Growing up in the Chicago suburbs I have tried countless Italian beef sandwiches. Even though my favorite sandwich is Italian beef that is wet and topped with extra hot and spicy giardiniera (also known as hot peppers), there is something to be said for roasted sweet bell peppers.
It’s important to note this is NOT a recipe for smoked stuffed peppers. This is sliced bell peppers and white onions that have been slow-smoked. You can put them on smoked bratwurst, grilled sausages, chicken, fish, or other smoked meats.
It’s very easy to make these and quick to put them on the smoker, especially if you’re already cooking other tasty foods. If you do not have a smoker you can absolutely slow roast in your oven instead.
A key component of the iconic Chicago Italian beef sandwich is the chili-spiked giardiniera relish and an addition of sautéed bell peppers The peppers add a nice crunch and balance out the rich, savory beef Preparing the peppers properly is important for both texture and flavor. Follow these simple steps to make great sweet peppers for topping your homemade or takeout Italian beef sandwiches.
Why Bell Peppers?
Fresh bell peppers are the standard choice for Italian beef sandwiches for several reasons:
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Mild flavor – Green, red, orange or yellow bells have a light, slightly grassy taste that pairs well with spicy giardiniera.
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Crisp texture – When cooked briefly, bell peppers retain a nice crunch that contrasts the tender cooked beef.
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Easy to char – Bell peppers char and blister quickly for great caramelized flavor. Their smooth skins blacken nicely.
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Easy to slice – The thick sturdy walls make it simple to julienne bell peppers into long slices or strips that sit nicely on sandwiches.
Other pepper varieties like poblanos, Anaheims or Hungarian wax peppers can work too, but classic bell peppers are best suited for Italian beef.
Selecting Peppers
Choose large, firm bell peppers without soft spots or wrinkles. Evenly shaped peppers will be easier to slice. Green are traditional, but red, orange or yellow add visual appeal. Organic and local peppers offer the sweetest, most robust flavor.
Prepping Peppers
Start by cutting the pepper in half lengthwise through the stem. Pull out and discard the stem, seeds and membranes. Rinse briefly under cool water to remove any remaining seeds.
Lay the cleaned pepper halves cut-side down and slice into long 1/4-inch strips Keep the strips about 2 to 3 inches long The thinner you cut them, the faster they will cook.
Cooking Peppers
Skillet Method:
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Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil in a cast iron or stainless steel skillet over high heat until very hot and shimmering.
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Add pepper strips in a single layer and let sear for 1 minute undisturbed to char.
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Use tongs to flip and cook 1 minute more. Peppers will be lightly blackened in spots and tender but still crunchy.
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Remove from pan and sprinkle with salt.
Grill Method:
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Toss pepper strips with 1 tsp olive oil.
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Grill over direct high heat for 2-3 minutes per side until nicely charred and just tender.
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Remove from grill and season with salt.
Regardless of method, take care not to overcook. Peppers should retain some crunch. Charred crisp-tender peppers have the ideal flavor and texture for Italian beef sandwiches.
Serving Suggestions
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Mound seared pepper strips on top of piping hot Italian beef sandwiches.
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Mix into the giardiniera relish for color and crunch.
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Skewer with cubes of beef and onions for Italian beef kabobs.
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Toss with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and basil for an Italian-style veggie side.
With a simple high-heat sear, you can create perfect charred peppers to complement spicy, juicy Italian beef sandwiches. Their mild sweetness and satisfying crunch take the sandwiches to the next level. Now get cooking to bring a taste of Chicago to your kitchen!
Sweet Peppers Recipe For Chicago Italian Beef:
Smoking peppers are very similar to roasting. Instead, you’re infusing them with light smoke flavor and cooking at a slightly lower temperature than traditional roasting.
- Start by washing and drying the peppers. Put them on a cutting board and cut off the stems and seeds.
- For this recipe, you can use either small sweet peppers or big bell peppers that are still whole. Taking out the seeds from the small ones is a little more work, but I like both of them. I recommend using what you love to eat!.
- Create thin slices about 1-2 inches thick at most. Keep the pepper pieces fairly long. This works best with brat and Italian beef sandwiches on wider buns. Similarly, slice the onion.
- Place the sliced peppers and onions into a bowl. Sprinkle a little olive oil on top and add salt and pepper to taste. Toss to combine.
- Preheat the smoker to 350 F. Put the onion and pepper mix into either a cast iron or an aluminum pan. Lay everything out in a single layer so it can cook.
- Place the pan onto the smoker. Smoke for about 20 minutes, and then use the tongs to turn everything over. Let the peppers cook for about 20 to 30 minutes more. They should get softer and darker, but still have a bit of bite to them (no one wants peppers that are too soft on their sandwich).
- Take the sweet peppers out of the smoker and put them in a dish to serve. I like to serve this family style so that people can put together their own sausages and sandwiches however they like.
Recipes To Pair Sweet Peppers With:
If you have peppers left over, you can add them to these crispy herb-roasted potatoes or make an omelet or breakfast casserole with them. Here are some other ways to enjoy the peppers:
chicago style sweet peppers recipe. |. cooking with Chicago jerry
FAQ
What kind of peppers are Italian sweet peppers?
What are Portillo’s Sweet Peppers?
What are the best peppers for sandwiches?
What is the difference between sweet and hot peppers Italian beef?
What makes a good Italian beef sandwich?
The Bread – Ideally, Italian beef sandwiches will be made with a fresh Italian roll, which has a slightly crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior that soaks up the au jus without becoming too soggy. Sweet or Hot: This refers to the choice of peppers. “Sweet” uses green bell peppers that are sliced and then either sautéed or roasted.
What can I substitute for chili pepper?
There are many varieties of chili peppers that have varying levels of heat. Typically, the larger the pepper, the milder the heat. If you don’t have chili peppers for the spicy kick needed in a dish you can substitute cayenne pepper or hot paprika. Start with small amounts to taste, then add more if the dish is not spicy enough. For individuals who don’t like spicy food, a mild sweet paprika works as a replacement, or simply use less chili pepper than the recipe calls for. You can also try bell peppers if you are looking to replace nutrients lost by removing chili pepper. For those who are allergic to peppers in general, the appropriate substitution will depend on the specific recipe. Many times chili pepper can be left out of a recipe. Experimentation is best way to find out what works.
Can I use bell peppers for grilled Italian sweet peppers?
These grilled Italian sweet peppers are easy to prepare. They make a great side dish or a delicious addition to a steak sandwich or antipasto dish. We used Carmen sweet peppers for this recipe but you can use bell peppers if you can’t find these long, horn-shaped peppers.
Can you eat grilled Italian sweet peppers?
Grilled Italian Sweet Peppers make an amazing side dish or you can add them to other recipes for a sweet, smokey flavor. You can eat them right after they get grilled or preserve them in a brine solution and they will keep for weeks. This recipe shows you how to preserve them whole in vinegar-based brine.