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Savory Chicago Style Italian Beef Sandwich

Chicago Style Italian Beef Sandwich - featured image
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A classic Chicago-style sandwich featuring tender, slow-braised beef with a flavorful au jus, piled high on crusty Italian rolls with giardiniera and sweet peppers. This recipe is easy to make at home and perfect for casual gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 pounds top sirloin roast or chuck roast
  • 4 cups beef broth (low-sodium preferred)
  • 2 teaspoons garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced fresh
  • 1 small onion, sliced thin
  • Italian rolls or hoagie buns
  • Giardiniera (Chicago-style pickled vegetable mix), store-bought or homemade
  • Sweet roasted red peppers (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels. Season evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, and crushed red pepper flakes. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the beef roast on all sides until a deep golden crust forms, about 4-5 minutes per side.
  3. Remove the beef temporarily. In the same pot, add sliced onion and minced garlic. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 3 minutes, scraping up browned bits.
  4. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce (if using). Stir and bring to a gentle simmer.
  5. Return the beef to the pot. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently for 2 to 2.5 hours, turning the roast halfway through, until fork-tender.
  6. Remove the roast and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve and reserve the au jus.
  7. Slice the beef very thinly against the grain using a sharp knife.
  8. Split Italian rolls lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Pile on sliced beef, add giardiniera and roasted sweet peppers as desired, and drizzle or dip with warm au jus.

Notes

Do not rush the sear to develop a good crust. Keep the simmer low and steady to maintain tenderness. Turn the roast halfway through braising for even cooking. Slice beef thinly for authentic texture. Prepare giardiniera ahead to soften flavors. Use au jus for dipping or drizzling to keep sandwiches juicy. For gluten-free, substitute rolls with gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. Slow cooker method can be used by browning beef first then cooking on low for 6-8 hours.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicago Italian beef sandwich, Italian beef recipe, slow braised beef sandwich, au jus sandwich, giardiniera sandwich, homemade Italian beef

Find it online: https://swooshspice.com/savory-chicago-style-italian-beef-sandwich-recipe-easy-homemade-tutorial/