Indulge in the iconic flavors of Chicago with our comprehensive guide to making authentic Italian Beef. This mouthwatering sandwich, a Windy City staple, tantalizes taste buds with its tender, slow-cooked roast beef, savory au jus, and a symphony of toppings nestled in a soft and chewy bun. Our meticulously curated collection of recipes includes the classic Italian Beef, along with variations like the Italian Beef with Giardiniera and the Italian Beef with Sweet Peppers. We'll take you through each step in detail, from selecting the perfect cut of beef to crafting the flavorful au jus and creating the perfect topping combinations. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or just starting, our recipes will equip you with the knowledge and techniques to recreate this beloved Chicago delicacy in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Here are our top 12 tried and tested recipes!
CHICAGO ITALIAN BEEF (POT ROAST STYLE)
Giardiniera is a traditional Italian dish of mixed pickled vegetables- their tangy kick cuts the richness of the beef in Jeff Mauro's sandwich while adding satisfying crunch and spiciness.
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Time 21h25m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 27
Steps:
- For the pot roast: Position a rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
- Liberally sprinkle the entire roast with salt and pepper. Heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the roast on all sides until golden and caramelized; reduce the heat if the fat begins to smoke. Transfer the roast to a plate and reduce the heat to medium. Add in the onions and saute, stirring occasionally, until just beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the Italian seasoning and crushed red pepper and saute until fragrant, another minute. Add the garlic and saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Deglaze with the red wine and cook until reduced by half. Add in the stock and thyme and bring to a simmer. Adjust the seasoning of the jus. Place the roast back into the pot with any accumulated juices and place in the oven. Cook the roast, turning every 30 minutes, until very tender, 3 3 1/2 to 4 hours. Increase the oven heat to 350 degrees F.
- Transfer the roast to a cutting board and tent with foil. Strain the jus through a fine mesh strainer into a bowl and return back to the pot. Bring to a simmer and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Once cooled a bit, pull the meat into smaller chunks, return to the reduced jus and reserve until ready to build the sandwiches.
- For the sweet peppers: Toss the pepper strips with the olive oil, granulated garlic and some salt and pepper on a baking sheet. Bake, stirring halfway through, until lighter in color and soft, about 20 minutes.
- For the sandwich build: Place some beef on a roll, then some sweet peppers and then some Homemade Hot Giardiniera. Pour a small dish of reduced jus. Take the whole sandwich and quickly dunk in hot jus. Using two hands, go the hell to town.
- Day One: Combine 2 cups water and the salt in a glass or non- reactive bowl. Mix until the salt is dissolved. Add the carrots, cauliflower, serranos, garlic, celery and bell peppers to the salt water and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Day Two: Drain and rinse the vegetables. In a clean bowl, mix together the canola oil with the oregano and pepper. Add the vegetables and mix to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Giardiniera will only get better with time. After 2 days at the most in the bowl, you can place in air-tight Mason jars and keep in the fridge for at least 2 to 3 weeks. Makes 3 to 4 cups.
- From Food Network Kitchens; after further testing and to ensure the best results this recipe has been altered from what was in the actual episode.
CHICAGO ITALIAN BEEF
Provided by Food Network
Time P2DT3h30m
Yield 1 sandwich
Number Of Ingredients 30
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut bread two-thirds of the way through. Toast bread in oven until crispy on outside.
- Drop sliced Roast into simmering Beef Juice. Jam beef in baguette. Dip sammich in beef juice pot.
- Drop Sweet Peppers into Beef Juice to get hot and wet.
- Add Giardiniera to sammich. Drape peppers across the beef.
- Serve with more Beef Juice on the side.
- Mix together the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, granulated garlic and onion and oregano in a bowl until combined.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cover roast with spice mix (you will have some spice mix left over). Drizzle olive oil over top of roast. Place roast on a rack with water in the bottom of the pan (don't let the water touch the meat). Roast until the internal temperature registers 118 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 1 hour. Let roast cool. Reserve the juice.
- Thin-slice roast, as thin as you can. Can't slice thin? You are screwed. Or you can buy your chef friend a six-pack and she will do it for you. Save beef scraps!
- Portion roast slices into 5- to 7-ounce balls.
- Pour all the extra juice and beef scraps in a pot. If there's not enough juice, add some beef base and some water. Taste. Make sure it's not too salty. Simmer for 1 hour, strain and put juice back on to simmer.
- Split pepper in half, then clean white membrane out of it. Cut halves into thirds.
- Heat saute pan on high heat. Once hot, add olive oil. Drop in peppers skin-side down. Add a pinch of salt and pepper. Let pepper blister and char, then flip peppers and cook for another 2 minutes. Turn heat off and let peppers rest.
