Easy Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

Servings sandwiches

Prep 15

Cook 7

This Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich is a satisfying, crave-worthy classic made effortless in the crockpot! Tender, slow-cooked beef is layered on buttery, toasted hoagie rolls, topped with melty provolone, and served with a rich homemade au jus for dipping. It’s pure comfort food, filling your kitchen with the most spectacular aroma — perfect for weeknights, game days, or feeding a hungry crowd.

A slow cooker french dip sandwiches with homemade au jus.

For specifics on the recipe use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

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Why you'll love Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
Ingredients to make Crockpot French Dips
Kitchen Tools to make French Dip Sandwiches in the Slow Cooker
How to make Slow Cooker French Dips
Storage Tips for Slow Cooker Beef Dip Sandwiches
Eileen's Tips for the Best Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
Variations for Crockpot French Dips
Slow Cooker French Dip FAQs
What to serve with Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes
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Why you'll love Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Easy weeknight meal: French Dip Sandwiches are in my rotation of no-brainer, delicious, easy meals! The kind of meal that no one needs to fuss over.
Timing: 10 minutes prep, let the slow cooker do the rest. This serves 6 people. Leftovers are delicious.
Real Ingredients: Many recipes use soup mix to make French Dips. We use no processed ingredients for better flavors.

Love slow cooker recipes? Try our Slow Cooker Cubano Pork Sandwich, Crockpot Hot Honey Chicken Sandwiches, Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Chicken, and Crockpot Corn Chowder.

Ingredients to make Crockpot French Dips

INGREDIENTS WITH TEXT OVERLAY TO MAKE SLOW COOKER FRENCH DIPS.

Main Ingredients with options and variations

Boneless Chuck Roast: Bottom Round Roast or Rump Roast will work for these Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches.
Avocado Oil: If searing the meat, use this oil or any of your favorites, such as canola oil or vegetable oil. Or a combination of unsalted butter and oil can be used for additional flavor.
Yellow onion: white onion or Vidalia onion are also options.
Fat-Free Beef Broth: I prefer to use fat-free beef broth. Regular beef broth or low-sodium broth can be used with excellent results.
Light Soy Sauce: gluten-free option: tamari or liquid amino acids can be used. Low-sodium soy sauce can be used as well.
Worcestershire Sauce: If gluten-free, please use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce. Lea and Perrins and French's both make a gluten-free version. I will link to them in the recipe card below.
Dijon mustard: Adds tanginess to the au jus, and it is an excellent flavor enhancer. if Dijon is unavailable, feel free to use what you have on hand.
Bay Leaf: adds another level of flavor to the meat and au jus.
Fresh thyme or dried thyme: while fresh herbs are my first choice, 1 teaspoon of dried thyme will also work.
Hoagie Rolls: A thick hoagie bread is best to stand up to the au jus. The bread will hold together well with the sauce.
Salted butter, optional: For extra flavor, add salted butter to the bread before placing the bread under the broiler.
Provolone cheese: My first choice for cheese on this sandwich. Swiss cheese will also be a great option.

Kitchen Tools to make French Dip Sandwiches in the Slow Cooker

Ninja 8-1 Slow Cooker
Measuring Spoons and Cups
Saute Pan, 5-quart
Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
Meat Shredder

How to make Slow Cooker French Dips

This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are below in the recipe card.

A cast iron pan with a seasoned rump roast to sear for a slow cooker french dip sandwich.

Generously season the meat.

A cast iron pan a a roast being seared to make Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches.

Sear the meat until golden brown on all sides.

A cast iron pan with sliced onions and beef broth to begin the base of the au jus for french dip beef sandwiches.

Sauté the onions and add the beef stock to pick up any brown bits at the bottom of the pan.

A slow cooker vessel with browned roast, sliced onions, and broth to make French Dip Sandwiches in the crockpot.

Place the browned meat, onions, beef stock, and remaining liquids, Dijon, and herbs in the slow cooker vessel.

A white slow cooker vessel with a rump roast, beef broth, soy, and onions for slow cooker french dip sandwiches.

Slow cook on low for 7 to 8 hours or on high for 5 to 6 hours, until the beef is fork-tender. An instant-read thermometer should be used to check the internal temperature of the meat. It should read 165°F.

A white slow cooker vessel with a rump roast, beef broth, soy, and onions slow cooked to make au jus french dip sandwiches in the crockpot.

Shred the meat. Add back into the au jus.

A silver tray wth a hoagie rolls with provolone cheese and shredded beef for slow cooker beef french dip sandwiches

Broil the hoagie rolls with butter and provolone cheese.

A silver tray with french dip sandwiches made in the slow cooker with provolone cheese.

Add the shredded beef to the rolls

A wooden cutting board with hoagie rolls with slow cooker beef dip french sandwiches with provolone cheese

Serve the French dip sandwiches with the au jus sauce.

Storage Tips for Slow Cooker Beef Dip Sandwiches

Storage - Leftovers can be stored in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer Instructions: The cooked meat can be stored in a freezer-friendly container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a pan on the stovetop

Crockpot shredded french dip beef on hoagie bread with provolone cheese dipped into au jus beef in a white bowl.

Eileen's Tips for the Best Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Tougher cuts of meat, such as the rump roast and bottom round, work best for these easy French Dip sandwiches.
Browning the meat before adding it to the crockpot adds additional flavor to the recipe. I recommend not skipping this step.

