicy.
• Trim excess fat from chuck roast before seasoning for leaner sandwich option.
• Using low-sodium beef broth helps control salt content for health-conscious eaters.
• Customize heat level by adjusting red pepper flakes or choosing mild/spicy pepperoncini.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 485 kcal
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 730 mg
• Fat: 24 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 38 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 37 g
• Cholesterol: 110 mg