Italian Beef Sandwich Instant Pot Recipe

Juicy Italian Beef Sandwich Instant Pot Recipe Worth Savoring

Crafting a mouthwatering italian beef sandwich in your instant pot brings comfort right to your plate.

Tender meat falls apart with the gentlest touch, promising a flavor explosion.

Busy weeknight warriors will appreciate this simple yet deeply satisfying meal.

Chicago’s famous street food becomes incredibly accessible through this foolproof method.

Juicy, succulent beef soaks up robust seasonings that dance across your palate.

Peppers and hot giardiniera add that perfect zesty kick to complement the rich meat.

Italian Beef Sandwich Instant Pot Style With Juicy Results

  • Quick and Easy Meal Prep: This Instant Pot Italian beef sandwich recipe transforms a tough cut of meat into tender, flavorful perfection in under an hour, making it ideal for busy weeknight dinners.
  • Versatile Serving Options: Customize your sandwich with various toppings like giardiniera, provolone cheese, or additional pepperoncini, allowing each family member to create their dream sandwich.
  • Foolproof Cooking Method: The Instant Pot eliminates guesswork by consistently delivering succulent, shreddable beef without hours of slow cooking, perfect for home cooks of all skill levels.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Flavor Profile: Packed with robust Italian seasonings, tangy pepperoncini, and savory beef broth, this recipe delivers a restaurant-quality meal that will impress guests and satisfy hearty appetites.

What You’ll Gather For Italian Beef Sandwiches

Meat Base:
  • Chuck Roast: A tender, flavorful cut perfect for slow cooking and creating succulent shredded beef. Choose well-marbled meat for maximum juiciness.
  • Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the meat's natural flavors.
  • Olive Oil: Helps brown the meat and adds a subtle richness.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Onion, Garlic: Classic aromatics that build a deep, savory base for the dish. Fresh ingredients provide the best flavor.
  • Dried Oregano, Dried Basil, Red Pepper Flakes: Italian-inspired herbs and spices that add complexity and a mild heat.
  • Beef Broth: Low-sodium version helps control salt levels while providing moisture.
  • Italian Salad Dressing: Adds tangy, herbal notes and helps tenderize the meat.
  • Pepperoncini, Pepperoncini Brine: Brings a bright, pickled tang and subtle heat to the sandwich.
Serving Components:
  • French Rolls, Hoagie Buns: Traditional bread for holding the juicy beef. Choose fresh, sturdy rolls that can absorb the meat's juices.
  • Giardiniera: Pickled vegetable mix that adds extra crunch and zesty flavor.
  • Provolone Cheese: Mild, melty cheese that complements the rich beef.

Instant Pot Italian Beef Sandwich How-To

Step 1: Prepare and Season Roast

Grab your chuck roast and generously sprinkle salt and black pepper all over the meat, ensuring even coverage for maximum flavor development.

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown

Fire up the Instant Pot using sauté mode and pour in olive oil.

Carefully place the seasoned roast into the hot pot, browning each side to create a delicious caramelized exterior that locks in rich taste.

Step 3: Enhance with Aromatics

Toss in:
  • Sliced onions
  • Minced garlic

Sauté until the vegetables become soft and fragrant, releasing their delightful flavors into the cooking process.

Step 4: Spice It Up

Sprinkle in these aromatic herbs and spices:
  • Dried oregano
  • Dried basil
  • Red pepper flakes

Stir to distribute the seasonings evenly across the meat and vegetables.

Step 5: Build the Flavor Base

Pour into the Instant Pot:
  • Beef broth
  • Italian salad dressing
  • Pepperoncini slices
  • Pepperoncini brine

Mix everything together to create a robust cooking liquid.

Step 6: Pressure Cook

Lock the Instant Pot lid and set to high pressure.

Cook for 40 minutes to transform the tough roast into tender, mouthwatering beef.

Step 7: Natural Release

Allow the pot to naturally release pressure for 10 minutes, then quickly release any remaining pressure to complete the cooking process.

Step 8: Shred the Beef

Use two forks to pull apart the cooked roast, creating succulent, juicy strands of beef.

Step 9: Assemble Sandwiches

Load up French rolls or hoagie buns with the shredded beef.

Optional toppings include:
  • Giardiniera
  • Provolone cheese

Serve immediately and enjoy your restaurant-quality Italian beef sandwich!

Handy Tips for Italian Beef Sandwich (Instant Pot)

  • Let chuck roast sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before cooking to ensure even seasoning and more consistent cooking results.
  • Toast dried herbs in the Instant Pot before adding liquid to enhance their aromatic qualities and deepen the overall taste profile.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to personal heat preference, starting with less and adding more gradually during cooking.
  • Lightly toast French rolls or hoagie buns before assembling sandwiches to maintain bread's structural integrity and prevent sogginess from meat juices.
  • Cooked beef can be stored in refrigerator for 3-4 days or frozen up to 3 months, making this recipe excellent for meal prep and quick weeknight dinners.

Store Italian Beef Sandwiches From Instant Pot Properly

  • Store leftover Italian beef in an airtight container and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring the meat stays moist and fresh.
  • Seal beef in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty bags, removing excess air, and freeze for up to 3 months without losing flavor or texture.
  • Warm beef in a skillet over medium heat, adding a splash of beef broth to prevent drying, stirring occasionally until heated through completely.
  • Place beef in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly.

