Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches: The Ultimate Game Day Treat
Welcome back to Everyday Barbecue! Today, I’m bringing you an incredible recipe for Italian Beef Sandwiches, slow-cooked to perfection for that deep, rich flavor. This method is a little different from the one I showed you a few months ago, but trust me—it's just as mouthwatering!
We’re letting this beef cook overnight to make it fall-apart tender for my football guests tomorrow. Let’s get into it!
Ingredients You'll Need:
4 lbs beef roast (I used a mix of chuck roast and Boston arm roast)
Olive oil (for searing)
4 cups beef broth
8-9 whole garlic cloves
1 jar pepperoncini (with some juice included)
Jardiniera (a mix of pickled vegetables)
Seasonings:
Garlic powder
Basil
Oregano
Black pepper
How to Make Italian Beef Sandwiches
Step 1: Sear the Meat
Get a frying pan super hot with olive oil and sear all sides of the beef. This step adds deep, caramelized flavor that will elevate the final dish.
Step 2: Prepare the Slow Cooker
Pour 4 cups of beef broth into the slow cooker.
Add half of your seasoning mix and stir.
Place the seared roasts into the slow cooker.
Add pepperoncini (with some juice), whole garlic cloves, and jardiniera for an extra layer of flavor.
Sprinkle the remaining seasoning mix over the top.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8-12 hours (overnight).
Step 3: Shred & Let the Flavors Soak In
After about 11 hours, the beef should be fall-apart tender. Shred it directly in the slow cooker so it soaks up all the flavorful juices. Let it sit on keep warm for another hour or two before serving.
Building the Perfect Italian Beef Sandwich
What You’ll Need:
6-inch crusty Italian bread
Mozzarella slices
More jardiniera
A ladle of that delicious slow-cooker gravy
Assembly:
1. Place mozzarella slices on the bread.
2. Pile on the shredded beef—the juicier, the better!
3. Spoon over a little extra broth (but not too much—you don’t want the bread falling apart).
4. Top with more jardiniera for that extra tangy, crunchy kick.
5. Dip it into the beefy broth for the ultimate experience.
The First Bite: Absolute Perfection!
When you bite into this sandwich, the flavors explode—the tangy pepperoncini, the rich beef, the spiced broth, and the crunchy jardiniera all come together perfectly. It’s juicy, messy, and completely addictive.
I’ve been eating Italian beef sandwiches for over 40 years, and believe it or not, this was my first time having one for breakfast—and I loved it!
Final Thoughts & Tips
✔ Slow Cooking on Low: Cooking on low heat overnight ensures the beef stays flavorful and tender. Cooking on high heat tends to make the flavors disappear.
✔ Safety Tip: Leaving a slow cooker on overnight does come with some risks, so make sure your setup is safe before doing so.
✔ Customize Your Sandwich: Some people love extra spicy jardiniera, while others prefer mild peppers—make it your own!
Try It & Let Me Know!
If you love beefy, juicy, flavor-packed sandwiches, this recipe is for you! Try it out and let me know how it turns out in the comments.
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Thanks for hanging out with me today—now, I’m off to enjoy my Italian beef breakfast!
See you in the next post!
