Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

This Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich recipe is a perfect easy weeknight dinner! Made easily in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or oven the tender beef is cooked in broth until it easily shreds like butter. Topped with melty cheese on a bun, it's the ideal simple comfort food recipe.

Ready or not, you're about to have one of the best beef sandwiches of your life! I'm giving you the instructions to choose whether you want to make these French dip sandwiches with au jus in the slow cooker, Instant Pot, or the oven. All three methods are equally delicious and simple to make, with a prep time of less than 20 minutes.

The tender, succulent beef is slowly cooked to perfection in a flavorful broth, nestled between soft hoagie rolls and topped with melted provolone cheese - this meal is sure to become one the whole family will love!

Crockpot meals make evenings easier and allow for more quality family time. My Mississippi French Dip Sandwiches are also an excellent beef dip style sandwich that has added zests and zings of flavor!

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• 15 Minute Prep Time: A Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich m SUPER easy dinner recipe with simple ingredients! All the prep involves is searing the meat and combining all of the ingredients in the crockpot.
• Comfort Food: It’s an excellent comfort food meal that is also versatile! 
• Flavorful Beef: After it slow cooks to perfection, this shredded juicy beef has so much flavor!
• Slow Cooker Meal or Instant Pot: It’s an excellent set-it and forget-it dinner! The leftover beef is a great way to prep ahead of time for lunches and dinners for the week!

What is a French Dip Sandwich

The classic French dip sandwich is an American dish that is traditionally made with thinly sliced roast beef and served on a soft French roll or baguette. What sets this sandwich apart is its method of serving: it's typically accompanied by a small bowl or cup of beef broth (known as au jus), which the sandwich is either dipped into or poured over the top. Optional additions include melted cheese (often provolone or Swiss) and sautéed onions or mushrooms.

The origin of the French dip is debated, but is believed to have originated in Los Angeles, California, in the early 20th century by Philippe Mathieu, a French immigrant who owned a restaurant called Philippe The Original. According to this story, in 1918, Mathieu accidentally dropped a French roll into a pan containing drippings from roasting beef. Rather than discarding the bread, he served it to a customer who loved it. This led Mathieu to offer it on the menu as the "French dip."

What cut of beef is best for a Slow Cooker French Dip

A chuck roast is my favorite cut to use in this recipe. It comes from the shoulder area of a cow. It is known for its rich flavor and tenderness, especially when cooked slowly. The connective tissues will breakdown as it slowly cooks and the fat marbling adds moisture and flavor.

Other slow cooked beef cuts that can be suitable alternatives for chuck roast are bottom round roast, top sirloin roast or chuck eye roast.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below

• Beef Broth: Provides a base for the au jus sauce, adding depth of flavor and moisture to the beef as it cooks.
• Extra Stout Guinness Beer: Adds a robust and slightly bitter flavor to the au jus sauce, complementing the richness of the beef.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the savory umami taste of the beef and adds a tangy, slightly sweet flavor to the au jus sauce.
• Garlic Powder: Infuses the beef with aromatic garlic flavor, enhancing its overall taste.
• Lipton Onion Soup Mix: Provides a blend of onion flavor and seasoning, enhancing the savory profile of the beef and au jus sauce.
• Beef Chuck Roast: The main protein in the dish, the chuck roast becomes tender and flavorful after slow-cooking in the broth and beer mixture.
• Provolone Cheese: Adds a creamy and slightly tangy element to the sandwich, melting over the warm beef and contributing to its richness.
• Hoagie Buns or Sub Rolls: Serve as the vessel for the sandwich, providing a sturdy base to hold the tender beef, melted cheese, and au jus sauce.
• Vegetables (optional): Adds a deliciously caramelized sweetness and additional texture to the sandwich, enhancing its overall flavor!

Tools You'll Need

• 6 Quart or Larger Crockpot
• Large Skillet (optional)
• Cup Slicer (optional)
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cups

Pro Tip: Searing the beef can be optional in this recipe, but I highly recommend taking the extra step. It caramelizes the outside of the beef creating an even richer and more delicious flavor in the end.

How to make a Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

1. Heat oil in a large skillet on high heat. Season roast on both sides with salt and black pepper and sear a couple of minutes on each side. (Seasoning and searing first is optional.)

