Instant Pot Italian Beef

This Instant Pot Italian Beef delivers fall-apart tender shredded beef, pepperoncinis, and rich flavor with very little prep. Perfect for sandwiches, easy dinners, meal prep, and feeding a crowd.

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Jump to:

• Pull Up A Chair & Let's Chat!
• What You'll Need & Why
• Instant Pot Italian Beef Recipe Rundown
• Swaps & Variations
• Tips For The Best Instant Pot Italian Beef
• Dutch Oven & Slow Cooker Instructions
• Instant Pot Italian Beef Recipe
• Storage & Reheating
• You Asked, I Answered
• Other Easy Sandwiches You’ll Love
• Who’s Stirring the Pot?

this recipe

Pull Up A Chair & Let's Chat!

Italian beef is one of those recipes that feels like it should take all day, but the Instant Pot makes it surprisingly easy. Chuck roast, pepperoncinis, and a handful of pantry staples transform into tender shredded beef and a flavorful jus that's perfect for piling onto toasted rolls. Whether you're feeding the family, meal prepping for the week, or putting together a game-day spread, this recipe delivers every time.

Why You'll Love This Instant Pot Italian Beef

• Fall-apart tender beef: The Instant Pot turns chuck roast into juicy, shreddable beef in a fraction of the time.
• Classic Italian beef flavor: Pepperoncinis add the tangy, savory flavor that makes Italian beef so irresistible.
• Minimal hands-on time: Just a few minutes of prep before the pressure cooker takes over.
• Perfect for feeding a crowd: Great for family dinners, game days, meal prep, and leftovers.
• Versatile serving options: Pile it onto sandwiches, serve it over mashed potatoes, or tuck it into tacos.

What You'll Need & Why

For The Italian Beef

• Chuck roast: Rich, marbled beef that becomes incredibly tender in the Instant Pot.
• Beef broth: Creates the flavorful cooking liquid and becomes the base for the jus.
• Carrot, celery, onion & garlic: Classic aromatics that build depth and richness.
• Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, celery seed, coriander & bay leaves: Create the signature savory flavor throughout the beef and broth.
• Pepperoncini peppers: Add the tangy, slightly spicy flavor that makes Italian beef so distinctive.

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For Serving

• Hoagie rolls: Sturdy enough to hold juicy shredded beef and plenty of jus.
• Provolone cheese: Melts beautifully over the hot beef.
• Giardiniera: Crunchy, tangy, and the traditional finishing touch for Italian beef sandwiches.

Instant Pot Italian Beef Recipe Rundown

• Season and sear the roast: A quick sear builds flavor and creates the foundation for a rich, savory jus.
• Build the braising liquid: Beef broth, aromatics, seasonings, and pepperoncinis create the signature flavor that makes Italian beef so irresistible.
• Pressure cook until tender: The Instant Pot transforms the chuck roast into fall-apart shredded beef in a fraction of the time it would take in the oven.
• Shred the beef: Once cooked, the roast should practically pull apart with a fork.
• Reduce the jus: Straining and reducing the cooking liquid concentrates the flavor and creates the perfect dipping sauce.
• Build the sandwiches: Pile the beef onto toasted hoagie rolls and finish with provolone, giardiniera, and extra pepperoncinis.
• Dip and enjoy: Serve with plenty of warm jus on the side for dipping because that's half the fun.

Swaps & Variations

Whether you're building sandwiches, feeding a crowd, or working with what you already have in the refrigerator, this Instant Pot Italian Beef is easy to customize.

• Adjust the heat: Use hot pepperoncini or add Calabrian chili paste for a spicier version.
• Keep it mild: Swap the pepperoncini for banana peppers to keep the tang while reducing the heat.
• Change the cheese: Provolone is traditional, but mozzarella, Swiss, or white American all melt beautifully.
• Serve it beyond sandwiches: Pile the shredded beef onto mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, or even creamy polenta or rice bowls.
• Make it extra juicy: Serve the strained jus on the side for dipping or return some of it to the shredded beef before serving.
• Add vegetables: Bell peppers, onions, or mushrooms can be added to the pot for extra flavor and texture.

Tips For The Best Instant Pot Italian Beef

A few small details turn good Italian beef into the kind people talk about long after the sandwiches are gone.

• Sear the beef first: A quick golden crust adds depth and richness that carries through the entire recipe.
• Deglaze thoroughly: Scrape up every browned bit after searing—the flavor is hiding on the bottom of the pot.
• Don't skip the pepperoncini juice: The tang balances the richness of the beef and gives Italian beef its signature flavor. Pickled onions or jalapeños are also lovely.
• Taste before adding extra salt: Beef broth and pepperoncinis add plenty of seasoning on their own.
• Shred while the beef is warm: Hot beef pulls apart more easily and absorbs more of the flavorful jus.
• Toast the rolls: A toasted roll holds up better against the juicy beef and dipping sauce.
• Melt the cheese under the broiler: One or two minutes is all it takes for perfectly melted provolone.
• Serve with plenty of jus: Whether you spoon it over the beef or serve it on the side for dipping, don't let that liquid go to waste.

Dutch Oven & Slow Cooker Instructions

Slow Cooker: Sear the chuck roast, then transfer it to the slow cooker. Deglaze the pan with the beef broth and pour it over the roast. Add the seasonings, aromatics, pepperoncinis, and their juice. Cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and easy to shred. Serve on toasted rolls with provolone, giardiniera, and plenty of jus.

Dutch Oven: Sear the chuck roast in a Dutch oven, then deglaze with the beef broth. Return the roast to the pot and add the seasonings, aromatics, pepperoncinis, and their juice. Cover and cook at 250°F for 6–8 hours, until the beef shreds easily with a fork. Serve on toasted rolls with melted provolone and a side of jus for dipping.

Slow Cooker

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Dutch Oven

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Storage & Reheating

• Store the beef in the jus: Keeping the shredded beef in the cooking liquid helps it stay tender and flavorful.
• Refrigerate for up to 4 days: Store in an airtight container with plenty of the jus.
• Freeze for up to 3 months: Freeze the beef and jus together for the best texture and flavor after thawing.
• Reheat gently on the stovetop: Warm the beef in its juices over medium-low heat until heated through.
• Use the microwave if needed: Heat in short bursts with a splash of jus to keep the beef moist.
• Refresh the rolls: Toast or broil the rolls before serving to bring back a little crunch and structure.

You Asked, I Answered

Other Easy Sandwiches You’ll Love

If hearty sandwiches are your kind of dinner, here are a few more worth saving.

• Pulled Pork Sliders With Coleslaw: Tender, saucy, and built for easy dinners or feeding a crowd.
• Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes: Saucy, savory, and packed with melty cheesesteak flavor.
• Baked Cheeseburger Sliders: Easy, cheesy, and always a crowd favorite.
• Steak Sandwich With Creamy Horseradish Sauce: Rich, savory, and finished with a creamy horseradish kick.
• Instant Pot French Dip Sliders – Warm, melty, dunkable perfection.

Who’s Stirring the Pot?

Hi, I’m Ruth—recipe developer, comfort-food creator, and the voice behind Rufus For Real. I specialize in cozy, doable, flavor-packed meals for real-life kitchens, and I’m a firm believer that breakfast, dinner, and everything in between should be simple, satisfying, and impossible to mess up.

You’ll find me sharing even more comfort-food goodness, kitchen tips, and behind-the-scenes chaos over on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube (@rufusforreal everywhere).

If you love approachable recipes with a whole lot of personality, pull up a chair—there’s always room at this table.

Happy Cooking!

-Ruth aka Rufus