Italian Beef Sandwiches are a staple in our family for large crowds and especially great for Game Day! If you are looking for ideas for Super Bowl Sunday this is it. My brother Mike said this was the best Italian beef sandwich he ever had. And that is saying something. He and his kids had just arrived at our house after stopping at the famous Al's Beef in Chicago for Italian beef sandwiches. I think the reason this batch was so good is because the cooked beef marinated in its spicy au jus in the fridge for a few days before we served them. This recipe takes some planning.
It slow cooks in a low oven or crock pot for 10 - 18 hours!! 
The amount of time depends on how much beef you cook. This recipe calls for 10 lbs. of chuck roast, and that would take about 18 hours. Depending on the size of your party, it can be easily cut in half. Just slow cook it until it is soft and falling apart. For best results, I recommend pulling the meat apart, skim the juice, and store for a day or two in the fridge.
Easy Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 10 lbs. rump roast
- 3 cans beef consomme
- 3 packages Good Season's Italian Salad dressing
- 8 cups beef stock
- 1 large jar mild Giardiniera
- 1 large jar Pepperoncini - drained
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- Turano sandwich buns - best toasted or crisped in oven
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 275 degrees. (Or turn on crock pot to low).
- First, brown the rump roast in olive oil on all sides in a very large oven-safe pot. I used my Le Creuset "black cauldron"--- a 13.5 quart dutch oven with a tight lid.
- Add all the ingredients and bring the liquid to a boil. Cover the pot with the lid and pop in the oven for 10 to 18 hours. Yes it takes that long! If you put it in at 6pm the night before it will be ready by 12 Noon-ish the next day. If you prefer, place the beef and liquid in a crock pot, and cook on low for 12-18 hours.
- Check it after 6 and 9 hours and add more beef stock if the meat starts to dry up. The juice is an important part of the finished dish. When it is done the meat will fall apart and need very little shredding with a fork. One trick is to make it a day early and let the meat cool in the fridge.
- I stored the cooled beef and juice in zip lock bags in the fridge for two days before reheating and serving. I think that helped intensify the flavor.
- Serve a heap of juicy beef on toasted Italian sandwich buns with sautéed green peppers or more Giardiniera and crushed red peppers on the side. Some people like sliced provolone cheese with it. Stand over a sink to eat it!
Laura Roybal
About how many sandwiches would this make? Looking for something to cook in a roaster for (hopefully) 60-90 faces!
Cara Kretz
A 10 lbs roast should yield 18 -24 sandwiches depending on how much you load on using regular size buns. The roast will shrink a lot from the fat. Roasting for 60-90 people will need to done in 1 or two roaster pans in the oven covered with foil. Good luck!
King Beefy
Good one article! Many Chicago people want to eat delicious Chicago-Style Italian beef. This recipe is very good, I am eager to try this recipe.
homemadeitaliancooking
Thank you very much, especially coming from someone with a username King Beefy!
Marcy Cipolla
Perfect Super Bowl recipe?
homemadeitaliancooking
Thanks Marcy! I plan to make Vince's chili soon!
Anonymous
Looks wonderful Cara?
homemadeitaliancooking
Thank you!