Portillo’s Italian Beef
If you have never had a Portillo’s Italian beef, let me paint the picture: paper-thin slices of seasoned roast beef, piled high on a crusty Italian roll, the whole thing dunked into a warm, peppery jus until the bread is soaked through but somehow still holds together. Then you top it with hot giardiniera and your life changes. A combo meal at Portillo’s runs about $11-13. This recipe makes enough for 8 sandwiches at about $2.75 each, and you get to dip your sandwich as many times as you want without the cashier judging you.
Pro Tips
- The Italian dressing seasoning packet is the shortcut that gets you 90% of the way to Portillo’s flavor profile without measuring 10 individual spices. It is not cheating — it is efficient.
- Slice the beef against the grain. If you slice with the grain, the meat will be stringy and tough no matter how long you cooked it. Look for the lines running through the meat and cut perpendicular to them.
- Make this a day ahead. The beef actually tastes better the next day after sitting in the jus overnight in the fridge. Reheat the whole thing gently on the stovetop.
The Michelin Twist
Here are some ways to dress it up:
- Use a prime-grade chuck eye roast instead of top round: The additional marbling melts into the jus during braising, creating a richer, more luxurious sauce and more tender meat.
- Make a bone marrow butter to spread on the rolls: Roast marrow bones at 450F for 15 minutes, scoop out the marrow, and whip it with softened butter and flaky salt. Spread on the rolls before piling the beef.
- Add a housemade pickled cherry pepper relish: Dice sweet and hot cherry peppers, toss with olive oil, fresh oregano, and a splash of red wine vinegar. This gives you giardiniera-level flavor with a fresher, brighter punch.
Cost Breakdown
| Ingredient | Amount | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Beef top round roast | 3.5 lbs | $14.00 |
| Beef broth | 4 cups | $1.50 |
| Italian rolls | 8 | $3.50 |
| Hot giardiniera | 1 jar | $3.50 |
| Spices & seasoning packet | various | $1.00 |
| Garlic | 3 cloves | $0.15 |
| Total | $23.65 |
Compare to $12.00 per sandwich at Portillo’s (8 sandwiches = $96.00) — save 75%
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 410
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 35g
