Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches

What Makes These French Dip Sandwiches So Good?

The best French Dip sandwiches are all about tender beef, sturdy bread, melted cheese, and plenty of savory au jus for dipping. Cooking chuck roast low and slow in beef broth with onion, soy sauce, garlic, herbs, and seasonings makes the beef fall-apart tender while creating a flavorful dipping broth at the same time.

Once the beef is shredded, it's piled onto crusty rolls, covered with Swiss or Provolone, and broiled until the cheese is melted and starting to brown. The sturdy bread soaks up just enough au jus with every dip without immediately falling apart.

And there's no need for an au jus seasoning packet or canned French onion soup. The flavorful cooking liquid is strained after the beef is done and served as the au jus, making this crock pot French Dip sandwich recipe surprisingly simple from start to finish.

Ingredients and Their Role in the Sandwiches

It doesn't take a long ingredient list to create tender beef and a flavorful au jus. A good chuck roast and beef broth provide the foundation, while a few simple seasonings add layers of savory flavor as everything slowly cooks together. This is what you'll need:

• Boneless Chuck Roast - A well-marbled cut of beef that becomes juicy, tender, and easy to shred during long, slow cooking.
• Onion - Slowly cooks with the beef to flavor both the roast and the au jus.
• Soy Sauce - Adds saltiness and deep umami flavor to the beef and cooking liquid.
• Beef Bouillon - Concentrates the beefy flavor of the au jus.
• Bay Leaf - Adds subtle savory depth as the roast cooks.
• Peppercorns - Infuse the cooking liquid with mild peppery flavor.
• Oregano - Adds an earthy herbal note.
• Thyme - Brings classic savory flavor that pairs beautifully with beef.
• Minced Garlic - Adds a savory flavor to both the broth and the meat.
• Beef Broth - Provides the cooking liquid for the roast and becomes the base for the homemade au jus.
• Hoagie Rolls or French Bread - Sturdy, crusty bread holds plenty of juicy beef and stands up well to dipping.
• Swiss or Provolone Cheese - Melts beautifully over the beef for a creamy, savory finish.

Best Meat for French Dip in a Crock Pot

Chuck roast is my first choice for making French Dip in the slow cooker. It has plenty of connective tissue and marbling that benefit from long, gentle cooking.

As the chuck roast cooks low and slow in liquid, the connective tissue softens and the meat becomes incredibly tender and easy to shred. The marbling also helps give you juicy, flavorful beef that's perfect for piling onto sandwiches.

Brisket or another well-marbled beef roast suitable for slow cooking can also be used. Leaner cuts such as sirloin may work, but they aren't as forgiving and may not give you quite the same juicy, fall-apart results as chuck roast.

Best Bread for French Dip Sandwiches

Crusty hoagie rolls are my favorite choice for French Dip sandwiches. They're dense and sturdy enough to hold a generous amount of juicy shredded beef and melted cheese while still standing up to repeated dunks in the au jus.

French rolls, sections of French bread or baguette, sourdough rolls, and sturdy Italian rolls are also good choices.

Try to avoid very soft sandwich rolls or hamburger buns. They'll absorb the au jus quickly and are more likely to become soggy or fall apart while you're eating.

For even more protection against sogginess, lightly toast the cut sides of the rolls before assembling the sandwiches.

Best Cheese for French Dips

The best cheese for a French Dip melts easily without overpowering the flavor of the beef.

Provolone is a favorite because it's mild, creamy, and melts beautifully.

Swiss cheese adds a slightly sharper, nutty flavor that's delicious with beef and au jus.

Mozzarella is another good choice if you want a mild cheese with plenty of melt. Gruyère can also be used for a richer, nuttier variation.

How to make French Dip in the crockpot

Making French Dip in a crockpot is a great way to get incredibly tender beef with very little hands-on work. The long cooking time does double duty, giving you juicy shredded beef for the sandwiches and a deeply savory cooking liquid to serve alongside them for dipping. Here's what to do:

1. Place roast in bottom of crockpot and top with sliced onions. 
2. Mix together soy sauce, bouillon cube, bay leaf, peppercorns, oregano, thyme and garlic. Pour over meat. 
3. Add just enough beef broth to barely cover meat. 
4. Stir and you're ready to set it and forget it.
5. Cover and cook low and slow for 8-10 hours. If after 8 hours, the beef is not pull apart tender, place back in the crockpot for another hour. 
6. Take the chuck roast out of the pot, reserving liquid, and place on wooden cutting board or in large bowl. Either thinly slice the beef or take 2 forks and shred it.

7. Preheat broiler on high. Cut hoagie rolls in half and lay open on foil-lined cookie sheet. Place beef and onions on half then top with slices of Swiss cheese. 
8. Place under broiler until cheese gets all melty. This also toasts the roll to give it a nice crunchy outside while remaining soft on the inside making it perfect for dipping!