- Put the vinegar, salt, garlic, oregano, crushed red pepper, black pepper and 2 cups cold water into a 4-quart container and stir until the salt has dissolved.
- Cut carrots, celery, onions, green peppers and red peppers into 1/3-inch uniform dice.
- Thinly slice jalapenos and serrano (approximately 1/8-inch thick).
- Place cut veggies into brine and stir well until all ingredients are combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 days. Stir in olive oil.
CHICAGO ITALIAN BEEF
You'll be sorry you didn't grow up in Chicago, and eat one of those wonderful beef sandwiches from Carm's. This tastes identical. This wonderful recipe came from my sister Linda knowing how homesick I am for Chicago food. Start cooking 18 hours before you want to eat.
Provided by Moonbugz_
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 18h10m
Yield 5 lbs meat
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Cook first 5 ingredients in a Crockpot on LOW for 18 (eighteen) hours.
- Turn over at the 6th and 12th hour interval.
- At the 17th hour cut sweet green peppers into 1/8 ths lengthwise and cook in water on low heat until soft.
- Cut bread into 6 inch lengths and slice on the side lengthwise.
- Pull roast apart with a fork, and using tongs, pile bread with meat and juice.
- (Do not let juice drain before putting on bread. The juice is half the taste of the sandwich.) Lay strips of green pepper on top of the meat.
- Salt to taste.
- OPEN WIDE and enjoy the most wonderful taste sensation.
- May be frozen when cooked.
CHICAGO JOHNNY'S ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH RECIPE (CHICAGO STYLE BEEF)
Categories Sandwich Beef Cheese Pepper Bake Braise Roast Fourth of July Father's Day Summer
Yield 8 people
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Puree the following together in a food processor: garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, oregano, black pepper, sweet paprika, crushed red pepper, onion powder, granulated garlic, sea salt. Sear your roast in a hot pan, stovetop. Use a spatula to rub your pureed spices onto your roast. Put your rubbed roast & any juices from searing into a deep glass or metal dish & add 16 oz. of beef stock; place into a preheated 225 degree oven for 90-120 minutes, depending on the size of your roast. Put your roast & gravy into two separate dishes & refrigerate them overnight. Slice your roast as thin as you can without shaving it. Put your gravy into a pot & bring to a simmer; put your thinly sliced beef into the simmering gravy until cooked through; this process will only take moments. Compile your sandwich with any/or all of the following: provolone, mozzarella, Italian beef, Chicago Johnny's Giardiniera, sweet peppers*. Using tongs, grab your whole sandwich & "dip" it into your simmering gravy for a flavorful Italian beef. *To make sweet peppers, slice 2-3 green bell peppers & sauté in olive oil, 7-10 cloves garlic, 1 tea black pepper, 2 tea sea salt; cook until peppers just start to soften.
CHICAGO-STYLE ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH
You've seen them in O'Hare. Not sure why these beef sandwiches aren't a nationwide craze because they're that good!
Provided by Brian Genest
Categories Main Dish Recipes Sandwich Recipes Beef
Time 7h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Cut notches all over the roast with a sharp knife. Rub with Greek seasoning, pepper, salt, and garlic. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Bring roast to room temperature before cooking, about 1 hour. Tie up roast with kitchen twine so it will hold its shape while roasting.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Mix beef broth and bouillon granules together in a roasting pan. Place roast on a rack above the broth so drippings will fall into the broth.
- Bake in the preheated oven until tender, about 1 1/2 hours. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C). Tent with foil and let cool for 20 minutes.
- Pour broth into a saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Slice roast very thinly; dunk slices in the hot au jus and stuff into Italian rolls. Top with giardiniera. Ladle more au jus over each sandwich.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 447.9 calories, Carbohydrate 53.4 g, Cholesterol 44.7 mg, Fat 13.4 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 26.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.4 g, Sodium 1814.1 mg, Sugar 4.1 g
CHICAGO-STYLE ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES
Makes 8 servings (it depends on how much you put in each sandwich, you may get 10) Oven 325°F at 25 minutes per pound of meat
Provided by Joseph Strain
Categories One Dish Meal
Time P2D
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place roast on a rack, in an open roasting pan, I use an 9" X 13" (230mm x 330mm) baking pan with the rack in it. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees (165 C), allowing 25 minutes per pound (55 min per kilo) , roast will be rare.
- Cool, and slice very thin, I use an electric slicer to do this. To the drippings in the pan, add the boiling water, bouillon cubes or granules, (1 bouillon cube for each cup of boiling water used). Add marjoram, thyme, oregano, hot pepper sauce, salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic cloves, and chopped green pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes. Add the thinly sliced beef and cover. Marinate in gravy in refrigerator overnight.
