Best French Dip Sandwich Recipe
Our family absolutely loves a delicious set-it-and-forget it slow cooker recipe! They are just so convenient for all of those busy nights. After perfecting our Slow Cooker Pot Roast, we knew it was time to keep that crockpot working for these super easy sandwiches. This classic beef dip recipe has the most juicy chuck roast, flavor packed onions, and melty cheese all piled high on a crusty roll! Perfect for dipping in the delicious au jus that is created right in the crockpot when cooking.
Need Another Slow Cooker Recipe?
Then you should definitely try our slow cooker Beef Ramen! That tender slow cooked beef just can’t be beat!
Key Ingredients + Substitutions
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, & estimated nutritional information.
- chuck roast – you can pick one up from your local grocery store or butcher shop. Option to grab a larger size if you are feeding a crowd, you will just have to adjust your cook time.
- hoagie rolls – our bakery had large rolls that were about 6 inches long, but feel free to use the rolls that work for you!
- sliced cheese – highly recommend slicing up some gruyére cheese, but provolone cheese, swiss cheese, or any other white cheese would also work here.
How To Make A French Dip
What Cut of Meat is Used for French Dips?
We used a chuck roast and it works great! Many restaurants might use a ribeye steak or sirloin steak. You just want to pick a roast that has a good amount of fat marbling, which will render and result in a juicy, flavorful beef.
Pro Tip – Try Adding a Horseradish Sauce!
This is optional but adding a horseradish sauce really brings them to the next level! Just mix a little mayo and prepared horseradish together to spread on your roll before adding the tender beef, onions, & melted cheese – the perfect tangy flavor!
What is a Good Side Dish for French Dip Sandwiches?
These easy french dip sandwiches would be great with just about anything! We love to pair this hot sandwich with a creamy coleslaw and grilled potato wedges. But they would also be great with a side salad, steamed broccoli, green beans or smoked baked beans!
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- What is the difference between a French Dip and Philly Cheesesteaks? Typically, philly cheesesteaks will also have green peppers, in addition to onions. They also might have a creamy cheese sauce. If you are looking to make one, try our Blackstone Philly Cheesesteak! Super easy and so good!
- Can I make this the day before? Absolutely! Feel free to make one day, store in an airtight container in the fridge (with a good amount of that au jus), and just warm it up the next day.
- Can I make this in the oven? Personally, we love having our slow cooker do the work but you could definitely put it all in a dutch oven, cover, and bake at 325 degrees F for about 4-6 hours or until tender.
Storage & Freezer
Leftover beef with juices can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Or in a freezer safe container (with room for expanding when freezing) in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and then reheat in a warm slow cooker, oven, or microwave.
Made this recipe and loved it?!
We would love it if you would take a minute and leave a star rating and review – it is also helpful if you made any substitutions or changes to the recipe to share that as well. THANK YOU!
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French Dip Sandwiches Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner/Entree
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
A delicious and easy French Dip Sandwich recipe that is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner! A set-it-and-forget-it dinner!
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chuck roast
- 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 packet of french onion soup mix (or dip mix)
- 1 large sweet yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 3 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 4 tablespoons butter, divided
- 8 hoagie rolls of your choice
- 8 slices of gruyére cheese (or provolone cheese)
- optional horseradish mayo: combine 1/4 cup mayo + 1 tablespoon (or more) prepared horseradish
Instructions
- Prep Beef: Place chuck roast on a large plate. In a small bowl combine 1 tablespoon salt, 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, & 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; stir to combine. Pat chuck roast dry with a clean paper towel and cover in the seasoning ensuring it is fully coated. Set aside.
- Slow Cooker Ingredients: Add 4 cups beef broth, french onion soup mix, sliced onions, 1 tablespoon minced garlic, 2-3 sprigs fresh thyme, 3 teaspoons worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon liquid smoke and 1 teaspoon dijon mustard to the slow cooker. Scoop out 1/4 cup of the broth mixture and set next to the stove.
- Sear Beef: Bring a large cast iron skillet to medium-high heat. Add two tablespoons butter and let melt. Sear chuck roast on all sides. Transfer to slow cooker.
- Deglaze the Pan: Add the 1/4 cup beef broth to the hot skillet and scrape up all the bits that are sticking to the pan. Add the remaining two tablespoons of butter and let melt. Once the bottom of the pan is scraped clean, transfer the liquid to the slow cooker and pour over the top of the chuck roast.
- Let it Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook on HIGH 4 hours or LOW 8 hours. Shred the beef with two forks before serving.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Butter the inside of each hoagie bun, add desired amount of onions and shredded beef, add cheese on top (and a little horseradish mayo, if desired).
- Serve: Enjoy each sandwich with a small bowl of broth (or au jus) from the slow cooker for dipping.
Notes
- Dairy-Free: use a plant-based butter and dairy-free cheese.
- Gluten-Free: simply use a gluten-free bun of your choice.
- Storage: store leftover cooked beef in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days – store broth (or au jus sauce) in a separate container.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 318
- Sugar: 2.7 g
- Sodium: 890.6 mg
- Fat: 14.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 8.7 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 115.8 mg
Emma says
I’ve made this one a few times now and my husband raves over it every time! My 2 year old and 10 month old both love it too, huge win when everyone will eat it! We love this recipe!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Emma!!
Sharon says
I don’t see when you add the sweet yellow onion? Am I missing it?
Erin says
In Step 2, right after the french onion soup mix!
Sharon says
Can I omit the liquid smoke?
Erin says
Yup! Not a big deal at all!
Lora C says
This was so good! I made the horseradish mayo too. For that I added fresh chives, pepper and a little lemon juice. Definitely will make again.
Laura says
This was easy and delicious. Leftovers were even better. Another slow-cooker winner!
Hayley says
I made this last night and it was delicious! Easy to prep, plenty of leftovers and everyone in my family loved it! I cooked it on high for 4 hours. I’ll definitely make this again!
Kate B. says
Made this today for a party so I doubled the recipe and everyone loved it. When I make it again I will only use half the butter as we ended up having to remove a bunch of the fat from the au jus.
Nicole says
I have now made this recipe twice and my whole family loves it! The flavors are above and beyond and make it feel special like restaurant quality. This will be in regular rotation for me.
Erin says
Thanks, Nicole!
Kim Cuevas says
This was amazing!! My husband thought he was at Houston’s restaurant. I low broiled some Hoagie rolls to make them crispy on the outside and soft inside. I put high quality horseradish on the rolls and strained the jus to serve on the side. You could melt some provolone but I forgot about it and just prepared the meat with a little of the cooked onion in the sandwich. I served it with herb roasted potatoes on the side with flakey salt. This dinner is now in the rotation as a favorite! Thank you ❤️
Erin says
So glad you hear you guys enjoyed this one, Kim!!
Diane says
This is really good! I added a bit of beef bullion to the dipping juices after the meat was done. Definitely will make this often.
Erin says
Glad you enjoyed this one, Diane!
Lisa says
We LOVED this recipe !! I did a few substitutions ad I wanted it gf which was a simple fix (gf French onion dip) . This recipe is a keeper and I will definitely be making it again. After I posted I got people asking for the recipe.
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Lisa!!