Slow Cooker Italian Beef

Maybe it’s because I live sort of close to Chicago, maybe it’s because I can totally see myself as a little old Italian woman in another life. I’m not sure, but I am going to tell you right now. I love Italian Beef, a whole lot! This recipe isn’t so much about lightening it up. It’s meat with flavor. You season it right, you portion it out, and you’re golden. I make this meal at least twice a month because it’s so easy, so delicious, and makes everyone in my home very, very happy.

I’ve been eating a version of this Italian Beef since I was youngin’! My mom was the same, there was always a pot of Italian beef on our menu at least once a month if not more and we always looked forward to it! The secret to making a really good pot of Italian beef is slowly cooking it for a very long period of time. I use the slow cooker because in my world, that is the easiest way to slow cook something without worrying about it on the stove. I put this in the slow cooker before I go to bed the evening before having it for dinner the next day. Doing this ensures the most tender and flavorful beef on this side of the Mississippi… I promise.

It’s always funny to me that Italian Beef isn’t a thing everywhere. Some people have never tasted a good ol’ Italian Beef sandwich and to me that’s blasphemy! I shared a photo of a pot full not too long ago on an Instagram post and some friends were calling it Mississippi Pot Roast. Friends, this is not Mississippi Pot Roast! I’ve actually never tried that recipe, but I know it calls for a stick of butter and ranch dressing mix. It sounds pretty delicious, but I know there’s no way it tastes like a delicious pot of Italian Beef, but you know what, maybe it’s the Italian Beef of the South! I can jump on board with that idea. I honestly couldn’t believe that I haven’t shared this with you yet, mostly because it is such a staple meal in our home. I hope y’all love it so much!

Another reason I love this pot o’ beef is because it can be so versatile. I use it in a number of different ways over a couple of days throughout the week, even though sandwiches are our personal favorite. Sometimes, when I am trying to eat a little less carbs I grab a bowl, place some beef inside and top with a generous helping of mozzarella cheese. Honestly, I’ve only tried doing a low carb diet a few times, but when I did this recipe was always, always on the menu when I tried to do the whole low carb thing.

Oh! Don’t forget the pepperoncinis! Mmmm mmm, goodness it’s good. Another way I enjoy this is on top of a bed of rice or mashed potatoes! It’s delicious and I’m so glad I’ve perfected it because I believe everyone should have a really good Italian Beef recipe in their arsenal. Now if you don’t have one, here you go! My gift to you. Enjoy!

In just a few quick minutes you’ll…

Grab a beef chuck roast. Some people use bottom round roast too. I personally like the chuck roast more!

Excuse the photo- odd, I know, but trim as much of the fat off that you can! I find there’s really only a few spots, and it’s pretty easy to trim.

Place it in a slow cooker.

Sprinkle this stuff on top of the roast!

Then add a little salt, a little pepper, a few cloves of chopped garlic, a bayleaf, and some pepperoncinis!

Pour in about three cups of low sodium beef broth. Don’t mix it up, just put the cover on and forget about it. Literally, forget about it for at least 16 hours. I’ve honestly left it in there for almost 24 hours before and it is just as tender as can be.

Not super photogenic after 16 hours, but holy cow, have you smelled your house? It tastes even better than the smell. I promise.

Remove from the liquid and shred it with two forks! Resist the urge to try it, ha! I’m just kidding. I totally can’t. Add about 1 cup of the broth from the slow cooker and mix it in. The beef will soak it up and add even more flavor.

And you’re done! The ways to eat it are positively endless, Stuff it in a toasty roll with some mozzarella, scoop it on top of a mountain of Homestyle Tater Cauli Mash, or just all by it’s lonesome because it’s really that delicious.

Fun Fact: When we go to order a Italian Beef somewhere you can ask for it “Dipped” I personally don’t do it this way, but my mama and Eric cannot have it any other way. So, If you’re making a sandwich go ahead and “dip it” in the broth in the crockpot and enjoy life to it’s fullest.

mmmmmm.. mountain of Italian Beef…

I’ll admit I took a few too many close ups of the sandwich I had for dinner the other night, but ya guys just don’t understand yet. It’s so delicious. I can’t wait for you to find out for yourselves. Let me know if you like it and I hope you enjoy!

With love from my kitchen to yours, 

Star

Italian Beef

Slow cooked, tender beef full of savory Italian flavor.

Print Recipe

Prep Time:5 mins

Cook Time:16 hrs

Ingredients

• 3 lb boneless chuck roast trimmed of fat
• 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 packet Italian dressing seasoning mix
• 3-4 cloves garlic minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup pepperoncinis + extra for garnish optional, but recommended
• 3 cups beef broth low sodium if available

Instructions

• In a slow cooker place chuck roast and top with kosher salt, pepper, Italian seasoning packet, minced garlic, bay leaf, and pepperoncinis. Pour beef broth over it. Cover, set to low, and cook for 16-20 hours.

Notes

Click here for WW Personal Points! (since the size of roast will vary I’m linking to the recipe builder per ounce of cooked beef chuck roast and not adding the other ingredients- this is the simplest way to do this) 

168 calories 11g fat, 4.5g saturated fat, 0g carbohydrates, 0g fiber, 0g sugar, 16g protein (per 3 ounces of cooked meat)

 

 

Author: Star @ the skinny-ish dish

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