Pair This With Italian Beef Sandwich Instant Pot

  • Pair with Bold Red Wine: Select a robust Italian red like Chianti or Barbera to complement the rich, savory beef and cut through its intense flavors.
  • Complement with Crisp Pickle Salad: Create a tangy cucumber and dill pickle side salad to balance the sandwich's hearty meat and provide refreshing contrast.
  • Match with Spicy Craft Beer: Choose an amber ale or hoppy IPA that echoes the pepperoncini's heat and stands up to the sandwich's robust profile.
  • Serve with Herb-Roasted Potatoes: Prepare crispy rosemary and thyme roasted potato wedges to enhance the Italian beef's herbal undertones and add textural variety.

Italian Beef Sandwich Edits

  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace French rolls with gluten-free hoagie buns or lettuce wraps for a low-carb alternative.
  • Vegetarian Swap: Substitute chuck roast with jackfruit or seitan, using vegetable broth instead of beef broth for a plant-based version.
  • Spicy Lover's Remix: Add extra red pepper flakes or swap pepperoncini with jalapeños for an intense heat kick.
  • Lean Protein Version: Use beef top round or sirloin tip roast instead of chuck roast to reduce fat content while maintaining tenderness.

FAQs

  • Can I use a different cut of beef for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute chuck roast with bottom round or rump roast. Just ensure the meat is well-marbled and suitable for slow cooking to achieve tender results.

  • How spicy are the pepperoncini peppers in this recipe?

Pepperoncini peppers are mild with a tangy, slightly sweet flavor. They add a gentle heat and zesty kick without overwhelming the dish. If you prefer less spice, you can reduce the amount or remove the seeds.

  • Is an Instant Pot necessary for this recipe?

While an Instant Pot provides quick and tender results, you can also make this recipe in a slow cooker or Dutch oven. Slow cooker method would require 6-8 hours on low, and Dutch oven method needs about 3-4 hours in a 325°F oven.

  • Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Absolutely! The shredded beef can be prepared in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat gently before serving on fresh rolls to maintain the meat’s moisture and flavor.

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Italian Beef Sandwich Instant Pot Recipe

Italian Beef Sandwich Instant Pot Recipe


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4.5 from 12 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 6 1x

Description

Hearty Italian beef sandwiches bring Chicago’s classic street fare straight to kitchen tables with incredible simplicity. Tender, savory meat nestled in crusty rolls creates a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds (1.36 kilograms) chuck roast, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) beef broth, low sodium
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) Italian salad dressing
  • 1/2 cup (75 grams) pepperoncini, sliced, plus 2 tablespoons of the brine
  • 6 French rolls or hoagie buns

Seasonings and Aromatics:

  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

Optional Toppings:

  • 1 cup (150 grams) giardiniera, drained and chopped
  • Provolone cheese, sliced

Instructions

  1. Generously coat the chuck roast with salt and black pepper, ensuring even coverage.
  2. Activate the Instant Pot’s sauté function and drizzle with olive oil, carefully browning the meat on all exterior surfaces to develop a rich, caramelized exterior.
  3. Incorporate sliced onions and minced garlic into the pot, sautéing until the aromatics become translucent and fragrant.
  4. Sprinkle dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes over the meat, creating a robust and layered seasoning profile.
  5. Carefully pour beef broth, zesty Italian salad dressing, tangy pepperoncini slices, and their accompanying brine into the Instant Pot, creating a flavorful braising liquid.
  6. Secure the lid, program the Instant Pot to high pressure, and cook for 40 minutes to tenderize the meat completely.
  7. Once cooking completes, allow the pressure to dissipate naturally for 10 minutes, then manually release any remaining pressure.
  8. Using two forks, gently pull apart the meat into succulent, tender shreds.
  9. Pile the juicy beef onto crusty French rolls or hearty hoagie buns.
  10. Enhance the sandwich with crunchy giardiniera and melted provolone cheese for additional flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Enhance flavor by letting the roast marinate in seasonings for 30 minutes before cooking, allowing spices to deeply penetrate the meat.
  • For a leaner version, choose a trimmed chuck roast and skim excess fat after cooking to reduce overall calories.
  • Gluten-free adaptation works perfectly by using gluten-free rolls or serving over cauliflower rice instead of traditional bread.
  • adjust red pepper flakes based on heat preference, starting with less and adding more incrementally during cooking.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Slow Cooking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 6
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 650 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 40 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 25 g
  • Cholesterol: 90 mg
Emily Harper

Emily Harper

Nutrition Consultant & Recipe Analyst

Expertise

Healthy Recipe Modification, Nutritional Analysis & Meal Planning, Global Cuisine & Dietary Adaptations​

Education

School: French Pastry School, Chicago, IL

Program: L’Art de la Pâtisserie

Focus: Intensive training in traditional French pastry techniques, baking theory, and confectionery arts. ​


Emily’s journey started in a pastry kitchen but took a detour into the world of health and flavor science.
Graduating from the French Pastry School and studying nutrition opened her eyes to a new mission: making healthy food taste like something you’d actually crave.
At Dining At Home, Emily’s the go-to for smart, feel-good recipes that don’t trade flavor for nutrition.
She’s all about adding a fresh spin on old favorites and finding small ways to make everyday meals a little brighter.
Outside of the kitchen, Emily is most at home walking forest trails, testing plant-based recipes, or sharing a picnic under a wide-open sky.

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