Crockpot Beef Sandwiches

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These make ahead crock pot Italian beef sandwiches are the perfect quick and easy meal for busy school night dinners. Slow cooked in a crockpot all day, they are easy to assemble into sandwiches on the fly. Approved even by picky eaters!

If you’re looking for easy weeknight recipes for families on the go, then this crock pot beef sandwich is the perfect recipe for you. It’s the perfect quick and easy meal that can be made ahead of time in the crock pot for those busy school nights when you need a quick but filling dinner.

These beef sandwiches are so good and flavorful, that even your picky eaters will love it! My kids absolutely love these sandwiches and give it a “kid approved” rating! As a parent, that is a huge win!

As my kids have gotten older, our weeknights are even more busy and hectic than getting out of the house in the morning!

Between all of the sports, after school activities, and other obligations, I don’t have time to make dinner during the week, unless I start cooking at 1pm. And to be honest, that is so not my jam!

But rather than have to grab fast food on our way home, I love it on the days I made these crockpot beef sandwiches in the morning! Honestly, days I make meals in the crockpot, I feel so accomplished and on top of my mom game. 1. My kids will have a home cooked dinner 2. My house smells amazing! I feel like a rockstar from the 1950s on those days!

Why you’ll love this Italian beef sandwich recipe:

Chicago is famous for Italian Beef Sandwiches, so naturally being from Chicago I know a good beef sandwich when I eat one. Every time we travel back to Chicago, going out for a “beef” is on the must-do list! The real kicker with these sandwiches is the au jus (the liquid for dipping) and the giardiniera (the vegetable toppings).

So naturally, while scrolling Pinterest, I found this recipe I knew I had to give it a try! Although I most definitely wouldn’t call it a Chicago Beef, I would call it AMAZING and a definite new family favorite recipe! 

Tips for making this recipe:

• Use a big enough roast. For my family of 5, I recommend a 3lb roast
• I prefer to use a chuck roast for this recipe. When I buy the roast, I look for a piece of meat that has marbling (thin white lines) throughout the meat – this ensures extra flavor!
• Sear the chuck roast in a skillet with olive oil on both sides before putting in the crock pot
• Use regular Coca Cola, not diet
• Serve on hoagie rolls topped with provolone or mozzarella cheese. Toast for a couple of minutes in the oven on 350°F before serving
• Add giardiniera! It gives the sandwich such a delicious kick!
• Dip the sandwich in the au jus! – The au jus is the flavorful “juice”/ liquid that the beef cooked in. This is so full of flavor and what is used for dipping Italian Beef sandwiches in. Do not skip this step!!
  

How to make Crock Pot Beef Sandwiches

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet and sear chuck roast on both sides until browned. Use a screen to reduce fat splatter
2. While the roast is searing, add the beef consommé, soy sauce, Coca Cola, minced onions, beef bouillon cube, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper and bay leaf in the crock pot

3. Carefully place the hot beef roast and drippings into the crock pot. Cover and turn on high for 6-8 hours, or until the beef is tender and falls apart easily

4. Slice hoagie rolls and fill with shredded beef. Top with a slice of provolone cheese. Place on a baking sheet and heat in the oven at 350°F for 4-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. Top with giardiniera and serve with a small bowl filled with the au jus from the beef for dipping

Man are these GOOD! I really mean it! All of my kids loved them and asked to take the leftovers for lunch the next 2 days!! The best part is they were so easy to make! Stick it in the crockpot and get on with your day – come home to an amazing dinner!

What to serve with Italian beef sandwiches

I love to serve these sandwiches with Kristin’s Bean Salad, that is also made ahead of time or my Easy Kale Salad Recipe with Homemade Salad Dressing.

Storage

If my chance you have leftovers, the extra meat can be saved in an airtight container WITH the liquid. Do not throw this au jus away!

I prefer to store this Italian beef in a glass container with a lid because it’s easier to clean. There is a considerable amount of fat that is cooked out of the meat while in the crockpot that forms as a liquid (because it’s hot). But once the meat and liquid is stored in the refrigerator, the fat hardens and creates a white “crust” layer on top of the beef.

I like glass better because it’s easier to wash away the greasy fat residue on glass than plastic for some reason. Also, when you go to reheat the beef, don’t have to transfer the meat to a different microwave-safe container.

How to Reheat the Leftovers

When you’re ready to reheat the leftovers that you stored in the refrigerator, be aware that there will be a layer of hardened white fat at the top of the container. That is totally ok!

What I do is, using a fork, I break and then scoop out all of the white hardened fat and throw it away. I then heat up the beef with liquid in the microwave on a reheat setting. Every microwave will be different and require different amounts of time.

Alternate Recipe Variations

While I absolutely LOVE these Italian beef crockpot sandwiches, I don’t always love them for multiple meals in a row. The best alternative for the leftover beef is to serve it over mashed potatoes and use the au jus as a gravy.

I’m serious, this is out of this world amazing! It’s the best cozy, warm, comfort food! Serve with a side of green beans or peas and carrots and you’ve got yourself a variation of pot roast! … ohhh, my mouth is watering just thinking about this!