Italian Beef Sandwiches with Au Jus Sauce

This Italian Beef Sandwich Recipe serves up seasoned beef with an au jus sauce that can be made without drippings right on the stovetop. If you are craving Italian beef sandwiches, this recipe is sure to hit the spot. The whole family will love the tender, juicy beef, and you’ll appreciate the minimal prep time.

With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, you can recreate the authentic Chicago flavors at home. Get ready to enjoy a mouthwatering, flavorful sandwich that’s sure to become a favorite in your household.

This post sharing an Italian Beef & Au Jus Sauce Recipe contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you.

Easy Italian Beef Sandwiches

Experimenting with the au jus sauce was overwhelming at first. I wasn’t sure whether to use beef stock, pan drippings, or other ingredients like soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce. After trying various methods and consulting other cooks, I finally mastered a homemade au jus sauce that delivers the authentic beefy flavor my husband loves.

My husband grew up in the Chicago area, and one of his favorite local foods has always been Italian beef sandwiches with authentic Chicago-style flavor. When we moved to Iowa, we couldn’t find anywhere that offered the same taste, so I created my own Easy Italian Beef and Au Jus Sauce Recipe.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These are the ingredients I use to make this Italian Beef and Au Jus Sauce recipe. Feel free to adjust them to your taste preferences.

Ingredients:

• 8 pack of buns or sub rolls
• 1 lb. medium Roast Beef, sliced (or chuck/rum roast for more flavor)
• 1/4 lb provolone cheese
• 1 Small Onion
• 1-2 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 16 ounces Beef Broth
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Basil
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

Italian Beef Recipe Stove Top Instructions

1. Prepare the Au Jus Sauce

In a medium saucepan, combine the beef broth, garlic salt, garlic powder, basil, oregano, and soy sauce. Bring to a boil.

2. Cook the Onions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. While the broth mixture is heating, chop the onion and cook in a small saucepan with butter or margarine over medium heat for about 7-10 minutes, or until softened.

3. Combine and Cook

Reduce the heat under the beef broth mixture to medium-low. Add the sliced roast beef and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the beef starts to brown. Remove from heat.

4. Assemble the Sandwiches

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place slices of beef on each bun, top with cooked onions and cheese slices, and place the top bun on each sandwich. Bake in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. Serve immediately with Au Jus for dipping.

Tips for the Perfect Italian Beef Sandwich

• Doubling the Recipe: This recipe doubles easily. Just double the ingredient amounts.
• Variations: Add kosher salt and black pepper for extra flavor, or a splash of red wine for a sweeter, more complex au jus.
• Serving Suggestions: Serve on sub rolls or Italian bread for a more traditional touch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Make Italian Beef Gravy

To make a thicker gravy, cook the au jus sauce longer and add a tablespoon of flour.

How to Make Chicago Italian Beef Gravy

For an authentic Chicago-style gravy, add some beef fat or drippings to the au jus sauce.

Can I Use Different Types of Cheese?

Absolutely! Provolone is traditional, but Swiss, mozzarella, or your favorite cheese can be used.

What If I Don’t Have Beef Broth?

You can make your own beef broth from beef bones or use beef gravy to increase the flavor.

Is Italian Beef Keto?

Yes! Use low-carb buns or a low-carb wrap to keep the net carbs down. Be sure to check out these Low Carb Crock Pot Meals for more easy low-carb dinner ideas that the whole family will love.

More Delicious Recipes

Learn how to make a garlic butter sauce for bread to serve these Italian Beef sandwiches on. If you are looking for a poor boy recipe similar to Merichka’s Po Boy Sandwich, this one is perfect. 

If you are interested in trying some delicious low-carb dinner ideas you have come to the right place. I have worked hard at transforming all of my favorite recipes and making them low carb as well as keto-friendly. One way I simplify traditional recipes is by making them in the crock pot. I especially like to create keto dump meals in the slow cooker that the whole family enjoys.

Don’t forget to follow along on social media and sign up for the free newsletter so that you never miss a post again. Thanks for stopping by, leave a comment letting me know how you enjoyed this easy recipe. 

How to Double this Au Jus Sauce Recipe

This recipe doubles very easily. If you want to make twice the amount, just double the exact measurements in this recipe for a delicious meal for a crowd.

It really is that simple! If you find that you are using more au jus sauce than this recipe calls for, just double the au jus sauce and keep the same amount of meat. This would be perfect for a deliciously messy dinner that my husband would approve of, he loves it extra sloppy.

Variations on the Au Jus Sauce Recipe 

There are many different ways to add a bit of extra flavor to your au jus sauce. Sprinkle in some kosher salt and black pepper for a bit of a kick or add a little bit of red wine for a sweeter flavor, more for a thin gravy. Cook on medium-high heat and add a few meat drippings or beef fat and a tablespoon of flour to thicken the beef sauce. 

You can make your own beef broth from beef bones or use beef gravy among other beef items to increase the flavor in this simple recipe. 

Instead of serving this easy recipe on hamburger buns, you can serve on sub rolls or Italian bread. These options will allow the au jus sauce to soak in the bread while keeping the Italian beef from ripping it apart.