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Square overhead shot of Crock Pot French dip sandwiches.
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Slow Cooker French Dip

Tender shredded beef piled high on crusty rolls with melty cheese and served with warm au jus for dipping.
Course Dinner
Cuisine American, French
Keyword crock pot french dip sandwiches, easy french dip recipe, slow cooker french dip, slow cooker french dip sandwiches
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 690kcal
Author Blair Lonergan

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3-4 lb beef chuck roast
  • Kosher salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 large onion thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sherry wine optional
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme or 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary or 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 6 French rolls or hoagie buns
  • 6 slices provolone or Swiss cheese
  • Optional garnish: chopped fresh parsley or other herbs

Instructions

Sear the Beef

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the roast generously with salt and pepper. Sear on all sides until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. (This step adds extra flavor, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.)

Layer in the Slow Cooker

  • Place sliced onions and garlic in the bottom of the slow cooker. Nestle the seared beef on top.

Add the Broth Mixture

  • Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire, soy sauce, and sherry wine (if using). Add thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or on HIGH for 4 hours, or until the beef is fall-apart tender.

Shred and Strain

  • Transfer the beef to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Discard any large fatty pieces. Strain the cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a bowl or measuring cup, discarding the herbs and onion solids. This liquid will be your au jus.

Assemble the Sandwiches

  • Pile the shredded beef onto toasted French rolls, top with cheese, and briefly broil until the cheese melts. Keep a close eye on the sandwiches while they’re under the broiler since they can burn quickly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve with small bowls of warm au jus for dipping.

Video

Notes

  • Pick the right cut of beef: Chuck roast is my go-to. It's affordable, easy to find, and cooks down into tender, juicy shreds. If it seems tough at the end, it probably just needs more time to slowly cook and break down until it's tender.
  • Don't skip the sear if you can help it: Browning the roast in a skillet before adding it to the slow cooker gives you deeper flavor. That said, if you're pressed for time, you can toss it right in.
  • Choose sturdy rolls: French rolls or hoagie buns hold up best when dipped in au jus. Toast them before adding the beef so they don't fall apart.

Nutrition

Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 690kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 57g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 17g | Trans Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 170mg | Sodium: 1096mg | Potassium: 1251mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 204IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 252mg | Iron: 7mg