Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches are an easy dinner idea that you'll fall in love with. Tender beef atop a toasted sandwich roll with an incredibly delicious dipping sauce makes this 5-ingredient, slow cooker recipe a winner! Video below!
A Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich is easy to make and puts an incredible and hearty meal on the table. Tender beef and melted cheese atop a toasted sandwich roll dipped in a delectable, savory sauce that's melt-in-your-mouth good!
And it only takes 5 ingredients!
In our kitchen, easy is the name of the game. This recipe is easier than some crockpot recipes since you don't have to brown the meat before putting it in your crockpot. Once it slowly cooks all day, it comes out tender and pulls apart.
If you love hearty slow cooker recipes, try Crock Pot Pork Chops and Crock Pot Pulled Pork!
We have all the best Crock Pot Tips and Tricks if you need them!
Seriously, most people say this crockpot French dip recipe is by far better than ANY french dip they've ever had, either restaurant-style or homemade.
Since the recipe is as simple as throwing 5 ingredients in a crockpot, it's a weeknight or game day favorite.
Jump to:
What is A French Dip?
A French Dip Sandwich is a hot beef sandwich consisting of tender, thin slices of beef layered on a long white sandwich roll topped with melted cheese dipped into a flavorful sauce made from the beef juices.
And it's so GOOD!
The flavor of the au jus (dipping) sauce, combined with the melted provolone cheese, slightly toasted roll, and succulent meat, is pretty darn close to perfect!
Note: au jus means "with juice." All of the best French Dip recipes will call for dunking the sandwich in the cooking liquid-it's so good, too!
What is the Best Cut of Beef for French Dip Sandwiches?
Most French dip recipes are made with chuck roast or rump roast. You can also use a cross rib roast, which is even more tender.
Get whichever cut is on sale. As it cooks in the juices, the slow cooker will slowly break down even a tough cut of meat into delectably tender morsels perfect for piling high on a soft French roll.
Step-By-Step Instructions
This French Dip Sandwich recipe comes together quickly and then slowly cooks all day to give you the best French Dip!
Step 1 - Place Meat and Other Ingredients in Slow Cooker
Place your roast in your crockpot. Pour the soup and consomme over the top, and then add garlic and Worcestershire sauce.
Note: If you'd like enhanced flavor, sauté your beef on the stovetop in a large pan on medium-high heat before putting it in the crockpot. This gives it a nice brown crust.
Step 2 - Cook
Cover the crock and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours.
Tip: For the most tender beef, cook on low.
Step 3 - Make Sauce
How to make the au jus/dipping juice is a common question. For reference, it's a thin juice, not a gravy consistency.
For the amazing dipping sauce, once the beef is done cooking, remove 3 cups of the juice from the crockpot and place it in a small saucepan. Turn heat to medium and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let cook for about 10 minutes or let it reduce by about half.
Step 4 - Cut or Shred Beef
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C) to prepare for toasting your rolls and melting the cheese. Then, transfer the beef to a plate or cutting board, cut it into thin slices, or shred it with a fork.
Step 5 - Toast Rolls
Next, open sandwich rolls and lay them out on a baking sheet, place the meat on each roll, and top with provolone cheese.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees (177 degrees C) for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and rolls are slightly toasted.
Finally, serve your crock pot French dip with your yummy dipping sauce.
Other Easy Crockpot Recipes
Other weeknight family-favorite recipes are easy Crockpot BBQ Pork Chops, Crockpot Pizza Casserole, and Crockpot Beef Stroganoff.
And, if you're serving a crowd, definitely put 3-ingredient Crockpot Meatballs or tender and juicy Crockpot Teriyaki Meatballs on your list as either an appetizer or main dish.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Meat Options: The recipe calls for beef chuck roast, but you can also use a cross-rib roast, which is even more tender. Get whichever one is on sale. As it cooks, the slow cooker will slowly break down even a tough cut of meat into delectably tender morsels perfect for piling high on a soft French roll.
- Onions: You can add sliced onions to the crockpot with the meat if you prefer more atop your sandwich. Alternatively, you can caramelize or sauté them on the stovetop and add them to your sandwich.
- Crock Pot Setting: For the most tender beef, cook in the crockpot on low.
- As for bread, hoagie, French, or sourdough rolls, all work with this recipe.
- Equipment: This recipe is best cooked in a 6-quart crockpot.
