Crock Pot Italian Beef (Italian Beef in Slow Cooker)

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!

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!

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Ingredients

The minimal work is totally worth it in this recipe. The result is tender, juicy shredded beef full of melt-in-your-mouth goodness.

For this recipe you’ll need: 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’s, sub rolls, and cheese.

The secret ingredient that may surprise you: brown sugar! That’s right, the sweetness balances out the savory flavors for a truly delicious dish.

I just have to say that this was the best italian beef recipe ever! I made it today and had my parents over and my hard to please dad loved it too!! Thank you so much for sharing this!!

– Georgia M.

How To Make Italian Beef (Crock Pot)

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.

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.

3. With an hour left in the cooking process, remove the bay leaf and shred the meat, let cook for the remaining hour.

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!

How To Serve Italian Beef

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!

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Recipe Storage

Once cooked, most roasts will last for 3 to 4 days stored in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.

You certainly can freeze this meat as well. 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.

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.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

• Slow Cooker Recipe for Mississippi Pot Roast – Seared chuck roast cooked low and slow!
• Pork Carnitas Tacos – Seasoned with a homemade rub before slow cooking!
• Slow Cooker Chili – Hearty comfort food loaded with ground beef and three kinds of beans!
• Crockpot Meatballs – A family favorite served over spaghetti!
• Slow Cooker Whiskey Honey Pulled Pork Recipe – Sweet honey, tart cider, and smoky whiskey!