Strain the au jus and serve individual portions on the side. Add some French fries or chips for gamer day or parties.

Recipe Tips for Success

The slow cooker does most of the work in this recipe, but a few simple tips will help you get exceptionally tender beef, flavorful au jus, and sandwiches that stand up to all that delicious dipping.

• Choose a well-marbled chuck roast - The marbling helps keep the beef juicy and flavorful during the long cooking time.
• Trim excess fat, but don't remove it all - Cut away large exterior pieces of fat while leaving the marbling throughout the meat.
• Cook on LOW - Long, gentle cooking gives the connective tissue in the chuck roast plenty of time to break down so the beef becomes fall-apart tender.
• Don't add too much broth - Add only enough to barely cover the roast. The meat and onion will release additional liquid as they cook.
• Don't rush the beef - If the roast is still tough and doesn't shred easily, it likely needs more time in the slow cooker.
• Watch the salt - Soy sauce, bouillon, and beef broth all contain sodium. You can use low-sodium beef broth if desired, and always taste the finished au jus before adding any extra salt.
• Strain the au jus - Straining removes the onion, herbs, peppercorns, and other solids and gives you a smoother broth for dipping.
• Skim excess fat - If there's a noticeable layer of fat on top of the au jus, skim it off with a spoon or use a fat separator.
• Keep the shredded beef moist - Toss the beef with a small amount of au jus after shredding so it stays juicy while you assemble the sandwiches.
• Use sturdy rolls - A crusty, hearty roll is much less likely to fall apart when dipped.
• Toast the bread if you like - Lightly toasting the cut sides before adding the beef gives the bread even more resistance to sogginess.
• Watch the broiler closely - Cheese can go from beautifully melted to burned very quickly.
• Serve the au jus warm - Warm broth makes every dunk even better.

Recipe Variations to Make It Your Own

It's hard to beat a classic French Dip, but there are plenty of easy ways to customize the sandwiches depending on what your family likes or how you're serving them.

• French Dip Sliders - Pile the shredded beef and cheese onto slider rolls for smaller sandwiches that are perfect for game day and parties.
• Mushroom French Dip - Add sautéed mushrooms to the beef before topping it with cheese.
• Garlic Bread French Dip - Brush the cut sides of the rolls with garlic butter and lightly toast them before adding the beef.
• Change the Cheese - Try Gruyère, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack instead of Swiss or Provolone.
• Make It Spicy - Add sliced pepperoncini, banana peppers, or your favorite hot peppers.
• Add Horseradish - Spread a thin layer of prepared horseradish or creamy horseradish sauce on the bread before adding the beef.
• French Dip Bowls - Skip the bread and serve the tender shredded beef with warm au jus alongside mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables.

Other Ways to Serve Shredded Beef

• Mashed potatoes - Spoon the tender shredded beef and plenty of its savory juices over creamy mashed potatoes for classic comfort food.
• Egg noodles or pasta - Toss the shredded beef and some of the cooking juices with wide egg noodles or your favorite pasta.
• Tacos - Tuck the shredded beef into warm flour or corn tortillas and add your favorite taco toppings.
• Quesadillas - Pair the beef with plenty of melted cheese for an easy lunch or dinner.
• Enchiladas - Use the shredded beef as a hearty filling for homemade enchiladas.
• Nachos - Scatter the beef over tortilla chips with cheese and your favorite toppings for an easy dinner or game-day appetizer.
• Rice or grain bowls - Serve over rice with vegetables, avocado, salsa, or other favorite toppings for a quick meal.

What to Serve with French Dip Sandwiches

A crock pot French Dip sandwich is hearty enough to be the star of dinner, so you can keep the sides simple. Classic sandwich sides, something fresh and crunchy, or your favorite game-day foods all work well.

• French Fries - Crispy fries are the classic restaurant-style side for a French Dip.
• Sweet Potato Fries - Their subtle sweetness provides a delicious contrast to the savory beef and cheese.
• Coleslaw - Cool, crunchy, and tangy slaw helps balance the rich sandwich.
• Onion Rings - Crispy onion rings make another fun restaurant-style pairing.
• Potato Chips - Keep lunch or game-day entertaining easy with a bowl of your favorite chips.
• Potato Salad - A creamy potato salad makes a satisfying side for a casual meal.
• Green Salad - A fresh salad with vinaigrette is a lighter option alongside the hearty sandwich.
• Roasted Vegetables - Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, or green beans turn the sandwiches into a complete comfort food dinner.
• Pickles - Their crisp texture and tangy flavor cut through the richness of the beef and melted cheese.

