Okay, friends, gather ’round because I’ve got a recipe that is going to change your weeknights! Seriously, if you’re looking for comfort food that basically makes itself AND tastes like you spent hours slaving over it, these Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are your new best friend. I first stumbled upon a crockpot french dip recipe years ago when I was juggling work, kids, and just about everything else, and it felt like hitting the dinner jackpot. The smell that fills your house as it simmers away all day? Pure magic. And the best part? Fork-tender beef with that incredible, savory au jus for dipping. It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it’s my go-to when I need a win in the kitchen with minimal effort. Trust me on this one, you NEED this in your life.
Why You’ll Love These Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Okay, so why are these Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches just *the best*? Let me tell you:
- They are ridiculously easy. Seriously, you toss stuff in the crockpot and walk away. That’s it!
- The beef gets unbelievably tender. Like, falls-apart-with-a-fork tender. No tough bites here!
- That savory au jus? Oh my goodness. It’s packed with flavor and makes dipping the sandwich pure bliss.
- It’s perfect for busy days. Prep in the morning, and dinner is waiting for you.
They’re just a cozy, delicious win all around!
Ingredients for Perfect Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Alright, let’s talk ingredients! You don’t need anything fancy for these Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches, which is another reason why I love them so much. Here’s what you’ll need to grab:
- A nice big beef chuck roast, about 2 1/2 pounds is perfect.
- One can of condensed beef broth.
- One can of condensed French onion soup – this is where a lot of that magic flavor comes from!
- Some dried thyme and dried rosemary, about a teaspoon of each.
- Just a little black pepper, maybe half a teaspoon.
- Six hoagie rolls, because you gotta have something to put that amazing beef on!
- And if you’re feeling it (which you should!), some provolone cheese slices.
See? Simple stuff, big flavor impact!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
A few quick thoughts on the ingredients! I usually go with a chuck roast because it gets so wonderfully tender and has great flavor as it cooks low and slow. You could probably use a round roast or even a brisket, but chuck is my personal favorite for this. For the cheese, provolone is classic, but Swiss or even mozzarella would work too. If you can’t find condensed French onion soup, sometimes I’ll use beef broth and add a packet of onion soup mix, but the condensed soup really gives it a richer, deeper flavor. And feel free to play with the dried herbs – a little garlic powder or even a pinch of dried sage can be nice!
How to Make Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Okay, let’s get to the good part – actually making these glorious Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches! It is seriously so easy, you’re going to wonder why you haven’t been doing this forever. Here’s the breakdown:
- First things first, grab your chuck roast. Pop that beautiful piece of beef right into your slow cooker. Don’t worry about cutting it up yet, the crockpot will do all the hard work.
- Now, pour in your liquids. Get both that can of condensed beef broth and the can of condensed French onion soup poured over the roast. This is where all that amazing dipping liquid (the au jus!) is going to come from.
- Sprinkle those lovely dried herbs – the thyme and rosemary – right over the top of the roast. Add that little bit of black pepper too.
- Put the lid on your slow cooker. Make sure it’s nice and secure.
- Set your crockpot to LOW. This is key! You want that long, slow cook time to really break down the beef and make it super tender. Let it go for about 8 to 10 hours. You’ll know it’s ready when you can easily shred it with forks.
- Once it’s done cooking, carefully take the roast out of the slow cooker. Grab two forks and start shredding that beef right up! It should pull apart like a dream.
- Put all that delicious shredded beef back into the slow cooker with the juices. Give it a good stir so all the beef is coated in that savory goodness.
- Now for the fun part! Grab your hoagie rolls and pile that amazing beef high.
- Serve them up! Don’t forget little bowls of that incredible cooking liquid (the au jus) for dipping.
- If you want cheese, melt some provolone over the beef on the rolls before serving. So good!
See? So simple, right? And the result is just pure comfort food perfection.
Tips for Making the Best Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Want to take your Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches from great to absolutely AMAZING? Try these little tricks! If you have a few extra minutes, searing the chuck roast in a hot pan with a little oil before putting it in the slow cooker adds a fantastic layer of flavor and color. It really makes a difference! Also, don’t be shy about tasting the au jus once the beef is done. You can always add a little more salt or pepper if you think it needs it. And when you’re serving, warming the hoagie rolls for a few minutes in the oven makes them extra delicious and perfect for soaking up that yummy juice!
