Best 4 Mels Italian Beef Recipes

Indulge in the flavors of Chicago with Mel's Italian Beef, a culinary masterpiece that has tantalized taste buds for decades. This iconic sandwich, rooted in the heart of the Windy City, is a symphony of thinly sliced roast beef, slow-cooked in a savory broth infused with garlic, onions, and Italian spices. Served on a toasted French roll and generously topped with rich gravy, this delectable dish is a true testament to the art of sandwich making.

Accompanying the classic Italian Beef recipe, this article presents a vegetarian twist with the introduction of the Portobello Italian Beef. This innovative rendition features succulent portobello mushrooms as the star ingredient, marinated in a blend of herbs and spices, then grilled to perfection. For those seeking a lighter option, the Italian Beef Sloppy Joes offer a delightful twist, combining ground beef and Italian flavors in a delectable tomato sauce.

To satisfy the craving for a hearty and comforting meal, the Italian Beef Soup is a must-try. This soul-warming soup is brimming with tender beef, vegetables, and a rich broth infused with Italian herbs. And for a quick and easy weeknight dinner, the Italian Beef Skillet is a savior, featuring a flavorful combination of beef, peppers, onions, and a zesty Italian sauce, all cooked in one skillet.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

ITALIAN BEEF

Italian Beef image

Easy crock pot Italian Beef sandwiches from scratch. Juicy, tender beef cooked with simple ingredients, it's popular and great for a crowd!

Provided by Erin Clarke / Well Plated

Categories Dinner

Time 9h20m

Number Of Ingredients 14

Ingredients

3 to 4 pound chuck roast or round roast (trimmed of large chunks of excess fat)
Kosher salt
14.5 ounce can beef broth (divided)
8 ounces pepperoncini pepper slices (plus 1/4 cup of juice and additional peppers for serving)
8 ounces giardiniera (mild or spicy)
Provolone cheese slices (for serving)
Hoagie buns (for serving)
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon thyme dried (ground)

Steps:

Let the meat rest at room temperature for 15 minutes (this is a good time to measure your other spices and seasonings). Season the beef all over with kosher salt.
Heat a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high. Once it is hot, sear the meat on all sides until golden brown, moving it as little as possible so that it develops a nice crust (this will take about 10 minutes). Transfer to the slow cooker.
Turn the heat to medium. Carefully splash in some of the broth and with a wooden spoon, scrape up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan (this is FLAVOR). Pour the liquid and any bits into the slow cooker on top of the beef.
In a small bowl, stir together the seasoning ingredients: Italian seasoning, granulated sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Sprinkle on top of the beef.
Add the pepperoncini peppers and juice. Add the giardiniera (do not add any giardiniera juice).
Pour in the remaining broth.
Cover the crockpot and cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, or until meat shreds easily with a fork. Shred the beef, then stir it together with the juices. Cover and cook on low for 30 additional minutes.
To serve, split the hoagie buns and toast on a baking sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for 5 to 7 minutes (if desired). Fill with the shredded Italian beef (get plenty of that yummy, messy juice!) and top with provolone, pepperoncini, and Giardiniera as desired. Enjoy!

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 (of 6), without the buns, cheese, or additional toppings, Calories 542 kcal, Carbohydrate 31 g, Protein 48 g, Fat 37 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, TransFat 2 g, Cholesterol 156 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 2 g

ITALIAN BEEF

Italian Beef image

Provided by Food Network

Categories main-dish

Time 5h30m

Yield about 12 sandwiches

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

4 ounces dried basil
2 ounces dried oregano
1 ounce black pepper
1 ounce garlic powder
1 ounce onion powder
1/2 ounce kosher salt
1 quart beef stock
One 6- to 7-pound eye-of-round beef roast, trimmed
5 ounces beef base
2 ounces black pepper
8 cloves garlic
3 celery stalks, chopped
2 bay leaves
2 large onions, with skins, chopped
Hoagie rolls, for serving
1 quart hot or mild giardiniera, for serving

Steps:

For the dry rub: Mix together the basil, oregano, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and salt.
For the meat: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Add the beef stock and 1 quart water to a roasting pan. Place the beef roast on a perforated pan and set into the roasting pan. Coat the entire roast with the dry rub. Cover tightly with foil and place in the oven. Cook until the center of the roast reaches 140 degrees F, about 30 minutes per pound.
Refrigerate the roast for at least 2 hours (the beef must be cold to slice properly). Slice as thinly as possible.
For the gravy: While the beef is cooking, combine the beef base, black pepper, garlic, celery, bay leaves, onions and 1 gallon cold water in a stockpot. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for at least 1 hour. (The longer the gravy simmers, the stronger it gets.) Strain and keep hot.
To serve, drop a portion of sliced beef into the hot gravy; heat until hot, 1 to 2 minutes. Place the beef on a hoagie roll, add some giardiniera and enjoy.

ORIGINAL HOMEMADE ITALIAN BEEF

Original Homemade Italian Beef image

Best homemade Italian beef I have ever had. My mom always made it and passed it down to me, I think it's just so good...I wanted everyone to enjoy it...so please do!

Provided by Randi

Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian

Time 6h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

3 pounds beef chuck roast
3 (1 ounce) packages dry Italian salad dressing mix
1 cup water
1 (16 ounce) jar pepperoncini peppers
8 hamburger buns, split

Steps:

Place the roast into a slow cooker, and season with Italian dressing mix. Pour in the water. Cover, and cook on High for 6 to 7 hours. During the last hour, shred the meat with two forks - if it does not shred easily, cook longer. Add the peppers, and as much of the juice as you like for additional flavor. Serve on buns.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 557.3 calories, Carbohydrate 38.4 g, Cholesterol 103.1 mg, Fat 28.8 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 31.9 g, SaturatedFat 10.9 g, Sodium 4233.2 mg, Sugar 7.1 g

MEL'S ITALIAN BEEF

Mel's Italian Beef image

This recipe was given to me by our family friend Mel. I absolutely love this stuff. It is spicey but you can adjust the pepperchinis to your liking.

Provided by Deanne Dyer

Categories Beef

Time 6h10m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Ingredients

4-5 lb beef roast
1 can(s) beer
1 Tbsp beef paste
1 jar(s) pepperoncini peppers.....can adjust to your liking
1 pkg italian dressing mix
hoagie buns

Steps:

1. Put beef roast in slow cooker. Add remaining ingredients.
2. Cook 6 hrs or so on low. Serve on hoagie buns.

Tips for Making Mel's Italian Beef:

Choose the right cut of beef. Chuck roast is the traditional cut used for Italian beef, but you can also use top round or bottom round roast.
Brown the beef well before braising. This will help to develop flavor and color.
Use a flavorful braising liquid. The braising liquid should be flavorful and aromatic. A good option is to use a combination of beef broth, water, red wine, and spices.
Cook the beef until it is fall-apart tender. This will take at least 2 hours, but it may take longer depending on the cut of beef you are using.
Shred the beef before serving. Once the beef is cooked, shred it with two forks or a meat shredder.
Serve the beef on a toasted hoagie roll with gravy and your favorite toppings.

Conclusion:

Mel's Italian beef is a delicious and easy-to-make sandwich that is perfect for a casual meal. With its tender beef, flavorful gravy, and crispy hoagie roll, it's sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give Mel's Italian beef a try. You won't be disappointed!