Nothing beats the comfort of warm, juicy Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches on a busy day. Tender shredded beef soaks in a rich, savory broth, then gets tucked into crusty rolls with melted Swiss or provolone cheese. The slow cooker does all the work while your kitchen fills with an irresistible aroma. With minimal prep, this easy slow cooker French dip delivers restaurant-style flavor you’ll crave again and again.
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Why You’ll Love This Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
You’ll love these Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches because they’re simple, hearty, and full of rich flavor. With just a few ingredients, your slow cooker transforms a humble chuck roast into tender, juicy beef that practically melts in your mouth. There’s no babysitting the stove—just set it and walk away. This recipe works for busy weeknights, lazy Sundays, or game day gatherings. It’s also great for meal prep since leftovers reheat beautifully. The best part is dipping each cheesy sandwich into warm au jus, creating that perfect combination of crunch, melt, and savory satisfaction every time.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
The Beef
Chuck roast is ideal for slow cooker French dip sandwiches because it becomes incredibly tender after hours of slow cooking. It’s well-marbled, which keeps it juicy and flavorful. If you prefer, brisket works too, though it has a slightly firmer texture.
Flavor Boosters
The dry onion soup mix, beef broth, and water come together to form a rich, savory base. As the meat cooks, these flavors deepen into a luscious au jus perfect for dipping.
Bread and Cheese
Ciabatta, artisan, or soft hoagie rolls all hold up beautifully against the juicy beef. For cheese, choose Swiss or provolone for that gooey melt and mild, creamy flavor that complements the beef without overpowering it.
Simple Seasoning
Salt, pepper, and olive oil bring balance and depth. A quick sear in olive oil before slow cooking locks in flavor and adds a beautiful crust to the roast.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Season and Sear
Start by seasoning the beef generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high and sear the roast until browned on all sides. This step adds a deep, caramelized flavor but you can skip it if you’re short on time.
Slow Cook the Beef
Transfer the roast to your crockpot along with pan juices. Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the top, then pour in water and beef broth. Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–6 hours until the beef is fall-apart tender. During this time, the liquid transforms into a flavorful dipping broth.
Shred and Strain
Once cooked, remove the roast and shred it using two forks. Strain the cooking liquid into a bowl or fat separator to remove grease. This strained broth will serve as your au jus for dipping.
Assemble the Sandwiches
Layer the shredded beef on sliced rolls, top with Swiss or provolone, and broil for a few minutes until the cheese melts and the bread turns golden.
Serve with Au Jus
Ladle the warm au jus into small bowls and serve alongside your sandwiches. Each dip soaks the roll with rich, beefy goodness for that classic French dip experience.
Tips for the Best French Dip
Trim excess fat from the roast before cooking for a lighter au jus. To make cleanup easier, line your slow cooker with a disposable liner. If your au jus seems greasy, use a fat separator for a cleaner flavor. Always store the beef and broth separately; this helps keep the bread from getting soggy when reheating. You can also toast the rolls slightly before assembling to add crunch and prevent them from soaking up too much liquid.
Variations & Substitutions
Switch things up by using brisket instead of chuck roast or substitute beef consommé for the broth for a richer flavor. Add sliced onions or mushrooms to the slow cooker for extra depth. Try different cheeses like mozzarella or white cheddar for a twist. If you’re in the mood for a kick, mix a spoonful of horseradish or Dijon mustard into your sandwich before serving.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Freezing
These Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are perfect for meal prep. Store the shredded beef and au jus separately in airtight containers for 3–4 days in the fridge. For longer storage, freeze both for up to 3 months. Reheat the meat gently in a saucepan or microwave with a splash of broth to keep it moist. Use leftovers in wraps, quesadillas, or sliders for easy new meals.
Instant Pot Method
For a faster version, sear the beef directly in your Instant Pot using the sauté mode. Add the onion soup mix, water, and broth, then seal the lid. Cook on high pressure for 60 minutes, followed by a 15-minute natural release. The result is just as tender, though the flavor develops slightly differently than the slow-cooked version. Still, it’s an excellent option when you want French dip sandwiches in under two hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make French dip sandwiches in a crockpot?
Season and sear beef, then cook it with onion soup mix, broth, and water in a crockpot until tender. Shred and serve with melted cheese on rolls, plus au jus for dipping.
What makes the best French dip sandwiches?
Quality beef, flavorful broth, crusty bread, and the right cheese—usually Swiss or provolone—make a French dip irresistible.
What is the principal ingredient of a French dip?
The key ingredient is tender, slow-cooked beef, traditionally chuck roast or brisket.
How long to slow cook French dip?
Cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–6 hours until the beef easily shreds.
Other Recipes You May Enjoy
- Slow Cooker Pot Roast with tender beef and vegetables
- Slow Cooker Chicken Burrito Bowl for easy weeknight dinners
- Flavor-packed Birria in the slow cooker
- Fall-apart Slow Cooker Texas Pulled Pork
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole made in the slow cooker
- Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks in red wine sauce
Conclusion or Final Thoughts
These Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are everything you want in a comfort meal—juicy, cheesy, and dipped in warm, savory au jus. They’re easy enough for weeknights yet impressive enough for guests. With your slow cooker handling the work, you’ll have more time to relax while the aroma fills your home. Try this recipe, share it with friends, and let everyone know how delicious homemade French dip sandwiches can be. You can also find more cozy recipes on Pinterest
Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Equipment
- Slow cooker 6-quart size works best
- Large skillet For searing the roast
- Tongs For flipping and shredding beef
- Fat Separator Optional, for cleaner au jus
- Broiler or Oven To melt cheese and toast sandwiches
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2.5 pounds beef chuck roast
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
- 2 packets (1 oz each) dry onion soup mix
- 2 cups water
- 29 ounces beef broth (two 14.5-oz cans)
- 6–8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese
- 6–8 rolls crusty rolls (like ciabatta or hoagie)
Instructions
- Season the beef chuck roast generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 2–3 minutes per side.
- Transfer the roast and pan juices to your slow cooker. Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix over the meat and pour in the water and beef broth.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 8–10 hours or HIGH for 4–6 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
- Remove the beef and shred it with two forks. Strain the liquid and reserve it for dipping (au jus).
- Layer shredded beef on sliced rolls, top with cheese, and broil until the cheese melts and bread is toasted.
- Serve warm with small bowls of strained broth for dipping.
