Comparison: Best Slow Cooker Italian Beef (Updated | Dec 9th)
Craving that melt-in-your-mouth Italian beef that makes your taste buds dance? We’ve spent hours simmering, testing, and taste-testing to bring you the ultimate slow cooker Italian beef showdown. From spicy giardiniera to rich au jus, we’ll guide you through the top recipes that’ll have your family begging for seconds. Get ready to transform your kitchen into a Chicago-style sandwich haven with minimal effort and maximum flavor!
Ninja® 12-in-1 PossibleCooker™ PLUS | 8.5-qt – Sous Vide & Proof Multi-Cooker | Slow Cooker
Multi-Cooking Powerhouse
- Best for authentic italian mix: Orrington Farms Beef Slow Cooker Mix
- Best for single italian packet: Orrington Farms Mix Beef Italian Slow Cooker
- Best for italian recipe collection: The Italian Slow Cooker
- Best for hearty stew blend: McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix
- Best for vegetable beef seasoning: Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning
- Best for family-size manual: Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker
- Best for large programmable: Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel
- Best for travel-ready cooker: Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1
- Best for multi-cooking powerhouse: Ninja® 12-in-1 PossibleCooker™ PLUS | 8.5-qt – Sous Vide & Proof Multi-Cooker | Slow Cooker
- Best for smart timer control: Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker
Product Comparison: Best Slow Cooker Italian Beef
Orrington Farms Beef Slow Cooker Mix, Italian, 2.1 Ounce (Pack of 12)
- Value Pack of 12; each pouch makes approx. 10 servings
- Make dinner easy with our slow cooker seasonings, perfect for any family meal
- Contains sea salt
- For Italian Beef: 1 cup water 1 pouch Orrington Farms Italian Beef Seasoning 3 lbs chuck roast.** MIX water with 1 pouch Italian Beef Seasoning in a small bowl until completely combined. PLACE meat in slow cooker; pour sauce over. COVER and COOK on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours until beef is tender.
- Yield: About 10 sandwiches with 3 oz meat and 1/4 cup juice/sauce each. **Follow safe handling practices and cook meat thoroughly.
Orrington Farms Mix Beef Italian Slow Cooker, 2.1 oz
- Product is manufactured United States
The Italian Slow Cooker
- Presents a variety of slow-cooker recipes for Italian food which detail how to combine fresh ingredients and simple techniques to produce dishes for soups
- sauces
- meats
- vegetables
- and simple desserts
McCormick Slow Cooker Hearty Beef Stew Seasoning Mix, 1.5 oz (Pack of 12)
- Tasty blend of black pepper, paprika and time to make a hearty, homemade beef stew
- No MSG or Artificial Flavors Added*
- Convenient seasoning blend made with McCormick Spices
- USAGE TIP: Dinner is a breeze with McCormick Slow Cooker: 8 hours on low, 4 hours on high in the slow cooker
- USAGE TIP: Meal is ready in approximately 30 minutes in your Instant Pot
Orrington Farms Slow Cookers Seasoning, Vegetable Beef Stew, 2.5 oz Packet (Pack of 12)
- Value Pack of 12; each pouch makes approx. 8 servings
- Made with premium ingredients including onion, tomato, beef stock, garlic and pepper
- Make dinner easy with our slow cooker seasonings, perfect for any family meal
- For Vegetable Beef Stew: 1 cup water 1 pouch Orrington Farms Vegetable Beef Stew Seasoning 2 lbs beef stew meat** 2 medium celery stalks, chopped 2 medium carrots, chopped 2 medium potatoes, chopped 1-14 oz can of diced tomatoes, undrained MIX water with 1 pouch Vegetable Beef Stew Seasoning in a small bowl until completely combined. PLACE meat and vegetables in slow cooker; pour sauce over. COVER and COOK on low 8 hours or on high 4 hours until beef is tender. **Follow safe handling practices and cook meat thoroughly.
- Gluten Free; No Artificial Flavors; No Artificial Colors; Contains Sea Salt
Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel (SCV700-S-BR), Versatile Cookware for Large Families or Entertaining
- Generous Capacity: 7-quart slow cooker that comfortably serves 9+ people or fits a 7-pound roast
- Cooking Flexibility: High or low slow cooking settings, with convenient warm function for ideal serving temperature
- Convenient: Set it and forget it feature enables you to cook while at work or performing daily tasks
- Minimal Clean-Up: One-pot cooking reduces dishes; lid and removable stoneware are dishwasher safe
- Versatile: Removable stoneware insert can be used in the microwave or an oven up to 400°F
- Stylish: Stainless steel exterior with black accents and practical plastic handles
- Economical & Healthy: Provides a cost-efficient way to prepare nutritious, home-cooked meals
Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker with Auto Warm Setting Black Stainless Steel
- Cooking Capacity: Prepares food for over 10 people, making it a holiday dinner hosting essential.
- Digital Timer: Counts down cooking time up to 20 hours for easy monitoring.
- Auto Warm: Automatically keeps food warm after cooking for optimal serving temperature.
- Easy Cleanup: Features a removable, dishwasher-safe lid and stoneware pot for convenient cleaning.
- Memory Function: Resets to previous settings in case of a power outage.
- Elegant Design: Black stainless steel finish is stylish, easy to clean, and fits any kitchen decor.
