My French dip sandwiches recipe is coming at ya fast with tender beef and a self-made dipping sauce!
If you love Mississippi pot roast or other slow cooker pot roast recipes, you will go ga-ga over this king of all beef recipes. Juicy chuck roast cooks to perfection in a perfectly balanced amalgamation of flavors that all combine to give you one killer dipping sauce at the end. This ain’t then slow cooker pot roasts you dreaded as a kid — no dry, flavorless meat here!
Pulled pork sandwich lovers unite — we’re getting our beef on!
Let’s cook!
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What I Love About This Recipe
I love slow cooker meals. The way the long cooking process breaks down meat is divine — so add to that a completely decadent finger food meal, and I’m one happy chef!
- Slow cooking magic
- Family fun meal!
- Perfectly cooked beef
- Sauce made right in the slow cooker!
How To Make French Dip Sandwiches Recipe
This recipe has a few steps, but they’re all super easy, I promise!
Start by searing your chuck roast so it gets that nice caramelized flavor. Put it in your slow cooker when it’s browned all over.
Saute the onions next, then add them to the slow cooker too. Pour your beef consomme into the skillet and cook to scrape up the brown bits, then add all of it to the slow cooker. Next, pour in your French onion soup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, beef flavor Better Than Bouillon, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and garlic, and cook on low for 7-8 hours.
Once it’s close to done, preheat your oven and remove the roast from the slow cooker so it can rest. The oven is to toast your bread — so slap some butter on those rolls and get to toasting! We need crispy bread to hold up to all that juicy meat and sauce.
Once the meat has rested and your rolls are crisp, load your sandwiches with shredded beef and slices of cheese. Pop them back into the oven to get that cheese melty!
Finally, pour the cooking liquid into bowls for dipping, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
New to the wonderfully messy world of French dip sandwiches? Not to worry — I’ll walk you through everything!
Ingredient Notes
These ingredients are simpler than you’d expect with such a succulently perfect final result! I guarantee you’ve heard of all these, but let’s review:
- Chuck Roast: What, exactly, is a chuck roast, and why is it important you get this type of beef? It has a high collagen level which works great when slow cooking — that collagen breaks down over time, giving you the signature tender beef you’re looking for!
- Beef Consomme: What is beef consomme? Beef consomme is a lesser-known cousin of beef broth — it’s a more concentrated version, so it gives a huge beef flavor punch! We double down on beef flavor in this recipe with this + Better than Bouillon.
- French Onion Soup: To get a really flavorful final sauce (and meat!), don’t grab the dried pack of French onion soup. Go for the liquid canned stuff! You want as much moisture as possible so you get truly tender, delicious meat.
Tools to Make
The biggest, most important tool in this recipe is unsurprising:
- A slow cooker
You’ll also need:
- A sheet pan
- Skillet
- Can opener
But if you don’t have a slow cooker, this recipe just won’t be the same! Check out this list for some of the best slow cookers of 2020.
How Long Can You Keep This In The Fridge?
Once fully cooked, your French dip meat will last up to four days in your fridge. If you are planning to store leftovers, only make full sandwiches that you’re planning to eat right then. The meat + bread will very quickly turn soggy, which isn’t good for leftovers!
Can You Freeze This?
Yes! Beef does very well in the freezer. Store it in airtight containers and let it sit in your freezer for up to three months.
If you want easy grab and go meals, portion out your beef into individual serving sizes! To thaw, let it sit in the fridge overnight, or even in your lunch box starting as early as the morning. Then just microwave and build your sandwich!
Make Ahead Tips
Slow cooker recipes are made for make-ahead! Start this process up to eight hours before serving, then just assemble your sandwiches when dinner’s on. It’s got make-ahead magic built right in!
Serving Recommendations
What would a French dip sandwiches meal look like?
Such a hearty, rich sandwich needs something cool to balance it out, so throw in some KFC coleslaw for a creamy, light side. And let’s not forget veggies! Fried eggplant is a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables — and adults too! But we have to have some fun with dinner, so round it all off with my cheesy, delicious pizza fries.
Sounds like a great dinner to me!
Recipe Variations
Can we shake up any of the flavors in this French dip sandwiches recipe? Of course!
- Want a different type of flavor base? Play up the mushroom with stracotto— just swap the soup and add in your favorite mushrooms!
- Make it Mexican with salsa and cumin for shredded beef enchiladas.
- Go for a different cut of beef entirely with flank steak — this cut doesn’t work well in a slow cooker, so you’ll definitely want to grill or sear it!
- Keep on that Mexican track by making carne guisada for a Taco Tuesday that’s out of this world!
French Dip Sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2-4 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- 2 medium onions, sliced
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can beef consomme
- 1 (10.5-ounce) can french onion soup
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons beef flavor Better Than Bouillon
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
To Make Sandwiches:
- butter
- 6 french rolls
- 12 slices cheese
Instructions
- In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil and sear roast on all sides. Add more oil, as necessary, as you turn and sear the roast. Transfer roast to a 6-quart slow cooker.
- Saute the onions until soft. Transfer to the slow cooker. Add the beef consomme to the skillet, turn the heat on high, scrape up all the brown bits left in the skillet. Pour into a slow cooker.
- Add french onion soup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, beef flavor Better Than Bouillon, Italian seasoning, bay leaf, and garlic.
- Cook on low for 7-8 hours or high 4-5 hours or until the meat is fork-tender.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Remove the roast and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice or shred the beef. Strain the cooking for dipping.
- Split the rolls in half and place them on a cooking sheet. Spread with butter, place on a baking tray, and bake in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until barely toasted.
- Stuff with meat, and top with 2 slices of cheese. Return to the baking tray. Bake in the preheated oven until cheese is melted. Pour cooking liquid into individual bowls and serve.
Fans Also Made:
Nutrition
More Beef Recipes
Looking for even more melt in your mouth beef dishes? Check out these favorites!
- Shish Kabob – Fun to make, even more fun to eat!
- Beef Stroganoff – An Eastern European classic brought straight to your kitchen
- Hunan Beef – No need for Chinese takeout when you can make it right at home!
- Instant Pot Beef Stew – Dinner made instantly, with all your favorite hearty veggies!
- Hungarian Goulash – Rich, thick paprika sauce on tender beef? Bring on the sour cream!
Conclusion
Sometimes, you just want a decadent, messy dinner — and that’s where my French dip sandwiches recipe comes in! Your family will love this tender, flavorful play on the deli shop favorite.
How much sauce do you like on a perfect bite of French dip? Let me know in the comments!
This is definitely a 5 star recipe!!! The whole family loved it!!!!!! Also I appreciate the ease of putting the recipe together and the best part is it has great flavor. Can’t wait for left overs:)
Thank you
Christine
Thank you, Christine!❤️ So stoked to hear it’s a big hit with you and your family!