World Flavors Cookbook

Chicago Italian Beef Sandwich (Dipped)

Thinly sliced seasoned beef on Italian bread, dipped in the roasting jus, topped with giardiniera or sweet peppers — the sandwich Chicago obsesses over.

Cuisine: United States

Ingredients

• 1.5kg beef top round or rump roast
• For seasoning: 2 tsp each oregano, basil, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, salt, black pepper
• 1L beef broth
• 1 bay leaf
• Italian bread rolls (amoroso-style)
• Giardiniera (hot pickled vegetables)
• Sweet roasted peppers

Instructions

1. Rub roast with all seasonings. Brown on all sides.
2. Add broth and bay leaf. Braise at 325F for 3 hours until very tender.
3. Rest beef. Slice as thin as possible (nearly paper thin).
4. Return sliced beef to the jus.
5. To serve: pile beef on roll. Ask: wet, dry, or dipped? Dipped = whole sandwich briefly submerged in jus.
6. Top with giardiniera (hot) or sweet peppers.