8 Hours 10 minutes Medium
by Tania Faysalon
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These Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are crazy good and so easy! They’re perfect for when you’re short on time or cooking for a crowd. I love making them ahead and freezing them for later. Trust me, you’ll want to try this recipe! It’s become a favorite in my house.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super easy: It barely takes any time to put together, which is perfect for busy weeknights. My family goes crazy for it, just like they do for our Balsamic Shredded Beef.
- Instant Pot friendly: If you have an Instant Pot, you can make this recipe even faster! Check out our Instant Pot French Dip Sandwich recipe for inspiration.
- Freezer friendly: This dish is perfect for doubling and freezing. Make a big batch ahead of time and enjoy it later. You can even freeze individual portions for quick lunches.
- Feeds a crowd: Serve this on buns and you’ll easily feed a whole party.
About French Dip
A French Dip is a hot sandwich made with roast beef, traditionally served on a long, crusty bread like a French roll or baguette. The special part is the dipping sauce! It’s made from the delicious juices left over after cooking the roast beef, giving it a rich, savory flavor.
This sandwich doesn’t need much else to be delicious, but sometimes people like to add melted cheese like Swiss or Provolone, or even cooked onions. The key is to enjoy the juicy roast beef and the flavorful dipping sauce!
Ingredients for French Dip Sandwiches
Here are some tips I’ve picked up from making this recipe myself:
- Soy Sauce:If you have gluten sensitivities,no worries!You can easily swap the soy sauce for coconut aminos or gluten-free tamari.They taste very similar and won’t affect the overall flavor.
- Beef:I love using grass-fed chuck roast for this recipe.It gets super tender and flavorful when cooked slowly.But any good quality boneless chuck roast will work great!
- Bread Rolls:Use French steak rolls for a classic touch.But if you’re going for convenience,ciabatta rolls are delicious too.And remember,if you’re gluten-free,you can skip the rolls altogether or use your favorite gluten-free option.
- Cheese:Provolone cheese is a great melty choice,but feel free to experiment!Swiss cheese or even mozzarella would also be tasty.For those who are dairy-free,there are many delicious dairy-free cheese alternatives available these days.
Note: Find the full printable recipe with ingredient quantity and directions at the bottom of this post.
How to Make French Dip Sandwiches
Seasoning the Roast:
Grab your roast (like chuck roast) and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Don’t be shy, season generously! I like to use my hands to rub it in for even coverage. Trim any big pieces of fat you see. We want tender meat, not chewy fat.
Cook Roast and Sauce in Slow Cooker:
In your slow cooker, mix together beef broth, soy sauce, chopped onion (I use a mini food chopper for speed!), garlic, herbs (oregano, thyme, bay leaf), and a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. (I like things spicy, but adjust to your taste!)
Nest the seasoned roast in the flavorful broth mixture. Close the lid and let your slow cooker work its magic. On low, cook for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours. The meat should be super tender and easy to shred with forks.
Shredding and Toasting:
Transfer the cooked roast to a cutting board and shred it with two forks. It should practically fall apart!
Pour the shredded meat back into the slow cooker, letting the yummy juices soak in. This is the “au jus,” the dipping sauce for your sandwich.
For extra toasty goodness, preheat your oven broiler. Toast your buns (hoagie rolls, ciabatta, whatever you like!) under the broiler for a minute or two, until golden brown.
Building and Melting:
Using a spoon, pile some shredded meat on each toasted bun. Let the excess au jus drip back into the pot. Top with cheese slices (provolone or Swiss are classic choices).
If you want an extra melty cheese experience, pop the open sandwiches back under the broiler for another minute or two.
Serve with Dipping:
Serve your warm sandwiches with a small bowl of the remaining au jus for dipping. The warm, flavorful broth and the tender, meaty sandwich are a match made in heaven!
Pro Tips:
- I sometimes add sliced mushrooms or green peppers to the slow cooker along with the onions for extra flavor.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker,you can roast the meat in the oven at 325°F for 2-3 hours,until tender.
- Get creative with the rolls!I’ve used pretzel buns and even baguettes for a change.
- Leftover au jus is amazing for sipping or using in soups or stews.Don’t waste it!
How to Freeze & Reheat French Dip
Here’s how to freeze this French Dip recipe and enjoy it later:
Before Cooking:
- Prepare the Sauce:Follow step 1 of the recipe,making the flavorful broth mixture.Pour it into a large,freezer-safe bag or container.
