Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (2024)

These slow cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches are the best way to up your leftover beef Rib Roast. Easy to make in the slow cooker, these sandwiches really make the best out of your roast beef! Take a classic Rib Roast and make Roast “Planned-Overs” with these easy beef sandwiches. SO MUCH FLAVOR!

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (1)

Making a roast at the holidays is one of my very favorite meals. I love the way a roast (and the sizzle of that beef!) can bring people together and make you feel so festive. Our family of 3 will make a roast, but then have a TON of leftovers, so this Roast “Planned Over” recipe for Italian Beef Sandwiches is one of my favorite ways to turn a holiday meal into lunch for days.

I love cooking a big Rib Roast for the family, but I’m always stuck when it comes to making the most of those leftovers. Well no more! These Italian Beef Sandwiches are so delicious, I just know you’re going to love them!
How to make the best Italian Beef Sandwiches

Table of Contents

How to make the best Italian Beef Sandwiches

This is a recipe for using your leftover roast to make sandwiches. You can find a great Rib Roast recipe HERE.

Grab your leftover roast, chop it into cubes and remove excess fat and pop it into your slow cooker. Add in the seasonings, pepperoncini, juice, red peppers, onion, and broth. Give it a stir and cook on low for 2 hours.

Shred the meat and place it on the hoagie buns and top with cheese. You can serve them like this or wrap them in foil and warm them in the oven.

How to Pick the Perfect Roast:

Not sure where to start when picking out the perfect Roast for your family? My friend Natasha, of Natasha’s Kitchen, has all the answers, and I encourage you to check out her recent post on the process! This is my go-to guide for finding the best cut of meat.

Want to know all there is about making the ultimate roast? Here are some other great resources:

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (2)

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (3)

Slow Cooker Beef Sandwiches made with Leftover Roast

The holidays are no time to skimp on the nutrition. It’s not all cookies and cakes, its amazing main dishes too. Keep things balanced and delicious by adding beef to your holiday table. Whether you’re making Prime Rib, or these Italian Beef Sandwiches, beef makes every holiday better.And bonus, beef provides protein, iron, and zinc, which are important for brain health.

Beef gives me and my family the strength and nutrients to be our best selves during the crazy and hectic holiday season. These Italian Beef Sandwiches make sure not a piece of your holiday roast goes to waste. They’re SO EASY TO MAKE and are packed with flavor and nutrients thanks to the star ingredient, BEEF!

You can find out so much more by visiting the ultimate website for all things Beef:BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com

The importance of balancing your plate

We are big fans of beef in our house. It’s important to make sure your plate is balanced with lots of elements. I love feeding Henry a balanced meal of a powerful protein, like beef, mixed with veggies, dairy, and whole grains. This sandwich has it all in one package!

These sandwiches are packed with veggies like roasted red peppers, pepperoncini, and onion. Adding dairy with the provolone is not only tasty, its nutritious! Top it off with a quality hoagie bun for your grains, and you have a great sandwich for on the go, or an entire meal.

We paired these Slow Cooker Beef Sandwiches with a simple Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing. It was as easy as tossing together fresh baby spinach, crumbled feta, sliced strawberries, and Poppyseed Dressing. Yum!

Chuck Knows Beef

If you have an Alexa or Google Home, you can activate Chuck Knows Beef, the only all-knowing beef virtual assistant. Chuck is the only helper that you need in the kitchen this season. Chuck can tell you exactly how to prepare that holiday roast, including how to follow the right cooking temperatures and even suggest recipes the whole family will love. Check out Chuck at ChuckKnowsBeef.com.

Just say “Alexa, Activate Chuck Knows Beef” or “Hey Google, Activate Chuck” to get started. You can ask him about temperatures or cooking times, cuts of beef, and more! He’s not all business, he’s fun too. I love using Chuck to get all the best info about how to cook beef, so so helpful!

If you don’t have a device that’s loaded with Chuck Knows Beef, you can also find him at ChuckKnowsBeef.com, making it accessible to everyone!

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (4)

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (5)

Easy slow cooker beef sandwiches

Cooking beef in the slow cooker means that it is wonderfully tender and you can shred it with ease for your sandwiches. The beauty of making the beef in the slow cooker is that you don’t have to be pot watching, just set it and leave it until you are ready to make the sandwiches.

What do you serve with Italian beef sandwiches?

These sandwiches are great for a hearty lunch or as a main meal. You can serve them up with a veggie side or salad, kicking things up a notch.

  • Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing
  • Zesty Panzanella Salad with Meyer Lemon Vinaigrette
  • Kale Caesar Salad
  • Easy Cucumber Salad
  • Crispy Baked Zucchini Recipe (Easy and Cheesy!)

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (6)

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (7)

Can you make the Italian shredded beef ahead of time?

If you need to use up your leftover roast beef, but not ready to eat it straight away, this is the recipe for you! Cook the beef in the slow cooker, let it cool to room temperature and place it in airtight containers or freezer bags. It will keep in the fridge for around three days and it also freezes really well.

If you freeze the beef, thaw it in the refrigerator overnight and then you can reheat it on the stovetop to 165 degrees F. Italian beef sandwiches whenever you want!

Top tips to make this recipe

  • Be sure to remove any excess fat from your leftover roast beef before cooking in the slow cooker.
  • Adjust the amount of pepperoncini if you like it more or less spicy. I used mild, but you can also purchase it spicy if that’s what your family prefers!

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (8)

For more delicious beef recipes:

  • Best Beef Tenderloin Recipe (Beef Tenderloin Roast)
  • Easy Beef Bolognese (Best Bolognese Sauce Recipe)
  • Best Beef Stroganoff Casserole
  • Meatball Subs
  • Cheesy Beef Breakfast Scramble

Recipe

Best Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea)

4.47 from 41 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 10 minutes minutes

Cook: 2 hours hours

Total: 2 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (9)

Serves12

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These Italian beef sandwiches are the best way to you up your leftover roast beef. Easy to make in the slow cooker, these sandwiches really make the best out of your roast beef!

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (10)

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Ingredients

  • 1 6 pound rib roast cooked according to these instructions
  • 1 ounce Italian Seasoning mix 1 packet
  • 1/2 ounce beef au jus seasoning 1/2 packet
  • 8 oz pepperoncini pepper slices + 2 tablespoons juice from jar use more juice if you like things spicier
  • 12 ounces roasted red peppers drained and diced
  • 1/2 red onion sliced
  • 14.5 oz beef broth
  • provolone cheese sliced
  • hoagie buns
  • horseradish sauce for serving

Instructions

  • This is a recipe for using your leftover roast to make sandwiches. You can find a great roast recipe HERE.

  • Take your leftover roast and chop into cubes, removing any excess fat.

  • Place roast cubes into a large crock pot. Sprinkle with the Italian Seasoning Mix and au jus seasoning. Add in the pepperoncini, juice, roasted red peppers, and sliced onion. Pour the beef broth over everything. Stir to combine/coat.

  • Cover with lid and cook on low for 2 hours or until everything is hot and the beef is easy to shred with two forks (or chop with a sharp knife). (this recipe is using COOKED roast, it is an idea for leftovers. If cooking a roast from raw, you would cook on low for 9 hours). After shredding, cook on low for another hour or until ready to serve.

  • 15 minutes before ready to serve, scoop the shredded meat on half of the hoagie buns and top with provolone cheese. Spread horseradish sauce on the back of the top piece of bun. Place the top half of the bun on the sandwich. You can serve as is, or I like to wrap tightly in foil and cook in the oven (350F) for 10-15 minutes or until cheese and bun are hot.

  • Serve and enjoy!

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Nutrition Information

Calories: 874kcal (44%) Carbohydrates: 36g (12%) Protein: 38g (76%) Fat: 63g (97%) Saturated Fat: 26g (163%) Cholesterol: 139mg (46%) Sodium: 546mg (24%) Potassium: 611mg (17%) Fiber: 3g (13%) Sugar: 5g (6%) Vitamin A: 273IU (5%) Vitamin C: 22mg (27%) Calcium: 85mg (9%) Iron: 15mg (83%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (11)

Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (12)

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Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches (Leftover Roast Recipe Idea) (2024)

FAQs

Can I put already cooked beef in the slow cooker? ›

Cooked food should be reheated on the stove, in a microwave, or in a conventional oven until it reaches 165 °F. Then the hot food can be placed in a preheated slow cooker to keep it hot for serving—at least 140 °F as measured with a food thermometer.

