Crazy tender Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches seeping with spices are unbelievably delicious and make the easiest dinner or party food!
You havenโt had a French Dip Sandwich until you try this French Dip Recipe!ย These French Dips have rave reviews for a reason โ they are rave worthy!ย The meat is cooked low and slow, sliced then put back in the slow cooker so it drinks up all the juices and becomes melt-in-your-mouth tender.ย Pile that juicy beef on to a golden toasted bun smothered with gooey cheese then dunk in flavor burstingย au jus and you quite possibly the most delectably delicious bite of. your. life.ย ย
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Watch How to Make Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches
I had high expectations for my French Dip Sandwich recipe but this French Dip is sooooo good, I am going out on the limb and calling it the BEST French Dip Sandwich Recipe out there (update: hundreds of you agree by the comments โ thank you!).ย Sometimes you create a recipe thatโs so melt in your mouth โ ย savor every meaty, cheesy bite โ delicious that you get giddy just dreaming of when you can consumeย it again and you know you will be best friends forever and ever. ย
These Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches is one of those recipes. ย And almost as thrilling as the taste is the fact that it takes all but 5 minutes to prep. ย We are already planning on making these for ย New Years because they are the best/easiest dinner ever! ย If we can wait that longโฆ
What is a French Dip Sandwich?
The classic French Dip Sandwich is a hot sandwich boasting tender thin slices of beef layered on a long French roll, often with melted cheese, then dipped in a flavorful sauce made from the pan juices calledย ย โau jus,โย French for โwith brothโ or โwith juice.โ
Who invented the French dip sandwich?
The French Dip Sandwich did not originate from France but its originator, Philippe Mathieu, was French.ย Phillipe owned a sandwich shop in Los Angeles,ย Philippe the Originalย that is still around today!ย ย
According to the story, Philippe was making aย sandwich for a policeman and accidentally dropped the sliced French roll into the drippings of a roasting pan.ย Instead of getting new bread, Phillipe served dipped bread and the policeman loved it so much he returned the next day with friends requesting all of their sandwiches be dipped in the meat drippings โ and thatโs how The French Dip Sandwich was born.
Why Youโll Love This French Dip Sandwich Recipe
1. It is all about the slow cooker liquid which will become your dunkable au jus.ย This magical beef bath ofย beef consommรฉ, soy sauce and COKE (inspired by my Chipotle Sweet Pulled Pork), showered with dry minced onions, dry thyme, oregano, garlic and onion powder is savory spiced perfection. ย But that alone is not enough to make these obsessive worthyย French Dip Sandwiches. ย The meat needs to be crazy tenderโฆ
2.ย To achieve such melt-in-your-mouth tenderness, theย roast gets cooked low and slow for 4 hours, then sliced thinly while it is mostly cooked but still firm enough to hold together. ย The roast slices continued to cook for another 2 hours, so the seasoned broth can permeate every centimeter of the thinly sliced meat,ย leaving you with the most unbelievably tender, flavorful beef.
3.ย And then the cheeeeeese.ย ย The beef is so melt in your mouth tender, I guarantee you will be devouring this beef alone, no cheese, no sandwich, just moist, flavor bathed beef. ย But when you finally find the will power to pull yourself away to pile your rolls or hoagie buns with your canโt=stop-eating-meat, top with provolone cheese and bake until the cheese is ooey gooey and bubbly.ย Because a melty cheese toasted bun bursting with savory meat can only get better byโฆ
4.ย Dipping our French Dip in bestย au jus sauce!ย The leftover slow cooker savory juices further penetrate the meat and the bun leaving it delightfully drippy and drenched in more flavor.
Ingredients for French Dip Sandwiches
You donโt need many ingredients to make the BEST slow cooker french dip sandwiches!
How to Make French Dip Sandwiches
Are you ready for the easiest beef dip recipe EVER?
- Heat olive oil in a skillet, then sear the beef on all sides.
- Add the seared beef and pan drippings to a slow cooker.
- Add in the remaining ingredients.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours then remove roast to a cutting board. Thinly slice roast across the grain.
- Place sliced meat back in slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for 1-2 additional hours.
- Assemble sandwiches, then bake to melt cheese. Yum!
How to Make French Dip Sandwiches in Advance
I think this French dip tastes very best if made ahead โ or partially made ahead.ย Once the beef is cooked up to slicing, I like to refrigerate it, then the next day reheat it, slice it, and proceed with making the beef dip sandwiches.
1. Cook beef until tender but donโt slice.
2. Remove ceramic insert from slow cooker and let cool to room temperature (for food safety and because it can crack if placed directly in the refrigerator).
3. Refrigerate the beef in the juices up to 24 hours.
4. When ready to heat, skim off all the hardened fat.
5. Cook on LOW in the slow cooker for 1-2 hours until warmed through.
6. Slice beef and let soak for 30 minutes.ย
7. Continue per recipe instructions.
Tips for the Best French Dip
How to Store Crock Pot French Dip Sandwich
Store your cooked French dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator.ย ย I like to refrigerate mine with some of the slow cooker juices for extra moisture and flavor.ย When stored correctly, cooked beef will keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.ย You can even eat it straight from the fridge!
How to Reheat Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich
French dip reheats beautifully, just donโt forget to save some of the slow cooker liquid so you can add it to your leftover beef when reheating to prevent it from drying out.ย
โขCrockpot:ย add some of the jus and heat on low for 1-2 hours.
โขStove:ย transfer to a Dutch oven with some jus and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
โขMicrowave:ย transfer smaller servings to a microwave-safe dish with some jus, cover with a microwave-safe lid or paper towel. ย Microwave for 60 seconds, stir, then continue to microwave for 30-second intervals, if needed.
