Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

“oh holy amazing goodness” is all I can say about Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches. They are so easy to make and unbelievably delicious.

Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches are unbelievably delicious. The effort to reward ratio is awesome.

For a change of pace, serve them with french fries, which the kids like best. You’ll have them thinking they’re having steak sandwiches, and they’ll never question the name of what they’re eating.

I also like to serve them with a nice green salad. They are one of those meals I’m so happy to make because of how little effort goes into them and the incredible return of a wonderful, tender, flavorful meal my family devours.

They are on our monthly menu as they’ve proven to be a favorite.

• Chuck Roast (3 lbs)
• Campbell’s French Onion Soup (2 cans, condensed)
• beef consomme (1 can)
• hoagie rolls
• provolone cheese

Beef Chuck Roast is the way to go with this recipe. It’s cut from the shoulder of the beef and is ideal for crock pot or braising recipes because it has enough fat to withstand cooking for a long period of time and stay juicy.

Some cuts of beef, such as Round, are too lean and the meat can turn out a bit on the stringy side after cooking for as long as this recipe calls for. If you have questions about cuts of beef or need some inspiration for a particular cut, a beef chart is very helpful.

To prepare, sear the roast, add the remaining ingredients and cover. Leave alone for 4-8 hours, depending upon how long your day has been 🙂 The condensed soups are the basis for the cooking liquid of the roast and the sauce.

The recipe does not call for additional seasonings and doesn’t need them. The soups really make this recipe.

The ultimate comfort food, the french dip is surprisingly easy to make in a crock pot using condensed soup as a shortcut for an easy and delicious au jus. I’ve made french dips both ways with au jus from scratch and au jus using canned soup.

I promise you, you will NOT notice any difference in the finished product, but you WILL appreciate how much easier the canned soup is!

Condensed canned soup adds beef stock and beef flavor to your au jus, plus, you get a bit of onion flavor, all without watering it down by adding water, like you have to do if you’re making your own. And then there’s that secret weapon – Campbell’s Beef Consommé…

How to Make Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Step 1: Sear the Roast

Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown the roast for 3-4 minutes on all sides.

Set aside.

Do NOT skip the browning step. Browning adds another dimension of flavor to your finished product.

Trust me on this one. It will take only a few minutes and will make a big difference.

Step 2: Slow Cook

Add all ingredients to a 6-quart crock pot without draining the soup cans. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or on LOW for 8-10 hours, until meat is fork-tender.

The roast will be done when it offers no resistance when pulled apart with 2 forks.

Step 3: Shred the Beef and Make the Au Jus

Remove the chuck roast and place in a large bowl. Discard any large pieces of fat.

Using two forks, shred beef.

Strain the cooking liquid from your slow cooker over a strainer into a small saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium heat and reduce by half, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Resist rushing through this part. It will seem watery and weak-tasting, but once you’ve reduced it, it’ll be rich and glossy.

Serve alongside French dip sandwiches for dipping.

About the bread: You want something that won’t fall apart when dipped in the au jus, but also something that isn’t super crusty because no one wants to rip the roof of their mouth off. Hoagie rolls are perfect, or slices of french bread will also work well.

Cheese: Provolone melts beautifully and has a mild flavor that compliments the sandwich well. Add two slices per sandwich and broil until melty and lightly browned.

In a pinch, swiss also works well.

Step 4: Assemble and Broil

Fill the rolls with shredded roast beef and 1-2 slices of provolone cheese. Place rolls on a baking sheet and broil on low until the cheese has melted and the edges start to brown.

Keep a close eye on these as they can go from perfect to burnt in 30 seconds. Remove from broiler and serve right away with au jus.

What We Put on the Table With These

We typically serve these with french fries and a simple green salad. Chips are an option, too.

We love having coleslaw with them, though. The slaw balances out all of that rich beef.

You could also serve the au jus in a few smaller bowls so people can help themselves.

How to Store It and What to Prep the Night Before

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Store the au jus and beef separately.

You can reheat on the stove-top or in the microwave. Add a bit of au jus to the meat to keep it moist when reheating.

The au jus and shredded beef can be frozen for up to 3 months. Store separately.

You can trim and season the roast the night before and keep it in the fridge, then brown it in the morning right before it goes in the slow cooker. The beauty of using a slow cooker for a recipe like this is that it can stay warm for hours.

Take it right to the table and let your party guests help themselves.

Crock Pot French Dip FAQ

What is the best cut of meat for French Dip?

