These crockpot French dip sandwiches are pure comfort food at its best. Tender, juicy chuck roast slow-cooked until it falls apart, piled high on buttery toasted rolls, and served with rich, savory au jus for dipping. The smell that fills your house while this cooks is incredible, and the best part is how little effort it takes. I started making these on busy Sundays when I wanted something hearty but didn't want to spend all day in the kitchen, and they've become a family favorite.
If you're looking for more easy crowd-pleasers, try my buffalo chicken dip for game day gatherings, or make my butter chicken when you want something rich and cozy. These sandwiches also pair perfectly with my Honey Garlic Shrimp for a surf-and-turf spread.
Why You'll Love This crockpot French dip sandwiches
These crockpot French dip sandwiches are incredibly easy to make. You just season the roast, add it to the slow cooker with a few simple ingredients, and let it cook for 6 to 8 hours. There's no browning, no complicated steps, and barely any prep work. It's perfect for busy days when you want a hot, satisfying meal waiting for you.
The beef comes out fall-apart tender and so flavorful from the French onion soup and Worcestershire sauce. The buttery toasted rolls add a nice crunch, and dipping the whole thing in warm au jus takes it to another level. Plus, this recipe feeds 8 people easily, making it great for feeding a crowd or meal prepping for the week.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This crockpot French dip sandwiches
- crockpot French dip sandwiches INGREDIANTS
- How to Make Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
- Substitutions and Variations
- EQUIPMENT
- How to Store and Reheat
- What to Serve with crockpot French dip sandwiches
- Expert Tips
- FAQ
- Related
- Pairing
- Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
crockpot French dip sandwiches INGREDIANTS
Here's what each ingredient does in this recipe.
See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities
- Chuck roast: The star of the sandwich. Chuck roast has enough fat and connective tissue to stay juicy and tender during long, slow cooking. It shreds beautifully after 6 to 8 hours.
- Onion soup mix: Adds savory, concentrated onion flavor and helps season the roast without needing a bunch of separate spices. One envelope is usually 2 tablespoons.
- Garlic cloves (minced or pressed): Brings a deep, aromatic flavor to the beef. Fresh garlic tastes much better than garlic powder here.
- Dried thyme: Adds a subtle herbal note that complements the beef and onion flavors perfectly.
- Worcestershire sauce: Provides umami depth and a touch of tanginess that enhances the overall savory flavor of the au jus.
- Condensed French onion soup: Creates the base for the au jus and adds rich, beefy, oniony flavor as the roast cooks. This is what makes the sandwiches taste so good.
- Butter (divided): Used two ways: a little goes on top of the roast while it cooks to add richness, and the rest is melted and brushed on the rolls for toasting.
- Hoagie rolls: The vessel for all that tender beef. Small 4-inch rolls work great for individual servings, or use larger 6 to 8-inch rolls for bigger sandwiches.
- Provolone cheese (optional): Melts beautifully over the warm beef and adds a creamy, mild flavor that pairs well with the savory au jus.
How to Make Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Here's how to make these crockpot French dip sandwiches step by step.
Season the roast: Place the chuck roast in the bottom of your slow cooker. Sprinkle the onion soup mix, minced garlic, and dried thyme evenly over all sides of the meat, pressing gently so the seasonings stick.
Add the liquids: Pour the Worcestershire sauce and the entire can of French onion soup over the top of the roast. Cut 1 tablespoon of butter into two pats and place them on top of the roast. Cover the slow cooker with the lid.
Cook low and slow: Set your slow cooker to high and cook for 6 to 8 hours, or set it to low and cook for 8 to 10 hours. The roast is done when it's fork-tender and shreds easily.
Shred the beef: Carefully remove the roast from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the meat, pulling it apart into bite-sized pieces. Discard any large chunks of fat or tough connective tissue.
Prepare the au jus: Skim the fat off the top of the cooking liquid in the slow cooker. Pour the remaining liquid into one large bowl or several small bowls for individual servings. This is your au jus for dipping.
Toast the rolls: Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Slice each hoagie roll in half and brush the cut sides generously with the melted butter. Place the rolls on a baking sheet, cut side up, and broil for 2 to 4 minutes until they're golden brown and toasted at the edges. Watch them closely so they don't burn.
Build the sandwiches: Pile the shredded beef onto the bottom halves of the toasted rolls. If you're using provolone cheese, lay the slices on top of the warm beef so they start to melt. Place the top half of the roll on each sandwich.
Serve with au jus: Serve the crockpot French dip sandwiches hot with the bowls of au jus on the side for dipping. Every bite should get a good dunk.
Substitutions and Variations
You can easily customize these slow cooker crockpot French dip sandwiches based on what you have.
Meat options: Swap chuck roast for beef brisket, bottom round roast, or even a rump roast. Any well-marbled beef roast that benefits from slow cooking will work.