2. To a 6-quart or larger Crockpot, whisk together broth, beer, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, soup mix, and salt. 

3. Place beef in the mixture. 

4. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high 4-5. Once complete, remove the roast and shred. Discard excess fat.

5. If making a vegetable topping, heat oil in a medium pan on medium-high heat. Sauté prepared vegetables until tender, about 5-10 minutes. Season with a seasoning salt blend or salt and black pepper as desired.

6. Butter bread, and broil on high heat 15- 30 seconds. Add slices of cheese to the tops and broil again 15-30 seconds or until cheese is melted.

7. Assemble sandwiches with beef and vegetables, and serve with a side of au jus (the broth) for dipping.

Making an Instant Pot French Dip

The beef for these French Dips can be made in an Instant Pot as well. If you prefer to cut down on the cook time by using a pressure cooker rather than a slow cooker follow my instructions below. 

1. Turn on the Instant Pot and select the “Sauté” function. Once hot, add oil and sear the beef roast on all sides until browned. Remove the roast.
2. Add butter and stir until melted. Stir in the French onion soup, ranch dressing mix, au jus packet, pepperoncini peppers, pepperoncini juice, and water. Return the beef and add the mushrooms on top.
3. Close the lid and select the "Meat/Stew" function. Set the timer for 60-90 minutes, depending on the size of your roast and how tender you want it to be.
4. Once the cooking time is complete, let the Instant Pot naturally release pressure for 10-15 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure.
5. Open the lid and carefully remove the beef roast from the Instant Pot.
6. Shred the beef roast with a fork and return it to the Instant Pot, stirring to combine it with the sauce.

Making French Dip Sandwich in the Oven

If you'd rather go the traditional route, make this French dip in the oven by roasting the meat instead. 

After searing in an oven-safe pan on the stove top, place the roast in a roasting pan or baking dish.

In a separate bowl, stir together the beef broth, beer, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, soup mix, and salt. Pour the mixture over the roast and cover with a tight-fitting lid. 

Place in a preheated 275°F oven for 3.5 to 4 hours, flipping the roast halfway through cooking. The beef should easily shred with a fork when done. Remove from the oven, shred the beef and discard any residual fat.

Expert Tips and Substitutions

• Cheese Choices: French Dip sandwiches can be made with any melty cheese of choice. Besides provolone cheese, you could use American cheese, cheddar cheese, muenster cheese, Swiss cheese, or pepper jack cheese!
• Sodium Adjustment: The sodium content can be adjusted to your preference. To lower the content, you can NOT salt the beef before searing nor add it to the Crockpot and choose low-sodium or unsalted broth. You can also make the Lipton Onion Soup Mix from scratch. 
• Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix: A homemade version of 1 Lipton Onion Soup Mix packet can be used instead of store-bought. Simply combine 2 ½ tablespoons dried minced onion, 4 cubes regular or reduced sodium beef bouillon, crumbled, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt, ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper.
• Sautéed Vegetables: Sautéed vegetables, onions, bell peppers, and mushrooms, add extra flavor and texture to the sandwiches. Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences. You can also add other vegetables like sliced jalapeños or caramelized onions.
• Remove the Beer: The extra stout Guinness beer adds depth and richness to the au jus sauce. If you prefer not to use alcohol, you can substitute with an equal amount of beef broth or beef stock.
• Flavorful Spread: Plain mayonnaise or a jazzed up flavored mayo can elevate this sandwich. A simple garlic aioli or this tangy with a touch of heat Spicy Sriracha Mayo Sauce are both excellent additions.

What to serve with French Dip Sandwiches

These sandwiches are excellent served with a simple side salad, french fries, tater tots, cooked vegetables or raw veggies and herb and onion dip.

Storage and Freezing

Once the meat has cooled to room temperature, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. If you want to store it for longer, you can freeze it for up to three months.

To reheat the beef, thaw overnight in the refrigerator or on the counter for a few hours. It's best to place the beef in a baking dish with some beef stock or au jus, cover with foil and bake in a 300ºF for 15 to 20 minutes until warmed through. You can also microwave for a couple minutes with a little bit of broth as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

Try these other Slow Cooker Recipes

• Easy Crockpot Beef Stroganoff
• Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
• Crockpot Mongolian Beef
• Crockpot Tomato Basil Chicken