Description
This Italian Beef recipe features slow-cooked, tender beef roast seasoned with Italian dressing mix and pepperoncini peppers, creating a flavorful and juicy sandwich filling. Perfect for a hearty meal, it is served on sub rolls with melted cheese and a tangy, mildly spicy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 3-4 pound beef roast (chuck or blade recommended)
- 1 package Italian dressing mix or garlic herb seasoning (about 2 tbsp)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1½ cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 jar pepperoncini peppers (12oz or 375ml)
- 12 sub or hoagie rolls
- 12 slices provolone, Havarti, or mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Place the beef roast into a 4- to 6-quart slow cooker. Evenly season all sides of the beef with the Italian dressing mix or garlic herb seasoning, salt, and pepper to infuse flavor.
- Add Liquids and Peppers: Pour in the low-sodium beef broth along with ½ cup of the brine from the jar of pepperoncini peppers into the slow cooker. Top the beef with ½ cup sliced pepperoncini peppers for added taste and mild heat. For a less spicy dish, use only the brine without adding the sliced peppers.
- Slow Cook the Beef: Cover the slow cooker with the lid and cook the beef on low heat for 10 to 11 hours until the meat becomes fall-apart tender. For a quicker cooking time, cut the beef into 3 to 4 smaller pieces and cook for 8 hours on low.
- Shred and Serve: After cooking, shred the beef directly in its juices inside the slow cooker to retain maximum flavor and moisture. Serve the shredded beef on toasted sub or hoagie rolls topped with slices of provolone, Havarti, or mozzarella cheese along with extra pickled pepperoncini peppers if desired.
Notes
- Adjust spice level by varying the amount of pepperoncini juice and peppers used; using only the juice results in less heat.
- Italian beef sandwiches are traditionally served with giardiniera, but they are delicious even with just pepperoncini and cheese on a toasted bun.
- Use a chuck or blade roast for the best tenderness and flavor after slow cooking.
- Low-sodium beef broth helps control saltiness while maintaining savory depth.
- Toasting the rolls enhances texture and complements the juicy beef filling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
