French Dip Sandwiches
These crockpot French Dip Sandwiches feature tender beef on crusty hoagie rolls with au jus. Warm, comforting, and perfect for busy nights.
Is there anything better than a crockpot meal? One where you barely have to think, just toss in the ingredients, and let it slowly cook to perfection. These crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are exactly that: juicy, tender shredded beef infused with savory onion and au jus flavors, perfect for piling onto crusty hoagie rolls. Our family loves a comforting weeknight meal, and this is a recipe we chow down on every single time.
FRENCH DIP SANDWICHES
The rich, savory flavor of these classic french dip sandwiches with au jus comes from slow-cooking a 3-pound boneless beef rump or chuck roast in a crockpot. Simply place the roast in a greased crockpot, pour over a savory mixture of dried onion soup mix, au jus gravy mix, beef broth, and water, then let it cook on Low for 9-10 hours or High for 6-7 hours while you go about your day. The slow cooking infuses the beef with rich, savory flavors and makes it tender and easy to shred. Just pile the shredded meat into crusty hoagie rolls and top with slices of Provolone cheese, broil until the cheese melts, and the buns are lightly toasted. Serve with a side of au jus, you’ll have the ultimate melt-in-your-mouth french dip sandwich!
Find my expert tips on how to make homemade french dip sandwiches from scratch below! Don’t forget to tag me in all of your creations @lifeinthelofthouse on Instagram and Facebook. Let’s stay connected. ❤️
Why You’ll Love This Easy French Dip Sandwich Recipe:
- Tender & Juicy: Slow-cooked in a savory onion and au jus broth, the roast melts in your mouth and shreds effortlessly.
- Simple, Hands-off Cooking: Toss the ingredients in the crockpot, let it cook while you go about your day, and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort.
- Comforting Weeknight Meal: This is a delicious recipe for weeknight dinners, casual gatherings, or game-day spreads; everyone will love these hearty sandwiches.
Ingredients
- 3-pound boneless beef rump roast (or a boneless beef chuck roast)
- 1 packet (2 ounces) dried onion soup mix
- 1 packet (1 ounce) Au Jus Gravy mix
- 2 cans (15 ounces, each) beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 8 crusty Hoagie Rolls
- 8 slices Provolone (or White American or Swiss cheese)
Instructions
Place the roast in a greased crockpot.
In a medium bowl, mix the onion soup mix, au jus mix, beef broth, and water. Pour the mixture all over the roast. Cover the crock pot with the lid.
Cook roast on Low heat for 9 to 10 hours OR cook on High heat for 6 to 7 hours. After it’s finished cooking, carefully transfer the hot roast to a cutting board. Remove any fat, then shred.
Place the desired amount of shredded beef in crusty hoagie buns. Top with sliced cheese. Set sandwiches on a baking sheet. Place under the broiler until the cheese is all melted and the buns are toasted. Note: Watch the sandwiches the entire time while they are under the broiler. They can burn fast!
Ladle the au jus gravy from the crock pot into small bowls. Dip your sandwiches in it and enjoy!
Servings
Yields: 8 servings.
Storage and Reheating
Allow the shredded beef to cool, then place it in an airtight container with some of the au jus and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. Freeze for up to 2 months. To reheat, place beef in a skillet or microwave with a splash of au jus to keep it moist, and toast the hoagie rolls separately to prevent sogginess. Assemble the sandwiches just before serving and dip them into warm au jus for the best taste.
Holly’s Tips for The Best French Dip Sandwiches:
- Select the Right Cut: This recipe calls for boneless beef rump roast or chuck roast for tender, juicy meat that shreds easily for french dip sandwiches.
- Savory Au Jus: Using both dried onion soup mix and au jus gravy mix creates a rich, flavorful broth perfect for soaking the beef and dipping the sandwiches.
- Low & Slow Is Key: Cooking on Low for 9-10 hours maximizes tenderness and flavor, but High works in 6-7 hours if you’re short on time.
- Broil Gently: When melting the cheese under the broiler, watch closely as hoagie rolls can burn quickly. For extra flavor, try a light sprinkle of garlic powder or smoked paprika on top before broiling.
Frequently Asked Questions:
You sure can! Cook and shred the beef in advance, store it in the au jus in the fridge, and assemble the sandwiches just before serving.
Toast the hoagie rolls under the broiler briefly before adding the beef and cheese. Serve the au jus on the side for dipping instead of pouring it directly on the sandwiches.
Provolone, Swiss, or White American melt beautifully and complements the savory beef flavor. You can mix cheeses for extra creaminess if desired.
Classic options include roasted vegetables, fries, coleslaw, or a crisp green salad. The au jus doubles as a dipping sauce for veggies or fries for extra flavor.
