French Dip Sandwich

These French Dip Sandwich are the BEST! Juicy and cheesy, the tender roast beef practically melts in your mouth. You can prepare them in the Instant Pot or slow cooker for a simple meal the whole family will be begging for time and time again!

French Dip Sandwich

I’m always looking for easy dinner recipes throughout the week and these French dip sandwiches are a go to. Made with tender roast beef, sauteed onions, and topped with cheese, all held together in a soft roll, my family could easily eat these sandwiches once a week if I let them. I’ve tried this recipe two ways, in the Instant Pot, and in the Crockpot. Both cooking methods deliver the same, amazingly flavorful beef. Both were equally tender and both times I made them, we didn’t have any leftovers! Whichever way you decide to make these, really just comes down to your own preference and time constraints. Sometimes I just don’t have the time in the morning when we’re running around trying to get out the door to get food in the slow cooker. That’s where the Instant Pot comes in super handy! Either way these are a must try any time of year!

Savory sandwiches are perfect for lunch or dinner. Try my Instant Pot Philly Cheesesteak or Perfect Reuben Sandwich when you’re looking to deviate from a tired pb&j.

What’s the difference between a french dip and a Philly cheesesteak? 

While they do seem similar, French dip and Philly cheesesteaks are very different sandwiches. French dips are made with roast beef. The au jus from the cooking process is used to dip them in and they are topped with provolone cheese. Cheesesteaks are seasoned with Italian seasonings, made from shredded beef steak, and usually cooked with bell peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Oh and we can’t forget their classic cheez whiz topping. So even though they can look similar, the tastes are very different. 

How To Make French Dip Sandwich

In the Slow Cooker:

• Season. Season the roast the same as with the Instant Pot method.
• Sear. Use a large pan heated over medium high heat and add olive oil. Sear the roast on all sides then let rest on a plate to the side.
• Saute. Add the onions and saute until soft.
• Combine. Combine the roast, onions, beef broth, French onion soup, and Worcestershire sauce in the crockpot. 
• Cook. Cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the meat is easily coming apart.
• Shred. Transfer the roast to a platter and shred.
• Strain. Strain the liquid from the crockpot into a bowl.
• Serve. Assemble your sandwiches and serve with the reserved au jus.

NOTE: For the Instant Pot version of this recipe, see the Notes section of the recipe card below.

Storing French Dip Sandwich

Let the beef cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. You can pour some of the leftover liquid in with the meat to keep it nice and juicy. I recommend only making the sandwiches you plan on eating right away, and storing the bread and leftover beef separately to avoid soggy sandwiches. 

Ingredients Notes for French Dip Sandwich

• Olive Oil – Avocado oil also gets the job done. 
• Chuck Roast – I found that a 2 pound roast was perfect for these sandwiches. If you use something larger, you’ll need to up your cook time. 
• Onion – Yellow or white works here. You could even try a sweet onion for a change!
• French Onion Soup – One 11 ounce can is all you need here. If you can’t find the canned version, you can substitute a french onion soup mix and water.
• Beef Broth – While you can substitute vegetable broth, the beef broth (or stock) gives the meat a richer flavor.
• Worcestershire Sauce – I like to start with about 2 tablespoons and add more if I feel like I need an extra kick.
• Garlic Powder – This is the main seasoning for the meat so be generous. Also feel free to add your own blend of spices. 
• Bread – I used hoagie rolls for these sandwiches but you can opt for a classic french bread or even wheat.
• Provolone Cheese – One to two slices for each sandwich, depending on how much cheese you like!

Enjoy!

~Nichole