Grilled Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender slices of seasoned roast beef piled high on crusty Italian bread, served with a homemade giardiniera and au jus for dipping. This american-inspired sandwiches & wraps ready in about 50 minutes pairs top round roast beef, vegetable oil, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 560 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 American cuisine 560 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat grill to medium-high heat (about 400°F). Rub 2 lbs top round roast beef with 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano, and 1/2 tsp dried basil. Grill the beef for 20-25 minutes, turning every 5 minutes, until an internal temperature of 135°F for medium-rare is reached.
  2. Step 2: Remove the beef from the grill and let it rest for 10 minutes. Thinly slice the beef against the grain into about 1/4-inch wide strips.
  3. Step 3: In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups beef broth to a simmer over medium heat. Add the sliced beef to the broth and keep warm, allowing the beef to soak in the au jus for 5 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Slice 4 Italian bread rolls lengthwise, leaving one side hinged. Fill each roll generously with the soaked beef slices and top with 1/4 cup giardiniera per sandwich.
  5. Step 5: Serve immediately with small bowls of the warm au jus for dipping each sandwich, enjoying the spicy, savory, and tangy flavors typical of Chicago-style Italian beef.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep top round roast beef from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Chicago-Style Italian Beef Sandwich?

American sandwiches & wraps like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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