Authentic Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich
Experience the true taste of Chicago with this authentic Italian beef sandwich recipe. This recipe captures the heart of Chicago's culinary roots and brings the essence of the iconic beef sandwich right to your home kitchen. With the perfect blend of tender beef, savory broth, and spicy pepperoncini, it’s a taste of Chicago that can’t be missed. Patience is key for this slow-cooked delight, but the end result is worth every minute.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
rump roast
5 lbs (none)
beef consomme
20.5 oz (two 10.25 oz cans)
Good Seasonings Italian salad dressing mix
1 oz (package)
pepperoncini peppers
0.5-1 jar (according to spiciness preference)
giardiniera
0.5-1 jar (according to preference)
sweet green peppers
3-5 (cut into lengthwise strips)
long thin French bread
1 loaf (cut into 6-inch lengths and sliced lengthwise)
Instructions
1
Place the rump roast in a large Crockpot.
2
Add the beef consomme and Italian salad dressing mix over the meat.
3
Add the pepperoncini peppers and giardiniera to the pot.
4
Cover the Crockpot and cook on LOW setting for 18 hours.
5
Flip the roast at intervals of 6 hours and again at 12 hours to ensure even cooking.
6
One hour before the meat is done, slice the sweet green peppers lengthwise into 1/8th inch strips.
7
Cook the sliced green peppers in water over low heat until they become soft.
8
Carefully remove the roast from the Crockpot and shred using two forks.
9
Slice the French bread into 6-inch pieces and cut each piece lengthwise.
10
Using tongs, generously pile the shredded beef, along with the juices, onto each bread slice.
11
Top the beef with the cooked green pepper strips.
12
Season with salt to taste.
13
Serve hot. For the full experience, enjoy it 'wet' with extra juice spooned over the sandwich.
14
Leftover sandwiches can be wrapped and frozen for later enjoyment.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an authentic Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich?
It is a traditional sandwich featuring tender shredded beef, savory broth, and spicy pepperoncini or giardiniera, served on French bread.
What cut of meat is used in this recipe?
This recipe calls for a 5 lb rump roast.
How long should the beef cook in the Crockpot?
The beef should be cooked on a LOW setting for 18 hours.
How often should I flip the roast during cooking?
You should flip the roast every 6 hours (at the 6-hour and 12-hour marks) to ensure even cooking.
What liquids are used to cook the beef?
The recipe uses 20.5 oz of beef consomme, which is approximately two 10.25 oz cans.
Which seasoning mix is recommended for the broth?
Use a 1 oz package of Good Seasonings Italian salad dressing mix.
How do I adjust the spiciness of the sandwich?
You can adjust the heat by using between 0.5 to 1 jar of pepperoncini and giardiniera based on your preference.
How are the sweet green peppers prepared?
Slice the peppers into 1/8th inch strips and cook them in water over low heat until soft.
When should I start preparing the green peppers?
Start cooking the green peppers one hour before the meat is finished cooking.
What is the best way to shred the cooked beef?
Carefully remove the roast from the Crockpot and use two forks to shred the meat.
What type of bread is best for this sandwich?
A long thin loaf of French bread is recommended for authenticity.
How should the bread be sliced?
Cut the French bread into 6-inch lengths and then slice each piece lengthwise.
What does it mean to serve the sandwich 'wet'?
Serving it 'wet' means spooning extra juices from the Crockpot over the assembled sandwich for a full Chicago-style experience.
Can I freeze the leftover sandwiches?
Yes, you can wrap and freeze leftover sandwiches for later enjoyment.
Should the meat be served hot or cold?
This sandwich is best served hot.
Do I need to add salt to the beef?
The recipe suggests seasoning the assembled sandwich with salt to taste.
What is giardiniera?
Giardiniera is a mixture of pickled vegetables that adds spice and texture to the sandwich.
Can I use a high setting on the Crockpot?
The recipe specifically calls for a LOW setting to ensure the meat becomes tender over 18 hours.
How much beef consomme is needed?
You will need two 10.25 oz cans, totaling 20.5 oz of beef consomme.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 main ingredients: rump roast, beef consomme, dressing mix, pepperoncini, giardiniera, green peppers, and French bread.
Is this a traditional Chicago recipe?
Yes, it is designed to capture the heart of Chicago's culinary roots.
How do I assemble the sandwich correctly?
Use tongs to pile shredded beef and juices onto the bread, then top with the cooked green pepper strips.
Can I use smaller cuts of meat?
The recipe is written for a 5 lb roast, so cooking times and seasoning may vary for smaller cuts.
What size should the green pepper strips be?
The strips should be approximately 1/8th of an inch thick.
Do I cook the green peppers in the same pot as the beef?
No, the green peppers are cooked separately in water on the stove.
What kind of pepperoncini should I use?
The recipe suggests using half to a full jar, depending on your spiciness preference.
Is patience important for this recipe?
Yes, the 18-hour slow-cooking process is key to achieving the desired tenderness.
How do I serve the sandwich for the full experience?
Enjoy it 'wet' by adding extra juice from the pot directly onto the bread.
Should the beef be sliced or shredded?
This specific recipe directs you to shred the beef using forks rather than slicing it.
What brand of dressing mix is mentioned?
The recipe mentions Good Seasonings Italian salad dressing mix.