19 Chicago Johnny's Italian Beef Recipe You Must Try Them!
Published on: Mar 15, 2024
For many Chicago natives, there is no sandwich quite as iconic or beloved as the Italian beef. This mouth-watering creation, consisting of thinly sliced beef smothered in savory au jus gravy and served on a crusty Italian roll, has become a staple in the city's fast food scene. But what sets Chicago Johnny's Italian beef apart from the rest? Let's dive into the recipe and find out.
Chicago Italian Beef Sandwiches are a classic and beloved dish in the Windy City. This hearty and flavorful sandwich is made with tender slices of beef, piled high on a crusty Italian roll and topped with spicy giardiniera. It's a must-try for any food lover.
If you're looking to make your own Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich at home, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up the top 20 beer can chicken recipes for you to try, including some unique and delicious variations on this iconic dish. From slow cooker sandwiches to hearty stews, there's something for everyone on this list.
For an authentic taste of Chicago, try this recipe for Chicago Style Italian Beef. It features thinly sliced beef, cooked with Italian seasonings and served on a toasted roll. The addition of roasted red peppers gives it a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that sets it apart from other versions.
This recipe is perfect for a crowd, as it can easily be doubled or tripled for a large gathering. It's also a great option for meal prep, as the leftovers can be used in a variety of ways, such as in sandwiches, salads, or even on top of pizza.
Braciole is a classic Italian dish that features thinly sliced beef rolled up with a flavorful filling and cooked in a rich tomato sauce. This recipe for Authentic Italian Braciole is a labor of love, but the end result is well worth the effort.
The secret to making the best braciole is to use high-quality beef and to let it simmer in the sauce for a few hours, allowing the flavors to meld together. Serve it over pasta or with crusty bread for a hearty and satisfying meal.
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Italian Beef Stew
Main Ingredients: Carrots, Celery, Yellow Onion, Garlic, Extra Virgin
If you're looking for a comforting and hearty meal, this Italian Beef Stew is the perfect choice. It's loaded with tender chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and other veggies, all cooked in a rich and flavorful tomato-based broth.
This stew is perfect for a chilly night, and it's also a great option for meal prep. The leftovers can be stored in the fridge for a few days or frozen for later use.
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Chicago Style Italian Beef Slow Cooker Sandwich
Main Ingredients: Boneless Beef Roast, Ground Black Pepper, Dried
For a convenient and delicious take on the classic Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich, try this recipe for Slow Cooker Sandwiches. The beef is cooked low and slow in the crockpot, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that's perfect for piling onto a crusty roll.
This recipe is great for busy weeknights, as it requires minimal prep and can cook while you go about your day. And the best part? Your house will smell amazing when you come home to a hot and ready sandwich waiting for you.
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Italian Beef Braciole
Main Ingredients: Beef, Chopped Basil, Minced Garlic, Pecorino Romano
This Italian Beef Braciole recipe is a twist on the classic dish, with the addition of spinach and cheese inside the beef rolls. The result is a flavorful and tender dish that's perfect for a special occasion or a Sunday family dinner.
To add even more flavor, try searing the beef rolls before adding them to the sauce. This will give them a nice crust and help to lock in the juices.
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Piccante Italian Beef – Chicago Style – All Our Way
Main Ingredients: Sirloin, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Ground Pepper, Garlic
If you're a fan of spicy food, this recipe for Piccante Italian Beef is for you. It's a Chicago Style Italian Beef with a kick, featuring hot giardiniera and red pepper flakes for added heat.
This recipe is perfect for those who like their food with a little extra kick, and it's also a great option for game day or a casual gathering with friends. Serve it with some crusty bread and your favorite side dishes for a meal that's sure to please.
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Baked Italian Beef Sliders
Main Ingredients: Beef, Slider Rolls, Mayonnaise, Provolone Cheese
For a fun and tasty twist on the classic sandwich, try these Baked Italian Beef Sliders. These mini sandwiches are made with Hawaiian rolls, topped with Italian beef, and baked with a delicious butter and herb glaze.
This recipe is great for parties or as a quick and easy dinner option. And the best part? They're so cute and delicious, everyone will be asking for the recipe.
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Italian Beef {Leftovers} Soup
Main Ingredients: Beef, Frozen Mixed Vegetables
If you have leftover Italian beef from your sandwiches or stews, try using it in this Italian Beef Soup. It's a hearty and comforting soup, perfect for using up any extra beef you may have.
The flavors of the beef and vegetables will only continue to develop as they simmer in the broth, making this soup even more flavorful the next day. Serve it with some crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
If you're a fan of risotto, you'll love this Italian Beef Risotto recipe. It's a hearty and flavorful dish that's perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in.
The addition of Italian beef adds a depth of flavor to the risotto, and the creamy texture of the rice makes it the ultimate comfort food. This dish may take a bit of time and effort, but the end result is well worth it.
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Italian Beef Ragu
Main Ingredients: Carrot, White Onion, Celery, Beef Mince, Pork Mince
Ragu is a classic Italian dish that's perfect for using up leftover beef. This recipe for Italian Beef Ragu is a delicious and hearty meal that's perfect for a family dinner or a date night at home.
The beef is simmered in a rich and flavorful tomato sauce, resulting in tender and juicy meat that's perfect for topping pasta or serving with crusty bread. It's a simple and satisfying dish that's sure to become a household favorite.
