Slow-Cooked Italian Beef with Peppers and Herb-Infused Gravy
Tender slices of slow-cooked Italian beef simmered in a rich, herb-infused gravy with sweet bell peppers, perfect for a hearty sandwich or dinner. This italian-inspired beef ready in about 200 minutes pairs Italian beef roast, large, thinly sliced yellow onion, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 6, 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.
Ingredients
- 3 lbs Italian beef roast
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips green bell peppers
- 2 medium, sliced into 1/2-inch strips red bell peppers
- 1 large, thinly sliced yellow onion
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp flour
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 3 lbs Italian beef roast with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper, then sear on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Step 2: Remove the beef and set aside. In the same pot, add 1 large thinly sliced yellow onion and sauté for 4 minutes until softened, then add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux, then gradually whisk in 4 cups beef broth, scraping up browned bits from the pot.
- Step 4: Return the beef to the pot along with 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp dried thyme. Add 2 sliced green bell peppers and 2 sliced red bell peppers on top.
- Step 5: Cover and simmer on low heat for 3 hours until the beef is tender and shreds easily, stirring occasionally to mix peppers into the gravy.
- Step 6: Remove beef, shred with two forks, and return to the pot. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed. Serve hot with bread or over polenta.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Slow-Cooked Italian Beef with Peppers and Herb-Infused Gravy take to make?
Total time is about 200 minutes (20 min prep + 180 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 Slow-Cooked Italian Beef with Peppers and Herb-Infused Gravy?
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 italian beef roast from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Slow-Cooked Italian Beef with Peppers and Herb-Infused Gravy?
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 Slow-Cooked Italian Beef with Peppers and Herb-Infused Gravy for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Slow-Cooked Italian Beef with Peppers and Herb-Infused Gravy?
Italian beef 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.
