Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

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Few things beat the cozy aroma of a slow cooker working its magic, especially when it’s filled with tender beef destined for French dip sandwiches. These Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches bring everything to the table: juicy, flavorful meat, a rich and savory broth, and crusty rolls ready to soak up every drop. With minimal prep and a major payoff, they are the definition of comfort food done right.

Whether you’re feeding a family or prepping for game day, these sandwiches deliver that warm, slow-simmered taste without much effort. The beef is fall-apart tender, the au jus is deeply savory, and every bite is better than the last. You only need a handful of ingredients to create a meal that tastes like it came from your favorite deli.

Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

This recipe is perfect for busy days when you want dinner ready without hovering over the stove. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully over time. You’ll love how the beef turns buttery soft and the broth becomes a dipping sauce you could drink with a spoon.

The best part? It’s incredibly adaptable. You can use different cuts of beef, load up the sandwich with melty provolone, or toast the rolls for extra crunch. It also makes amazing leftovers—if you have any left, that is.

What Cut of Beef Should I Use for French Dip Sandwiches?

The go-to cut is chuck roast because of its rich marbling and flavor, but you can also use rump roast or even bottom round. These tougher cuts transform into tender, shred-worthy beef after hours in the slow cooker. Just avoid lean cuts like sirloin or tenderloin, as they tend to dry out during long cook times.

Ingredients for the Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

To make this sandwich as flavorful as possible, each ingredient plays a key role in building depth. You won’t need anything complicated—just a few pantry staples and your preferred beef cut.

  • Beef chuck roast
  • Beef broth
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • Soy sauce
  • Dried thyme
  • Black pepper
  • Hoagie or French rolls
  • Provolone cheese (optional but highly recommended)

The beef chuck roast is essential for its marbling and how well it shreds. Beef broth is the base of our savory dipping sauce, while onion and garlic provide depth and aroma. A splash of Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce adds umami, and thyme and black pepper round out the flavor. Crusty rolls are a must for soaking up the au jus, and provolone melts beautifully on top.

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How To Make the Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

Step 1: Prepare the Beef and Broth

Place the chuck roast in your slow cooker. Add sliced onions and minced garlic on top. Pour in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, and black pepper. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the beef is tender enough to shred easily.

Step 2: Shred the Beef

Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and shred it using two forks. Discard any large pieces of fat. Strain the cooking liquid to remove solids and reserve the broth as your dipping sauce.

Step 3: Assemble the Sandwiches

Toast the hoagie rolls if desired. Pile shredded beef onto each roll and top with provolone cheese. You can place them under the broiler for a minute to melt the cheese.

Step 4: Serve With Au Jus

Serve sandwiches with a small bowl of the reserved broth on the side for dipping. It’s rich, savory, and the secret to an unforgettable bite.

How to Serve and Store Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

These sandwiches are best served hot, right after the cheese has melted and the rolls are slightly crisp. They’re perfect for casual dinners, weekend lunches, or parties when you need a crowd-pleasing option.

This recipe typically feeds 6 people generously. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Keep the shredded beef and au jus separate from the bread to maintain texture. Reheat the beef in a saucepan with a bit of the broth to keep it juicy.

What to Serve With Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches?

Crispy Oven Fries

A classic pairing that adds a salty crunch.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

For a touch of green and roasted caramel flavor.

Pickled Vegetables

The acidity balances the richness of the meat.

Potato Salad

Creamy and cool, it’s a contrast to the warm sandwich.

Coleslaw

Adds crunch and freshness to your plate.

Sweet Potato Chips

Slightly sweet and crispy, they make a fun alternative to regular chips.

Tomato Basil Soup

Perfect for dunking alongside your au jus.

Garlic Green Beans

Quick, garlicky, and adds a pop of color.

Want More Sandwich Ideas?

If hearty handheld meals are your thing, you might love these other warm, savory creations too:

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📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest sandwich board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add caramelized onions? Toast the rolls with garlic butter? I love hearing your twists on this classic.

Explore beautifully curated comfort food ideas and easy weeknight meals on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to family favorite!

Conclusion

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches are a simple yet impressive meal that feels special every time you make it. With rich, slow-cooked beef and golden broth perfect for dipping, this sandwich turns even a Tuesday dinner into something crave-worthy. Once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to its irresistible, cozy flavor.

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Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches


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  • Author: Janet Reynolds
  • Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 6 sandwiches

Description

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches made with tender chuck roast, savory beef broth, and melted provolone on crusty rolls. This easy slow cooker meal is perfect for weeknight dinners or game day! Enjoy the best au jus dipping sauce with every bite.


Ingredients

3 pounds beef chuck roast

4 cups beef broth

1 large onion, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

6 hoagie or French rolls

6 slices provolone cheese (optional)


Instructions

1. Place the beef chuck roast in a slow cooker.

2. Add sliced onion and minced garlic over the beef.

3. Pour in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, thyme, and black pepper.

4. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, until beef is very tender.

5. Remove beef from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. Discard excess fat.

6. Strain the cooking liquid and reserve as au jus for dipping.

7. Toast hoagie rolls if desired.

8. Pile shredded beef onto rolls and top with provolone cheese.

9. Broil for 1–2 minutes until cheese melts.

10. Serve hot with a bowl of the strained broth for dipping.

Notes

Slow cook on low for best tenderness.

Use provolone or swap with Swiss or mozzarella.

Keep beef and au jus separate when storing to avoid soggy bread.

  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 8 hours
  • Category: Sandwiches
  • Method: Slow Cooker
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 sandwich
  • Calories: 520
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 920mg
  • Fat: 26g
  • Saturated Fat: 11g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 12g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 42g
  • Cholesterol: 110mg

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