Just in time for fall, Freezer Meal Italian Beef Sandwiches are here and ready to love you.
Soft shredded beef with lots of garlic and onion, buttered bread, melted Provolone, salty and sour giardiniera, and a rich and flavorful broth to dip it all in are just a few of the things I love about this 7-minute meal.
Italian beef sandwiches are a delicious, flavorful meal that can be enjoyed any time. Their tangy, seasoned beef filling paired with melty cheese and crispy bread make for an iconic sandwich. However, preparing fresh italian beef for sandwiches can be time consuming. This leads many sandwich lovers to wonder – can you freeze italian beef?
The short answer is yes you can absolutely freeze leftover or prepared italian beef! Freezing is a great way to save time while still enjoying delicious italian beef sandwiches. Properly frozen italian beef can last 3-6 months in the freezer.
Below is a complete guide to freezing every component of italian beef sandwiches so you can enjoy these flavors anytime.
Freezing Cooked Italian Beef
The star of italian beef sandwiches is the ultra-flavorful, slow cooked seasoned beef. Follow these tips for freezing cooked italian beef:
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Allow beef to cool completely before freezing Divide into portions and place in freezer bags or airtight containers
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Make sure to exclude as much air as possible when packing to prevent freezer burn
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For best results, freeze beef with some of the cooking juices. This will keep it moist when reheating.
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Label bags with contents and freeze date. Cooked beef will last 3-6 months in the freezer.
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Thaw beef overnight in the refrigerator before using. Reheat gently in the microwave with juices or on the stovetop until heated through.
Freezing Assembled Italian Beef Sandwiches
You can also assemble entire italian beef sandwiches and freeze them for later. Some tips:
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Allow all sandwich components to cool completely before assembling sandwiches.
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Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise or butter on the inside of rolls before adding fillings. This creates a barrier against sogginess.
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Wrap assembled sandwiches tightly in plastic wrap, then foil. Exclude as much air as possible.
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Label freezer bags with contents and freeze date. Assembled sandwiches will last 2-3 months frozen.
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Thaw sandwiches overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Reheat frozen sandwiches in the microwave or oven until hot and melty.
Freezing Italian Beef Sandwich Components
Along with the beef, you can also freeze any other elements of italian beef sandwiches:
Bread rolls: Allow rolls to cool completely after baking. Place in freezer bags and squeeze out excess air. Thaw at room temperature or warm in oven.
Cheese slices: Separate slices and place parchment paper between them before freezing in a bag. Thaw in refrigerator before using.
Peppers and vegetables: Freeze drained roasted peppers or giardiniera in an airtight container. Thaw in refrigerator before using.
Sauces and jus: Allow italian beef cooking juices to cool before freezing. Freeze in ice cube trays or freezer bags. Thaw cubes at room temperature or in the microwave.
Herbs and seasonings: Mix any herb and spice blends in olive oil, then freeze in ice cube trays. Pop out cubes to flavor italian beef.
Tips for Freezing Italian Beef
Follow these tips for the best frozen italian beef:
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Use high quality freezer bags or airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.
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Allow all components to cool fully before freezing to prevent moisture loss.
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Package beef and sandwiches in portion sizes for easy thawing and use.
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Label everything with contents and freeze date for easy identification.
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Don’t refreeze thawed italian beef more than once.
With proper freezing techniques, you can enjoy delicious italian beef sandwiches for months to come. Freezing lets you prep sandwiches ahead of time or save leftovers from a large batch. Give freezing a try so you can savor italian beef anytime!
How Make Freezer Meal Italian Beef Happen
- Put some tasty Italian spices on some beef and put it in a freezer bag.
- Throw it in your freezer.
- Remove from freezer, add liquid, cook totally hands-off, and devour.
That’s it. Low maintenance and flexibility is the name of the game here.
When the beef is done, broil some hearty (I mean REALLY hearty) crunchy bread with slices of Provolone cheese on top. Then add the beef and giardiniera and mix it all up in the broth.
Freezer Meal Italian Beef
- Author: Pinch of Yum
- Total Time: 1 hour 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Freezer Meal Italian Beef! Just a few minutes to prep and hands-off to make. Tender shredded beef, crusty buttered bread, melted provolone, and giardiniera.
Freeze together:
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast, trimmed and cut into chunks
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- half an onion, diced
- 2 teaspoons dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
INSTANT POT: Add 2 ½ cups broth and ¼ cup giardiniera brine before cooking. From frozen, 1 hour 15 minutes on high pressure + 15 minutes natural release.
SLOW COOKER: Add 2 ½ cups broth and ¼ cup giardiniera brine before cooking. From thawed, 5-6 hours on high.
FINAL STEP: Serve on toasted rolls with melted cheese and chopped giardiniera!
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 mins
- Category: DInner
- Method: Instant Pot
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: italian beef, beef sandwich, freezer meal, beef recipe
View original recipe here.
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FAQ
How long does Italian beef last in the freezer?
How to store leftover Italian beef?
Can you freeze Italian deli meat?
Can you freeze Italian meat?
Can you freeze Italian beef?
To freeze Italian Beef: Let beef cool completely. Transfer beef to an air-tight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag along with some of the juices (to keep it juicy). Squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn. Label and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw Italian Beef in the refrigerator overnight.
Does cooked Italian beef need to be refrigerated?
You should store your cooked Italian Beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator. I like to refrigerate mine with some of the slow cooker juices for extra moisture and flavor. When stored correctly, cooked beef will keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. You can even eat it straight from the fridge!
Can you cook Italian beef in a slow cooker?
Cook Italian Beef until tender but don’t shred. Remove ceramic insert from slow cooker and let cool to room temperature (for food safety and because it can crack if placed directly in the refrigerator). Refrigerate the beef in the juices up to 24 hours. When ready to heat, skim off all the hardened fat.
Can You reheat Italian beef in a crock pot?
Italian Beef reheats beautifully, just don’t forget to save some of the slow cooker liquid so you can add it to your leftover beef when reheating to prevent it from drying out. Crockpot: add some of the jus and heat on low for 1-2 hours.