Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

ByWendie Williams Updated on
20 Comments

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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.

French dip sandwich with a side of au jus.

This slow cooker French dip sandwich 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 Needed

All ingrendients needed for this recipe.
  • 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 Sandwich

Chuck roast with salt and pepper being seared in a pan and placed in a slow cooker.
  • Step 1: Sprinkle both sides of the beef with salt and pepper, don't 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 the 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.
Toasted sandwich roll with the meat and cheese broiled on top.
  • 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.
French dip being held.

Recipe Tips

  • Seasoning your roast heavily with salt and black pepper adds more flavor.
  • I recommend searing the meat first; it adds a ton of flavor.
  • If you want your au jus to be thick, 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 hoagie will work great.
  • I use my 7qt slow cooker, but this will also work in an Instant Pot.
Sandwich being dipped in au jus.

Recipe FAQ's

What cut of beef works best for French dip sandwiches?

Chuck roast is the top choice. It’s affordable, has great flavor, and gets super tender after slow cooking. Rump roast or bottom round will also work.

Do I have to sear the meat first?

Nope! Searing adds flavor, but it’s totally optional. If you’re short on time, you can skip it and still get delicious results.

What rolls are best for French dip sandwiches?

Hoagie rolls, French rolls, or sub rolls work best. Lightly toasting them helps keep them from getting soggy.

What to serve with this beef dip sandwich

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French dip sandwich with a side of au jus.

Slow Cooker French Dip

4.30 from 133 votes
Written By: Wendie Williams
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.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 416
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Equipment

Ingredients
  

  • 1 boneless beef chuck roast about 4-5 pounds
  • 3 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 (10.5 ounce) can low-sodium condensed French onion soup undiluted
  • 1 )10.5 ounce) can 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 french rolls or buns

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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!

Video

Notes

I use a beef chuck roast, but a rump roast will also work. Seasoning your roast heavily with salt and black pepper adds more flavor. I recommend searing the meat first it adds a ton of flavor.
The soda adds a lot of flavor and I highly recommend it but you can certainly leave it out if you prefer.
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.
I use my 7qt slow cooker, but this will also work in an instant pot.
Any soft roll, bun, or hoagies will work great.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 416kcalCarbohydrates: 27gProtein: 23gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 58mgSodium: 855mgFiber: 1gSugar: 16g
Did You Make This Recipe?Please leave a comment below or pin it to your Pinterest account!
Course Entrees
Cuisine American
4.30 from 133 votes (130 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




20 Comments

  4. 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.

  5. 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 🙂

  7. Omg Jane I am so glad you loved them. Thank you for coming back here to tell me! Happy Holidays 🙂

  10. 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!