18 Big Al's Italian Beef Chicago Recipe They're Simply Irresistible!
Published on: Mar 16, 2024
Big Al's Italian Beef is a beloved and iconic dish in Chicago, known for its tender, flavorful beef and hearty toppings. This recipe is a must-try for anyone looking to recreate this classic Chicago sandwich at home. With a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can have a taste of Chicago right in your own kitchen.
Main Ingredients: Vegetable Oil, Boneless Short Ribs, Ground Beef, Pork
This flavorful chili recipe is perfect for using up all the odds and ends in your fridge. Just throw in whatever vegetables, beans, and meats you have on hand, and let it simmer for a delicious and hearty meal.
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Italian Beef Sliders
Main Ingredients: Bottom Round Roast, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Pepper
These mini sandwiches are packed with tender Italian beef, melty cheese, and tangy pepperoncini peppers. They make for a great party appetizer or a quick and easy weeknight dinner.
This classic Chicago sandwich is made with thinly sliced roast beef, flavorful au jus, and spicy giardiniera. It's a must-try for any Italian beef lover.
For a twist on the traditional sandwich, try this Chicago-style Italian beef recipe. It features sautéed onions, peppers, and mushrooms for added flavor and texture.
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Chicago-Style Italian Burgers
Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Prosciutto, Giardiniera, Italian
Take your burger game to the next level with these Chicago-style Italian burgers. They're topped with Italian beef, giardiniera, and provolone cheese for a unique and delicious twist on a classic.
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The Very Best Corned Beef and Cabbage
Main Ingredients: Canola Oil, Beef Brisket, Ale, Water, Carrots, Celery
Bold statement, we know. But this corned beef and cabbage recipe is truly the best. The meat is tender and flavorful, and the vegetables are perfectly cooked and seasoned.
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Beef and Ale Pie
Main Ingredients: Beef, Chestnut Mushrooms, White Onion, Large Carrots
This hearty and comforting beef and ale pie is the ultimate comfort food. The rich and flavorful filling is encased in a buttery and flaky crust, making for a satisfying meal.
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Guinness Beef Stew
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Onions, Celery Sticks, Medium Carrots, Bay
Using Guinness beer in this beef stew gives it a deep and rich flavor. The meat is fall-apart tender and the vegetables are perfectly cooked, making for a hearty and delicious meal.
For a more traditional take on Italian beef, try this recipe. It's simple and straightforward, but yields a flavorful and tender meat that's perfect for sandwiches.
If you're short on time, let your slow cooker do the work for you with these crockpot Italian beef sandwiches. Just toss in the ingredients in the morning and come home to a delicious and easy dinner.
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Steak and Ale Soup with Mushrooms
Main Ingredients: Rib Eye Steaks, Salt, Black Pepper, Flour, Butter
This hearty soup is perfect for a cold night. It features tender steak, earthy mushrooms, and a rich and flavorful broth made with ale.
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Killer Chuck Roast Chili
Main Ingredients: Beef Chuck Roast, Bacon, Onion, Garlic Cloves, Jalapeno
This chili recipe is perfect for meat lovers. It's made with chuck roast instead of ground beef, giving it a heartier and more flavorful base.
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Alton Brown Chili
Main Ingredients: Beef Stew Meat, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Ale, Salsa
For a chili recipe that's tried and true, look no further than this one from celebrity chef Alton Brown. It's packed with spices and flavor, and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
This classic Italian dish features thin slices of beef rolled up with a flavorful filling and simmered in a rich tomato sauce. It's a showstopper of a meal that's perfect for special occasions.
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Italian Beef Stew
Main Ingredients: Carrots, Celery, Yellow Onion, Garlic, Extra Virgin
For a twist on traditional beef stew, try this Italian-inspired version. It's made with Italian sausage, white beans, and plenty of herbs and spices for a delicious and hearty meal.
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Italian Beef Braciole
Main Ingredients: Beef, Chopped Basil, Minced Garlic, Pecorino Romano
This variation on the classic braciole recipe features a filling of provolone cheese and prosciutto, making for a decadent and flavorful dish that's perfect for a special occasion.
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Chicago Style Italian Beef Slow Cooker Sandwich
Main Ingredients: Boneless Beef Roast, Ground Black Pepper, Dried
Another slow cooker recipe that's perfect for busy weeknights or lazy weekends. This version of Chicago-style Italian beef is tender, flavorful, and easy to make.
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British Steak and Ale Pie
Main Ingredients: All Purpose Flour, Unsalted Butter, Salt, Cold Water
For a taste of the UK, try this steak and ale pie. It's filled with tender beef, vegetables, and a savory ale-based gravy, all encased in a buttery and flaky crust.
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Piccante Italian Beef – Chicago Style – All Our Way
Main Ingredients: Sirloin, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Ground Pepper, Garlic
This spicy and flavorful Italian beef recipe is perfect for those who like a little kick in their food. It's made with hot peppers and spicy seasoning for a bold and delicious sandwich.
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Beef Pot Pie
Main Ingredients: Olive Oil, Beef Chuck, Unsalted Butter, Onion, Celery
If you love pot pie, you'll love this beef version. It's filled with tender beef, vegetables, and a creamy and flavorful gravy, all topped with a flaky and buttery crust.
The Secret to Big Al's Italian Beef
The Beef
The key to a delicious Italian beef sandwich is the beef itself. For Big Al's recipe, you'll need a 3-4 pound boneless chuck roast that is well-marbled. This cut of meat is perfect for slow cooking and will result in tender, juicy beef that easily shreds apart. Make sure to trim off any excess fat before cooking.
The Seasoning
The next important element of Big Al's Italian beef is the seasoning. The dry rub used in this recipe is what gives the beef its signature flavor. It consists of a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, dried basil, black pepper, and red pepper flakes . The combination of these herbs and spices creates a savory and slightly spicy flavor that pairs perfectly with the beef.
The Cooking Method
To achieve the perfect texture and tenderness for the beef, it's important to cook it low and slow. This means using a slow cooker or a Dutch oven on low heat for several hours. This allows the flavors to develop and the beef to become tender enough to easily shred with a fork. The longer the beef cooks, the more flavorful it will become.
The Toppings
No Italian beef sandwich is complete without the toppings. Big Al's recipe calls for sauteed green peppers and onions , which add a delicious crunch and sweetness to the sandwich. You can also add giardiniera , a pickled vegetable relish, for a tangy and spicy kick. And of course, don't forget a generous amount of provolone cheese to top it all off.
The Assembly
To assemble your Italian beef sandwich, start by slicing the beef thinly against the grain. This will ensure that each bite is tender and easy to eat. Next, toast your sandwich rolls and layer on the beef, peppers, onions, and giardiniera. Finally, top with a slice of provolone cheese and place the sandwich under the broiler for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Creating Big Al's Italian Beef at home may take some time and effort, but the end result is well worth it. With its tender, flavorful beef and hearty toppings, this iconic Chicago dish is sure to become a staple in your household. So gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy a taste of the Windy City from the comfort of your own kitchen.
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