Variations for Crockpot French Dips

Want to change up this recipe?

Broth: For a low-sodium option, use fat-free beef broth or low-sodium beef broth.
Soy Sauce: The recipe uses low-sodium soy sauce. Gluten-free options would be using Tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce.
Cheese: Other options: Swiss Cheese, Mozzarella cheese, or smoked Gouda.
Bread: Hoagie Rolls, Italian bread, or French bread all work well.
Gluten-Free: Use Tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce. Also, use gluten-free rolls.
If you prefer using a pressure cooker, try our Instant Pot French Dips

Slow Cooker French Dip FAQs

Is it necessary to brown the beef before adding it to the slow cooker?

Searing the meat adds amazing flavor to the sandwiches. I recommend taking the extra step by browning the meat.
After the beef is seared, add beef broth to the pan to pick up any brown bits the bottom of the pan for extra flavor.
I use the Ninja 8-1 Multicooker , which has a searing function and a slow cooker function, making the whole process easy.

What is the origin of the French Dip Sandwich?

I love food history, and the French Dip origin is no different for me. According to this interesting read, the French Dip originated in California at one of two famous eateries, Coles or Philippe's.

What to serve with French Dip Sandwiches?

Some of my favorite sides to serve with these sandwiches are Sauteed Mushrooms, an easyWatermelon Cucumber Feta Salad,

What cut of beef is best for French Dips in the slow cooker?

My favorite beef cuts are chuck roast, rump roast, or bottom round roast, as they are all great for slow cooking.

What to serve with Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches

A silver tray with shredded beef french dip sandwiches in the slow cooker.

More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

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Eileen xo

If you click on the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.

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A french dip with melting cheese and shredded beef.

Easy Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

The easiest recipe to make a delicious sandwich with melt in your mouth beef. The beef is served on a hoagie roll with melted provolone cheese and a tasty au jus sauce that adds amazing flavor.

5 from 9 votes

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crockpot french dips, french dip sandwich, slow cooker french dips

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 7

Total Time: 7 15

Servings: sandwiches

Calories: 976kcal

Author: Eileen Murphy Kelly

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Equipment Needed:

Ingredients

4 pounds boneless chuck roast Note 1
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon avocado oil Note 2, if browning meat in Dutch Oven
1 large yellow onion (thinly sliced)
14.5 ounce can, low sodium beef broth or homemade beef stock
¼ cup light soy sauce gluten-free use Tamari
3-4 dashes Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 Bay Leaf
3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
6 hoagie rolls
2 teaspoons salted butter (softened optional
6 slices provolone cheese

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Pat 4 pounds boneless chuck roast dry using a paper towel. Set aside.
In a small mixing bowl, combine 1 teaspoon black pepper, 1 teaspoon garlic powder , ½ teaspoon onion powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Sprinkle the meat all over with the seasonings.

Browning Meat and Onion Option

Method one- most preferred. Heat a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat add 1 Tablespoon avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add the seasoned meat and brown on all sides. Place the browned beef in the slow cooker.
To the pan, add 1 large yellow onion (thinly sliced), saute for about 5 to 7 minutes to soften the onions. Add 14.5 ounce can, low sodium beef broth to the pan and use a wooden spoon to loosen the brown bits at the bottom of the pan. Add the broth and onions to the slow cooker.
Add remaining ingredients to the slow cooker: ¼ cup light soy sauce , 3-4 dashes Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1 Bay Leaf, and 3 sprigs fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried thyme.
Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on high for 5 hours or low for 7 to 8 hours. The meat will be tender and pull apart easily. Shred beef with forks.
To prepare the 6 hoagie rolls hoagies. Place the broiler on high. Place oven rack on the third rack from the top of the oven.
Slice rolls in half, lengthwise. I prefer to remove some of the breading inside the hoagie. If adding, divide 2 teaspoons salted butter (softened onto the sliced hoagie halves.
Place one of the 6 slices provolone cheese on each of the top hoagie. Broil for a few seconds to melt the cheese, about 20-30 seconds. Watch closely so the bread and cheese do not burn.
Once the bread is toasted, remove from the oven. Divide the shredded beef on the bottom hoagie. Serve with the au jus sauce. Serve immediately.
Method two- Add everything to the slow cooker without browning the meat.

No prebrowning of the meat or onions

Add all ingredients except for the sandwich makings of hoage bread and cheese. Follow the slow cooker method and sandwich creating above.

NOTES

Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.

Note 1: Bottom Round Roast or Rump Roast can also be used for this recipe.

Note 2: Use your preferred oil to brown the meat.

Storage: Leftovers can be stored in a covered airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezer Instructions: The cooked meat can be stored in a freezer-friendly storage bag or container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and reheat in a pan on the stovetop.

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I'm not a registered dietitian, but I strive to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

Nutrition

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Easy Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

Why you'll love Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Ingredients to make Crockpot French Dips

Kitchen Tools to make French Dip Sandwiches in the Slow Cooker

How to make Slow Cooker French Dips

Storage Tips for Slow Cooker Beef Dip Sandwiches

Eileen's Tips for the Best Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Variations for Crockpot French Dips

Slow Cooker French Dip FAQs

What to serve with Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches

More Slow Cooker Beef Recipes