Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches Recipe
Introduction
Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are a deliciously tender, slow-cooked beef roast served on crusty rolls with melty cheese and savory au jus for dipping. This easy recipe fills your kitchen with irresistible aromas and delivers a comforting meal perfect for any day.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2½ to 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 (1-ounce) packets dry onion soup mix
- 2 cups water
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans beef broth (or Better-than-Bouillon)
- 6–8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese
- 6–8 crusty rolls (ciabatta or hoagie)
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Season the beef chuck roast generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Step 3: Sear the beef on all sides in the hot skillet until browned, about 1–2 minutes per side.
- Step 4: Transfer the seared beef and any pan drippings to your slow cooker.
- Step 5: Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix evenly over the beef.
- Step 6: Pour in the water and beef broth around the meat.
- Step 7: Cover and cook on HIGH for 4–6 hours or on LOW for 8–10 hours, until the beef is tender and shred easily.
- Step 8: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks.
- Step 9: Pile the shredded beef onto sliced rolls and top each with a slice of cheese.
- Step 10: Place sandwiches under the broiler until the cheese melts and the rolls are lightly toasted.
- Step 11: Serve the sandwiches hot with the juices (au jus) from the slow cooker on the side for dipping.
Tips & Variations
- Use brisket instead of chuck roast for a slightly different texture; slice thin if it doesn’t shred well.
- For quicker prep, you can skip searing the beef, though browning adds extra flavor.
- Frozen roasts work fine; just increase cooking time by about 2 hours.
- A fat separator helps you get cleaner au jus for dipping.
- Soft hoagie rolls, ciabatta, or crusty artisan rolls all make great sandwich bases.
- Use crockpot liners to make cleanup easier.
- Try a garlic aioli or horseradish mayo if you’d like added zing, although traditional French dips are mayo-free.
Storage
Store leftover shredded beef and au jus in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, adding a little broth if needed to keep the meat moist. Assemble sandwiches fresh for the best texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
What cut of meat is good for French dip sandwiches?
Beef chuck roast is the go-to choice because it shreds easily and absorbs flavors well. Brisket is also a good option, but slice it thin if it doesn’t shred as easily.
How do you make simple beef dip in a slow cooker?
Combine seared beef, dry onion soup mix, water, and beef broth in a slow cooker. Cook on low until the meat is very tender, then shred and serve with the cooking juices as dipping sauce.
PrintCrockpot French Dip Sandwiches Recipe
Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are a comforting and flavorful meal featuring tender, slow-cooked beef chuck roast infused with onion soup seasoning and beef broth. Served on crusty rolls with melted Swiss or provolone cheese and accompanied by the rich au jus for dipping, these sandwiches are perfect for an easy yet satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 to 8 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Slow Cooker Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Beef and Broth
- 2½ to 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans beef broth (or Better-than-Bouillon)
- 2 cups water
- 2 (1-ounce) packets dry onion soup mix
Seasoning and Cooking
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Sandwich Assembly
- 6–8 crusty rolls (ciabatta or hoagie)
- 6–8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese
Instructions
- Heat Olive Oil and Season Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the beef chuck roast generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides.
- Sear the Beef: Place the seasoned beef in the hot skillet and sear on all sides until browned, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. This step locks in flavor and adds a rich crust to the meat.
- Transfer to Slow Cooker: Move the seared beef along with any pan drippings into your slow cooker. This will be the base for slow cooking.
- Add Seasonings and Liquids: Sprinkle the two packets of dry onion soup mix over the beef. Pour in 2 cups of water and the 2 cans of beef broth to create the flavorful cooking liquid (au jus).
- Slow Cook the Beef: Cover and cook on HIGH setting for 4 to 6 hours, or on LOW for 8 to 10 hours, until the beef is tender and shreds easily.
- Shred the Beef: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker to soak up the juices or keep it warm separately.
- Prepare the Sandwiches: Slice the crusty rolls and pile the shredded beef generously onto them. Top each sandwich with a slice of Swiss or provolone cheese.
- Melt Cheese and Toast Rolls: Place the assembled sandwiches under a broiler until the cheese melts and the rolls are toasted to your liking.
- Serve with Au Jus: Serve the hot sandwiches with the flavorful slow cooker juices (au jus) on the side for dipping, enhancing each bite with extra richness.
Notes
- You can substitute brisket for the chuck roast; slice it thin if it doesn’t shred well after cooking.
- For a quicker version, you may skip searing the beef, though searing enhances flavor significantly.
- Frozen roast can be used but increase the cooking time by about 2 hours to ensure tenderness.
- Use a fat separator to clean the au jus if you prefer less fat in your dipping sauce.
- Soft hoagie rolls, ciabatta, or artisan crusty rolls all work well for these sandwiches.
- Consider using crockpot liners for easy cleanup after cooking.
Keywords: French Dip Sandwiches, Crockpot, Slow Cooker, Beef Sandwich, Au Jus, Comfort Food, Easy Dinner
