Save the day with these slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches! This hot beef sandwich recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd on game day!

Please note, this post was originally published in 2018. I’ve since redone the photos and text but the recipe remains the same!
Hello! I’m so excited to introduce you to one of my favorite go-to meals. Slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches!! I make these quite often for my family, especially during the winter when I’m craving a warm, hearty meal. It’s a total dump-and-go recipe, taking less than 10 minutes to throw together. Perfect for a busy weeknight!
We’ve been needing some cozy meals these days, with the weather getting quite cold and snowy. Winter is here! Did I mention that we’re going to Mexico soon?! I can’t WAIT. We’re going to Cancun to enjoy some fun in the sun, and my anticipation grows every time it starts to snow again.
I’m nervous about the flights with the kids, so I’ve been trying to come up with some strategies to keep them entertained on the plane. Snacks, coloring and movies will all be party of my bag of tricks. Our first big trip with all three kids should make for some interesting memories!
We haven’t left yet, but I’m already thinking ahead to our return, when I’m going to need some easy dinners for those first few nights before we can get all of the groceries! You can bet this crockpot favorite will be on the menu.

How do you make slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches?
Sooo simple my friends. There is no pre-cooking or prep required. It’s literally a dump and go recipe! What I used to do before work is gather all of my ingredients on the counter (except for the ones that require the fridge) and measure them out. In the morning, I could just throw them all into the slow cooker and head out! Coming home to a house smelling of warm, savory beef sure makes Monday a little easier!


Do you have to use pepperoncini peppers?
If you’re not a big fan of pepperoncini peppers, you don’t have to eat them with your sandwich but I do insist that you use the juices for the broth – it just wouldn’t have the same bite without it! I’ve also used the juice from a jar of banana peppers with success.
I don’t follow Canadian football much, but it looks like I did time this post (purely coincidentally) perfectly for the upcoming Grey Cup! If you’re hosting a few friends for dinner to watch the game, this would be the perfect dippable beef sandwich to serve up. You can even add beer to the broth! I’ve included the notes for this in the recipe below.
Wish me luck on my flight – I fear I’m going to need it!!


I love my slow cooker. Do you love your slow cooker? Here’s a few other favourite crockpot and Instant Pot recipes for you to try!
Or try this slow cooker beef and noodles dish from my friend Mary Ann. I’ve tried it and it’s delicious!!
Print
Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches
- Total Time: 8 hours
- Yield: 6–8 sandwiches 1x
Description
Tender, juicy beef marinated in punchy pepperoncini peppers and beer and served up on a toasty warm bun smothered in cheese. The easiest dump-and-go meal, these slow cooker Italian beef sandwiches are perfect for game night or any other busy weeknight!
Ingredients
- 2 cups low-sodium beef stock
- 1 can beer (or additional cup of beef stock)
- 1 12oz jar pepperoncini peppers
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 1 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp basil
- 1 1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 3–4 lb beef chuck roast
- pepper jack cheese, for serving
- hoagie rolls, for serving
Instructions
- To your crockpot, add the beef stock, beer (or additional stock), and half the juice from the jar of pepperoncini. Mix together the garlic and onion powder, oregano, sugar, pepper, basil, parsley and salt. Add the spice mixture to the crockpot and give it a stir. Add the onion, followed by the roast. Cook the roast on low for 8-10 hours or on high for 4-5 hours.
- Remove the roast from the slow cooker, and using two forks, shred the meat and return it back to the slow cooker for 10-15 minutes along with a few pepperoncini peppers, if desired.
- To serve, slice open the rolls, add the shredded meat and top with cheese; broil on high for a few minutes if desired. Use the broth from the slow cooker for dipping!
Leftover meat should be stored separately from the broth, in a sealed container in the fridge.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8-10 hours
- Category: dinner
- Cuisine: american
Keywords: slow cooker italian beef sandwiches // crockpot beef with pepperoncini // slow cooker Italian beef