- Season & Freeze the Roast:Sprinkle the chuck roast with salt and pepper.Place it in the same bag or container with the sauce.Seal tightly and freeze.
- Separate & Freeze the Bread and Cheese:Pack the buns or rolls and cheese slices in separate freezer bags or containers.Seal and freeze alongside the meat and sauce.
Alternative: Freeze Cooked French Dip:
- Cook as Usual:Follow the complete recipe,cooking the roast and vegetables in the slow cooker until tender.Shred the meat and return it to the cooking juices.
- Cool & Freeze:Let the cooked French Dip cool completely.Transfer it to an airtight freezer-safe container.
Thawing and Enjoying:
- Thaw & Slow Cook:Choose your freezing method – either thaw the prepared ingredients or the cooked mixture completely.Add everything to your slow cooker and follow steps 3-6 of the original recipe to heat and finish the sandwiches.
- Toast & Serve:Warm up the rolls (optional) and assemble your sandwiches with cheese.Broil briefly for melted cheese,if desired.Serve with the warmed au jus for dipping.
More Related Recipes You’ll Love!
Kid-Friendly Tuna Melts
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Lemon Herb Cod with Crispy Roasted Potatoes
One-Pan Seafood Rice Skillet
Did you make this?Click a photo and tag me on social@freezenfire and be sure toleave a comment!
Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches
Recipe by Tania Faysal
Servings
8
servings
Prep time
10
minutes
Cooking time
8
hours
These melt-in-your-mouth French Dips are a breeze to make with a slow cooker and pack tons of flavor. The homemade au jus is the star of the show, and the French steak rolls add a delightful textural contrast.
Ingredients
3-pound chuck roast, trimmed and seasoned with salt and pepper
1 cup low-sodium beef broth
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
8 French steak rolls (hoagie rolls, ciabatta, or similar work too)
8 slices provolone cheese (or your preferred cheese)
Optional: butter for toasting rolls
Directions
- Season & Sear (Optional): Season the roast generously with salt and pepper. If you have time, sear the roast in a skillet over medium heat for a few minutes per side to add extra flavor.
- Add in Slow Cooker: In your slow cooker, whisk together the beef broth, soy sauce, onion, garlic, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes (if using). Nestle the seasoned roast (seared or not) in the flavorful liquid.
- Cook Low & Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 8-10 hours, or on high for 4-5 hours, until the meat is super tender and shreds easily with two forks.
- Shred & Simmer: Transfer the cooked roast to a cutting board and shred it with forks. Return the shredded meat to the slow cooker and stir it back into the delicious au jus (broth mixture).
- Toasty Time (Optional): Preheat your oven broiler. If you prefer warm, toasty buns, broil the French steak rolls for 1-2 minutes per side until golden brown.
- Build & Enjoy: Using a slotted spoon, distribute the shredded meat evenly onto the toasted buns. Top each with a slice of cheese. For melty perfection, broil the open sandwiches for another minute or two.
- Serve Dipping: Serve the warm sandwiches with small bowls of the remaining au jus for dipping. Enjoy the juicy meat, melty cheese, and flavorful broth – it’s a winning combination!
- Freeze for Later:
- Grab a large, sealable freezer bag. Add all the ingredients from Step 1 (beef broth, soy sauce, onions, seasonings) before seasoning the roast.
- Season the roast generously with salt and pepper on all sides, then place it in the bag with the sauce mixture.
- Squeeze out as much air as possible and seal the bag tightly.
- Pack the bread rolls and cheese slices in separate, labeled freezer bags or containers.
- Place everything (sealed bag with roast, bread, and cheese) in the freezer.
- Prepare from Frozen:
- Thaw the frozen meal completely in the refrigerator overnight.
- Transfer the thawed roast and sauce mixture to your slow cooker.
- Follow the cooking instructions from Step 3 onwards (cook on low for 8-10 hours or high for 4-5 hours, shred meat, assemble sandwiches).
Tips & Notes
- For Gluten-Free: Swap soy sauce with coconut aminos or gluten-free Tamari.
Use gluten-free rolls, or enjoy the meat open-faced. - French Dip Grilled Cheese:Butter sourdough bread, build your sandwich, and toast in a skillet for cheesy goodness.
- Leftovers: Freeze shredded meat in its juices for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge or microwave before using.
- Instant Pot:Check out the Instant Pot French Dip Sandwich recipe linked for a quicker version.
