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Slow Cooker Italian Beef

Slow Cooker Italian Beef

Craving a delicious, home-cooked meal but short on time and energy? Look no further than Slow Cooker Italian Beef! This recipe is the ultimate answer to busy weeknights. Dump everything in your slow cooker for tender, flavorful beef.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3-4 lb chuck roast
  • 1 packet Italian dressing mix (1 oz)
  • 1 packet au jus gravy mix (1 oz)
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup jarred peperoncini peppers with juice
For Serving
  • Hoagie rolls
  • Giardiniera (hot or mild), optional

Equipment

  • Slow Cooker
  • Bowl
  • Large Skillet
  • Forks

Method
 

  1. Place chuck roast in your slow cooker.
  2. In a bowl, mix together Italian dressing mix, au jus gravy mix, oregano, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
  3. Sprinkle the dry mix evenly over the chuck roast.
  4. Pour beef broth and peperoncini peppers (with juice) over the roast.
  5. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-6 hours.
  6. Once cooked, shred the beef with two forks directly in the slow cooker.
  7. Serve hot on hoagie rolls, topped with giardiniera (optional).

Notes

For the most flavorful Slow Cooker Italian Beef, consider searing the roast before adding it to the slow cooker. Simply heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned. This step locks in the juices and intensifies the beefy taste. Also, use a chuck roast with good marbling. The fat will render during the long cooking process, resulting in incredibly tender and juicy beef. If you don’t have peperoncini peppers on hand, banana peppers can be substituted, although the flavor will be slightly different. And lastly, don’t discard the cooking liquid; this is liquid gold! Use it to dip your sandwiches or drizzle over the beef for extra flavor.