What to Serve with French Dip Sandwiches
If you're going traditional with your menu, here are some ideas to serve with your Crock Pot French Dip:
- French fries
- Cole Slaw
- Potato Salad
- Chips
Or, if you want to go a little healthier, serve the following with your French Dip recipe:
- Green salad
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
Oh, and this Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich is good year-round.
It's incredible in the winter because you can't go wrong with a hot and juicy sandwich. It's nice not to turn the oven on for dinner in the summertime yet still have a hot meal.
How to Store
If you have leftover beef, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
When ready to eat, toast your roll with the meat and cheese on when ready to eat top.
More Crockpot Recipes
Love this Crockpot French Dip Sandwich recipe? Please leave a 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below ⬇️ and/or a review in the comment section further down.
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This recipe was originally published at The Slow Roasted Italian.
Printable Recipe
Easy Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches Recipe
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- forks
Ingredients
- 3-4 pounds beef chuck roast
- 2 cans (10.5 ounces each condensed French Onion Soup)
- 1 can (10.5 ounces Beef Consommé)
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 8 sandwich or hoagie rolls
- 8 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Place the roast in the crockpot. Pour the soup and consomme over the top and then add garlic and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. (For the most tender beef, cook on low)
- For the dipping sauce, once the beef is done cooking, remove 3 cups of the juice from the crockpot and place it in a small saucepan. Turn heat to medium and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let cook for about 10 minutes or reduced by about half.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
- Transfer the beef to a plate or cutting board and cut into thin slices or shred with two forks.
- Open sandwich rolls and layout on a baking sheet, place the meat on each roll, and top with provolone cheese. Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted and rolls are slightly toasted.
- Serve immediately with the dipping sauce on the side.
Video
Notes
- The recipe calls for beef chuck roast, but we've also used a cross rib roast, which is even more tender. Get whichever one is on sale. As it cooks the slow cooker will slowly break down even a tough cut of meat into delectably tender morsels perfect for piling high on a soft French roll.
- You can add sliced onions to the crockpot with the meat if you prefer more atop your sandwich.
- For the most tender beef, cook in the crockpot on low.
- Hoagie, French or sourdough rolls all work with this recipe.
Nutrition
French Dip in your slow cooker is definitely a must-make for dinner. And they're good leftover the next day! So pile some tender beef on a toasted deli roll, and let's eat!!
Robert Hunter says
Just finished eating the meal I cooked via this recipe. I must have done something wrong because the au jus is very oily. I followed the recipe exactly.
Otherwise, it's a good recipe.
Liza says
I’m excited to try this, I’m serving more people do you think I could double this recipe in the same crockpot? Double the sauce? More time? Have you ever added peppers? Thanks! Sounds delicious!
Erin Henry says
This is one of our favorite recipes! If you had an extra-large crockpot, you might be able to double it, but the recipe was designed to fit and cook well in a 6-quart slow cooker. Peppers would be good.
Melissa says
Can this be made with a beef brisket?
Erin Henry says
Although we have not tried it, we think you should be able to use a beef brisket.
Krissy Allori says
I haven't had a good french dip in way too long. I'm adding this to my menu for next week. So good and so easy!
Erin Henry says
Yes, one of the easiest and tastiest recipes around! Enjoy!
Laura Reese says
I loved this tender recipe! It made delicious sandwiches.
Erin Henry says
We agree, so tender and so flavorful. We serve it on special occasions and weeknights it's that good!
Melissa says
Great recipe - I made it and my family really enjoyed!
Erin Henry says
Wonderful news, Melissa! Thanks for the 5-star review!
Tara says
LOVE making this in my slow cooker -- smells SO good!
Erin Henry says
We agree the house smells wonderful when you come home to french dip sandwiches!
Trang says
I didn't know how easy it was to make French Dip until now! Anything fast and simple to make in the crock pot gets 5 stars from me!
Erin Henry says
This recipe is definitely worth a 5-star review. We think it's one of the best french dip recipes around!
Emily says
Totally making this tomorrow! 🙂
Erin says
Yay, Emily! I think you'll love these sandwiches. My family sure does!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
What a great simple recipe! I love that you used to Crock Pot for this!
Erin says
Yes, I wasn't sure originally if it would taste good, but this crockpot recipe surpassed my expectations! So good...even the next day with the yummy dipping sauce!