French Dip sandwiches made with tender (slow cooked) roast beef topped with melted cheese on a toasted hoagie and served with au jus.
After a busy weekend, I'm back in meal planning mode! I turn to my crockpot at least once a week for easy slow cooker meals like slow cooker pork chops and slow cooker lasagna.
I love the simplicity and flavor of these Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches. They couldn't be easier to throw together and the result is the most tender roast beef, melted provolone cheese and a toasted hoagie served with au jus that's all made in the slow cooker!
Ingredients:
Bread: Good quality bread is key! Hoagies, sub rolls, baguette's or any type of crusty bread will be great. Avoid soft rolls or bread as they will soak up the liquid quickly and get very soggy, causing the sandwich to fall apart.
Beef: Chuck roast, rump roast or other cheaper cuts of beef that cook well in the slow cooker. Trim any large excess pieces of fat from your roast. Allow the roast to come to room temperature a bit before searing it. I take mine out of the fridge for 15 minutes beforehand.
Cheese: Swiss or provolone is what I recommend but choose your favorite!
Au Jus: As the meat cooks int he slow cooker with the spices and liquid, a natural au jus dipping sauce will be made. Ladle the sauce from the bottom of the pot into small bowls for dipping the sandwiches.
How to Make French Dip Sandwiches:
1. Prep the roast: Season all sides of the chuck roast with salt and pepper, oregano, and thyme. Sear the roast in a very hot skillet with a little bit of oil until browned on all sides.
2. Cook on low: Add meat to slow cooker and pour all “slow cooker” ingredients on top. Cook on LOW for 4 hours and then remove meat to a cutting board. Thinly slice the meat and then return it to the slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for one more hour.
3. Strain Au jus: When ready to serve, remove the roast to a bowl. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer and reserve it for dipping the sandwiches in.
4. Assemble and serve: Preheat oven to Broil. Slice rolls in half and lightly butter one side. Add a few slices of meat to the other side and two slices of cheese on top. Place in oven on High Broil until the cheese melted and bread is golden. Serve with reserved au jus.
Serve French Dip with:
- A Salad: Cucumber Avocado Salad or Classic Wedge Salad would both taste great.
- Coleslaw
- Potato Salad
- Veggies and dip
Additional Variations:
- Make it healthier: serve on a whole wheat bun and leave off the cheese.
- Make it “Philly style”: add caramelized onions and bell peppers
- Add some heat: jalapeños, yellow pepper, diced chilies, or crushed red pepper.
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Recipe
French Dip Sandwiches
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3.5 pounds chuck roast
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon Dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet Onion Soup Mix (dry), or homemade
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 1/3 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 cup Coke (not diet)
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
For serving:
- 16 slices Swiss or provolone cheese or your favorite kind
- 8 hoagies or sub rolls
Instructions
- Season all sides of the chuck roast with salt and pepper, oregano, and thyme.
- Add olive oil to a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add meat to the pan and sear on high heat for 30 seconds or so on all sides, just until lightly browned.
- Place meat in the slow cooker and sprinkle with French onion soup mix and garlic. Pour broth, coke, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce on top.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours and then remove meat to a cutting board. Thinly slice the meat and then return it to the slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for one more hour.
- When ready to serve, preheat oven to High broil. Slice rolls in half and lightly butter the top side. Add a few slices of meat to the bottom halves and top with two slices of cheese.
- Broil for a few minutes, just until the cheese its melted and bread is golden. Ladle the au jus sauce from the slow cooker into small bowls for dipping. Enjoy.
Notes
- Make it healthier: serve on a whole wheat bun and leave off the cheese.
- Make it "Philly style": add caramelized onions and bell peppers
- Add some heat: jalapeños, yellow pepper, diced chilies, or crushed red pepper.
- A Salad: Cucumber Avocado Salad or Classic Wedge Salad would both taste great.
- Coleslaw
- Fries
- Potato Salad
- Veggies and dip
- Chips
Nutrition
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I originally shared this recipe September 2016. Updated April 2020 with process photos and instructions.
Have you tried this recipe?!
RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
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Will this still turn out good without the coke? We don’t do soda at all so I’m wondering if I could replace it with something else. Has anyone tried to omit the coke?
Followed the recipe with exception of adding a few addt’l spices to the meat before searing it. DELISH!!! Permanent rotation recipe.
This recipe is delicious!! The whole family loved it! I will definitely make this again!
I was also wondering if I could make this in the oven? My slow cooker broke and I am in a hurry to make this yummy meal tomorrow for a friend in need. If it can be do you have any suggestions on temp/time. I’m assuming lowest and slowest but I’m also not the savviest on converting from slow cooker to oven. In a pinch I can see if anyone has a slow cooker to borrow.
Also, might I store this with care in freezer bags for refrigerating/freezing and easy completion at their home if they’re not ready to make it tomorrow/asap?
Thank you kindly!!
Yes, you can definitely make this in the oven! I’d recommend cooking it low and slow, just like in a slow cooker. Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C). After searing the meat, place it in a covered Dutch oven or any oven-safe pot with a tight-fitting lid. Add the liquids and seasonings, then cook for about 3 hours. Check to see if the meat is tender and shreds easily—if not, give it another 30 minutes to an hour until it’s just right.
As for storing, you can absolutely freeze the cooked meat in freezer bags for later. Just make sure to include some of the au jus in each bag to keep the meat moist when reheating. This way, your friend can easily finish the meal when they’re ready!
Hope this helps, and I’m sure your friend will appreciate the thoughtful meal!
The flavor is really good but it doesn’t seem like near enough time for a chuck roast to get tender. I made it the first time and it was barely eatable it was so chewy. I’m giving it a second try and after an additional hour beyond what the recipe calls for, it’s only starting to get tender enough for a sandwich.
Made this and it was excellent!!!! I’ve tried other French dip recipes but they all lacked in flavor…this tastes restaurant quality! It’s a make again recipe!
This French dip recipe is delicious. The Au Jus is so flavorful. Easy Sunday, make the house smell good, comfort food recipe.
This is probably best meal I’ve ever made. And so easy! Adding sautéed onion and mushroom would take it over the top! Delicious. Thank you for the recipe.
So yummy! I did 50 mins instant pot high pressure, natural release, then cut meat & let it simmer on warm & it was perfect. My tween daughter said, “Mom, this is the best sandwich I’ve eaten.” Three thumbs up from the husband. So so good. Thanks!