Slow Cooker Italian Beef Hoagies
A hearty and delicious slow-cooked beef dish with bell peppers and pepperoncini, served on warm bread with melted provolone cheese.
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 3 lbs beef top round roast, trimmed of fat Use a good quality cut for the best flavor.
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 teaspoons Italian salad dressing mix
- 3 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
For the Vegetables and Bread
- 16 oz jar pepperoncini Adjust amount based on spice preference.
- 2 red bell peppers , cut into thin strips
- 8 pieces whole wheat Italian or French bread or gluten-free bread
For the Cheese and Optional Seasonings
- 8 slices Sargento Provolone Ultra Thin
- 4 teaspoons homemade Italian seasoning (optional)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons garlic powder (optional)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons onion powder (optional)
- 1 tablespoon sugar or stevia (optional)
- 2 tablespoons dried parsley (optional)
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)
- 1 teaspoon dried basil (optional)
- 1 tablespoon salt (optional)
- 2 teaspoons black pepper (optional)
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat the roast dry with a paper towel.
- Combine the onion powder, black pepper, and salt. Rub this mixture all over the roast.
- Place the roast into the slow cooker.
- Add the Italian salad dressing mix, beef broth, minced garlic, and bay leaf.
Cooking
- Cover and cook on high for 5 to 6 hours or low for 10 to 12 hours until the beef is very tender and can be shredded easily with two forks.
- Once done, remove the bay leaf and shred the beef in the slow cooker.
- Add 1 cup of the pepperoncini and the thinly sliced bell peppers. Cover and cook on high for another 30 minutes or low for 1 hour.
Serving
- To serve, take each piece of bread and add about 3 oz of the meat mixture.
- Top with 1 slice of cheese and some of the remaining pepperoncini.
- For melted cheese, place the bread under the broiler for 2-3 minutes.
Notes
Store any leftover beef mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can warm it up in the microwave when you want to enjoy it again. For longer storage, freeze the beef mixture in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.