Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Name: Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 480 min
Total time: 485 min
Ingredients: 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil; salt and pepper; 2 1/2 lb chuck roast; 2 cups low sodium beef broth; 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce; 1 bay leaf; 2 tbsp dried onion flake; 2 tsp dried garlic flake; 1 tsp Italian seasonings; 1 tsp onion powder; French baguette, cut into sandwiches; slices provolone cheese or American cheese; caramelized onions (optional); au jus, for dipping

September 22, 2023
5 from 7 votes
30 comments

Jump to Recipe
Leave Review
SaveSaved
Pin

These melt-in-your-mouth Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches are so simple to make! Tender beef pot roast is cooked low and slow and served on a crusty French baguette with melted provolone cheese. A super easy make-ahead meal!

Juicy beef is so hearty and comforting! Try my Slow Roasted Brisket which is perfect for Sunday lunch, and my Slow Cooker Guinness Beef Stew is a hug in a bowl!

Slow cookers are the best. Throw all of the ingredients together in the slow cooker and dinner is ready in 6-8 hours. How awesome is that? Best of all there are about 5 minutes of prep time.

Slow cookers are my favorite way to cook pot roasts low and slow without keeping the oven on all day. The meat ends up super tender, juicy, and loaded with flavor.

For these Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches, I sear the roast in a super hot pan before placing it in the slow cooker. This gives the roast so much flavor and helps seal in the juices.

The longer the chuck roast cooks the more time it has to break down the connective tissues and become fall-apart tender. These Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches are perfect for meal prep or a crowd!

french dip sandwiches with au jus on white plate

Want to save this recipe?

Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox! You will also receive other new recipes in your inbox weekly!

What is a French dip sandwich made of?

Chuck Roast: This is a tough cut of meat, however, cooking it low and slow makes it so tender and juicy! Brisket would also be great.
Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a bit of saltiness and umami flavor.
Dried Onion Flake: Instead of adding sliced onion I found that dried onion flake has so much more concentrated onion flavor. That along with the onion powder make this roast so good!
Other seasonings: Dried garlic flake, Italian seasonings, onion powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf add a ton of flavor. If you don’t have a bay leaf on hand feel free to skip it.
Beef Broth: I like low sodium beef broth so that I can adjust the seasoning myself.
Cheese: Provolone is perfect in these French Dip Sandwiches. American cheese, Cheddar, Swiss, or gruyere are also great options.
Roll: You can’t have a French dip sandwich without crusty French bread!! French bread is perfect for soaking up all of that delicious au jus.

How to make slow cooker french dip sandwiches

Season chuck roast with salt and pepper on both sides.
Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over high heat. Once the oil is hot add in the chuck roast and sear on both sides until you get a golden brown crust.
Transfer the roast to the slow cooker. Add the beef broth to the pan the beef was cooked in and scrape the bottom to deglaze the pan (this adds so much flavor!)

chuck roast and spices in the slow cooker

Pour the beef broth in the slow cooker along with the Worcestershire sauce, dried onion flake, garlic flake, Italian seasonings and onion powder.Cover and cook on the low setting for 6-8 hours or on high for 5 hours.

Remove roast from the slow cooker and slice or use forks and shred.

To Assemble Sandwiches: Layer sliced or shredded beef on top of French bread and top with two slices of provolone cheese or American cheese. Place sandwiches under the broiler until the cheese is melted. Serve warm with a side of au jus.

slow cooker French dip sandwich on white plate

What goes well with a French dip sandwich?

Tips for Success

Be sure to sear the meat before adding it to the slow cooker. This locks in the juices and encourages the meat to be moist and fall-apart tender.
Add any melty cheese you prefer on top, or just skip it if you’re not a fan!
I recommend toasting the French bread slightly before adding the meat and cheese. This helps to prevent the buns from becoming too soggy.

frequently asked questions

What’s the best cut of meat for French dips?

The majority of French dip recipes call for chuck or rump roast. In the slow cooker, the beef cooks until soft, and instead of cutting it, I prefer to shred it apart into large pieces. The meat will be wonderful in a French dip sandwich as long as it is cooked in liquid until fall-apart tender!

Does a French Dip Sandwich have cheese?

It can either be served with or without the cheese. Personally, I love to add a slice of provolone cheese on top of the hot meat and allow it to melt. Swiss cheese is also commonly added, and some other excellent choices would be cheddar or gruyere.

can you freeze french dip sandwiches

This slow cooker french dip is perfect for freezing! Store the shredded beef in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw completely before reheating. You can reheat it in the microwave, stove, or even in the slow cooker.

More sandwich recipes to try!