How to Freeze Crock Pot French Dip Sandwich
You may freeze both the rolls and the beef dip.
1. Let beef cool completely.
2. Transfer beef to an air-tight container or a heavy-duty freezer bag along with some of the juices (to keep it juicy).
3. Squeeze out any excess air to prevent freezer burn.
4. Label and freeze for up to 3 months.
5. When ready to eat, thaw French dip in the refrigerator overnight.
6. Reheat in the slow cooker, microwave or stove.
French Dip Sandwiches FAQs
Au Jus (French for โwith juiceโ) is the rich, savory broth created from the natural drippings of the beef. In French Dip sandwiches, itโs truly the soul of the dishโthe flavorful dip that elevates each bite from good to unforgettable. Typically enriched with beef broth, onions, garlic, herbs, and seasonings, au jus is light and silky (not thick like gravy), designed to soak into the bread and steak, making the sandwich irresistibly juicy and bursting with beefy flavor.
The best cheese for French Dip Sandwiches is provoloneโit melts beautifully, is mild yet flavorful, and lets the beef and au jus shine. If you prefer more richness, Swiss, Gruyรจre, or mozzarella are also excellent choices, while sharp white cheddar adds a bolder twist. Ultimately, it comes down to preferenceโchoose a cheese that melts well and complements the juicy beef.
The best meat for French Dip Sandwiches is chuck roast. When slow-cooked, it becomes ultra-tender, juicy, and full of rich beefy flavor that pairs perfectly with the savory au jus. Its marbling breaks down into melt-in-your-mouth bites that soak up the broth without falling apart.
That said, some restaurants also use ribeye for a more indulgent, steakhouse-style French Dip, or brisket for a deeper, smoky flavorโbut chuck roast is the most flavorful, affordable, and reliable choice for that classic, juicy, fall-apart French Dip at home.
Serving Suggestions for French Dip Sandwiches
Serve your French Dip Sandwiches with:ย
Million Dollar Macaroni and Cheese
Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Ranch
Creamy Bacon Pea Salad
Baked Beans with Brown Sugar and Bacon
Baked Parmesan Fingerling Potato Fries
Perfect Fruit Salad
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French Sandwiches FAQs
French Dip and Philly Cheesesteak are two popular sandwich options, and while they share some similarities, there are distinct differences between them:
โ
Main ingredients:ย The main ingredient of a French Dip sandwich is thinly sliced roast beef and provolone cheese served on a French roll or baguette. It is often accompanied by au jus, a flavorful beef broth for dipping. On the other hand, Philly Cheesesteak features thinly sliced beef steak, traditionally topped with melted cheese, such as Cheez Whiz or provolone, accompanied by bell peppers and/or mushrooms and served on a long roll.
โ
Flavor profile:ย French Dip sandwiches are known for their savory, beefy flavor, and the au jus provides an additional depth of beefy richness. In contrast, Philly Cheesesteaks are cheesy, slightly tangy with Italian seasonings.
A French Dip is made of thinly sliced roast beef piled on a toasted French roll or baguette, often with melted provolone cheese. It is served with a side of au jus (โwith juiceโ) a flavorful beef broth, used for dipping the sandwich.
French Dip Sandwiches are dipped in a flavorful sauce made from the roast beef pan juices called, โau jus,โ French for โwith brothโ or โwith juice.โ It is typically made from the drippings of the cooked roast beef, combined with beef broth, seasonings, and sometimes additional ingredients like onions or herbs. The au jus is usually served warm or hot alongside the sandwich, allowing the bread and roast beef to be dipped into the savory, beefy broth, adding moisture and enhancing the overall flavor of the sandwich.
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Ingredients
- 3 lb beef chuck roast trimmed of excess fat*
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 6 French rolls or hoagie buns
- 12 slices provolone cheese
Slow Cooker
- 1/3 cup reduced sodium soy sauce
- 1 cup Coke NOT diet
- 2 10.5 oz. cans beef consommรฉ **
- 1/4 cup dried minced onions
- 1 tablespoon beef bouillon
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
Instructions
- Heat vegetable oil over medium high heat in a cast iron skillet. Using two forks or tongs to hold roast, sear on all sides until lightly browned. Add to slow cooker and top with all remaining Slow Cooker ingredients.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours then remove roast to a cutting board. Thinly slice roast across the grain. Place sliced meat back in slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for 1-2 additional hours.
- When ready to serve, remove roast and strain fat from broth for dipping.
- Split rolls and line the bottoms on a baking tray. Top each half with beef followed by 2 slices cheese. Bake at 350 degrees F or until cheese is melted. Serve with reserved au jus.
Video
Notes
- *The beef can be more or less than 3 pounds, but 3 pounds is roughly the amount for 6 sandwiches.
- **Beef consommรฉ can usually be found in the canned section next to the beef broth OR the soups.ย If you canโt find it make sure to ask someone.ย If your store doesnโt carry it, you may substitute beef broth.
Oven Directions:
Cover and bake at 425 for 30 minutes, then turn the oven down to 300 and continue to bake for 3-4 hours or until very tender (but not fall apart tender). Remove from the pan, let rest 15 minutes, thinly slice, then add back to oven (with all the juices) and turn oven down to 200. Cook for as long as you can stand it to let the beef soak up more juices โ at least 15 minutes.Want To Make This Recipe?
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Natalie Tacher says
I am making this recipe for Christmas Eve dinner, but my Father is skeptical that a chuck roast wont just fall apart/shred. He thinks french dip should be sliced. Do you have any more tips, besides slicing it cold, or some words of assurance about the chuck roast? This recipe sounds amazing!
Jen says
Hi Natalie! Chuck roast only falls apart/shreds when itโs super tender. As long as you donโt overcook it, it will slice beautifully!