Julie Clark
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French Dip Sandwiches
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Crock pot French Dip Sandwiches make an easy dinner idea! Get this roast recipe in the slow cooker in 5 minutes and it’ll be ready when dinner time comes.
It’s no secret that roast beef is my all-time favorite comfort dinner. The dinner I always requested anytime I was asked. So it makes sense that French Dip Sandwiches with shredded roast beef would be my #1 sandwich of choice!
I can remember going to Arby’s when I was younger and choosing the French Dip Sandwich off the menu every.single.time. I 100% believe that these homemade slow cooker roast beef sandwiches are 10x better. Because…homemade…and shredded roast beef!
Why do they call it French Dip?
French Dip Sandwiches may sound fancy, but they are one of the easiest dinners to make. Perfect for game day. For company. Or the ideal sandwich to have ready when you get home from a long day of work.
But how did they get their name? They are served with “Au Jus” which is a French term for “with juice” or “with broth”. Dip the sandwiches in the broth and that’s how it got its name!
What is the best cut of beef for French Dip Sandwiches?
Choose a well-marbled cut of beef such as chuck roast. This cut of meat has amazing flavor and will shred easily. I like to trim the roast before I put it in the slow cooker, but definitely leave some fat on the roast because that is what gives the beef dip sandwiches such a good flavor.
How Do You Make French Dip Au Jus?
This is easier than it may sound! For the borth dip, I use a combination of canned French onion soup, beef consomme, and beef broth. Throw in a beef bouillon cube and let that roast simmer in those juices all day.
When the roast is fork-tender…Boom. You have au jus that you can serve in small bowls. Easy as that.
What is the best bread for French Dip Sandwiches?
To be an official French dip sandwich, you should use French bread. This sandwich did not originate in France, but gets its name from the type of bread it is served on. You can use whatever type of bread you like, but I like to use a crusty, hearty bread such as a French baguette or hoagie bun, that will hold up when you dip the sandwich in the au jus.
How to Make French Dip Sandwiches
- Place the roast in the slow cooker. Pour the soup, consommé, broth and bouillon cube overtop the roast.
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the roast is fork-tender.
- Remove the beef to a plate a shred using forks.
- Cut open the bread pieces and place them on a baking sheet. Top each roll with slices of provolone cheese or swiss cheese.
- To melt the cheese, place the baking sheet in the oven under the broiler on high for 3-4 minutes until the cheese starts to bubble. Watch this closely!
- Place shredded beef on top of one half of the bread slices, then top with the other half.
- Serve the sandwiches warm alongside the juices from the beef for dipping.
Recipe Variations
- Add any sandwich toppings you’d like, such as mayo.
- Don’t have time to cook a roast? Throw deli roast beef in the slow cooker and just heat until the roast beef and juices are warmed through.
- To keep the sandwiches warm for a party, wrap the sandwiches in foil and place them in a clean slow cooker on warm.
What to Serve with a French Dip Sandwich
What Can I Do With Leftover Au Jus?
If you end up with leftover au jus, you can use it to make French onion soup, a delicious gravy, add it to beef stew or even to soup. You can easily freeze the au jus until I time when you need it!
You may also love our oven roasted potatoes au gratin, slow cooker potatoes au gratin or french toast muffins.
French Dip Sandwiches
Crock pot French Dip Sandwiches make an easy dinner idea! Get this roast recipe in the slow cooker in 5 minutes and it’ll be ready when dinnertime comes.
Servings 10
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours
Total Time 7 hours 10 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- 10.5 ounces French onion soup (1 can)
- 10.5 ounces beef consomme (1 can)
- 10.5 ounces beef broth (1 can)
- 1 beef bouillon cube
- 8 French baguette or hoagie rolls
- 16 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Place the roast in the slow cooker. Pour the soup, consommé, broth and bouillon cube overtop the roast. 3 pounds beef chuck roast, 10.5 ounces French onion soup, 10.5 ounces beef consomme, 10.5 ounces beef broth , 1 beef bouillon cube
- Cover and cook on low for 7-8 hours or until the roast is fork-tender.
- Remove the beef to a plate a shred using forks.
- Cut open the bread pieces and place them on a baking sheet. Top each roll with slices of provolone cheese. 8 French baguette , 16 slices provolone cheese
- To melt the cheese, place the baking sheet in the oven under the broiler on high for 3-4 minutes until the cheese starts to bubble. Watch this closely!
- Place shredded beef on top of one half of the bread slices, then top with the other half.
- Serve the sandwiches warm alongside the juices from the beef for dipping.
Video
Notes
Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.
The calories shown are based on recipe making 10 sandwiches, with 1 serving being 1 sandwich. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **
Nutrition
Calories: 885kcal | Carbohydrates: 98g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 116mg | Sodium: 1982mg | Potassium: 951mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Calcium: 470mg | Iron: 10mg
We love French Dip sandwiches. I make ours in the oven (our preferred method) & I add everything you do but include a sliced onion, as well. Takes about three hours on 350 F but it’s sooo worth it. We broil split French bread too & add provolone & spread with horseradish sauce. So yummy. Thanks for sharing!