What to do with tough leftover roast beef? ›

Soup is a fantastic option for using leftover beef, and adding barley is a great option if you want to bulk it out. Beef and Barley Soup is great if meat is tough, but it's also a fab way to cook on a budget. Just make sure you cut your beef up small.

How do you reheat Italian beef in a slow cooker? ›

HOW DO I REHEAT MY Crockpot ITALIAN BEEF?
  1. Crockpot: add some of the jus and heat on low for 1-2 hours.
  2. Stove: transfer Italian Beef to a Dutch oven with some jus and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Oct 10, 2019

What is the difference between a roast beef sandwich and an Italian beef sandwich? ›

The toppings differ as well; a deli roast beef sandwich can be filled with almost anything, but Italian beef sandwiches are always topped with provolone cheese and Giardiniera.

Why is my beef still tough after slow cooking? ›

“Beef may be tough in the slow cooker if you haven't added enough liquid, or haven't cooked it for long enough,” Kristen Carli, M.S., R.D., owner of Camelback Nutrition & Wellness, tells SELF. “For cuts of meat, the fattier cuts are often the ones that get juicy and tender.

What happens if you overcook beef in slow cooker? ›

According to the University of Wyoming Extension, slow cooking requires some balancing, because moist heat melts the collagen in the meat, making it more tender, but it also causes the muscle fibers in the meat to shrink and get tougher. The hotter the temperature, the tougher the meat.

How do you tenderize an already cooked tough roast? ›

Simmering in a little bit of liquid or broth is a great way to tenderize. Acidity can also be your friend here. A little bit of vinegar and lemon juice in the liquid can help you tenderize the meat.

How do you reheat roast beef without making it tough? ›

Place the leftover roast in a pan and cover with foil.

To retain the succulent quality of the meat, add a little au jus from the previous day, or add 1/4 cup of low-sodium beef stock. Place in an oven preheated to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) for approximately 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the piece.

How do you moisten leftover roast beef? ›

Pour some hot beef stock, or hot water, onto the meat, cover it tightly with foil and shoot it into a hot oven for about 10 minutes.

What is the best bread for Italian beef sandwiches? ›

The Rolls: Italian hoagie rolls are the top choice for Italian Beef Sandwiches. Rolls are a must, as bread will become soggy and won't hold up to the juicy meat and toppings. Cheese: Provolone cheese is the ultimate cheese for an Italian Beef Sandwich.

What side goes good with Italian beef sandwiches? ›

Perfect for a potluck, large crowd gatherings, or dinner for two! Instant Pot, Air Fryer, and Slow Cooker options included for ease! Potato salad, potato chips, onion rings, and French fries – these all go great with Italian beef sandwiches!

How do you reheat Italian beef sandwiches? ›

Warm the sandwich at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 to 20 minutes.

What is the best Italian meat for sandwiches? ›

8 Italian Sandwich Meats You Need on Your Next Sub
  • prosciutto.
  • ham on wooden board.
  • speck.
  • salami.
  • pepperoni on table.
  • capicola on plate.
  • mortadella sandwich.
  • sopressata.
May 31, 2023

Is Italian beef just roast beef? ›

That might sound like a pretty standard roast beef to you, but there's one key differentiator that plays an indispensable role in making the Italian beef what it is: juice. Specifically, the juice (or gravy) that accumulates when the fatty content of that sirloin tip or top round melts away during the roasting process.

What cut of beef is Italian beef made from? ›

The cut of beef used for Italian beef is typically chuck roast. However, top sirloin, top round, or bottom round would also work well. Giardiniera. A delicious blend of pickled vegetables that adds that wonderful, classic flavor to Italian beef.

Can you cook already cooked meat? ›

A warming beef or chicken casserole is a delicious way to use up your leftover meat. Traditionally, a casserole will need a few hours for the flavours to develop, but as your beef or chicken is already cooked, it can be done a lot quicker.

Do I have to brown beef before putting in slow cooker? ›

Browning Is Better

And if you dredge the meat in flour before you brown it, your sauce will thicken up to make a gravy. You should always brown ground beef or any ground meat in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker to prevent the meat from clumping up or from adding excess grease to your cooked dish.

Can you tenderize cooked meat in a slow cooker? ›

Both slow cookers and pressure cookers do a good job of tenderizing tough meat, but each makes meat more edible in a different way.

Can you slow cook food twice? ›

You can reheat food that is cooked in a slow cooker but only once. It can be dangerous to reheat food more than once.

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