Serving Suggestions for Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Okay, you’ve got these amazing Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches ready to go. What do you serve with them to make it a whole meal? My go-to is usually something simple, like a big green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the sandwich. Crispy french fries or even some sweet potato fries are also a classic pairing – perfect for dipping in any extra au jus! Sometimes I’ll do some simple roasted vegetables, like broccoli or asparagus, for something a little lighter. Just pick something easy that lets the star of the show shine!
Frequently Asked Questions About Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Got questions about making these super easy Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches? Don’t worry, I’ve probably had them too! Here are a few common ones:
Q: Can I use a different cut of beef for slow cooker french dip?
Absolutely! While chuck roast is my favorite because it shreds so beautifully and gets incredibly tender in the slow cooker, you could also use a round roast or even a brisket. Just make sure it’s a cut that benefits from long, slow cooking to get that fall-apart texture you want for your slow cooker french dip.
Q: What if I don’t have French onion soup?
No problem! The condensed French onion soup adds a ton of flavor, but you can replicate it. Use extra beef broth (maybe another can or two, depending on how much liquid you want) and add a packet of dry onion soup mix or even some caramelized onions if you have them. It might taste a little different, but you’ll still get a delicious au jus for your beef french dip.
Q: How do I get the best au jus for dipping?
The beauty of this recipe is the au jus develops right there with the beef! All those delicious juices from the roast mix with the beef broth and French onion soup as it cooks. Make sure you put the shredded beef back into the liquid at the end – it helps keep the beef moist and adds even more flavor to the dipping liquid. Some people like to skim off any excess fat before serving, but that’s totally up to you!
Q: Can I make Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches ahead of time?
Yes, definitely! These are great for meal prep. Just cook the beef as directed, shred it, and store the shredded beef and the au jus separately in airtight containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, gently reheat the beef in the au jus on the stovetop or in the microwave. Then just assemble your crockpot french dip sandwiches as usual!
Storing and Reheating Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Got leftovers of these amazing Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches? Lucky you! The best way to store them is to keep the shredded beef and the au jus separate. Pop them into airtight containers and they’ll be happy in the fridge for 3-4 days. When you’re ready for another delicious sandwich, just gently reheat the beef right in the au jus, either on the stovetop over low heat or in the microwave. This keeps the beef nice and moist and warms up that fantastic dipping sauce at the same time. Then just pile it onto your rolls and enjoy!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Okay, so while I’m all about flavor and ease with these Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches, I know some of you like to keep an eye on the nutritional stuff too! Just a quick heads-up, any nutritional information here is really just an estimate. It can totally change depending on the exact ingredients you use, the brands you buy, how much beef you actually put on your sandwich (because let’s be real, sometimes I pile it high!), and if you add that delicious cheese or not. Think of it as a general idea, not a strict number!
Print
Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches: 1 Wicked Win
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Halal
Description
Easy crockpot recipe for tender beef sandwiches with savory au jus.
Ingredients
- 1 (2 1/2 pound) beef chuck roast
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed beef broth
- 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed French onion soup
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 6 hoagie rolls
- Provolone cheese slices (optional)
Instructions
- Place chuck roast in a slow cooker.
- Pour beef broth and French onion soup over the roast.
- Sprinkle thyme, rosemary, and pepper over the roast.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or until beef is tender and shreds easily.
- Remove beef from slow cooker and shred using two forks.
- Return shredded beef to the slow cooker and stir into the juices.
- Serve beef on hoagie rolls.
- Dip sandwiches in the cooking liquid (au jus).
- Top with provolone cheese if desired.
Notes
- You can sear the roast in a hot pan before placing it in the slow cooker for added flavor.
- Adjust herbs and seasonings to your preference.
- Store leftover beef and au jus separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 100mg
Keywords: french dip, slow cooker, crockpot, beef, sandwich, au jus