A slow cooker french dip sandwich is served on a crispy roll and loaded with tender beef, caramelized onions with melted cheese, and dunked in a bowl full of flavor.
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This slow cooker french dip sandwiches recipe is one of my family's favorites, and I'm so happy to be able to share this recipe with you. The roast comes out so melt in your mouth tender and super juicy, with a slightly crispy roll, ooey-gooey melty cheese. Served with a side of my Chipotle Coleslaw or Parmesan Wedge Fries, I guarantee this will be devoured fast with rave reviews.
Why this recipe works
This is an easy recipe that only takes a few ingredients and you can set it and forget it until it's time to chow like my Crockpot Bourbon Bacon Pulled Pork. You may be surprised by the addition of the coke, but the sugars in it caramelize and add just a hint of sweetness. So if you're looking for a simple recipe to make that your whole family will love, this is the one, or if you prefer my Turkey French Dip Sandwiches are also a family favorite!
Ingredients for this crockpot french dip
Ingredient Notes
- Beef roast-I use a beef chuck roast, but a rump roast will also work.
- Onions-I like to slice up sweet onions.
- Cheese-provolone cheese is what we love but Swiss cheese is also delicious.
- Coke-Cherry coke or regular coke will both work, trust me it adds a ton of flavor.
- Beef broth-You can use low sodium here if you like.
- Worcestershire sauce-Adds a delicious layer of flavor.
- Cheese- I use provolone cheese but you can use whatever you prefer.
- Bread-Any soft hoagie rolls, French roll or buns works great.
How to make this recipe
- Step 1-Sprinkle both sides of the beef with salt and pepper, dont' be shy here!
- Step 2-Heat a large cast iron skillet or pot on high add olive oil and sear the meat for 3-5 minutes on each side, then place roast in the crockpot.
- Step 3-Add the sliced onions and garlic and the rest of the ingredients to the crock pot.
- Step 4-Cook until tender.
- Step 5-Toast your roll or buns until crispy.
- Step 6-Place some tender chunks of meat with some onions on the bread.
- Step 7-Add the slices of cheese on top.
- Step 8-Place the sandwich under the broiler and broil until melted.
- Step 9- Serve with a side of au jus sauce.
Recipe Tips
- Seasoning your roast heavily with salt and black pepper adds more flavor.
- I recommend searing the meat first it ads a ton of flavor.
- If you want your au jus to be thicker add 1 tablespoon of cornstarch to two cups of au jus and let it simmer on medium heat until thickened.
- Any soft roll, bun or hoagies will work great.
- I use my 7qt slow cooker, but this will also work in an instant pot.
Recipe FAQ's
I like to use mild cheese for these beef sandwiches. Provolone is always my first choice, but mozzarella or Monterey Jack would be close seconds for me.
Au Jus simple means "with juice". Served with a juice obtained from roasting, which is served on the side of food for a dipping sauce. The flavor of the au jus sauce with the crock pot French dip sandwich is simply amazing!
Store leftover beef in an airtight container and store the au jus in a separate container and reheat in the microwave until warm.
Sugary soft drinks can be very useful for cooking, especially when it comes to meat. Heated and reduced, Coke and Pepsi can impart an incredible caramel-like complexity to all kinds of dishes. And adds a ton of flavor! You can even try Root Beer or Dr. Pepper.
What to serve with this beef dip sandwich
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Slow Cooker French Dip
Ingredients
- 1 boneless beef chuck roast about 4-5 pounds
- 3 teaspoons vegetable oil
- 1 can 10-1/2 ounces low sodium condensed French onion soup, undiluted
- 1 can 10-1/2 ounces low sodium condensed beef consomme, undiluted
- 1 cup low sodium beef broth
- 1 can coke or cherry coke
- 1 medium onion sliced
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire
- 12 slices Provolone cheese
- 6 8 inch french rolls
Instructions
- Season generously both sides of the meat with salt and pepper
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the roast, and sear for 3-4 minutes then flip and sear the other side.
- Place roast into the slow cooker, add soup, consomme, coke, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and onion.
- Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Remove and slice, and reserve juices and onions.
- Preheat the broiler. Split rolls in half. Place on a baking sheet and broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Top each half with beef, onions, and 2 slices of cheese. Return to the oven and broil until cheese is melted.
- Serve with a little bowl of the cooking juices (au jus)...Enjoy!
Awww Thank you Kathy! That totally made my Sunday 🙂
Love love your recipes. Most every one of them! ❤️
Yay Sharon! I'm so glad you loved it 🙂
I tried this recipe and thought it was really good. I'm not crazy about chuck roast but in this recipe, in a sandwich, it was really good! This is one heavy sandwich and my husband and I split one. The dipping au jus was tasty. I did add a package of frozen little onions and I put the meat in the refrigerator overnight in order to be able to scrape the fat off, making the dipping jus less greasy and more flavorful. I would definitely try this one. I might add sliced mushrooms next time just for fun and texture--maybe put them in during the last 1/2 hour of the cooking.
I have never made this in an instant pot before, so I can't say for sure. But I would imagine it would turn out fine 🙂
Do you know how this would work in an instant pot?
Omg Jane I am so glad you loved them. Thank you for coming back here to tell me! Happy Holidays 🙂
These are seriously the best french dips ever. Thank you so much for the lovely recipe!
Oh I am so glad you loved them Tim! They are my kids absolute favorite 🙂
These sandwiches turned out fantastic! Getting a good sear all around the outside was key to success as it not only added a nice crispy tasty carmelization to the roast but I feel helped "hold" the roast together over long cooking time in the crockpot. I often have to start my crock when I leave for work in the morning and so meals cook on low for 8 hrs before switching to warm-the lowest & shortest option on my crockpot. Too often this causes roasts to be "fall apart" good but doesn't lend well to slicing. Happy to say I didn't have this problem. So tasty I ate on the leftovers for lunch the next couple of days. Outstanding!