Cheese swaps: Use Swiss cheese, white cheddar, or mozzarella instead of provolone. All melt nicely over the beef.
Add caramelized onions: For extra flavor, top the crockpot French dip sandwiches with caramelized onions before adding the cheese.
Make it spicy: Add sliced jalapeños or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the slow cooker for a little heat.
Different rolls: Use ciabatta rolls, baguette slices, or even Hawaiian rolls for a slightly sweet twist.
Garlic powder substitute: If you don't have fresh garlic, use 1 teaspoon of garlic powder instead.
Make it lighter: Use whole wheat rolls and skip the cheese to reduce calories and fat.
EQUIPMENT
Here's what you'll use to make this recipe.
Slow cooker: A 6-quart slow cooker is ideal for a 3-pound roast. Smaller slow cookers work too if you use a slightly smaller roast.
Knife and cutting board: For trimming the roast if needed and for shredding the beef after it's cooked.
Baking sheet: For toasting the rolls under the broiler. A rimmed sheet pan works best.
Broiler: Built into most ovens, this toasts the buttered rolls quickly and gives them a golden, crispy edge.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover shredded beef and au jus separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the rolls in a separate bag at room temperature or freeze them for longer storage.
To reheat, warm the beef and au jus together in a saucepan over medium-low heat until heated through. You can also microwave individual portions for 1 to 2 minutes.
The beef freezes beautifully. Store the shredded meat and au jus together in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave.
Don't assemble the crockpot French dip sandwiches ahead of time, as the rolls will get soggy. Instead, toast fresh rolls and build the crockpot French dip sandwiches right before serving.
What to Serve with crockpot French dip sandwiches
These hearty crockpot French dip sandwiches pair perfectly with so many sides.
Serve them with crispy french fries or sweet potato fries for a classic diner-style meal.
Pair them with a simple green salad or coleslaw for something light and fresh that balances the richness of the beef.
Enjoy them with potato chips, onion rings, or roasted vegetables for an easy, satisfying dinner.
Make a complete spread with my buffalo chicken dip as an appetizer and these sandwiches as the main course for game day or a casual party.
Expert Tips
Trim excess fat: Before cooking, trim any large, thick pieces of fat from the roast. Some fat is good for flavor, but too much can make the au jus greasy.
Don't skip skimming the fat: After the roast cooks, skim the fat off the top of the au jus. This makes it much more enjoyable to crockpot French dip sandwiches.
Toast the rolls well: Golden, buttery rolls hold up better when dipped in au jus and add great texture. Don't skip this step.
Shred while warm: The beef is easiest to shred when it's still warm. If it cools too much, it can get harder to pull apart.
Use a fat separator: If you have one, pour the cooking liquid into a fat separator to quickly remove the fat and get clean, clear au jus.
Keep the beef moist: If you're making this ahead, store the shredded beef in some of the au jus so it doesn't dry out.
FAQ
How long should I cook my roast in the slow cooker for French dip sandwiches?
Cook your roast on high for 6 to 8 hours or on low for 8 to 10 hours. The roast is ready when it's fork-tender and shreds easily. Cooking times can vary slightly based on the size of your roast and your slow cooker model, so check for tenderness rather than relying only on time.
Can I freeze crockpot French dip sandwiches?
You can freeze the shredded beef and au jus together in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Don't freeze the assembled sandwiches, as the rolls will get soggy. When you're ready to eat, thaw the beef in the fridge overnight, reheat it with the au jus, and toast fresh rolls.
What sides go well with crockpot French dip sandwiches?
crockpot French dip sandwiches pair well with french fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, coleslaw, potato salad, a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or chips. The sandwiches are rich and hearty, so lighter sides like salad or roasted veggies help balance the meal.
Can I use garlic powder instead of fresh crockpot French dip sandwiches?
Yes, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of garlic powder for the 3 fresh garlic cloves. Fresh garlic gives a more robust flavor, but garlic powder works in a pinch. Add it with the other seasonings when you're preparing the roast.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with crockpot French dip sandwiches
Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
Ingredients
Method
- Place the chuck roast in the slow cooker. Season all sides with the onion soup mix, garlic, and thyme.
- Pour the Worcestershire sauce and onion soup over the roast.
- Cut 1 tablespoon of butter into two pats and place them on top of the roast. Place the lid on the slow cooker.
- Cook for 6-8 hours on high or 8-10 hours on low.
- Once done, carefully remove the roast and shred the meat, discarding any fat or connective tissue.
- Drain the fat from the juices and place the remaining liquid into a bowl or small bowls for the dipping sauce.
- Melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter. Cut each roll in half and brush with butter.
- Place the rolls cut-side up on a baking sheet and broil for 2-4 minutes or until the edges are toasted.
- Assemble the sandwiches by adding the shredded beef to the rolls and topping with cheese (optional). Serve with au jus for dipping.
Leave a Reply