Description
Hearty slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches deliver mouthwatering comfort with tender, juicy meat melting between crusty rolls. Packed with rich pepperoncini and robust seasonings, this classic sandwich promises a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 3–4 pounds beef chuck roast (boneless, well-marbled)
Seasonings and Spices:
- 1 packet Italian dressing mix
- 1 tablespoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 0.5 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquid and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 (12 ounces/340 grams) jar pepperoncini peppers (with juice)
- 0.25 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.25 cup unsalted butter
- 6–8 crusty rolls (like Italian or French rolls)
- Sliced provolone or mozzarella cheese
- Giardiniera (for serving)
Instructions
- Transfer chuck roast to slow cooker and generously coat with Italian seasoning blend, onion powder, and dried oregano.
- Cascade beef broth and whole pepperoncini peppers with their tangy liquid into the slow cooker, incorporating minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes for enhanced flavor complexity.
- Secure lid and slow cook on low temperature setting for 8-10 hours, allowing meat to become incredibly tender and easily manipulated.
- After cooking duration, carefully separate meat using two forks, meticulously shredding and reincorporating into accumulated cooking juices for maximum moisture retention.
- Crisp hoagie rolls under broiler until golden edges emerge, creating textural contrast for sandwich foundation.
- Layer generously shredded beef onto toasted rolls, strategically draping provolone cheese across warm meat surface.
- Optional: Position sandwiches under broiler for 2-3 minutes, enabling cheese to transform into melted, bubbling perfection.
- Present immediately with reserved cooking liquid as robust dipping sauce and additional pepperoncini peppers for those craving extra zesty accompaniment.
Notes
- Customize spice levels by adjusting red pepper flakes for mild or extra heat preferences.
- Use lean chuck roast for healthier option, trimming visible fat before slow cooking ensures less greasiness.
- Gluten-free alternative can be achieved by serving meat over cauliflower rice or in lettuce wraps instead of traditional hoagie rolls.
- Meal prep friendly recipe allows freezing shredded beef for up to 3 months, making quick future meals possible with simple reheating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 hours
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 53 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg