Italian Beef Stuffing

     A Chicago Twist on Thanksgiving Tradition

If you're looking to wake up your Thanksgiving table this year, look no further than a Chicago classic: Giardiniera stuffing. It’s everything you love about traditional holiday comfort—warm bread, savory herbs, buttery richness—hit with the bold, tangy snap of everyone’s favorite pickled condiment.

Giardiniera brings a punch of heat, acidity, and texture that instantly elevates a dish we’ve all had a hundred times. The vegetables melt into the bread while still offering those little bursts of crunch, and the oil adds depth that tastes like you spent way more time than you did. Whether you’re team hot or mild, the flavor payoff is huge.

Ingredients

• 51oz Tub of Sliced Italian beef with jus
• 6 pack of French sandwich rolls
• 2-1/2 cups of drained Giardiniera

Directions

1. To thaw the beef and jus, I like to keep things simple: place the entire sealed container in a pot of water over low to medium heat and let it gently warm until fully thawed. There are plenty of ways to do this, so feel free to use whatever method you prefer — this is just the one that works best in my kitchen.
2. While the beef is doing its thing and thawing, go ahead and grab a mixing bowl and your French rolls. Tear each roll into bite-sized pieces — yes, all six of them — and toss the chunks right into the bowl. This rustic, hand-torn texture gives the stuffing its perfect mix of softness and crunch.
3. Once the beef and jus are fully thawed, pour everything through a strainer to separate the liquid from the meat. Take that warm, savory jus and drizzle it over your bowl of torn bread. Give it a good mix, making sure every piece gets a chance to soak it up. Then let the mixture rest for about 15 minutes — this pause allows the bread to fully absorb all that rich flavor, setting the foundation for an incredible stuffing.
4. Once the bread has soaked up the jus and had a few minutes to rest, fold in the sliced beef and mix until everything is evenly combined. Next, repeat the process with the giardiniera, gently working it throughout the bowl. The goal here is balance — every bite should get a little bit of everything: tender beef, vibrant giardiniera, and that beautifully seasoned bread.
5. Spoon the stuffing into your preferred baking dish, filling it right up to the top, and fresh oregano to add some razzle dazzle. Cover it tightly with foil. Slide it into a 400°F oven and let it bake for 15 minutes to warm through. After that, remove the foil and return the dish to the oven for another 15 minutes. This final uncovered bake gives those top bread pieces a gorgeous, golden crisp — the kind of texture that makes every bite irresistible.
6. Let it cool down for a few minutes then its time to dig in!!! The best side dish that'll have people talking about it till Thanksgiving 2026