# Italian beef sandwich (from Joshua Weissman)

Video: [The Greatest Roast Beef Sandwich Ever (Italian Beef)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c) by [Joshua Weissman](https://www.youtube.com/@JoshuaWeissman).
RecipesMD is not affiliated with Joshua Weissman. Steps are paraphrased in our own words.
Status: machine-read from the video, not yet checked by a person.

- Serves: not stated
- Total time: not stated
- Ontario estimate*: ~$7.20 per serving, ~$14.40 for ~2 portions (assumed); saves ~$8.80* per serving (55%) vs ordering out (~$16.00*). * Estimate: predicted from the ingredient list: 8 line(s) priced from Ontario averages, the rest filled with typical costs for their type; the video doesn't state how many it serves, so 2 portions were assumed; restaurant comparison is a typical Ontario sandwich or burger at ~$16, before delivery fees, tax and tip. Prices: Ontario averages (StatCan 2026-07) + RecipesMD estimates, pro-rated, staples excluded.

## Ingredients

- 2 cups (450 g) water
- 1 1/2 tbsp (18 g) instant yeast
- 2 tbsp (18 g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp (24 g) vegetable oil
- 4 3/4 cups (800 g) bread flour
- 2 1/2 tsp (12 g) fine sea salt
- splash water
- 1 1/2 cups (360 ml) white distilled vinegar
- 3/4 cup (175 ml) water
- 1 1/2 tbsp (16 g) kosher salt
- 3 tbsp (45 g) granulated sugar
- 4 pepperoncini peppers
- 1 to 2 large carrots
- 5 ribs celery
- 4 serrano chilis
- 1 cup (240 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- 7 sprigs fresh oregano
- 1 tbsp (9 g) black peppercorns
- 1 tbsp (8 g) celery seeds
- 4 lbs (1.8 kg) oxtail
- 3 lbs (1.3 kg) beef soup bones
- generously cooking spray
- 2 onions
- 3 ribs celery
- 1 head + 5 whole heads garlic
- 2 carrots
- 1 tbsp (9 g) whole peppercorns
- to cover water
- 4 lbs (1.8 kg) beef top round roast
- heavily salt and pepper
- enough to coat oil
- 1 tsp (2 g) red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp (7 g) ground paprika
- 1 tbsp (8 g) celery seeds
- a little bit mushroom soup base powder _(amount estimated)_
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 sprigs fresh oregano

## Steps

1. [5:04](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=304s) Combine warm water, instant yeast, and sugar in a mixer bowl and let sit.
2. [5:11](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=311s) Add vegetable oil and half of the bread flour, mixing on low speed.
3. [5:18](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=318s) Add fine sea salt and the remaining flour, mixing until smooth, then let rise in a greased bowl.
4. [5:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=329s) Divide dough into four pieces, shape into loaves, and let rise again.
5. [6:09](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=369s) Bake bread rolls in the oven until golden brown, then cool and cut.
6. [6:24](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=384s) Prepare giardiniera by boiling vinegar, water, salt, and sugar for pickling liquid.
7. [6:33](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=393s) Slice vegetables and chilis, pour hot pickling liquid and olive oil over them.
8. [7:06](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=426s) Make a sachet with cheesecloth, oregano, peppercorns, and celery seeds, and add to vegetables.
9. [7:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=439s) Roast oxtail and beef soup bones in the oven until deeply browned.
10. [7:29](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=449s) Simmer roasted bones with chopped vegetables, peppercorns, and water for hours to make beef stock.
11. [8:03](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=483s) Strain the beef stock.
12. [8:12](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=492s) Season beef top round roast heavily with salt and pepper.
13. [8:15](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=495s) Sear the beef roast in a Dutch oven until browned on all sides.
14. [8:22](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=502s) Add homemade beef stock, spices, garlic, onions, bay leaf, and herbs to the pot.
15. [8:39](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=519s) Braise the beef in the oven until the internal temperature reaches desired doneness.
16. [9:10](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=550s) Slice the chilled cooked beef thinly.
17. [9:19](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=559s) Reheat sliced beef in the strained braising liquid.
18. [9:27](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ4hImLfM2c&t=567s) Assemble the sandwich with toasted bread, warm beef, and giardiniera, then dip in warm broth.

## Equipment

- stand mixer
- baking sheet
- saucepan
- mandoline
- cheesecloth
- Dutch oven
- meat slicer
- strainer

## What the video didn't say

- Exact baking temperature and time for bread dough are approximate.
- Exact resting time for dough rise.
- Exact simmering time for oxtail stock.

Source page: https://recipesmd.com/v/joshua-weissman-italian-beef-sandwich