This post may contain affiliate links. Read disclosure policy
Our Italian Beef recipe is one of our favorite meals to make in the slow cooker! The meat is so juicy and flavorful and it’s perfect on a sandwich roll. Just 5 ingredients and 10 minutes of prep!
I can’t lie to you guys. Sometimes I feel like a total weirdo with the recipes I share here.
For example, the grape jelly meatballs? That recipe has been around forever. My mama was eating those meatballs in the 70s. Then I come along and put it on the internet like it’s a new thing? Weird.
But, the fact is, many of you had never tried those meatballs and now you have and so my job here is done.
Goodbye forever.
Oh wait, no! I forgot. I have another recipe like that. It’s my Italian beef sandwich recipe. Nope, it’s probably nothing super new. Many people probably make their Italian beef just like this. But oh man. It’s a favorite.
That said, I’m aware that this recipe is totally going to get me hate mail, because “this isn’t even a recipe, it’s just a bunch of packaged crap in a crockpot.”
Then I’ll get told, “you didn’t make this up, my mom has been making this my whole life.”
But! I’m happy to risk it, because this is also a recipe that is going to get me comments like “my whole family loved this, THANK YOU!” <— Those are the people I’m trying to reach right now, k?
Much like my French dip sandwich and chicken and dumplings, this is a super easy dump and go sort of crockpot meal. Love recipes like this!
♥ What We Love About This Recipe For Italian Beef:
- Flavor: Slow cooked Italian beef is all about the flavor! Chuck roast is a tough cut of meat but it turns out super tender and flavorful after slow cooking. The Italian seasoning and banana peppers also add big flavor.
- Crowd Pleaser: We’re using a 3 to 4 pound chuck roast and that makes a lot of Italian beef for sandwiches! This makes it an excellent choice for large family gatherings or parties. You’ll likely have leftovers. See below for suggestions on how to use those up!
- Easy Peasy: This is one of those dump and go recipes! Just add everything to the crockpot and let the magic happen. When you’re ready to eat, shred the meat and make your sandwiches.
Ingredient Notes:
Chuck Roast – Chucke roast is a fatty cut of meat that can be tough if you don’t cook it properly. Luckily for us, low and slow turns it nice and tender. If your roast isn’t shredding easily, it’s just not done cooking.
Italian Dressing Mix – I’m adding two envelopes, or packets, of Italian dressing mix. Think ranch dressing mix, but for Italian dressing! You’ll find this in the salad dressing aisle.
Banana Peppers – We love these mild peppers for adding flavor without adding heat. Pepperoncini peppers could be used here in place of banana peppers, much like we do in our Mississippi pot roast.
Sandwich Rolls – You can use pretty much any type of sandwich roll, hoagie, or bun that you’d like to make the slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches! We like a sturdy, crusty French roll best.
Provolone Cheese – Our favorite cheese for topping Italian beef sandwiches! It gets perfectly melty and the flavor goes well with the spicy beef. You could use Swiss or other cheeses here instead if you have a preference.
Crockpot Recommendation!
In the market for a new slow cooker? We love this 7 quart Crockpot. It’s simple to use, cooks evenly, and is very budget friendly. Plus, it has a 4 1/2 star rating with over 5,000 reviews on Amazon!
Step by Step Instructions:
Add the chuck roast, seasoning, and peppers to the crockpot.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Shred the beef with two forks. Remove some of the juice to a small bowl for dipping sandwiches.
Fill the rolls with the shredded beef and top with cheese and extra peppers.
Pro Tip!
We like to dip our sandwiches in the liquid from the slow cooker. For the best results, strain the liquid and use a fat separator to remove the excess fat.
You can either dip it just like it is or you can boil the liquid for a bit to reduce the liquid and concentrate the flavors.
Serving Suggestions:
This crockpot Italian beef is perfect for sandwiches but there are lots of other great uses for it too. This makes a lot so you can serve sandwiches one day and use the leftovers for your next meal.
Stuffed Peppers: Stuff some bell peppers with leftover Italian beef, cooked rice, shredded cheese, and diced tomatoes. Bake until tender!
Nachos: Spread the Italian beef over tortilla chips, top with your choice of cheese (we like shredded swiss cheese!) and sprinkle on extra peppers.
Pasta: Stir the leftover beef and some of the juice into cooked egg noodles. This will be similar to our beef and noodles.
Quesadilla: Add shredded cheese and Italian beef to a tortilla and cook over medium heat in a buttered skillet until the tortilla is crispy and the cheese is melty.