Use chuck roast. The fat and connective tissues will break down during the long, slow, and low cooking process creating a super tender and juicy roast.

Do not use cuts of meat that are super lean. Those cuts, such as round roast or sirloin, will be stringy and dry after cooking for 8 hours in a crockpot.

What is French Dip dipped in?

What is au jus?

Au jus is made by simmering the roast’s cooking liquid on the stove to create a hot and deliciously flavored sauce. In this recipe we are taking a shortcut and using canned soups + meat juices, but I would still simmer the sauce to allow the flavors to develop (about 15 min.).

Trust me… don’t skip this part. The au jus is MUCH better when you take the time to reduce it.

What’s the difference between a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich and a French Dip sandwich?

• Philly Cheesesteak: thinly sliced ribeye cooked on a griddle with onions, cheese, etc. No jus!
• French Dip: sliced/shredded roast beef served on a soft roll with au jus for dipping.

Which one is easier to make at home?

Hands down the French Dip. All the hard work is done for you in the slow cooker and you’re not worrying about perfectly cooked meat and onions.

Can I cook this recipe on low?

Absolutely, cook on high for 4 hrs. or low for 8-10 hrs. Low-and-slow will yield a more tender roast + more developed flavors.

Should I sear the roast?

I recommend it: it’s an extra pan, takes about 5 minutes and will enhance the flavors of the roast and sauce. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Basically, when you sear meat you are creating a deliciously flavored, browned crust on the outside of the meat which will enhance its flavor.

Five Ways to Change This Up

• Try different cheeses: pepper jack, swiss, mozzarella all sound delicious.
• Add mushrooms + onions to the slow cooker for a heartier au jus.
• Use low-sodium soups to lower the saltiness.
• Use a variety of different breads: rolls, French bread, baguettes or make mini sandwiches with slider rolls.
• Heat your sandwiches in the microwave instead of the oven. Lay cheese on top of beef + veggies and allow it to melt in the microwave.

Five Ways to Use the Leftover Beef

• Fill tacos, burritos, etc.
• Serve the roast (diced or sliced) over salad.
• Make a noodle dish: serve the shredded beef + egg noodles cooked in the au jus. Serve with lots of provolone and extra cheese on top.
• Top baked potatoes with shredded beef.
• Make gravy using the au jus.

If you’ve got some beef left over you could serve it on top of mashed potatoes using the au jus for gravy. Or, use the meat as a topping on baked potatoes.

And, this recipe reheats well, so you can make another helping of French Dip the next day.

The Two Ingredient Choices Worth Seeking Out

My advice: Buy provolone in the deli counter sliced, and Boar’s Head is my go-to at my grocery store, instead of the plastic-wrapped pre-sliced provolone. Deli counter provolone melts sooo much better.

Plus, you’ll get a great cheese pull.

Good Setup for an Au Jus Reduction

You’ll want to reduce the au jus by 1/2. A 2-quart stainless steel saucepan is the primary tool for this job.

Stainless steel is a great material to use because it will reduce the au jus quickly and evenly. There’s less of a chance it’ll burn on you if you’re paying attention and give it a stir every so often.

Lighter Version

You can remove visible fat from chuck roast which will help the fat content. For fat and carbs, try just 1 slice of provolone and serve it open faced on 1/2 a French Dip roll.

The majority of the sodium is in the au jus so it’s important to dip lightly and use low sodium soup if you’re watching sodium.

Other Slow Cooker Beef Dinners Worth Knowing

Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot Recipe

Get all the great tastes of Philly, featuring peppered beef, peppers, onions, and melty cheese, without any of the fuss and stove-top work in the Crock Pot with this Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot recipe.

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

The most tender chuck roast cooked in beef broth in the crock pot for hours, then shredded and tossed with thick egg noodles. The ultimate in comfort food.

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

Fall apart tender beef simmered in a rich and creamy mushroom sauce that’s spooned over egg noodles is the definition of a true, set-it-and-forget-it Crock Pot dinner.

Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches with a delicious au jus to dip them in. Tender chuck roast that’s full of beefy flavor.

Perfect for entertaining and game day.

TIP: Chuck roast is ideal for this recipe. You might be tempted to use a much leaner cut of meat, but they can turn out very dry.

The au jus is amazing, don’t dilute the soups or else your au jus will turn out much weaker. Also, browning the chuck and reducing the au jus really brings out the flavors.