- Next day, heat thoroughly, and serve warm on the French bread, along with a crisp, green salad and plenty of napkins!
- Note: Our family loves the gravy so much that I usually double the gravy recipe so there is plenty to dip the beef sandwich into. We also like to put a lot of gravy on the bread before adding the meat. Sometimes we add barbecue sauce to the sandwich before eating it, for a different flavor, not a lot, just a touch, about 1 Tablespoon or less to taste.
- Courtesy of Joseph Strain.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 148.4, Fat 1.9, SaturatedFat 0.5, Cholesterol 0.1, Sodium 574.5, Carbohydrate 27.8, Fiber 1.9, Sugar 1.7, Protein 4.8
10 MINUTE ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES! (CHICAGO STYLE)
Talk about FAST FOOD!!! I made this again tonight (5-10-2011). It is an old standby recipe I made up many years ago... and it is ALWAYS a BIG HIT!!! We were out shopping... the kids wanted to go out to eat... I said no way... We went home and had a nice family meal together at our own table... It took about the same amount...
Provided by Colleen Sowa
Categories Sandwiches
Time 15m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- 1. Make the veggies and sauce first by putting the onions in the sauce pan with the quart of water. Boil while you are cutting the bell peppers. Add the peppers. After about 5 minutes, add remaing ingredients to make the gravy. (I usually put all the gravy mixes into a bowl and add enough water to thin it out and make it smooth before adding to veggies and water). When gravy is desired consistancy (you can add more water if needed), add the deli beef one slice at a time, pinched in the middle so it isn't going into the pan flat, but tented a bit. Stir meat and veggies a bit and shut off the heat.
- 2. Cut a piece of the loaf of bread the length that you feel is appropriate per person. Slice in half to make a bun. Either dip the inside of the bun in the gravy or spoon it onto the bread... or ... (don't for a less messy sandwich). Pile on some sliced beef and veggies. Dinner is served!
REAL CHICAGO-STYLE ITALIAN BEEF I
Make and share this Real Chicago-Style Italian Beef I recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Cookin In Texas
Categories Roast Beef
Time 2h50m
Yield 6-10 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Make a spice rub by combining 1 teaspoon each of dried basil,dried oregano,garlic powder,ground pepper,salt,red pepper flakes.
- Rub HALF of the spice rub over and around the roast, Press the mixture into the meat as much as possible. Place the meat in a roasting pan. Add about 1 cup water to the pan.
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees F.
- Roast the beef for 35 minutes, Now reduce the temperature to 400 degrees F., and roast for 40 minutes.
- DO NOT TURN OFF THE OVEN, Remove the pan from the oven and pour 1 1/2 cups cold water into the pan, Let Stand for 15-20 minutes.
- Add remaining seasoning mixture to the pan juices and water. Return meat to the oven and roast until meat thermometer reaches (160 degrees very important to reach this temp) about 50 minutes but use the thermometer to make sure.
- When temp is reached remove pan and allow the roast to cool slightly befroe slicing. Slice almost paper thin (the right thiness is critical to ensure a good chew, But without being tough).
- Transfer the juices to a sauce pan and keep it warm over low heat.
- Immerse the sliced beef into the warm gravy.
- To serve, scoop some of the beef out of the gravy using a fork, Load it onto a Gonnella french bread roll. Garnish with hot or sweet peppers and serve.
- TIP: One of the secrets of Chicago Italian Beef restaurants is that they add garlic juice to the pan juices during the final roasting.
- TIP 2: The beef served at these restaurants are not undercooked, infact most roast the beef until it is medium well which shows very little redness.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 645.3, Fat 43.5, SaturatedFat 17.2, Cholesterol 199.6, Sodium 560.4, Carbohydrate 0.9, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 0.2, Protein 58.2
CHICAGO JOHNNY'S ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICH
Steps:
- Juice the (peeled) garlic and 6 tbls olive oil by pureeing in a food processor and then force straining through a mesh strainer. Measure out ingredients. Rub juiced garlic and dry ingredients over the 3-4 lb. roast. Put roast in a glass dish. Add beef stock. Bake @ 225-250 degrees about 90 minutes. Take roast and refrigerate overnight (without gravy). Store gravy in a container in the refrigerator overnight. Slice roast as thin as possible and finish cooking by simmering the gravy and dipping the sliced beef until cooked through. Make sandwich with mozzarella and sliced (cooked) beef and 'dip' in the gravy. Top with your favorite giardiniera and/or sweet peppers. *Follow along with a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35W3DEOjQQA *
CHICAGO STYLE ITALIAN BEEF SANDWICHES
Growing up in Chicago, these sandwiches were like PB&J, only better.... Finally found a recipe that really works well to recreate these. Enjoy!
