Are you craving a hearty, flavorful meal that’s incredibly easy to prepare? Our Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches recipe delivers tender, savory shredded beef nestled in crusty rolls, all swimming in a rich, aromatic au jus. This recipe is your answer to busy weeknights, offering maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Key Ingredients for Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
- 2-3 pounds beef chuck roast (trimmed of excess fat)
- 1 packet (1 ounce) dry onion soup mix
- 1 packet (0.5 ounces) dry brown gravy mix
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Hoagie rolls or French bread, split lengthwise
- Provolone or Swiss cheese slices, for topping
- Optional: Butter for toasting rolls
How to Make Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Prepare to be amazed by the sheer simplicity and incredible deliciousness of these Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches! This recipe is a true testament to the magic of slow cooking, where humble ingredients transform into a deeply satisfying meal. The beef becomes unbelievably tender, practically melting in your mouth, and the flavorful au jus is perfect for dipping. With minimal prep time of about 15 minutes, you can set it and forget it, letting your slow cooker do all the work. This dish promises a restaurant-quality experience right in your own kitchen, ideal for busy families or anyone seeking a comforting, flavorful meal without the fuss.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Beef: Place the beef chuck roast in the bottom of your slow cooker.
- Add Dry Seasonings: Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix and dry brown gravy mix evenly over the beef.
- Pour in Liquids and Seasonings: In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour this liquid mixture over the beef and seasonings in the slow cooker.
- Cook on Low: Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Shred the Beef: Once cooked, carefully remove the beef from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the beef into bite-sized pieces.
- Return Beef to Au Jus: Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker with the cooking liquid. Stir to coat the beef evenly. Keep warm on the “warm” setting if your slow cooker has one, or turn it off if you’ll be serving immediately.
- Prepare the Rolls: While the beef is shredding or warming, split your hoagie rolls or French bread lengthwise.
- Toast the Rolls (Optional): For an extra delightful texture, you can lightly butter the cut sides of the rolls and toast them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or in a skillet until golden. Be watchful to prevent burning.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Pile a generous amount of the shredded beef mixture onto the bottom half of each roll.
- Add Cheese: Top the beef with slices of provolone or Swiss cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the open-faced sandwiches back under the broiler for about 1-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Alternatively, you can cover the slow cooker with the assembled sandwiches for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve with Au Jus: Serve the Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches immediately with the reserved au jus from the slow cooker for dipping.
Why You’ll Love This Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Our Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches offer a truly exceptional comfort food experience that’s both effortless and incredibly rewarding. The star of this dish is undoubtedly the slow-cooked beef, which becomes so impossibly tender it practically dissolves in your mouth, infused with savory flavors from the onion soup mix and brown gravy. Making these at home is a significant cost-saver compared to frequently dining out for this classic favorite, allowing you to enjoy a gourmet meal without breaking the bank. The rich, flavorful au jus is the perfect companion, transforming each bite into a warm hug, making it a delightful alternative to something like a hearty pot roast.
This recipe is more than just a meal; it’s an invitation to slow down and savor simple, delicious food. It’s perfect for feeding a crowd or for a cozy dinner for two, and the aroma alone will have everyone gathering in the kitchen. Don’t wait – gather your ingredients and experience the magic of these Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches for yourself!
Storing and Reheating Tips
- Refrigeration: Store any leftover shredded beef and au jus mixture in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Keep the assembled sandwiches separate, as they can become soggy.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the shredded beef and au jus mixture in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months.
- Reheating the Beef: To reheat, gently warm the beef and au jus mixture in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until hot.
- Reheating for Sandwiches: Assemble fresh rolls as directed and top with warmed shredded beef and melted cheese. If reheating a fully assembled sandwich, it’s best to reheat just the filling and then assemble with freshly toasted or warmed rolls to prevent sogginess.
Final Thoughts
These Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are an absolute game-changer for weeknight dinners, delivering unparalleled flavor and tenderness with minimal fuss. We’re confident you’ll fall in love with their comforting simplicity and delicious taste. Give them a try tonight – your taste buds will thank you!
Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Place the beef chuck roast in the bottom of your slow cooker.2-3 pounds beef chuck roast
- Sprinkle the dry onion soup mix and dry brown gravy mix evenly over the beef.1 packet (1 ounce) dry onion soup mix, 1 packet (0.5 ounces) dry brown gravy mix
- In a small bowl, whisk together the beef broth, water, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Pour this liquid mixture over the beef and seasonings in the slow cooker.1 cup beef broth, 1/2 cup water, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or on HIGH for 4-5 hours, until the beef is fork-tender and easily shreds.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the beef from the slow cooker and place it on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the beef into bite-sized pieces.
- Return the shredded beef to the slow cooker with the cooking liquid. Stir to coat the beef evenly. Keep warm on the “warm” setting if your slow cooker has one, or turn it off if you’ll be serving immediately.
- While the beef is shredding or warming, split your hoagie rolls or French bread lengthwise.Hoagie rolls or French bread
- For an extra delightful texture, you can lightly butter the cut sides of the rolls and toast them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or in a skillet until golden. Be watchful to prevent burning.Butter
- Pile a generous amount of the shredded beef mixture onto the bottom half of each roll.
- Top the beef with slices of provolone or Swiss cheese.Provolone or Swiss cheese slices
- Place the open-faced sandwiches back under the broiler for about 1-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Alternatively, you can cover the slow cooker with the assembled sandwiches for a few minutes to allow the cheese to melt.
- Serve the Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches immediately with the reserved au jus from the slow cooker for dipping.