These Crockpot Italian Beef Sliders have the best flavor and texture. The tender beef, gooey cheese and soft, but toasted buns can be served as an appetizer or as the main course.
Sliders are a game day tradition in our house. I love serving my Pulled Pork Sliders Recipe and my Chicken Parmesan Sliders.
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Why this Roast Beef Sliders Recipe is a Keeper
This snack slider checks all the boxes; they are simple, satisfying, and totally customizable.
- Family Friendly: Your family will adore these Italian beef sliders.
- Slow Cooker: This recipe is made in slow cooker, perfect to make in the morning to have dinner ready when get back home from work and picking the kids up from school.
- Perfect for Parties: Make these beef Italian sliders for a party, they won’t disappoint.
- Zero Active Effort: Aside from searing (which is optional but recommended), the crock pot does 100% of the heavy lifting.
- Highly Scaleable: You can easily double the meat to feed a massive crowd without increasing your prep time.
- The “Drip” Factor: The leftover cooking liquid (jus) makes these sliders incredibly moist, far surpassing any deli-meat version.
Can I Substitute Another Cut of Beef or Ground Beef in Place of Chuck Roast?
I would not recommend using ground chuck, but you could use another cut of meat that cooks and shreds easily if you don’t have a chuck roast for the sider recipe.
What Reader’s Are Saying…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Wow! This tender beef had so much flavor. We served the sliders at a football party over the weekend and what a hit! Thanks for the delicious recipe!”
~ Glenda
Ingredient Notes for Roast Beef and Cheese Sliders
This recipe uses easy, fresh ingredients that pack all the flavor. There is never a speck of these sliders left at the end of a party.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Beef: Chuck roast is best for this recipe. It cooks well low and slow and shreds easily.
- Dinner Rolls: You will need 16 slider buns. I like to use a package of Hawaiian sweet rolls, but you can also use buns with sesame seeds.
- Cheese: Provolone cheese goes perfect with the tender meat, but you can also use other kinds like cheddar if you like.
Variations and Substitutions – Cheeseburger Sliders
This recipe is super flexible. Switch it up to make it work for your tastes. You can pile on the beef with so many different toppings.
- Meat: While chuck roast is the gold standard for shredding, you can use bottom round, ground beef or even venison. For a leaner version, chicken breasts work well (reduce cooking time to 4-5 hours on Low).
- Spicy: If you love heat, use “Hot” Giardiniera or extra red pepper flakes. For a mild version, stick to sweet banana peppers. Use a dash of kosher salt.
- Buns: Switch sweet Hawaiian rolls for mini ciabatta rolls or crusty French bread slices for a “Chicago-style” vibe.
- Sauce: Some people love a “creamy” Italian slider. Stir in 4 ounces of cream cheese at the very end until melted. Try adding a savory butter. The butter mixture can add a sweet and tangy kick.
- Toppings: Toppings can add flavor and crunch, include crispy fried onions, thin slices of dill pickles or shredded lettuce.
Special Equipment for Crockpot Italian Beef Sandwich
To make this recipe, you will need a couple different kitchen items to make it just right.
- Slow Cooker: A crockpot or slow cooker will slowly cook your beef on low so that it’s juicy and tender.
- Serrated Knife: A serrated knife will easily cut through the buns on a cutting board.
How to Make Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sliders
This recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. This easy dinner is so good, it’s perfect for the end of football season.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Cook the Beef.: Add the chuck roast, beef broth, Italian Seasoning and garlic powder to the pot. Add 6 Tablespoons of butter on top of the beef, followed by the banana peppers and juice. Secure the lid onto the crock pot and cook on low.
- Assembling the Sliders: Shred the meat when it’s fully cooked. Slice the entire package of rolls in half horizontally, and place the bottom half on a lined baking sheet. Layer the meat, banana peppers, cheese and the tops of the rolls.
- Toast the Sliders: Brush melted butter onto the tops of the rolls. Season with Italian Seasoning and garlic powder. Bake in a preheated oven until golden brown.
Make-Ahead Ideas for the Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Get a head start to make dinner even easier than it already is.
- Prep and Season: Season the roast and slice your onions a day ahead. Keep them in a gallon-sized bag in the fridge so you can just “dump and go” in the morning.
Alternate Methods for Crockpot Italian Beef Sandwich
If your don’t have a crock pot there are a couple other ways to make this classic recipe. Here are two simple ways for you to make these treats.
- Stovetop Dutch Oven: Brown the beef on all sides in a heavy pot. Add liquid and seasonings, then bring to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook on low for 3-3½ hours, stirring occasionally.
- Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker: Sear the beef using the sauté function. Add broth, seasonings, and pepperoncini. Pressure cook on high for 60-75 minutes, depending on roast size. Natural release for 15 minutes, then shred and return to the pot.
How to Store, Reheat and Use Leftovers
- Storing: Store meat in its juices in an airtight container for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: For the best results, reheat the meat in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of the leftover juices. If using a microwave, cover with a damp paper towel to prevent the beef from drying out.
