French Dip Sandwich
This French Dip Sandwich can be made in the Slow Cooker or Instant Pot. Served on a hoagie roll with a delicious au jus sauce. These sandwiches are an easy beef recipe for a weekday or weekend. With tender beef and melted cheese, this hot sandwich is one of those easy dinner recipes the whole family loves.
FRENCH DIP SANDWICH
Growing up, we used to go to this sandwich shop in Los Angeles called Philippe’s (named after Philippe Mathieu) with the best beef dip sandwich I’ve every had. The dipping sauce was out of this world.
HOW TO MAKE FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES
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Remove and discard all visible fat from the roast. Place trimmed roast in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
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Add the beef broth, soy sauce, bay leaf, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder to the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Cover, and cook on Low heat for 6-8 hours, or until meat is very tender. It depends on your slow cooker; it could take more or less time. For the Instant Pot, cook for 30 minutes on high pressure.
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees for toasting the rolls. Remove meat from broth, reserving broth. Slice into thin slices or shred meat depending on your preference. I prefer it sliced really thin.
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Slice rolls (French baguette, hoagies, or French bread) in half and place on a cooking sheet. Spread with butter and bake in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until barely toasted.
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Pile meat on rolls and top each roll with 2 slices of Provolone cheese. Place rolls back in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
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Skim any fat off the surface of the reserved broth in the slow cooker. Serve with reserved broth. You may need to add water to adjust the strength of the au jus. Sometimes it is stronger than others and you can adjust it easily by adding water to your preference. Serve in ramekins or a small bowl so everyone can dip their own sandwiches.
FRENCH DIP SANDWICH RECIPE
For some reason I’ve had a major craving for French dip sandwiches lately. No, I’m not pregnant. Hormonal maybe…but not pregnant.
I loved the smell of these sandwiches cooking all day. The au jus has an earthy smell. Not earthy in a overly herb-infused way…just a deep, rich flavor. These couldn’t be easier and take 10 minutes to prepare in the morning.
I cut each roll in half and made smaller sandwiches for me and my kids. Brush on some butter and toast the rolls for a couple of minutes. Pile on the meat and some Provolone cheese and toast the sandwiches for a couple more minutes in the oven.
OTHER BEEF RECIPES:
- Roast Beef and Gorgonzola Hoagies
- Easy Beef Burrito Skillet
- Korean Beef
- Sheet Pan Philly Cheesesteak
- Beef Enchilada Dip
- Cuban Shredded Beef
BEST SLOW COOKER RECIPES
- The Best Pot Roast
- Salsa Verde Beef Tacos
- Slow Cooker Chicken Caesar Sandwiches
- Crockpot Italian Chicken
French Dip Sandwich
Ingredients
- 1 (4 pound) boneless beef chuck roast
- 2 cups beef broth, (I like to use Better than Boullion Beef base)
- 1/3 cup low-sodium soy sauce
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 whole black peppercorns, (or sub 1/8 teaspoon black pepper)
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 french rolls or hoagies
- 16 slices Provolone cheese
- butter for rolls
Instructions
- Remove and discard all visible fat from the roast. Place trimmed roast in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
- Add the beef broth, soy sauce, bay leaf, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder to the slow cooker or Instant Pot. Cover, and cook on Low heat for 6-8 hours, or until meat is very tender. It depends on your slow cooker; it could take more or less time. For the Instant Pot, cook for 30 minutes on high pressure.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees for toasting the rolls. Remove meat from broth, reserving broth. Slice or shred meat depending on your preference. I prefer it sliced really thin.
- Slice rolls in half and place on a cooking sheet. Spread with butter and bake in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until barely toasted.
- Pile meat on rolls and top each roll with 2 slices of Provolone cheese. Place rolls back in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Skim any fat off the surface of the reserved broth in the slow cooker. Serve with reserved broth. You may need to add water to adjust the strength of the au jus. Sometimes it is stronger than others and you can adjust it easily by adding water to your preference. Serve warm au jus in ramekins so everyone can dip their own sandwiches.
Easy and tasty! Only did 1 slice of cheese per sammy.
Yum!
Hi, quick question: With the instant pot, is it natural release? Thanks. Looks like a delicious recipe & I can’t wait to try it. (I plan to sauté some sweet onions and skip the cheese.)
I’ve used both releases. Doesn’t affect the recipe.
Turned out amazing! I only had a 2ish pound roast and I still cooked it with the same ingredient ratio of a 4lb roast. The au jus was delicious. I also used the baguettes from Costco which I think worked great too! Thank you!Â
Yum!
Hi! This looks great! I can’t wait to try it! Unfortunately, I was only able to get a 2.34lb roast. It’ll probably be enough for us. Should I just half the recipe? Would the cook time still be 6-8hrs?
Went ahead with the full recipe and the full 6hr cook time. Yielded a shredded version that everyone loved! Will be making again!
My husband just had major surgery and told me today out of the blue this afternoon that he had a hankering for a French Dip Sandwich.  He said that if I didn’t feel like making them, I could drive (across town!) and get one from his favorite restaurant.  Normally I would be a little bit upset with him, but because of his surgery I felt like pampering him.  I figured if I made a roast, I would have plenty of leftovers for days and he would be happier longer!  I used your recipe and it turned out gloriously!  My husband was so happy and said it was far much better than his favorite restaurant!  Thank you so much for helping him on his road to recovery — and helping me keep my sanity as I try to keep him a happy camper!  🙂
Oh my that makes me so happy! So glad you enjoyed it. Hoping for a speedy recovery for your husband!
I’m planning on making this tonight! I’ve made so many of your recipes, and several of them have become staples in my house! Is it okay to substitute to beef stock for the beef broth? I just have some on hand already.Â
Yes. Beef stock is great!
These sandwiches look yummy. I have to make them this weekend. I understand your pain about Hairstylists since I am one. If your stylist has gone to another salon I’m sure she will contact you. Shame on the salon you went to that wouldn’t tell you where she went. Salons only do that when they are upset over someone leaving. I hope your stylist. It’s tough finding a good one that understands you. Good luck.
Hahaha thanks!
Recipe looks great! My kids love French dip and using the Instant Pot will save my kitchen from heating up this summer (no air-conditioning here!) Sorry about your hairdresser. I feel for you because finding a new person isn’t easy. I have curly hair and it’s very, very difficult to find someone who knows how to cut curly hair. Â I’ve been with my stylist for years now and where she goes, I follow. Have a lovely weekend.Â
So trueeee!
I don’t normally do reviews but when my hubby requested this again less than one week after making it the first time I knew I had finally found the perfect French dip
Awesome!
Hi. I love your blog and have tried many of the recipes! For this one, can you serve the meat as a main (to be sliced) and not as sandwich meat?
Sure! It has great flavor.
I have made this for a group of people a couple of times and they said it is the best french dip they have had.
I did put a pack of dried onion soup mix instead of the bay leaf, thyme and rosemary (i didn’t have them). And they were still amazing! Also, my husband thinks too many herbs makes stuff taste like grass (?)
Made these Saturday and they were AWESOME!! I cant wait to make them again!!!
I made this today, 3/16/13. It was absolutely amazing! I had my parents over for dinner, and everyone stuffed themselves! The au jus is incredible! Thank you for a fantastic French Dip recipe! I will definitely be making this again! <3 from Madison, OH