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    Home » Recipes » Recipes

    Easy Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich

    Published: Oct 8, 2023 · Modified: Jan 3, 2025 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe

    Easy Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich is finger-licking goodness. The hearty sandwich is full of tender beef, gooey melty cheese, and an au jus sauce. An awesome sandwich to serve for any weeknight.

    Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich being dipped into an aus jus sauce.

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    Beef sandwiches are always popular for a tasty game-day sandwich too! French Dip Au Jus sammies

    Looking for specifics on the recipe? Use the table of contents to click on sections of the recipe.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredient List
    • Equipment
    • Instructions
    • Eileen's Tips for Success
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Variations
    • Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Similar recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • French Dip Sandwiches are in my rotation of no-brainer delicious easy meals! The kind of meal that no one needs to fuss over.
    • cannot tell you how crazy I am for a great French Dip Sandwich. They are amazing!
    • This cheesy beefy sandwich is even better the slow cooker does all the work. Thus we have the tastiest Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich.
    • French Dip Au Jus sammie is very easy to assemble and great for feeding a crowd.

    Ingredient List

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    • bottom round roast
    • black pepper
    • garlic powder
    • onion powder
    • salt
    • canola oil if browning meat in a Dutch Oven
    • yellow onion
    • fat-free beef broth
    • light soy sauce or Tamari
    • Worcestershire Sauce
    • Dijon mustard
    •  Bay Leaf
    • fresh thyme or dried thyme
    • hoagie rolls
    • salted butter, optional
    • provolone cheese

    Equipment

    • Ninja 8-1 Slow Cooker
    • Measuring Spoons and Cup

    Instructions

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

    Step 1: Season the beef liberally with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.

    Step 2: Two methods - Sear meat in a Dutch oven to brown all sides. Once browned place in slow-cooker, add onion, saute 5 minutes. Add to slow cooker.

    Second choice: After seasoning meat place in the slow cooker with onions without searing the meat.

    Step 3: Add beef broth, Worcheshire sauce, soy sauce, Dijon mustard, bay leaf, thyme, and pepper.

    Step 4: Cover and set for 5 to 6 hours on high or low for 7 to 8 hours. Shred beef with meat claws or forks.

    Step 5: Slice the hoagie rolls in half. Lightly spread with butter. Top hoagie bread with provolone cheese and place under broiler for about 35 seconds. ( Watch the bread so it does not burn) Top with the shredded beef.

    Serve with the Au Jus sauce. Strain the sauce if you do not want extra onions in the sauce.

    Slow cooker french dips on hoagie bread with melted provolone cheese and au jus dip.

    Eileen's Tips for Success

    • Tougher cuts of meat such as the rump roast and bottom round work best for this recipe using the slow cooker.
    • Searing the meat adds additional flavor and highly recommend not skipping this step.

    Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Searing the meat adds amazing flavor to the sandwiches. I highly 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 in the bottom of the pan for additional flavor.
    I use the Ninja 8-1 Multicooker which has a searing function and a slow cooker function which makes the whole process easy.

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

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

    What is the origin of the French Dip Sandwich?

    I love food history and the French Dip origins are 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.

    Variations

    Do you 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 can use low-sodium soy sauce.
    • Gluten-free options would be using Tamari instead of soy sauce.
    • Cheese: Other options are Swiss Cheese, Mozzarella cheese, or smoked Gouda.
    • Bread: Hoagie Rolls, Italian bread, or French bread all work well. Be sure to

    Make ahead, storage, and freezer tips

    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.

    Slow cooker french dips being dipped into au jus sauce.

    Serving Suggestions

    These tasty beef sandwiches are perfect with a side of cole slaw, potato salad, french fries, or grilled potato wedges.

    Carmelized onions or sauteed mushrooms would both be delicious additions to these crock pot French dip sandwiches.

    Similar recipes

    • Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches are another great choice for making French Dips.
    • Instant Pot French Bread Recipe is a great option for the bread for these sandwiches
    • Slow Cooker Italian Beef is another delicious set-and-forget slow cooker beef sandwich recipe.
    • Next time, try Slow Cooker Flank Steak for a tasty meal and they make a great beefy sandwich too.
    • Slow Cooker Cuban Sandwiches are another easy dinner idea.

    I love any comments or questions, please feel free to leave them below.

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    Thank you for your continued support. I am forever grateful.

    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.

    If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

                               

    📖 Recipe

    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, Slow Cooker
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: crockpot french dips, french dip sandwich, slow cooker french dips
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 7 hours hours
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 7 hours hours 15 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 sandwiches
    Calories: 976kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • Ninja 8-1 Slow Cooker
    • Measuring Spoons and Cups
    • large saute pan
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients

    • 4 pounds bottom round roast
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon onion powder
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 Tablespoon canola oil if browning meat in Dutch Oven
    • 1 large yellow onion peeled, halved,and sliced thin
    • 14.5 ounce beef broth or homemade beef stock 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
    • 12 slices provolone cheese
    US Customary - Metric

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    Instructions

    • Rinse and dry meat. In a small mixing bowl, combine the black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt. Sprinkle the roast liberally with the seasonings. 
    • Method one- most preferred. In a large saute pan, over medium heat, add the canola oil. Add the seasoned beef and brown on all sides. Place the browned beef in the slow cooker. To the pan, add the onions, saute for about 5 minutes to soften onions. Add about ¼ cup of the beef broth to the pan and use a wooden spoon to loosen the brown bits at the bottom of the pan. To the slow cooker, Add all the onions, all the beef broth, soy sauce, Worcheshire Sauce, Dijon mustard, bay leaf, and sprigs of thyme or dried thyme. 
    • Method two- Add everything to the slow cooker without browning the meat.
    • Place the lid on slow cooker. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 7 to 8 hours. Shred beef with forks. The meat will be tender and pull apart easily.
    • To prepare the 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 butter to the hoagies, spread some on each slice.
    • Place a slice of provolone cheese on each piece of bread. Place the prepared hoagies on a baking sheet and place in the preheated oven for about 35 seconds.
      Watch closely so the bread and cheese do not burn. My take a few seconds longer, depending on your oven. 
    • Once bread is toasted, remove from oven.
      I like to drain the beef through a sieve to reduce the juices and place the beef on the bread. Serve with the au jus. Serve immediately.

    NOTES

    Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above with important tips and questions that can help make a delicious recipe.
    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.
     
     
    Check out my store.  I am sharing great finds for not just cooking, I hope you check it out here, Everyday Eileen 
     

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1sandwich | Calories: 976kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 104g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 17g | Cholesterol: 274mg | Sodium: 1767mg | Potassium: 954mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 515IU | Vitamin C: 3.1mg | Calcium: 460mg | Iron: 18.6mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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