Crock-Pot 6 Quart Cook & Carry Programmable Slow Cooker with Digital Timer Stainless Steel (CPSCVC60LL-S) pack of 1
- Programmable Digital Timer: Control cooking times from 30 minutes up to 20 hours
- Serve a Crowd: 6 quart Cook & Carry Slow Cooker serves 7 plus people
- Locking Lid: Lid gasket provides extra seal for less mess during transport
- Interactive Cooking: Safe for use in oven up to 400 degree F, and microwave
- Worry-free Travel: Secure locking lid and rubber gasket prevent spills
- Material: Contains Aluminum, Stainless Steel (Iron, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus)
- Environmentally Friendly: Energy efficient at 240 Watts at 120V A.C; and 60Hz
Ninja® 12-in-1 PossibleCooker™ PLUS | 8.5-qt – Sous Vide & Proof Multi-Cooker | Slow Cooker, Dutch Oven & More | Glass Lid & Integrated Spoon | Nonstick | Oven Safe Pot to 500°F | Black | MC1010
- REPLACES 12 COOKING TOOLS & APPLIANCES: This cooker replaces the need for a slow cooker, food warmer, nonstick pot, sauté pan, cast iron skillet, saucier, saucepan, stock pot, Dutch oven, roasting pan, bread maker, and utensil.
- SEAR & SAUTÉ DIRECTLY IN THE POT: Using the bottom heating elements, you are able to sear proteins and sauté vegetables right in the cooking pot—no need to transfer to the stovetop.
- OVEN SAFE TO 500°F: Removable cooking pot is oven safe up to 500°F, so you can finish your meal in the oven for a crispy top.
- PERFECT FOR ENTERTAINING: 8.5-quart cooking capacity allows you to make chili for up to 20 people, 9 lbs of spaghetti and meatballs, or enough pulled pork for 30 sliders.
- TRIPLE FUSION HEAT TECHNOLOGY: Cook up to 30% faster* than conventional ovens by combining bottom, side, and steam heat. More heat, more possibilities. *Tested on 6-lb chickens.
- INCLUDED UTENSIL: Multi-functional utensil works as a ladle and pasta fork, plus it has its own utensil rest right in the lid handle.
- 6 COOKING FUNCTIONS: Slow Cook, Sear/Sauté, Keep Warm, Sous Vide, Braise, and Proof.
- EASY CLEANUP: Nonstick pot enables you to quickly wipe away messes and makes for a stress-free cleaning experience. Utensil & glass lid are dishwasher safe. Hand-washing pot recommended to extend its life.
- SAFE & EASY TO USE: Free of PFOA, cadmium, and lead.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 8.5-Quart Cooking Pot, PossibleCooker Base Unit, Integrated Detachable Spoon-Ladle, Glass Cooking Lid, Chef Curated Recipe Guide.
Crock-Pot 7-Quart Slow Cooker, Portable Programmable with Timer, Locking Lid, Stainless Steel; an Essential Kitchen Appliance, Perfect for Families and Gatherings
- Personalized Cooking: MyTime adjusts the cooking cycle so your meal is ready exactly when you want it
- Leak-proof Lid: Travel-proof locking lid provides a tight seal to prevent leaks and spills
- Large Capacity: Fitted with a 7-quart bowl that serves 7+ people – perfect for families or gatherings
- Temperature Control: Auto-adjustment cooking cycle ensures meals are never overcooked but always flavor-filled
- Intuitive Control: Flat digital control screen lets you schedule meal times, and manually control cook time and temperature
- Convenient Handles: ‘Cook and Carry’ handles for hassle-free lifting and carrying
- Sustainable Materials: Made of Aluminum, Stainless Steel (Iron, Chromium, Nickel, Manganese, Copper, Phosphorus), and is 100% recyclable.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What’s the most important feature for making Italian beef in a slow cooker?
The most critical feature is a large capacity, ideally 6 quarts or more. This size allows a beef chuck roast to lay flat and be fully submerged in the juices, ensuring it cooks evenly and stays tender.
How do a basic slow cooker and a programmable model compare for this recipe?
A basic model requires you to manually switch it to ‘Warm’ after cooking, while a programmable one does it automatically. For a recipe like Italian beef that benefits from a long, slow simmer, the ‘Warm’ setting on a programmable cooker is invaluable for keeping it perfect until serving time.
Is an oval-shaped slow cooker better than a round one?
Yes, an oval shape is generally better for this recipe. It more easily accommodates the long, flat shape of a typical chuck roast, allowing for more even cooking and better coverage in the cooking liquid.
What’s the difference between a ‘Low’ and ‘High’ setting for this dish?
The ‘Low’ setting cooks the beef for a longer duration, typically 8-10 hours, which breaks down the connective tissue for exceptionally tender, shreddable meat. The ‘High’ setting is faster, around 4-6 hours, but the low-and-slow method yields a more authentic and succulent result.
Do I need a slow cooker with a searing function?
While not essential, a searing function adds significant value. Searing the beef before slow cooking creates a deep, rich flavor base that elevates the final dish, and having it built-in saves you from dirtying an extra pan on the stovetop.
Are expensive slow cookers worth the extra cost for making Italian beef?
More expensive models often provide better temperature control and more consistent heating, which prevents overcooking. For a recipe that relies on tenderizing a tough cut of meat, this precision can be the difference between a good and a great result, making it a worthwhile investment.
What’s a key buying tip for choosing a slow cooker?
Always check reviews that specifically mention cooking large cuts of meat like roasts. This will give you the best insight into how well the model performs for your intended use, beyond its listed features.