How To Make Italian Beef at Home (Chicago-Style)

beef roast

🥗Healthier: lean beef

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Pork shoulder is often less expensive and can be used for similar flavor.

Italian rolls

🥗Healthier: whole grain rolls

💰Cheaper: submarine sandwich rolls

Submarine rolls can be more budget-friendly.

Toast Italian spice blend over medium heat for a couple of minutes until aromatic

Grind the toasted spices using a spice grinder, mortar and pestle, or blender

Place 8 cups of beef stock into a large pot

Add the bottom round beef cut into steaks

Add a whole head of garlic, skin on, to the pot

Season the liquid liberally with kosher salt

Pour the ground spices over the beef and mix well

Place the pot uncovered in a 375°F oven for 2 hours

Check the beef for doneness by piercing it with a knife; it should have little resistance

Remove the pot from the oven and let it cool at room temperature

Pass the cooking liquid through a fine mesh strainer to remove garlic and spice particles

Chill the beef in the fridge covered overnight to firm it up for slicing

Slice the chilled beef thinly against the grain using a sharp knife or mandolin

Transfer the sliced beef back into the strained cooking liquid

Remove excess fat from the liquid if necessary, leaving at least a quarter of it

Cut sweet peppers into pieces, season with salt and olive oil, and roast at 400°F for 12-15 minutes

Heat the beef and cooking liquid on medium until hot

Assemble the sandwich by placing beef in a French roll, adding jardinera and roasted peppers

Optionally dip the sandwich in the cooking liquid before serving

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens