Real Chicago-Style Italian Beef at Home

beef roast

🥗Healthier: turkey breast

💰Cheaper: pork shoulder

Turkey is leaner, while pork shoulder is more affordable.

provolone cheese

🥗Healthier: mozzarella

💰Cheaper: American cheese

Mozzarella is lower in fat, while American cheese is often cheaper.

Season the chuck roast heavily with salt and black pepper.

Tie the chuck roast with butcher's twine to keep it together while cooking.

Heat a Dutch oven over high heat and add a splash of neutral oil.

Sear the chuck roast in the Dutch oven until browned on all sides, being careful of smoke.

Remove the chuck roast from the pot and toast a whole head of garlic in the rendered beef fat for 20-30 seconds, being careful not to burn it.

Deglaze the pot with red wine and reduce until it becomes syrupy.

Add chicken stock to the pot along with dried herbs and spices, the toasted garlic, and fresh herbs like oregano, rosemary, and thyme.

Mix everything together to combine the flavors and soak the herbs.

Reintroduce the seared chuck roast back into the pot.

Cover the pot and place it in a cold oven, cooking for a couple of hours until the beef is tender.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens