So is anyone else finding themselves in the throes of summer craziness? Between May 30 and June 18, I will be home for exactly 3 days. And not even full days. Parts of days. Most of which involve lots of laundry and re-packing. My family and I are heading to Seattle this morning for a family vacation (which wouldn’t be complete without a few book signings!)
So anyway. I’m totally in the thick of quick and easy meals right now, especially those that feed a crowd, because that seems to be where I am right now with my summer. I’ve been hearing about this recipe for a long time (hi, Bethany! 🙂 ) and I finally tried it a few weeks ago.
And it totally didn’t disappoint. It was easy, flavorful, and I even got a few very early-morning phone calls requesting the recipe after I took it to a meeting last week. Doesn’t it look delicious??
For these beef sandwiches, you’ll need a 3-lb. beef roast, a 16-oz. jar of pepperoncinis, and 4-5 cloves of garlic. Oh, and some kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. You can also add a little packet of Italian Dressing if you like as well.
A note on the peppers: These are not hot spicy peppers, they have a very mild bite to them, but mostly they are just small, and pickled, and tangy. You can usually find them in the condiment aisle at the grocery store, near the roasted red bell peppers, pickled vegetables, and pickles. They are awesome sprinkled on salads and sandwiches! The particular jar in this picture doesn’t have the word Pepperoncini on it, but usually it does! So just look for that in the store and you’ll know you’ve got the right thing.
Since there seems to be a lot of discussion about pepperoncini vs other peppers, we wanted to add this picture. Notice that they are bright yellowish, sliced (although you can find them whole as well) and they clearly say “Pepperoncini.”
There’s usually a little heat indicator that shows they aren’t very spicy. Every once and a while though, I’ll get a jar that actually has a little kick to it, but generally they’re super mild.
If you want ZERO heat, then look for the jar that looks exactly like this, only they’re labeled “Mild Pepper Rings”. The heat indicator on the side of the jar will be at “Low” in the blue section. That is actually what I use most often.
If you want to make these into sandwiches, you’ll also need some nice buns (don’t we all??) and slices of provolone cheese.
Heat about 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a pot or high-sided skillet over high heat. While the oil is heating, rub some kosher salt and freshly ground pepper evenly over the pot roast and then sear it on all sides until you have a nice, brown crust on the meat.
Toss in some minced garlic…
and then pour in the whole jar of pepperoncinis (I liked the sliced ones), juice, stems, bits and pieces, everything.
Optionally, you can also add that packet of Italian Dressing- adds lots of yummy flavor, but it’s also great without it!
If you can, turn the slow cooker to the high setting and cook it until it boils, then turn it to low and cook it for several more hours or until the beef is fork tender and shreds easily.
But if you can’t do that, just cook it on low for 8-10 hours or until you can shred it.
We love it on toasted, crusty sandwich rolls with melted provolone and a little bit of mayonnaise, but it’s super versatile.
You could serve it wrapped in tortillas, with either a Greek or Mexican flair or even on a salad with this dressing (this recipe, incidentally, is not what I was planning on posting in conjunction with this recipe, but, like I said, life is insanity right now and I’ll post it next week. Promises.)
Oh, and if you have left-overs, they would work great in our Baked Chipotle Beef Taquitos (thanks to a reader comment for that!)
Pepperoncini Beef Sandwiches
- Yield: 12
Description
These yummy and versatile sandwiches are great for a crowd, they have a prep-ahead freezer friendly option, and feature plenty of melted provolone cheese.
Ingredients
1/2+ teaspoon kosher salt
1/2+ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons of olive or cooking oil
3 lb. beef roast, trimmed of excess fat
4–5 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
1 16-oz. jar sliced pepperoncinis, undrained
Optional: 1 small packet dry Italian dressing
Crusty sandwich rolls (for sandwiches)
Sliced provolone cheese (for sandwiches)
Instructions
- Heat oil in a pot or high-sided skillet over high heat. While the oil is heating, combine the salt and pepper and rub it into the meat. Add more if necessary. When the oil is hot, sear the roast on all sides so the outsides of it is browned and a little crispy.
- Transfer the roast to a slow cooker and add the minced garlic and the entire jar of pepperoncinis and dressing mix if using. If possible, cook on high until the liquid comes to a boil and then turn it to low and cook until the roast shreds easily with a fork, for a total cooking time of about 6-8 hours. If not possible, cook on low for 8-10 hours or until the beef is fork tender.
- For sandwiches, slice the rolls and spread lightly with mayonnaise and then top with the shredded beef. Add a slice of provolone cheese and then place under the broiler for 1-3 minutes or until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately. Makes 12 large sandwiches.
Notes
instant pot instructions
Slice roast into 1″ slices. Preheat about 2 tablespoons olive oil in the pot on the sauté setting and season roast with salt and pepper. Sear the roast slices on all sides (in batches if necessary). Turn off sauté setting and add garlic, pepperoncinis, and Italian dressing (if desired). Use the manual setting to cook on high pressure for 40 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally (don’t open the valve) for 10 minutes, then release pressure and shred the roast with 2 forks. Serve as desired.
freezer instructions
Prepare the meat through the searing stage. Allow it to cool. Place the roast in a gallon-sized freezer bag or a large freezer safe container. Add the pepperoncinis and the garlic. Seal and freeze. When ready to cook, place in a slow cooker and cook on high for 6-8 hours or on low for 8-10 hours. Serve on toasted crusty rolls with melted Provolone cheese.
Questions & Reviews
My husband is drooling over this right now. Guess we’ll be making them this weekend. Thanks for another FANTABULOUS meal!
Yummy! I can’t wait to try this. And yes, we all do need nice buns!!
