Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

French dip au jus is a fan favorite in restaurants across the country. You might think it’s a complex process to achieve such a fabulous roast beef sandwich, but the slow cooker makes it easy! French dip sandwiches – complete with a hoagie roll and melted cheese – will be a much-requested family meal.

What is a French dip sandwich?

A French dip sandwich includes generous slices of French bread or a hoagie roll, topped with thin slices of slow-roasted beef and melted provolone or Swiss cheese. French dip is famously served with a small bowl of dipping sauce on the side, the jus. The title French dip au jus explains that it is served with juice from the roast.

Some recipes include extras such as spicy mustard or onions. Based on preference, some chefs might even prepare the gravy-like sauce separately with other beef stock ingredients. 

Start this slow cooker version of French dip au jus in the morning and enjoy the savory smells from your kitchen throughout the day. By dinnertime, you’ll enjoy all the traditional flavors with only a few steps!

Ingredients Needed

• Beef rump roast – Rump roast is a lean meat containing little fat and mostly muscle. When cooked correctly (low and slow), it yields the most tender slices of beef! You can also use chuck roast as a swap – it tends to have a little more flavor than rump roast.
• Seasonings – French dip sandwich seasonings are pretty straightforward and likely all in your pantry! Grab some paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper for a mild seasoning that perfectly flavors the beef and the jus.
• Beef broth – Use regular beef broth or beef bone broth. Bone broth is always a good option to increase flavor and nutrition!
• Hoagie rolls – I prefer soft rolls to crusty bread like baguettes, but either can work. Hoagie rolls are great for individual sandwich sizes and are usually easy to find freshly made at the grocery store.
• Optional: I highly recommend provolone or Swiss cheese slices for topping! Both have a rich, creamy flavor that complements the seasoned beef.

How To Make Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches 

1. Place the roast in the slow cooker.
2. Combine the seasonings and sprinkle them over the roast.
3. Pour beef broth into the slow cooker around the roast (be careful to leave seasoning covering the roast).

4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

5. Remove the beef, then shred it or slice thinly.
6. Strain the juice to serve for dipping on the side.
7. Layer the beef on a sliced hoagie roll, and add a couple of slices of provolone.
8. Broil the sandwich in the oven or toaster oven until the roll is lightly browned and the cheese is melted.

Slow Cooker vs. Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

The slow cooker is a wonderful tool for slow-cooking tender meat, but the Instant Pot is similarly suited for recipes like French dip!

Sometimes, there isn’t time in the day to prep a meal hours in advance. In those cases, the Instant Pot comes in handy to achieve the same results on a faster timeline. The Instant Pot is also worth using for a large roast when you need your slow cooker or oven to simultaneously cook other dishes.

I tested this recipe using both appliances and the differences are barely noticeable! 

I found that both cooking methods resulted in excellent flavor and tenderness. Both produced tasty jus to serve on the side, and both methods were relatively hands-free once assembled in the pot. In my experience, the slow cooker method produced more intact meat for slicing, while the Instant Pot roast was naturally shredded after cooking.

To try the Instant Pot variation of this recipe, follow the steps found in Instant Pot French Dip Sliders and note the slight recipe variation. Here are the condensed steps:

1. Season the roast, and place it in the Instant Pot with the broth.
2. Seal the Instant Pot and set it on high pressure for 40 minutes.
3. Allow at least 15 minutes of natural pressure release. 
4. Manually release any remaining pressure and open the Instant Pot.
5. Remove the beef, let it rest for a few moments, and slice or shred.
6. Serve beef on rolls with desired cheese and condiments, and strain the pan juices into a bowl for dipping.

Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Create the tastiest French dip sandwich at home with this base recipe and make swaps as you choose!

