This Slow Cooker Italian Beef is an easy dinner recipe inspired by the Chicago staple that has so much flavor it will literally melt in your mouth!
If you love easy slow cooker recipes, you might also enjoy my Slow Cooker Mexican Chicken, Barbacoa Beef, and Apple Cider Chicken!
You will love this Italian Beef Recipe!
If you hate spending a lot of time in the kitchen, you’re going to want to keep this Slow Cooker Italian Beef Recipe handy! This isn’t your average Roast Beef Recipe, it’s PACKED with flavor!
Now, this isn’t exactly a meal you can make in a pinch; it takes several hours to cook. However, the majority of this meal is made in the crockpot, meaning lots of hands-off time for you!
It only takes a few minutes to prep this Italian Beef, and your slow cooker will do the rest. And as it roasts during the day, your house will smell like some good home cooking!
What Is Italian Beef?
Italian beef is traditionally a sandwich. It originated in Chicago and is made with thin slices of seasoned roast beef that’s been simmered and served au jus on a long Italian-style roll.
In this recipe, the roast was slow-cooked and shredded, but you’ll still find a similar flavor profile that everyone has come to love!
While it looks like there are lots of ingredients in this recipe, don’t be intimidated. Most are seasonings, like sea salt, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Plus, some beef broth makes it extra mouthwatering.
There’s also a secret ingredient that may surprise you: brown sugar! That’s right, the sweetness balances out the savory flavors for a truly delicious dish.
And let me tell you, all that (minimal) work is totally worth it. The result is tender, juicy shredded beef full of melt-in-your-mouth goodness.
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Ingredients
- chuck roast
- sea salt
- ground pepper
- beef broth
- dried oregano
- dried basil
- dried parsley
- onion powder
- garlic powder
- bay leaf
- light brown sugar
- Italian-style salad dressing mix
- red pepper flakes
- pepperoncini juice
- pepperoncini peppers
What cut of meat is used for Italian beef?
This recipe uses chuck roast which is the most common meat for Italian Beef.
How To Make Italian Beef (Crock Pot)
This is a really easy recipe to make – a little sear time and a slow cook result in a deliciously tender roast that melts in your mouth!
Step 1: Begin by rubbing the chuck roast with about a teaspoon each of salt and pepper and sear on all sides. Transfer the roast to a slow cooker.
Step 2: Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, then pour them over the roast and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours.
Step 3: With an hour left in the cooking process, remove the bay leaf and shred the meat, let cook for the remaining hour.
Step 4: Enjoy as a Chicago-style sandwich on a hoagie roll with pepperoncini, provolone, and au jus or over rice or mashed potatoes. You could also add marinated bell peppers for an additional pop of flavor!
This meat is the perfect filling for a hearty Italian Beef Sandwich. Put it on a sub roll, add pepperoncini peppers and provolone cheese, and serve it au jus for a scrumptious lunch.
Or, you can turn this crock pot recipe into a simple dinner. Serve some spiced shredded beef over rice with a side of veggies or mashed potatoes.
Again, pour those flavorful juices on top, and you won’t regret it!
How long to cook Italian Beef in Crock Pot
This roast will need about 8 to 10 hours on low to reach fall-apart status, but only 4 to 5 hours on high.
How to make Au Jus for Italian Beef
The Au Jus is just the sauce that the roast cooks in. This is made with beef broth, seasonings, a little brown sugar, and the natural juices that come off the roast.
The Au Jus can be used for dipping in or to moisten the meat back up when reheating.
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Recipe Storage
How long is Italian Beef good for in fridge?
Once cooked, most roasts will last for 3 to 4 days stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Can You Freeze Italian Beef?
You certainly can freeze it. Simply package it up in freezer bags, making sure to squeeze as much air as possible out of them, and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply transfer it to the refrigerator.
Slow Cooker Italian Beef FAQs
Roast beef is usually made with leaner roasts like top loin or round roast whereas Italian Beef is always made with chuck roast.
The flavors also different in that roast beef is very traditional in terms of flavor and is made with garlic, salt, pepper, and sometimes wine. Italian Beef is bursting with Italian seasoning and bright pepperoncini juice.
The most likely reason is that is needs to cook longer, try an additional hour on high or an additional two hours on low and see if that helps.
No. Italian Beef is the signature beef sandwich of Chicago and a cheesesteak is a Philadelphia classic. Italian beef is a slow cooked roast and a cheesecake is usually made with shaved steak on a flat top or in a skillet.
This Slow Cooker Italian Beef is a great recipe for serving at intimate gatherings and game days alike! Plus, all that hands-off time means more mingling and less time in the kitchen!
But let’s face it, there’s no wrong time to have tasty, tender beef. No matter how you eat or serve it, I promise, you’ll definitely enjoy this wonderful recipe!
Let’s Connect!
If you’ve tried this recipe, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below and leave a review. I love hearing from you!
Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there, where you can join our recipe challenges!