Absolutely. Use mini rolls or slider buns, adjust the amount of shredded beef per sandwich, and broil just until the cheese melts. These would be delicious appetizers for parties and game days.
To make French Dip Sandwiches gluten-free, use a naturally gluten-free beef roast and carefully check all seasoning mixes, such as the dried onion soup and au jus gravy packets, for hidden gluten ingredients. Swap traditional hoagie rolls for certified gluten-free buns or rolls, and ensure any cheese you use doesn’t contain additives with gluten.
Similar Recipes
Craving something similar? Make my Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches.
Looking for a bite-sized party appetizer? My French Dip Crescents are just as delicious.
Looking for more hearty beef recipes? Try these highly-rated recipes next: Sweet BBQ Beef Sandwiches, BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwiches, Cheesesteak Sandwiches, and Perfect Pot Roast.
Have you made this French Dip Sandwich recipe? 💚
Leave a review, and don’t forget to tag me in your creations on Instagram and Facebook! @lifeinthelofthouse! #FrenchDipSandwiches #LifeInTheLofthouse
Ingredients
- 3 pound boneless beef rump roast (or a boneless beef chuck roast)
- 1 packet (2 ounces) dried onion soup mix
- 1 packet (1 ounce) Au Jus Gravy mix
- 2 cans (15 ounces, each) beef broth
- 2 cups water
- 8 crusty Hoagie Rolls
- 8 slices Provolone (or White American or Swiss cheese)
Instructions
- Place the roast in a greased crock pot.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the onion soup mix, au jus mix, beef broth and water. Pour mixture all over the roast. Cover crock pot with the lid.
- Cook roast on Low heat for 9 to 10 hours OR cook on High heat for 6 to 7 hours. After it's finished cooking, carefully transfer hot roast to a cutting board. Remove any fat then shred.
- Place desired amount of shredded beef in crusty hoagie buns. Top with sliced cheese. Set sandwiches on a baking sheet. Place under the broiler until cheese is all melted and buns are toasted. *Watch the sandwiches the entire time while they are under the broiler. They can burn fast!*Ladle the au jus gravy from the crock pot into small bowls. Dip your sandwiches in it and enjoy!
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French Dips are one of my favorite sandwiches ever! Whenever they’re on a menu at a restaurant I get one, but I’ve never made them at home. These look super delicious.
– Maggie
French Dip sandwiches are some of my favorites. They scream “comfort” to me. Your recipe looks delicious!
This is the next thing on my menu to make. These look terrific! I hate Mondays too girl! Come visit. We have a terrific pumpkin panna cotta this week.
Yum! Looks delicious.
which do u prefer? the round steak or roast?
When ever I see a french dip on a menu…I always order it!
The sandwich looks terrific!
These look great! Going to add this to my ever-growing list of recipes from your blog to try – thanks for all the great ideas!
This is my all time favorite sandwich. I remember being a little girl and on vacation this first time I tried one. It was such a novel concept –to dip a sandwich in beef juice.
Sooooo, you don’t specify how much water so I’m assuming you put in the amount called for in the Au Jus & Onion Soup packets, yes?
Sooooo, you don’t specify how much water so I’m assuming you put in the amount called for in the Au Jus & Onion Soup packets, yes?
Sooooo, you don’t specify how much water so I’m assuming you put in the amount called for in the Au Jus & Onion Soup packets, yes?
Juliawing… I know this is such a late reply, but it needs 2 cups of water. I just fixed the error. Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Made these yesterday and we devoured them last night. Oh. My. Goodness. Sooooo good! Not salty like French dip sandwiches in a restaurant; just PERFECT. Thank you for another recipe to add to my “make again” file!!! 🙂
Looks amazing! I only cook for 3, so maybe I will buy a smaller roast and cut this in half? But cooked for the same amount of time. Cant wait to try it!
OMGoodness!! We made this last night and it was a total hit…even with my 5 and 3 year olds. I love French Dip sandwiches and this is now our go to recipe. Thanks for a great 5 star recipe!!
Well I know what everyone likes to order off the menu. By any chance has anyone actually cooked this and ate this. Other then the author. My goodness!!. Review = my opinion of the product or in this case the sandwich!!
This recipe was so easy and so delicious! I love recipes that you can just dump into the slow cooker and walk away. This recipe made for some absolutely wonderful french dip sandwiches. We used provolone because that’s what we love on sandwiches like these. Thank you for a great recipe!
Hi! My picky family has an aversion to onions, is there anything I can use in place of the onion soup mix?
Thanks!
Hi! You could replace it with a beef gravy mix packet, or just leave it out completely. I think the results will still be delicious either way! 🙂
What other kinds of roast can you use? A rump roast is kind of tough!
A chuck roast would be great for these French dips!