Easiest French Dip Sandwich Recipe with Beef Roast
Every home cook needs a crazy, easy recipe up her sleeve to pull out when the days get busy. These French dip sandwiches are the perfect dish to throw in a crock pot and ignore until supper time.
I had heard of French dip sandwiches many, many years ago, but it wasn’t until the last couple of years that I tried my hand at making them.
They sounded fancy and like a laborious recipe, so I always discounted the meal as one people could order when we went to a restaurant.
I have a couple of kiddos that love anything that is heavy on the beef. They love hamburgers, steak, beef stroganoff, and more. It was because of their love for beef dishes that I began making this fool-proof, super simple French dip sandwich recipe.
Why you’ll love this French Dip Sandwich Recipe
If you are wanting the easiest of all easy recipes, then look no further. Not only is this recipe a cinch, it is also impressive and filling.
This sandwich was actually created by accident when a chef in California dropped the roll for a beef sandwich into the au jus sauce. The roll was so delicious that it became a regular menu item, and thus, the sandwich was born.
To make this recipe, you just throw everything in a pot and let it cook!
Ingredients for French Dip Sandwiches
- Beef Roast– The best cuts for this meal are either a chuck roast or a rump roast. The chuck roast comes from the shoulder portion of the cow, so the rump roast tends to be more tender. Rest assured, whichever you use for this recipe, it will turn out tender and delicious since it’s slow cooked for hours.
- French Onion Soup– Did I mention how easy this recipe is? This can of soup is one of the reasons this recipe is simple. It adds so much flavor and is a dump and go recipe. I also included a homemade version of this soup below if you want to avoid canned items.
- Beef Broth– This deepens the flavor of the beef roast and keeps it moist so that it cooks up tender.
- Stem of Rosemary– Rosemary is optional, but it does add delicious flavor. I keep it as a stem so I can take it out after the roast is cooked. This gives a freshness and herby note to the beef.
- Garlic– No dish is complete without a dash of garlic to flavor it.
- French Rolls– French rolls, hoagies, or brioche buns are wonderful breads to use for this recipe. French rolls work the best because they have a structured crust that helps keep the sandwich together as the soft bread on the inside soaks up the au jus.
- Provolone Cheese Slices– Sliced cheese is placed on top of the sandwich and broiled until bubbly. Several in our family enjoy a spicier version and use pepperjack cheese. Use whatever you have on hand!
4 Easy Steps for making French Dip Sandwiches
- Put a Beef roast in a large stock pot or crock pot. Dump in the beef broth, french onion soup, rosemary, and garlic. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Remove the roast when it’s done cooking and let it rest 10 minutes before shredding or cutting.
- Top the french rolls with a generous portion of meat and top with cheese.
- Broil for a few minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly.
Homemade French Onion Soup
If you are wanting a cleaner version of this recipe, add these items in place of the can of French Onion Soup. You will get the same great flavor, but without the worry of things being added to your canned soup.
- 2 cans beef broth
- 2 sliced onions
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
How to make French Onion Soup
Sauté the onions until caramelized. Add in the beef broth, garlic, bay leaf, and white wine and heat to a simmer. Add in the beef roast and proceed according to the French Dip Sandwich instructions.
Instant Pot French Dip
If you are in a pinch and need to use your instant pot, these instructions should give you the tender result you’re wanting.
- Brown Chuck Roast using the sauté function until browned on each side. This adds to the flavor.
- Remove Roast and deglaze the instant pot by adding in the beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to get all of the yummy bits off of the bottom of the instant pot.
- Add the Beef Roast back into the pot. Pour the French onion soup, rosemary, and garlic to the pot.
- Cook on High pressure for 45 minutes. Do a natural release for 25 minutes.
How to assemble French dips
- Split the french rolls and butter the inside of the bread.
- Place a generous portion of shredded beef on the rolls.
- Place the cheese on top.
- Broil until melted and bubbly.
- Serve with a small bowl of au jus.
Ways to cut the meat for sandwiches
Depending on what you want for your sandwiches, you can either slice the beef roast once cooked or you can shred it.
I prefer shredding the meat so it’s easier to bite into, especially for the little people around our table that love these sandwiches.
If you don’t want to take the time to shred the beef, simply slice it into thin slices and lay them on the french rolls.
What to serve with French dips
This meal can be as fancy or casual as you want to make it. I prefer to keep it a simple meal, so I also keep the sides easy and fast.
- Coleslaw- This creamy salad adds a sweetness and freshness to off set the warm, rich sandwich.
- Potato Salad
- French Fries- I prefer to make my own by slicing potatoes into this strips and baking.
- More onions- Caramelize some onions to serve on top or alongside the sandwiches
- Soup- Pair this sandwich with your favorite, hearty soup
- Roasted Vegetables
- Fresh green beans- Sauté some fresh green beans with salt and pepper to pair with this sandwich.
Other Recipes you’ll love
- Delicious Crusty Bread | No Fail Bread Recipe
- Mini Meatloaf Recipe without Bread Crumbs
- Easy Weeknight Dinners for a Family
- What to Serve with Italian Sausage and Peppers
Depending on which cut of beef you used, some can be tough. Other reasons for tough beef roast is that you didn’t have enough liquid in your pot as you slow cooked the roast. Make sure you add water if the roast is more than 1/3 of the way out of the liquid. Also, it might mean you didn’t cook your meat long enough.
Easy French Dip Sandwiches
Equipment
- stock pot or crock pot
Ingredients
- 4 pound Rump or Chuck Beef Roast
- 1 can French onion soup
- 1 can beef broth
- 1 sprig rosemary
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 6 french rolls
- 6 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Put a Beef roast in a large stock pot or crock pot.
- Dump in the beef broth, french onion soup, rosemary, and garlic.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Remove beef roast from pot and let it sit for 10 minutes.
- Slice or shred the beef
- Split the french rolls and butter the inside of the rolls. Place rolls on a baking sheet.
- Layer a generous amount of beef on each roll.
- Put a slice of cheese on each sandwich.
- Broil the sandwiches until bubbly. Be sure to watch them so they don't burn.
- Serve with the leftover juice from the pot, also known as au jus.
Notes
Instant Pot French Dip
If you are in a pinch and need to use your instant pot, these instructions should give you the tender result you’re wanting.- Brown Chuck Roast using the sauté function until browned on each side. This adds to the flavor.
- Remove Roast and deglaze the instant pot by adding in the beef broth. Use a wooden spoon to get all of the yummy bits off of the bottom of the instant pot.
- Add the Beef Roast back into the pot. Pour the French onion soup, rosemary, and garlic to the pot.
- Cook on High pressure for 45 minutes. Do a natural release for 25 minutes.