How to Store, Freeze, and Reheat

For the best leftovers, store the shredded beef and au jus separately and wait to assemble the sandwiches until you're ready to eat. This keeps the bread fresh and prevents it from becoming soggy.

Storing: Let the beef and au jus cool, then transfer them to separate airtight containers. Refrigerate for up to 3 to 4 days.

Freezing: Place the cooled shredded beef in a freezer-safe container or bag with a small amount of au jus to help keep it moist. Freeze the remaining au jus separately. For the best quality, use within 2 to 3 months.

Thawing: Thaw frozen beef and au jus overnight in the refrigerator.

Reheating on the stovetop: Place the beef in a skillet or saucepan with a splash of au jus. Cover and heat gently over low to medium-low heat until warmed through. Heat the remaining au jus separately for dipping.

Reheating in the microwave: Place the beef in a microwave-safe dish with a little au jus and cover loosely. Heat in short intervals, stirring as needed, until hot.

Reheating in the slow cooker: When reheating a larger amount, return the beef to the slow cooker with enough au jus to keep it moist and warm gently until heated through.

Once the beef is hot, assemble the sandwiches with fresh rolls and cheese and broil until melted. I don't recommend freezing assembled French Dip sandwiches because the bread can become soggy after thawing.

More Easy Crockpot Recipes

The slow cooker is perfect for busy days when you want a hearty homemade dinner without spending the evening in the kitchen. From beef stew and meatloaf to tacos and chili, these easy crockpot dinners let most of the cooking happen while you take care of everything else.

• Crockpot Beef Stew - Tender beef and vegetables cook low and slow for an easy, hearty comfort food dinner.
• Crockpot Chicken Tacos - Shredded chicken, black beans, and green chiles make an easy taco filling that's perfect for busy nights.
• Crockpot Italian Meatloaf - Ground beef and Italian sausage combine in a flavorful meatloaf that cooks right in the slow cooker.
• Crockpot White Chicken Chili - A hearty chicken chili with taco seasoning that's perfect for cold nights and game day.
• Spicy Crockpot Chili - A hearty chili with plenty of spice that simmers in the slow cooker for an easy comfort food meal.

Find lots of easy crockpot recipes here on 2CM!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a French Dip sandwich?

A French Dip is a hot sandwich made with tender sliced or shredded beef served on a sturdy roll, often topped with melted cheese. It's served with a flavorful beef broth called au jus on the side for dipping.

Despite its name, the sandwich is generally considered an American creation.

What is the best cut of beef for French Dip?

Chuck roast is an excellent choice for slow cooker French Dip because its marbling and connective tissue respond well to long, slow cooking. After several hours, the beef becomes tender, juicy, and easy to shred.

Brisket or another well-marbled roast suitable for slow cooking can also work.

Do I need an au jus packet or French onion soup for Crockpot French Dip?

No. This recipe creates its own au jus while the beef cooks, so you don't need an au jus seasoning packet or canned French onion soup.

Beef broth combines with the juices from the roast plus soy sauce, beef bouillon, onion, garlic, herbs, and seasonings to create a flavorful cooking liquid. Once the beef is done, simply strain the liquid and serve it warm for dipping.

Should the roast be covered with liquid in the slow cooker?

Add enough beef broth to barely cover the roast. The exact amount will depend on the size and shape of both your chuck roast and slow cooker, so you may not need the entire carton of broth.

The beef and onion will also release liquid as they cook.

Why is my chuck roast still tough?

If chuck roast is still tough after several hours in the slow cooker, it usually needs more cooking time. The connective tissue has to break down before the meat becomes tender enough to pull apart easily.

Continue cooking until a fork goes into the roast easily and the meat shreds without much resistance.

What cheese is best for a French Dip sandwich?

Provolone and Swiss are both excellent choices. Provolone is mild and creamy with great melting qualities, while Swiss has a slightly nuttier, more pronounced flavor.

Mozzarella and Gruyère are also delicious alternatives.

What bread is best for French Dip sandwiches?

Choose sturdy bread that can hold plenty of beef and withstand being dipped in au jus. Hoagie rolls, French rolls, French bread, baguette sections, sourdough rolls, and sturdy Italian rolls are all good choices.

Very soft rolls aren't ideal because they can quickly become soggy and fall apart when dipped.

Can I make Crockpot French Dip ahead of time?

Yes. In fact, the beef is an excellent make-ahead option. Cook and shred the roast, strain the au jus, and refrigerate them separately.

When you're ready to serve, gently reheat the beef with a little au jus, warm the remaining au jus separately, then assemble the sandwiches with fresh rolls and cheese.

Can I freeze French Dip beef?

Yes. Let the shredded beef cool and freeze it with a small amount of au jus to help keep it moist. Freeze the remaining au jus separately.

For the best quality, use the frozen beef within 2 to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.