• Meat – Rump roast is the typical choice for roast beef slices on French dip sandwiches. Chuck roast will also work as a slow cooker option for tender meat. Chuck roast contains a bit more marbling and fat than a rump roast.
• Cheese – A classic French dip sandwich contains layers of melty cheese. It’s an optional step, but it sure is delicious! Choose mild or smoky cheeses such as provolone or Swiss. Gruyere or gouda are also great choices if you’re feeling fancy!
• Bread – The most essential addition to the tender sliced beef is the bread or roll. Hoagie rolls are generally available in traditional white or multigrain options and are usually fresh in local grocery store bakeries. Other bread options for this sandwich are French bread or a baguette, buns, and of course, any gluten-free roll options.
• Buttered rolls – As an extra step, brush some melted butter with a bit of garlic powder over the rolls before toasting them. This just adds a little extra flavor and richness!
• Condiments – Some French dip connoisseurs insist on including condiments with their sandwiches. Stone ground mustard, Dijon mustard, and aioli sauces all complement the flavors of provolone and beef! 

What To Serve With Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches 

Remember that French dip au jus includes the brothy dipping sauce. It’s a necessity to get that juicy flavor in every bite!

French Dip sandwiches are hearty and filling, but adding something extra to your sandwich plate is always nice! Kettle-cooked or ruffled potato chips add a little crunch, or you could add some veggies and dip.

For hot sides to complete a nice dinner meal, try some Slow Cooker Scalloped Potatoes and Sautéed Carrots with Honey. A garden salad is also a good fresh option on the side.

Storing and Reheating

Store leftover beef in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. You can include the jus with the beef, or store it separately to keep it strained. 

Freeze both the beef slices and the jus for up to 3 months in sealed freezer-safe containers. I recommend freezing the sauce and beef separately for easy reheating.

When ready to reheat, defrost first in the refrigerator, then use the microwave for the beef. Reheat the sauce in the microwave or the stove, and toast your sandwich when it is all assembled!

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Jennifer Draper

French dip au jus is a fan favorite in restaurants across the country. You might think it’s a complex process to achieve such a fabulous roast beef sandwich, but the slow cooker makes it easy! French dip sandwiches – complete with a hoagie roll and melted cheese – will be a much-requested family meal.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 8

Calories 10 kcal

Equipment

• Slow Cooker

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 3-4 pound beef rump roast
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups beef broth
• 8 hoagie rolls I prefer soft
• Optional: provolone or Swiss cheese slices for topping

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Instructions

 

• Place roast in the slow cooker
• Combine seasonings and sprinkle them over roast
• Pour beef broth into slow cooker around the roast (leave seasoning covering the roast)
• Cover and cook on low for 8 hours
• Remove beef, then shred or slice thinly
• Strain juice to serve for dipping on the side
• Layer beef on a sliced hoagie roll, and add a couple of slices of provolone
• Broil the sandwich in oven or toaster oven until roll is lightly browned and cheese is melted

Notes

• Store leftover roast and sauce in the fridge for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Reheat in the microwave or use a pan on the stove to reheat the sauce.
• If the jus is too thin, use a bit of flour and water to create a slurry. Whisk this mixture into the sauce to thicken it.
• As an optional step, mix melted butter with garlic powder and brush it on the rolls before toasting the sandwich.

Nutrition

Calories: 10kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 1gFat: 0.2gSaturated Fat: 0.1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.05gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 515mgPotassium: 59mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.1gVitamin A: 247IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 8mgIron: 0.3mg

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Important nutritional disclaimer

Slow Cooker French Dip FAQs

• Can a frozen roast be used in this recipe? To minimize food safety concerns, thaw the roast before cooking it in the slow cooker. In general, large pieces of meat should be thawed to cook in the appropriate amount of time and temperature for the slow cooker.
• Should the meat be seared before being put in the slow cooker? You do not have to sear the meat before adding it to the slow cooker. If you choose to sear the meat as a personal preference, cut the meat into large chunks and use tongs to turn the meat on each side.
• How do you make the au jus? For this recipe, the jus is made in the slow cooker as a combination of beef broth and drippings from the rump roast. Some recipes include separate sauce preparation, but I like to cook the beef and sauce all in one!
• What is the difference between a beef dip and a French dip? The two sandwich terms are often used interchangeably. As a technicality, some may say a beef dip includes shredded beef. French dip sandwiches typically include thinly sliced beef and French bread.

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