4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Italian Beef
This 4-ingredient slow cooker Italian beef is the ultimate set-it-and-forget-it crockpot dinner for busy days when you still want something hearty, cozy, and full of flavor. Made with tender chuck roast, bottled Italian dressing, dry seasoning mix, and pepperoncini, this recipe delivers juicy, fall-apart beef with almost no prep.
Instead of measuring out herbs and spices, this easy Italian beef crockpot recipe lets a go-to bottle of Italian dressing do all the work. As it slow cooks, the beef absorbs rich garlic, herb, and tangy pepperoncini flavors, filling your home with an irresistible aroma that tastes like you’ve been cooking all day.
Perfect for Italian beef sandwiches, weeknight dinners, meal prep, or casual gatherings, this recipe is endlessly versatile and always a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Italian Beef:
Only 4 ingredients simple, budget-friendly pantry staples
Hands-off crockpot recipe perfect for busy weekdays
Ultra-tender beef slow cooked until it shreds effortlessly
Versatile great for sandwiches, mashed potatoes, pasta, or rice
Perfect for meal prep & leftovers tastes even better the next day
Ingredients:
3–4 lb beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
1 (16 oz) bottle Italian salad dressing
1 (0.7–1 oz) packet dry Italian dressing mix
1 cup sliced pepperoncini peppers, plus 2–3 tablespoons of brine
Directions:
Place the chuck roast in the bottom of a 5–6 quart slow cooker.
Sprinkle the dry Italian dressing mix evenly over the beef.
Pour the Italian salad dressing over the roast, then add the pepperoncini and brine around it.
Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
Transfer the beef to a bowl and shred with two forks, discarding large pieces of fat.
Skim excess fat from the juices, return the beef to the slow cooker, and stir to coat.
Keep on WARM until ready to serve.
Serving Ideas:
Piled high on toasted hoagie rolls with provolone or mozzarella
Over mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or polenta
Stuffed into quesadillas or baked potatoes
Served buffet-style for game day or casual gatherings
Tips & Variations:
For a milder flavor, use ½ cup pepperoncini and skip extra brine
For extra heat, add giardiniera or red pepper flakes
Swap chuck roast for bottom round for a leaner option
Use low-sodium Italian dressing if watching salt
