Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Flavorful shredded beef meal prep perfect for a high-protein sandwich or rice bowl
I’ve got beef.
Beef with anyone who thinks you can’t eat sandwiches while cutting body fat.
It’s a common misconception, since sandwiches often feel like eating a loaf of bread slathered with fatty sauces and very little protein.
That’s why healthier versions tend to be something tuna salad or some grilled chicken sandwich with avocado.
While those can be great, I’m here to tell you we can do better and still enjoy ourselves.
There are sandwiches out there that will make your mouth water with every bite from the tanginess, juiciness, and beefiness of its contents. A great example is the Italian Beef sandwich.
A regional staple from Chicago, the Italian Beef is like a richer version of a French Dip with its juicy, flavorful beef and a kick from pickled vegetables.
It’s a sandwich as iconic as New York-style pizza, and if you’ve been to Chicago, you may have seen signs claiming to have the best Italian Beef, or maybe you’ve even spotted it in Season 1 of The Bear on Hulu.
Whether you’ve heard of it or not, this sandwich is one of the most satisfying meals you’ll ever have.
But here’s the catch: the traditional version packs around 690 calories, with 45% of those calories coming from fat and 35% from carbs. Not exactly ideal if you're trying to keep your macros in check.
Luckily, there’s a way to enjoy this beefy goodness without blowing the calorie budget:
A slow cooker version of Italian beef made with lean beef stew cubes.
By using beef stew cubes, you get all the beefy richness without the extra fat. Once slow-cooked with pickled peppers and broth for 9 hours, the beef becomes tender, flavorful, and perfect for a sandwich, rice bowl, or whatever else you want to use it for.
If you’ve been craving a sandwich that fits into your fat-loss goals, or if you want something a little different for meal prep, this Italian Beef is a must-try.
And if you end up loving it as much as I do, don’t forget to hit the heart button below!
Get the digital PDF cookbook with 80+ recipes and free lifetime updates by going paid today!
Here are a few notes regarding the recipe:
Choose a dinner roll or French roll that is no more than 160 calories for your bread. The macros below account for one dinner roll at 90 calories.
Pick a jarred giardinieria soaked in water NOT oil. You won’t be able to tell by the calories being around 5-10 calories per serving.
Do not skip browning the beef stew cubes.
Substitute the bread for rice or even go breadless!
Slow Cooker Italian Beef
35G Protein Per Serving | 336 Calories | 9 Hours | 8 Servings
Ingredient List
3 lbs lean beef stew meat
12 oz giardiniera (in water & vinegar), drained
8 oz pepperoncini peppers, sliced
1 1/4 cup beef bone broth
3 tbsp Italian seasoning
2 bay leaves
Cooking spray
Cooking Instructions
Preheat an Instant Pot or a regular pot to medium heat. Coat the pot with cooking spray.
Season the beef stew cubes generously with salt and pepper. Add them to the pot in batches, browning each side.
Transfer the browned beef cubes to the slow cooker (or keep in the Instant Pot). Add the remaining ingredients, including a little juice from the pepperoncini jar.
For the slow cooker: Set it to cook on low for 9 hours. For the Instant Pot: Use the slow cook function and set it for 9 hours.
After 9 hours, remove the beef and shred it in a large bowl.
Strain the cooking liquid, discarding the bay leaves, and reserve the liquid in a separate container.
Hydrate the shredded beef by adding some of the reserved cooking liquid. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
Serve 6 oz of the shredded Italian beef on a dinner roll or French roll, with a side of the reserved liquid for dipping. Dig in!
Don’t forget to check out the archive here for other gourmet high-protein recipes.
Eat Well,
Marcus Matkins