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Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe

Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe


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4.9 from 27 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Rich Italian beef sandwich brings hearty Chicago flavors to your dinner table. Tender slow-cooked beef nestled in crusty rolls creates a memorable meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 to 4 lbs (1.4 to 1.8 kg) beef chuck roast
  • 4 cups (1 liter) beef broth
  • 6 to 8 Italian rolls, split
  • 1 large onion, sliced
  • 2 sweet bell peppers, sliced and sauteed
  • 1 cup giardiniera
  • 8 slices provolone cheese (optional)
  • 2 tbsps olive oil
  • 2 tbsps Italian seasoning
  • 2 tbsps Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 1/4 cup red wine (optional)
  • hot banana peppers (optional)
  • mushrooms (optional)
  • horseradish sauce (optional)
  • roasted garlic (optional)
  • fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare a large pot over medium-high heat, drizzle olive oil, and carefully sear the beef chuck roast on all surfaces until a rich golden-brown crust forms, then transfer to a plate.
  2. In the same pot, caramelize onions until translucent and fragrant. Add garlic and quickly toast for 60 seconds, releasing its aromatic essence.
  3. Incorporate Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, crushed red pepper flakes, bay leaves, salt, and black pepper, creating a robust flavor foundation.
  4. Pour beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and optional red wine into the pot, creating a deeply flavored braising liquid.
  5. Reintroduce the seared beef, ensuring it’s fully submerged, then cover and reduce heat to low, allowing the meat to slowly tenderize for 3-4 hours at a gentle simmer.
  6. Once beef reaches fall-apart tenderness, remove from liquid and methodically shred using two forks, separating the meat into delicate strands.
  7. Return shredded beef to the aromatic broth, allowing it to absorb additional moisture and flavor for maximum succulence.
  8. Split Italian rolls lengthwise and generously layer with the succulent beef mixture.
  9. Embellish sandwiches with zesty giardiniera, sweet sauteed peppers, and optional melted provolone cheese.
  10. Customize with additional toppings like hot banana peppers, sauteed mushrooms, or a dollop of horseradish sauce, finishing with fresh parsley garnish.

Notes

  • Customize the spice level by adjusting red pepper flakes or adding hot sauce for extra kick.
  • Opt for lean chuck roast to reduce fat content while maintaining rich, tender meat texture.
  • Slow cooker method works perfectly if you prefer hands-off cooking approach.
  • Consider gluten-free rolls or lettuce wraps for low-carb alternative to traditional Italian bread.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Simmering
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 460 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 720 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 110 mg