Crock Pot Italian Beef (Italian Beef in Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
- 5 pound chuck roast
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 2 teaspoons ground pepper
- 3 cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 package Italian-style salad dressing mix dry
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ½ cup pepperoncini juice from jar
- pepperoncinis optional for topping
- sub rolls, optional for serving
- provolone, optional for serving
Instructions
- Rub the roast with about a teaspoon each of salt and pepper and sear on all sides. Transfer the roast to a slow cooker.5 pound chuck roast, 2 teaspoons sea salt, 2 teaspoons ground pepper
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, then pour over the roast and cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or high for 4 to 5 hours.2 teaspoons sea salt, 3 cups beef broth, 1 teaspoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon dried basil, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon onion powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 bay leaf, ¼ cup light brown sugar, 1 package Italian-style salad dressing mix, ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, ½ cup pepperoncini juice, 2 teaspoons ground pepper
- With an hour left in the cooking process, remove the bay leaf and shred the meat, let cook for the remaining hour.
- Enjoy as a sandwich with pepperoncini, provolone, and au jus or over rice or mashed potatoes.pepperoncinis, sub rolls,, provolone,
Video
Notes
- The Italian Seasoning package has about 1 tablespoon of spices in it. If you are using another brand or a homemade version, I would recommend using that amount.
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Comments & Reviews
Robin says
Hello, just finished putting everything in the crock pot, but one question, you have 1/4 cup light brown sugar in list of ingredients, but never mention it in instructions…. I also don’t see where anyone else questioned this, do I add 1/4 cup of brown sugar in crock pot with rest of ingredients?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Robin, it’s listed in step 2.
TJ says
This is my new favorite thing to do with a chuck roast. Easy to make, even my picky eater devoured it. Only bad thing is smelling it cook for 9 hours before we could eat it!
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m so glad even your picky eater loves it! Thanks for coming back to leave a comment!
lee says
Many slow cookers won’t hold a 5 lb. chuck roast. I have a 6 qt. slow cooker and a 3 lb. roast just barely fits in it. It would be good if you made adjustments to the recipe for a smaller amount of meat.
Donna says
What do you do to make your au jus?
Rebecca Hubbell says
It’s just the juice leftover in the crockpot.
Jill Harder says
Does it matter if you start with your chuck roast frozen vs thawed? THANKS!
Rebecca Hubbell says
You could but you wouldn’t get the sear which I think is essential. Add an extra cup of liquid to the roast and cook for an extra 2 hours on high or 4 on low.
Elaine says
Delicious!!! The delicious smell more than matched the flavors.
Hannah says
Easy to make and a definite crowd pleaser.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed it!
Jessica says
I only 2lbs pound roast almost 3 how long should I cook it?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Probably 6 to 8 hours on low or 3 to 4 on high.
Susan says
This recipe is excellent. It is a keeper ❤️
Rebecca Hubbell says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Kate says
My family loved it! Will be a repeat meal for us for sure!!
Sharon Klenner says
Excellent recipe. Used two chuck roasts to equal five pounds w high worked out well. Served the day after I made it which allowed flavors to marinate. Did niy add peporicini to meat …served it on the side.
Tina says
I used the full 2Tbsp salt and pepper for the rub. High for 2 hours then had to leave so switched to low for the remaining 4 hours and it turned out super tender and easy to shred. For the au jus, do I just strain the spices and serve that liquid?
Thanks
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Tina, We don’t usually strain it, but you can!
Barbara says
Great recipe! It has so much flavor and a lil spice. I served it my son’s grad party and it was a huge hit. Thanks!
Rebecca Hubbell says
So glad everyone enjoyed it!
Kay says
Should the meat be easy to shred? Mine seems slightly tough with just about two hours remaining on low.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Kay, yes, it should be very easy to shred, it’s possible it will just need longer.
Linda says
This looks delicious!, one question tho…it shows to use 2t of salt and pepper but only rub the roast with 1t of each. Does the other teaspoon of salt and pepper go into the large bowl that gets whisked with the remaining ingredients? Thx so much for yr reply!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Linda, yes, the remaining salt and pepper gets whisked in with the other ingredients!
Deborah says
I tried this recipe for dinner today and it was ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS! Thank you for sharing it. My family loved it.
Rebecca Hubbell says
I’m so glad you loved it, Deborah! It’s definitely one of our favorites too!
Rebecca says
Hi! I want to make this but i will have to cook it on high because i dont have 8hrs. Will it still be as tender doing it that way?
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Rebecca, It will cook through on high in less time but there is a risk that it won’t shred or be as tender as low and slow usually lead to the most tender beef.
Chelsea says
Love! But SO much leftover! Can you tell me the best way to save this?!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Chelsea, It will store well in an airtight container in the fridge and is very easy to reheat in the microwave. We use the leftovers on so many things – mashed potatoes, rice, sandwiches, quesadillas, tacos – it’s a super flavorful and versatile meat recipe!
Kelly says
Love the slow cooker Italian beef recipe, looking forward to trying more!!
Rebecca Hubbell says
Glad you enjoyed it, Kelly!
Karly says
Amazing! Making this for sure!!
Julie Brock says
Hi, what could I use instead of the dry salad mix and peperoncini. We don’t hace them in Australia.
Thanks
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Julie, Do you have Italian Seasonings mix or banana peppers?
Julie says
Do you mean the dry Italian seasonings (oregano etc)
Rebecca Hubbell says
Yes, something that would have a blend of oregano, basil, garlic, onion, etc. OR you could make the mix at home with this recipe: https://bakeatmidnite.com/copycat-good-seasons-italian/
Deanna says
Pardon me but how much Italian seasoning would we use or the homemade mix link you provided. Thanks.
Rebecca Hubbell says
Hi Deanna, the packages have just under 1 tablespoon of seasoning in them 🙂