- Using Leftovers: Make an Italian beef pizza. Use the shredded beef as a topping with mozzarella and giardiniera.
- Stuffed Peppers: Mix the beef with cooked rice and stuff into bell peppers; bake until tender.
- Beefy Omelets: A savory, high-protein breakfast.
- Stuffed Potatoes: Take all that filling and use it to top a delicious baked potato.
Common Questions About The Recipe and Toppings
Can I Cook this on High for 4 hours instead of Low for 8?
Yes, you can also cook this recipe on high for 4 hours.
Can I Add Hot Peppers or Peppers to the Crockpot?
Yes, feel free to add any type of peppers you like.
What Condiments Can I Use?
Some condiment options include horseradish, ketchup, mayonnaise or a homemade sauce with Worcestershire sauce.
Tips for Making Crockpot Italian Beef Recipes
- The Sear is Secret: For the best flavor, sear the roast in a hot pan with a little oil for 3-4 minutes per side before putting it in the crock pot. This creates a “crust” that deepens the flavor of the entire dish.
- Toast the Rolls: Never put wet, shredded beef on a cold bun. Brush the sliders with garlic butter sauce and bake them at 350°F for 10 minutes on a baking dish until the cheese slices melt and the buns are toasted.
- Strain the Fat: If your chuck roast was particularly fatty, use a fat separator or skim the top of the liquid with a spoon before serving to keep the sliders from being overly greasy.
- Serve With: Serve Coleslaw, Best Caesar Salad or Hellmann’s Macaroni Salad with Egg with this recipe.
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Crockpot Italian Beef Sliders
Crockpot Italian Beef Sliders are the perfect party food. They have great flavor and texture, and are super easy to make.
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds Chuck roast
- 1 cup Beef broth
- 1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning, plus more for topping
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder, plus more for topping
- ½ cup Butter, divided
- 12 ounces Banana peppers, 1 jar, divided
- 16 Butter flavored rolls, 1 package
- 16 slices Provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the chuck roast in the bowl of your slow cooker and add the beef broth.
- Season with Italian seasoning and garlic powder.
- Set aside 2 Tablespoons of the butter, then cut the remaining stick into thin slices. Place the slices on top of the beef.
- Top with ⅔ of the banana peppers plus half the juice from the banana pepper jar. Set the remaining banana peppers aside.
- Place the lid on the slow cooker and set to cook on low for 6 hours or high for four hours.
- When the meat is finished cooking, remove it from the pot and shred it.
- Cut the entire package of rolls in half and remove the top half of the bread. Place the bottom half on the prepared baking tray, and spread the meat in an even layer over the bottom half of the rolls.
- Top the shredded meat with the remaining banana peppers.
- Layer the cheese on top of the meat, then place the top of the rolls on top of the cheese.
- Melt the remaining butter in the microwave and brush it over the top of the rolls. Season with Italian Seasoning and garlic powder.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes, until the rolls are golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Reserve some of the cooking juice in the slow cooker for dipping, if desired.
Christina’s Notes
- This Recipe Can be Doubled: This is a great recipe for a crowd. Simply increase the ingredients proportionately and split it into two baking dishes before baking.
- Add Red Peppers for Banana Peppers: If you want Italian beef with peppers but don’t like banana pepper, use red bell peppers instead.
- Garlic Bread Rolls: To give this Italian sliders recipe a garlic bread twist, before you brush on the butter mixture, mix fresh minced garlic, parmesan cheese, and oregano in then brush over the rolls.
Helpful Tips for All RecipesThese quick tips will help you get perfect results every time.
- Scale the recipe: Simply adjust the serving size in the recipe card and the ingredients will update automatically.
- Make your own All Purpose Seasoning: When a recipe calls for All Purpose Seasoning, you can use my homemade All Purpose Seasoning recipe or substitute salt and pepper to taste.
- Meat doneness: I always use a meat thermometer to test for doneness when cooking meat.
- Use unsalted butter: I use unsalted butter so I can control the salt level in the recipe.
- Preheat the oven: Unless otherwise noted, always preheat your oven before baking.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, check out the blog post.
Nutrition
Calories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 16gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 288mgPotassium: 285mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 429IUVitamin C: 18mgCalcium: 164mgIron: 2mg
The nutritional information provided are estimates. It is recommended that you verify this information with your own trusted resource.
Did You Make This Recipe?Leave a review & star rating to let everyone know what you thought.
I paired our beef sliders with marinara sauce for dipping, it was satisfyingly good. Highly recommended!
This is a must-try beef recipe! I’ll be using this again at our Trick or Treat party. I’m so excited!
I LOVE the idea of this as a slider instead of a massive sandwich. Perfect for company! Thanks for the wonderful recipe.
Wow! This tender beef had so much flavor. We served the sliders at a football party over the weekend and what a hit! Thanks for the delicious recipe!