I love Crockpot recipes and your sandwiches look so yummy Katherine! Sandwiches are great anytime, and with this cold weather I love that these are warm sandwiches!!
Thanks Kelly!! I love these warm sandwiches when it’s cold out. The crockpot is the best!!
Yes! Big fan of those peppers…matter of fact, pile ’em on!! Love easy, dump and go recipes like this! And talk about tasty. This is my kinda eats, Katherine (and hubby’s too). I’ve never been to Mexico, but I would imagine they are experiencing a lot warmer weather than we are here right now. Safe travels and can’t wait to hear more about your trip when you get back!! XO
YES I love the peppers too – they add just the right amount of kick. The weather has been SOOO nice, Dawn. Thank you!!! I will hopefully share more about the trip in a post once we get ourselves organized again 😉
Oh my goodness, I just want to dive directly into that first shot!! 😀 What a super delicious looking sandwich and I love that this is a Crockpot recipe!
Hah! I’m sure you could take a little swim in that beef broth 😉 Thank you my lovely friend, I sure do love the crockpot!!
It’s getting cold in our area too (Not snowy, though – mostly windy and rainy), so I can imagine weather in your area. You must have had your first snow somewhere in July haha. So I’m 100% about comforting food, and these sandwiches are perfect! Good luck on your flight and have fun in Mexico!
Ugh, I’m not sure if I prefer wind and rain or snow. If I had to choose, I’d choose neither 😉 Thanks Ben – we’ve had a great time and we’re certainly enjoying the warm weather!!
This looks delicious!! I love pepperoncini and would definitely have it with my sandwich. 💕I’m hoping the flight with the kids go well. It will be so worth it once you are in Cancun. Have fun!!
I LOVE pepperoncini too!! Thanks Thao – luckily the flight here went pretty good, so fingers crossed it goes smoothly again tomorrow on the way home. Cheers, lovely pal!
I cannot wait to make this!! Pinning to make later! I love pepperoncinis!! Good stuff!!
Woo! Thanks Kim! I hope you love it. It’s become a staple at our house!!
So happy to read you will have some rest on the sun ! Have fun 🙂
It’s been fantastic. I don’t want to go back to the cold!! Thanks my friend 🙂
You can hardly go wrong with beef and cheese! And it’s that simple – bonus! Hope you enjoy your vacation.
I completely agree! It’s been a great vacation so far, thank you!!
Good luck on your flight and have tons of fun in Mexico! I’m going to keep these sandwiches in mind for football playoffs down here–they’re coming up fast! Happy Friday, Katherine!
Luckily the flight went ok! Now here’s hoping the flight back goes just as smoothly. Thanks Kelsie!!
Oh my gosh! Is it wrong to want this for Breakfast lol? Love those peppers and that cheese, I’m in love. Take care.
HA! Not wrong at all. I could definitely scarf one of these down for breakfast 😉 Thanks Stacey!
Katherine! You had me at pepperoncini! I love them and you can bet I’m making this delicious sandwich! Pinned! Thanks! And have a wonderful time in Cancun – I love it there!
Hooray! I hope you love it. We make this recipe quite often!! Thank you Laura, I wish I could spend a month down here in the warmth!!
These sandwiches look great Katherine and a really easy dinner too. Have a great holiday, I cannot wait to read all about it when you get back. Safe travels 🙂
SUCH an easy dinner, and delicious! Plus we always have lots of leftovers! Thank you Ashika, it’s been wonderful so far XO
Guess it’s time for me to get a crock pot. These sandwiches look so easy and so yummy! Both my children and hubby will totally love this. Have a lovely time in Cancun Kathy:)
I can’t believe you don’t have one!! You’ve got to get one! Christmas present!? Haha thank you!! We’ve had a great time, Maria!!
Perfect game day food, Katherine! And love how easy these are to put together!
Definitely! It feeds a crowd! Thanks Marissa, they’re a great go-to when you need something easy!!
When I see Italian and crockpot in the same sentence, I have to stop!! These look amazing!!
Haha – then these are definitely something you’d enjoy. Thanks Annie!!
These would be a huge hit in my house! And perfect to feed a crowd. I love any meal I can pull together in my slow cooker!
The slow cooker makes life easier! I’m already planning on making these when we get home from Mexico. The leftovers are perfect for lunches! Thanks Leanne!!
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