We do this with pork. Yum!
I found this recipe a couple of months ago and it is so easy to put together with things on hand. I actually had my teenage son put it together for me while I was at work. Everyone in my family loved it. I love pepperoncinis. This recipe is one that the sum is greater than it’s parts. Try it!
I’ve made this recipe for years. I add a packet of Ranch dressing mix too. Dee-lish!!!
Easy + slowcooker + very few ingredients + tasty = winner. Just to clarify, maybe it’s more obvious than I’m making it out to be, but when you say to dump in the whole jar of peperoncini does that include all of the liguid too?
Erin, I haven’t made these yet, but I’m assuming you pour in the whole bottle because there’s no other liquid in the recipe. So just dump it all in!
Sounds so great. Can’t wait to try it.
One of my husband’s favorite food is peperochini’s, so this is going on the menu for sure!! My two little kids, (almost2 and almost 4) love these peppers too, they really are mild and tangy. Excited to try this out! You guys rock! Any So Cal book signings planned?!?!? C’mon, you know you want to go to the beach. . . .
This might sound silly but i figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask. This recipe sounds like something my Mom would love BUT she’s allergic to garlic. Do you have any suggestions of what i could do instead of the garlic?
Thanks!
Also, i love your site…and the cookbook. You guys rock! 🙂
You can totally leave it out and it will still be delicious! 🙂
lisa d,
If you choose to use the pack of dry Italian Dressing, be sure to check to make sure there is no dried garlic in the ingredients in the packet for your Mom.
Yay for the Houston visit. I am definitely going to do my best to make it out that way!
Y’all need to have a book signing in Longview, Tx or Shreveport, LA so I can come and get a book signed. I really enjoy your site and have used so many recipes! Thanks for all the great tips, too.
I gotta say, this is the tastiest, most flavorful thing in the world. I was soooo blown away by the flavor of the meat. And it is torture to smell it cooking in the house all day. You are constantly hungry until it’s ready. But so worth it!!!
The leftover meat is extra tasty in your beef taquitos… I’ve been making this for awhile and think I’ll be adding tit to the menu for next week!
ooh, good idea MIsty!
Sounds wonderful, and like it would feed a big group!
mmmm sounds fantastic! xoxo jillian:: enter to win a leigh viner print!
Oh- I got to try these out (when no other than the real Kate Jones made them!) They are so delicious that my mouth is watering right now thinking of them. I think I’ll have to make them this weekend. Sooooo good!!!
Ladies I love your blog! Just wanted to note that the peppers you used appear to actually sweet/mild banana peppers. Pepperoncinis are usually spicier and sold pickled whole. They are an olive sort of color, not bright yellow. 🙂 Either way, I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Becca, they really are peperoncinis! I just added another picture of different jar to clarify for people. I think also the appearance can vary depending on the brand and also the region. So to be safe, I just always buy a bottle that actually has the word peperoncini on it, lol
so bummed I will be out of town for your book signings in seattle!!!!
We make this all the time. Yum! My husband is a hunter and we make it with venison. Turns out great.
Come to North or South Carolina! I would love to have my book signed!
Yes Stefanie, a chuck roast is slow roasted pot-roast style roast, not the type of roast you slice. Is that what you mean?
We love your French dips around here. I’ve made them about 4 times already!
As I read the comments, several people have asked what kind of roast you
use and you suggested a good quality chuck roast. Does that mean you want
a pot roast rather than an oven roast? Can’t wait to try this with the pepperoncinis
or banana peppers!
Yes, Banana Peppers do taste so good. they seem to have more “meat” on them than Pepperoncini do. pepperoncini are much thinner but yowzers can be hot but not bad. Banana Peppers have that pickled taste and aren’t as hot.
Either way, I agree with #6 Donna, either way, this recipe looks SCRUMPTIOUS!!!
Lynnette, Pepperoncinis are not very spicy. They have a mild bite to them, but they are small and pickled and wonderfully tangy!
That looks really yummy! I have a beef roast in the freezer that needs to be made into this. 🙂
I hate to say it but banana peppers and pepperoncini are not the same thing! This recipe looks delicious either way!
Donna, in many parts of the country they are in fact the same thing. Horticulturally speaking, they are very similar varieties of the same plant species but many food producers even use them interchangeably.
I missed this original post. Looks super yummy. I gotta agree with Donna. While both are yummy, banana peppers (the pepper ring pic) and pepperoncinis have nothing more in common than both being peppers. The flavor and texture between the two is very different. My favorite pepperoncinis are the Giuliano ones sold at Costco. Yum!
haha, It sounds like you guys are talking about the difference between dark chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate. LOL To some people, it makes a huge difference, but to most, they can be used interchangeably. 🙂
I also think they are labeled differently depending on where you live so as to market to regional preferences. We covered this in a linguistics class I took in college and while we didn’t cover pepperoncinis/banana peppers SPECIFICALLY, we talked about how sometimes things are marketed “incorrectly” because that’s what people feel comfortable buying.
Haha. I’ve missed all your Utah signings, and of course we’re moving to the Seattle area in the fall after your signings there. Figures.
Anyway, I have a couple roasts in the freezer and couldn’t figure out what to do with them! PERFECT timing for this recipe. 🙂
Try it with fresh tortillas and sides for street tacos – yummy!!
I’ll be seeing you at one of the Seattle book signings! I’m so excited.
YUM! I have a soft spot for sandwiches and those pics look very appetizing. :9
Am I the Bethany that got the shout out?! That makes me feel so sparkly inside. Of course if I’m not, then lie to me and tell me I am anyway! This recipe always makes the menfolk so happy!