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Low-Carb Italian Beef Bake
Main Ingredients: Cauliflower Rice, Whole Milk Ricotta Cheese, Italian
If you're following a low-carb diet, you don't have to miss out on the delicious flavors of Italian beef. This Low-Carb Italian Beef Bake is a tasty and satisfying option that's perfect for a guilt-free meal.
The beef is cooked with Italian seasonings and served with a cheesy and flavorful cauliflower mash. It's a great way to enjoy this classic dish without all the carbs.
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Italian Beef and Vegetable Soup
Main Ingredients: Grass Fed Butter, Red Onion, Garlic, Celery Stalks
This Italian Beef and Vegetable Soup is another great option for using up leftover beef. It's a hearty and flavorful soup that's loaded with vegetables, making it a nutritious and satisfying meal.
The addition of the Italian beef gives the soup an extra boost of flavor, and it's a great way to use up any extra veggies you have in your fridge. Serve it with some crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
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Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Main Ingredients: Sliced Roast Beef, Salad Dressing Mix, Pepperoncini
If you love the convenience of slow cooker meals, this Slow Cooker Italian Beef recipe is for you. It's a simple and delicious dish that requires minimal prep and cooks while you go about your day.
The beef is cooked low and slow with Italian seasonings and served on a crusty roll with your choice of toppings. It's a great option for busy weeknights or lazy Sundays when you don't feel like spending hours in the kitchen.
No list of Italian recipes would be complete without mentioning meatballs. These Italian Meatballs are a classic and beloved dish that's perfect for serving with pasta or as a hearty appetizer.
The secret to making the best meatballs is to use a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal for the perfect texture and flavor. Serve them with your favorite sauce and some crusty bread for a complete and satisfying meal.
For a simple and no-fuss take on Italian beef, try this classic recipe for Italian Beef. It's made with just a few ingredients, but the result is tender and flavorful beef that's perfect for serving over pasta or on a sandwich.
To add even more flavor, try adding some red wine to the sauce while the beef is cooking. It will give it a rich and complex flavor that your taste buds will thank you for.
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Italian Meatballs {Great Big Italian Meatballs}
Main Ingredients: Ground Beef, Ground Pork, Egg, Fresh Bread Crumbs
If you prefer your meatballs on the larger side, this recipe for Great Big Italian Meatballs is for you. These meatballs are made with a combination of ground beef, pork, and veal, along with some Italian seasonings and breadcrumbs.
The result is delicious and hearty meatballs that are perfect for serving with pasta or on a sandwich. They're great for a family dinner or for meal prep, as they can easily be frozen and reheated for later use.
For a classic and no-fuss take on Italian beef sandwiches, try this simple recipe for Italian Beef Sandwiches. It's made with thinly sliced beef, cooked with Italian seasonings, and served on a toasted roll.
This recipe is perfect for those who want to keep things simple, and it's also a great option for meal prep. The leftovers can be used in a variety of ways, such as in stews, soups, or even on top of pizza.
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Ditka’s Italian Beef Sandwich
Main Ingredients: Rump Roast, Garlic, Kosher Salt, Freshly Ground Black
This recipe for Ditka's Italian Beef Sandwich is inspired by the famous Chicago Bears coach and his love for Italian beef. It's a hearty and flavorful sandwich that's perfect for serving at a game day gathering or for a casual weeknight dinner.
The secret to making this sandwich stand out is to use high-quality beef and to let it marinate in the seasonings for at least a few hours before cooking. This will ensure that the meat is tender and full of flavor.
For a convenient and delicious take on Italian beef sandwiches, try this recipe for Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches. The beef is cooked low and slow in the crockpot, resulting in tender and flavorful meat that's perfect for piling onto a crusty roll.
This recipe is great for busy weeknights, as it requires minimal prep and can cook while you go about your day. And the best part? Your house will smell amazing when you come home to a hot and ready sandwich waiting for you.
The Perfect Cut of Beef
When it comes to making the best Italian beef, the quality of the beef is crucial. Chicago Johnny's uses top sirloin for their recipe, as it is a lean and tender cut of meat that is perfect for slicing thinly. This ensures that each bite is tender and full of flavor. Additionally, the meat is seasoned with a blend of garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes to give it that signature Italian taste.
The Secret to Tender Beef
One of the key elements to Chicago Johnny's Italian beef is the slow roasting method used to cook the meat. This not only infuses the beef with flavor, but also results in tender, melt-in-your-mouth slices. The beef is cooked low and slow in a flavorful broth, allowing it to absorb all of the delicious flavors.
The Perfectly Flavored Au Jus
No Italian beef would be complete without a savory au jus gravy to dip it in. Chicago Johnny's takes their gravy to the next level by adding in pepperoncini peppers for a tangy kick and beef broth for a rich and hearty flavor. The result is a mouth-watering au jus that perfectly complements the seasoned beef.
Crusty Italian Roll
Last but certainly not least, the bread used for Chicago Johnny's Italian beef is just as important as the meat itself. The sandwich is served on a crusty Italian roll that is soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. This allows the roll to hold up to the juicy beef and au jus without becoming soggy.
In conclusion, Chicago Johnny's Italian beef recipe is a carefully crafted masterpiece that combines high-quality ingredients, slow cooking methods, and a delicious blend of flavors. Whether you're a native Chicagoan or just visiting, be sure to try this iconic sandwich for a true taste of the Windy City.