Freezing & Storage Instructions:
You can keep any leftover crock pot Italian beef stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator for about 4 days. It can be reheated in the microwave.
You can freeze this Italian beef recipe too! Let it cool completely before transferring to a freezer safe bag or container. You can store it with or without the juice, or store the juice separately.
Let it thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Recipe FAQs:
It mostly comes down to the ingredients used when preparing the beef. Italian beef is prepared with Italian seasonings and peppers. Our French Dip is made with beef consomme, Au Jus gravy mix, and French onion soup.
Chuck roast is traditionally used for Italian beef and it is our favorite cut. It’s got so much flavor and just the right amount of fat.
We love these saucy Italian beef sandwiches with a side of french fries, but they also go well with a side salad, roasted veggies, or a pasta salad.
More Crockpot Recipes:
Italian Beef Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound chuck roast
- 2 packets Italian dressing seasoning see notes
- 16 ounces mild banana peppers from a jar
- 8 sandwich rolls
- 16 slices provolone cheese
- extra banana peppers for serving
Instructions
- Place chuck roast, Italian dressing seasoning, and banana peppers (with juice) into a slow cooker.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. When the meat is tender enough to easily shred, it's done cooking. If the meat is tough, continue cooking until tender.
- Shred meat with two forks and place on sandwich rolls. Remove some of the juice from the crockpot to small bowls for dipping the sandwiches.
- Top with cheese and extra banana peppers, if desired.
Lori says
Is this salty? In the past when I have used the packets came out super salty?? Looks amazing!!
Karly says
I don’t find it too salty, but if you’ve made this in the past and thought it was, then you’ll probably still think so.
Rodney Ross says
What about just onions…. Like a Philly ???
Denise says
Been making this recipe for years. Everyone loves it.
Mary Pearl says
How long do you cook the meat in the slow cooker?
Karly says
As stated in the recipe above, you can cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Courtney says
Definitely going to try looks delicious ?
Patti Robinson says
Looks amazing. I will be making very soon!!
Patti Robinson says
Looks amazing..will be making soon!!!
CINDY says
This is a great dish! I have made it for years but I also add a couple tablespoons minced garlic, chopped onion and a can of beer…
CINDY says
Oh, and I use pepperoni night peppers I stead of banana peppers
CINDY says
Pepperoncini lol
Darlene says
Cindy, do you still use the seasoning packet of Italian dressing too
Beth says
Karly it looks delicious! I have this on my radar for football season!
Jaime says
I’m making this today but wanted to get you opinion on something before I do. Do you think I could use some fresh peppers with it? Green, red and yellow? I do have some yellow pepper rings as well.
Karly says
Yep, you can toss them in the slow cooker with the beef to cook.
Joanne says
I love banana peppers and that you made this beef in a slow cooker. It looks delicious!
Jocelyn says
This looks wonderfully easy! Can you tell me please if banana peppers are spicy? My family prefers rather mild foods.
Thanks!
Karly says
They’re not spicy. They’re like pickled peppers. 🙂
Heather says
This was my question too 🙂 I’m totally going to make this. Who doesn’t live an easy yummy dinner. Thanks for sharing.
Jason Steadman says
I’m making this tonight
Jason Steadman says
A lot of people get banana peppers and pepperchinis confused. Banana peppers are very mild where pepperchinis look very similar but are pretty spicy
Anita says
There are mild and hot banana peppers. I used the mild. Both times I made it, the peppers cook down to practically nothing. It was so good even my picky eater ate it and loved it.
Heather Seeley says
Hey Karly!
I saw this picture and my mouth started salivating! This sandwich looks so good, it is going into dinner rotation this week! My husband will be sending you a thank you note for this recipe 🙂
Johanna says
It’s awesome. Add a sliced onion. And pack of brown gravy
Patti says
Hi Karly,
I totally know those meatballs with grape jelly. I still come across them at parties to this day! Still, I totally believe that nothing is new, so anyone who has a problem with you sharing a recipe that has been done before I dare them to try and find something original. Anyway, I know your readers love what you share and it may even remind them of an oldie but goodie that they forgot about. BTW your Italian beef sandwich looks delicious. I know my Italian husband would love it.
Jeannie says
Try making the meatballs with cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly. Gives them a little tang. Very good.
Karly says
I’ll give it a try!
cookbook queen says
I’ve never made this and in my opinion, it IS an actual recipe. I’ll be making ASAP (for breakfast, perhaps?! I’m starving and this looks amaze), so thanks so much 🙂
Karly says
Oh, you have to try it if you never have!! It’s so good! 🙂