Provided by linda lu
Categories Sandwiches
Time 10h20m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Put everything in a crock pot on LOW for 8 hours.
- 2. At the end of 8 hours, remove and shred the beef. Put back in crock pot for another 1.5-2 hours.
- 3. Taste broth and correct for salt/seasonings. (There is a lot of salt in the dry dressing). Looking for very savory flavor. If desired, add an additional 2 sliced onions (gives good texture to the sandwich)at this step.
- 4. After a full 10 hours, get your toasted buns and roasted red peppers and/or hot peppers and build the best Chicago style Italian beef sandwich this side of the Mississippi (am on the East Coast).
- 5. Some people like to put this on sub rolls, top w/provolone and run under the broiler... oh yeah, its that good. Enjoy!
ITALIAN (CHICAGO) BEEF SANDWICHES
I always make a lot, and it's never, ever enough. Everyone loves these sandwiches. I use round roast because it holds together well after slow-cooking, making for nice sandwich slices. I usually cook the meat the day before serving, to allow it to cool for better slicing.
Provided by Carol Michels
Categories Sandwiches
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- 1. Heat olive oil in skillet; brown the roast on all sides. Place roast in large crock pot. In a small bowl, combine broth and remaining ingredients; stir well. Pour over roast; cook on HIGH for 5 hours or until tender (but not fall-apart tender).
- 2. Remove roast from crock pot, cover, and refrigerate. Strain broth into a storage container and keep refrigerated until ready to use.
- 3. Slice chilled meat very thinly and place into crock pot or large saucepan. Pour strained broth over meat, and cook gently until heated through.
- 4. Slice hoagie rolls in half, lengthwise. Butter, then place under broiler or on skillet until toasted.
- 5. Serve meat slices, piled high on toasted crusty rolls, with heated broth on the side, for dipping. Cheese slices and pickled peppers or vegetables are optional, but delicious.
CHICAGO ITALIAN BEEF
Categories Beef
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- mix the rub in a bowl. Sprinkle it generously on the meat and massage it in. There will be some left over. Do not discard it, we will use it in the juice. Let the meat sit at room temp for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the grill or oven to 400°F. If you are cooking indoors, put a rack just below the center of the oven. Pour the water into a 9 x 13" baking pan and heat it to a boil on the stove top. Dissolve the bouillon in the water. It may look thin, but it will cook down and concentrate during the roasting. Pour the remaining rub into the pan. Place a rack on top of the pan. Place the roast on top of the rack above the juice. Roast at 400°F until interior temperature is 130 to 135°F for medium rare, about 30 minutes per pound (exact time will depend on the cut of meat, its thickness, and how well calibrated your oven is). This may seem long, but you are cooking over water and that slows things down. The temp will rise about 5°F more as it rests. Remove the roast and the juice pan. Let the meat sit for about 30 minutes for the juices to be reabsorbed into the meat fibers, and then place it in the coldest part of the refrigerator. Let it cool for about a few hours, long enough for the meat to firm up. This will make slicing easier. Slice the meat against the grain as thin as humanly possible, preferably with a meat slicer. Taste the juice. If you want you can thin it with more water, or make it richer by cooking it down on top of the stove. In Chicago beef stands it is rich, but not too concentrated. Then turn the heat to a gentle simmer. Soak the meat in the juice for about 1 minute at a low simmer. That's all. That warms the meat and makes it very wet.
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use high-quality Italian beef. Look for beef that is well-marbled and has a deep red color.
- Don't skimp on the giardiniera. This condiment adds a delicious tang and crunch to the sandwich.
- Use a good quality French bread. The bread should be sturdy enough to hold up to the beef and gravy, but not so hard that it's difficult to bite through.
- If you don't have time to make your own gravy, you can use a jarred variety. Just be sure to choose a gravy that is flavorful and not too thick.
- Serve the sandwich with your favorite sides, such as fries, onion rings, or a side salad.
Conclusion:
Chicago Italian beef is a delicious and iconic sandwich that is sure to please everyone. With its tender beef, flavorful gravy, and tangy giardiniera, this sandwich is a true taste of Chicago. So next time you're in the mood for a hearty and satisfying meal, be sure to give Chicago Italian beef a try.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
#weeknight #time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #cuisine #preparation #occasion #north-american #lunch #main-dish #beef #american #european #potluck #italian #crock-pot-slow-cooker #dietary #sandwiches #midwestern #meat #to-go #equipment #number-of-servings
You'll also love