Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sliders Recipe

Beefy, salty, tangy, and a little spicy, these slow cooker Italian beef sliders are so satisfying on a cold day. And, in typical Blog Chef fashion, they are super easy to prepare. Thanks to the three envelopes of prepared seasoning, there’s no chopping involved — outside of cutting one slice of cheese into four squares. And the only measurement you need to make is 1 cup of water.

Here’s a fun story. The first time I made these, my power went out after they were done in the slow cooker, but before I had made the intended side dish of roasted carrots. I shredded the beef by and we ate them by candlelight, with a glass of red wine.

Since I had no power, I couldn’t toast the buns as I’d planned. All that beefy, seasoned gravy soaked right into the untoasted bread — and it was amazing. A super satisfying meal.

I later made them again with toasted buns. While I like the texture of a toasted bun, it’s not critical to this dish’s success. If you wanted to skip the step of crisping the buns, these sliders will still be delicious.

When to serve slow cooker Italian beef sliders

I like these sliders on a cold day, when you’re craving something hearty. You could also make them for guests at a Super Bowl party or any game-day event.

Sliders are generally great for parties, because they’re finger foods but also a main course. Your guests can eat them standing up or while holding a beer.

Side dishes for slow cooker Italian beef sliders

You can serve these sliders on their own or with so many different sides. For example:

• Macaroni and cheese when you’re doubling down on comfort food
• Roasted carrots or zucchini to balance the richness with something healthier but still hearty
• Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes for a starchy compliment
• Watermelon, for a sweet break from the richness of the meat

Substitution options for slow cooker Italian beef sliders

The ingredients you can modify in this recipe are the picante sauce, Italian dressing mix, the cheese, and the buns:

• Choose a picante sauce to set the spice level of these sliders. Go hot if you like things spicy and mild if you don’t. Do not use a fresh salsa, though. Stick with thicker sauces made with roasted tomatoes and peppers.
• You could swap in 2 teaspoons of dried Italian seasoning in lieu of the Italian dressing mix.
• Try a different cheese!
• Watching your bread intake? Skip the bun and dump the cooked beef atop a baked potato. My better half likes to eat the leftover meat with white rice, too.