To make the tastiest Italian beef sandwich start by selecting the right cut of beef. The best cuts to use for this dish are the top round, bottom round, or sirloin tip. Roast the beef whole and slow to create a tender texture, and let cool completely before slicing. It needs to be sliced very thin to create an authentic Italian sandwich.
The jus brings all the flavor to the sandwich and we’ve shared a basic recipe above which you can build additional seasoning into. Some chefs will add ingredients, such as red pepper flakes, black pepper, and garlic to elevate and enhance the complexity of the dish.
Make sure you use sturdy Italian rolls, such as hoagie rolls recommended in the recipe above. The rolls need to be slightly crusty on the outside to hold the juices when dipped and not become excessively soggy. It’s also advisable to eat this sandwich as soon as it’s assembled so it doesn’t fall apart after being dipped in the juices.
What is an Italian Beef Sandwich?
A Chicago Italian beef sandwich is known for its thinly sliced beef housed in an Italian roll and soaked in savory juices. You can vary the wetness of the sandwich, from a dry variety featuring little juice, to the entire sandwich being dunked in the sauces. The flavors can also differ from sweet to hot, using spicy Chicago giardiniera to bring a final kick to the plate.
This sandwich became popular in the early 1900s, among Italian immigrant communities and is known for being a very juicy, messy, and indulgent dish. To try the best Italian beef sandwich in Chicago, there are several restaurants that are considered to serve tasty, classic versions of this beef sandwich. Al's #1 Italian Beef is a historic place that helped to popularize the sandwich originally, whereas Buona is a well-known local chain that also offers a top Italian beef sandwich.
If you’re wondering what to serve with Italian beef sandwiches, in Chicago, you’ll usually find this sandwich plated with a helping of fries or chips on the side. At home, enjoy with creamy coleslaw to balance the richness of the beef, or with a fresh green bean salad to bring a lighter touch to the dish.
Once you’ve mastered this sandwich recipe at home, there are plenty of other styles of sandwiches to try making. From a French dip to a Cubano, there’s a twist on a sandwich from every corner of the world.
