Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches

Sharing is caring!

There are a lot of variations to Crock Pot Italian Beef Sandwiches, but this recipe is the western Pennsylvania version; and in my opinion, THE BEST version. I promise your family will love it!

This post contains affiliate links

Crock pot Italian Beef Sandwiches are so easy, you just dump and go, no searing necessary. The meat is melt-in-your-mouth juicy and flavorful. It’s the perfect recipe for a weeknight dinner as well as a large party.

What Makes This Italian Beef Sandwich Different?

Some recipes for crock pot Italian Beef Sandwiches include pepperoncini’s, dry Italian salad dressing mix, or giardiniera. But the western Pennsylvania version (specifically Pittsburgh) is cooked in a red sauce containing chili sauce, celery, onion, and seasoning. It results in a mouthwatering sandwich!

When I was growing up I remember this recipe being served in giant chafing dishes at every large family gathering. Italian beef sandwiches were a staple at large get togethers because they were easy to make, they fed a crowd, and everyone loved them!

What You’ll Need

Find the full, printable recipe with exact measurements at the bottom of this post. Read on for more details and tips!

On the recipe card below, click “print recipe” and from there you can print out the page or screenshot it to save to your phone’s photo album.

Pin this recipe to save to Pinterest so you can make it later! You can Pin It from the recipe card below. Just click the “Pin Recipe” button. If you’d like to follow me on Pinterest , my page is Steph Gigliotti.

• 6- 7 quart Crock Pot
• Chuck roast– or a rump roast or pot roast style meat
• Celery stalk , finely chopped
• Onion 
• Ketchup
• White vinegar
• Seasonings- salt, pepper, oregano, garlic powder, Italian seasoning
• Water
• Chili sauce
• Worcestershire sauce
• Provolone cheese slices, for serving 
• Sandwich rolls, for serving
• Meat claws or large forks for shredding

How To Make It

This is a dump and go type of dish! It’s as easy as throwing all the ingredients in the crock pot and turning it on! You can sear the beef, if you prefer, but it’s not necessary. Save yourself the extra step. 😉

• Prep: Place the chuck roast in the crock pot. Whisk together the water, celery, onion, seasonings, worchestershire sauce, and chili sauce and pout it over the beef
• Cook: Cook on low for 6- 8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the beef is tender
• Serve: Using the meat claws or two forks, shred the beef and return it to the pot and mix with the juices. Serve the shredded beef on buns with a slice of provolone cheese

Did you enjoy this recipe? Take a picture and tag me @StephGigliotti on social media and #StephRealLife. I would absolutely love to see your finished dish!

⭐ Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comment section. 📌Save this recipe to make later and share with a friend!

Storage

• Cool the beef completely. Store the beef in an air tight container up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in a pot on the stove or in the microwave.
• Freeze the cooled beef up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator over night, microwave or heat on the stove.

Freezer Prep Instructions

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Slice the beef roast into large chunks (if desired for easier shredding later). Add the beef, celery, and onions, to a large freezer-safe bag or container.
2. Add the Seasonings and Broth:
   Add in the ketchup, vinegar, all seasonings, chili sauce, and Worcestershire sauce.
3. Label and Freeze: Seal the bag tightly, removing as much air as possible. Label with the recipe name, date, and cooking instructions (see below).
   Freeze flat for easy storage. The mixture can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Thaw & Cook

1. Thaw: Transfer the freezer bag to the refrigerator to thaw overnight (about 24 hours).
2. Add to Crock Pot: Pour the thawed contents into your slow cooker. Give it a quick stir to mix everything together.
3. Cook: Low: 7-8 hours High: 4-4 1/2 hours
   Cook until the beef is tender and easy to shred with a fork.
4. Shred and Serve: Shred the beef directly in the slow cooker and stir it into the juices.
5. Serve the Italian beef piled onto sandwich buns with a slice of provolone cheese.

Try These Next

• Crock Pot Spaghetti Sauce with Meat
• Crock Pot Pork Tenderloin with Carrots and Potatoes
• Crock Pot Peach Glazed Meatballs
• Mississippi Pot Roast
• Shredded BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
• Buttery Beef and Potatoes

Sign up for our newsletter to get new recipes sent right to your inbox! Follow along with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube , Pinterest, and TikTok.