There’s something cozy about a sandwich that makes you slow down. I first made these Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches on a gray, drizzly afternoon, and the kitchen filled with the smell of slow-simmering beef and onions. I tore off a piece of crusty bread, dipped it into the warm jus, and that first bite felt like a hug. It’s that kind of meal.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
Minimal Prep, Maximum Flavor
This recipe is big on flavor without being fussy. The beef simmers low and slow in a rich broth of onion soup mix and beef stock. That means you only need a few minutes of prep time before your slow cooker does the rest.
Perfect for Make-Ahead Meals and Meal Prep
Busy week? These sandwiches reheat beautifully. You can cook the meat ahead of time, refrigerate or freeze it, then just toast and dip when you’re ready. It’s one of those meals that makes dinner feel easy but still special.
Inspired by a Classic, Made Easier
French dip sandwiches were born in LA over a hundred years ago. We’ve kept the soul of the original—juicy beef, crusty bread, hot au jus but made it more approachable by letting the crockpot handle the hard work.
Ingredients You’ll Need
For the Beef and Broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2½ to 3 pounds beef chuck roast
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 (1-ounce) packets dry onion soup mix
- 2 cups water
- 2 (14.5-ounce) cans beef broth (or Better-than-Bouillon)
For the Sandwiches
- 6–8 crusty rolls (like ciabatta or hoagie)
- 6–8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese
Optional Additions and Substitutions
- Brisket instead of chuck roast
- Skip the sear to save time
- Use a frozen roast (just increase cooking time by 2 hours)
How to Make Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches (Step-by-Step)
Step 1 – Sear the Beef (Optional but Recommended)
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Season your beef with kosher salt and plenty of black pepper.
Sear each side for 1–2 minutes until nicely browned.
This adds flavor, but you can skip it if you’re short on time.
Step 2 – Slow Cook Until Tender
Place the beef in your slow cooker, along with any pan drippings.
Sprinkle the onion soup mix over the top.
Pour in the water and beef broth.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 4–6 hours or LOW for 8–10 hours, until the beef is fork-tender.
Step 3 – Shred and Assemble with Cheese
Once the beef is done, transfer it to a large bowl and shred it with two forks.
Slice your rolls and pile them with shredded beef.
Top each with a slice of cheese.
Step 4 – Broil for the Perfect Finish
Place sandwiches on a baking sheet.
Broil them for 2–3 minutes until the cheese melts and the rolls are toasted.
Watch closely—things brown fast!
Step 5 – Serve with Au Jus
Ladle the slow cooker broth into small bowls.
Serve each sandwich with its own cup of hot au jus for dipping.
Helpful Tips for Best Results
Don’t Skip Seasoning the Roast
Chuck roast is a thick cut, so salt and pepper generously.
You want that flavor to carry through every bite.
Use a Fat Separator for Cleaner Au Jus
The jus will have some fat. Using a separator makes your dip lighter and more flavorful.
Choose the Right Rolls for Soaking and Texture
Soft hoagie rolls work well, but crusty ciabatta holds up even better when dipped.
Clean-Up Hack: Use Crockpot Liners
Save yourself from scrubbing later. Liners make cleanup quick and painless.
Variations and Shortcuts
Brisket Instead of Chuck Roast
Brisket adds a slightly different texture and richer flavor.
Just slice it thin if it doesn’t shred easily.
Skip the Sear (If Needed)
Pressed for time? You can skip searing.
You’ll lose a bit of depth, but it’ll still taste amazing.
Cooking from Frozen Roast
No need to thaw just pop it in and cook 2 hours longer than usual.
Make sure it reaches fork-tender doneness.
Instant Pot Instructions
How to Adapt This Recipe for the Pressure Cooker
Use the sauté setting to sear the beef first.
Remove the meat and deglaze the pot with water.
Add all ingredients back in.
Seal and pressure cook on HIGH for 60 minutes.
Let it naturally release for 15 minutes before opening.
Storage and Freezing Tips
Refrigerator Storage
Store leftover meat and au jus separately in airtight containers.
Refrigerate up to 4 days.
Freezing Instructions
Freeze beef and jus separately for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently on the stove.
Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches Recipe Card
Print
Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches – Simple & Amazing Flavor
- Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 sandwiches
Description
These Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches are rich, juicy, and packed with slow-cooked flavor. With minimal prep and maximum comfort, they’re a warm, hearty meal perfect for chilly days, family dinners, or meal prep. Don’t forget the au jus for dipping!
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2½ to 3 pounds beef chuck roast
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 (1-ounce) packets dry onion soup mix
2 cups water
2 (14.5-ounce) cans beef broth (or Better-than-Bouillon)
6–8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese
6–8 crusty rolls (ciabatta or hoagie)
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season beef with salt and pepper.
3. Sear beef on all sides until browned (1–2 minutes per side).
4. Transfer seared beef and pan drippings to a slow cooker.
5. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix over the meat.
6. Pour in water and beef broth.
7. Cover and cook on HIGH for 4–6 hours or LOW for 8–10 hours.
8. Remove beef and shred it using two forks.
9. Pile shredded beef onto sliced rolls and top with cheese.
10. Place under broiler until cheese melts and rolls are toasted.
11. Serve sandwiches with slow cooker juices (au jus) for dipping.
Notes
You can use brisket instead of chuck roast—just slice it thin if it doesn’t shred well.
For a quicker version, skip the sear (but you’ll lose some flavor).
Frozen roast works—just increase cooking time by about 2 hours.
Use a fat separator for cleaner au jus.
Soft hoagie rolls, ciabatta, or crusty artisan rolls all work well.
Use crockpot liners to make cleanup easy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Slow Cooker Recipes
- Method: Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich
- Calories: 530
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 40g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
More Such Recipes
Looking for more slow-cooked comfort?
Try this Crockpot Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti for cheesy comfort in every bite.
Or go for a tangy twist with Crockpot Hawaiian BBQ Chicken.
You’ll also love the savory kick of this Ranch Chicken Crock Pot Recipe.
And don’t miss the creamy goodness of Crockpot Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta.
FAQ
What cut of meat is good for French dip sandwiches?
Beef chuck roast is the go-to. It shreds easily and soaks up flavor. Brisket is a great option if sliced thin.
How do you make simple beef dip in a slow cooker?
Add seared beef, onion soup mix, water, and broth to your slow cooker. Cook until tender, shred, and serve with the juices.
What goes best with French dip sandwiches?
Try roasted potatoes, a simple green salad, or kettle chips. Anything that pairs well with hearty, juicy sandwiches.
What kind of mayo is on a French dip sandwich?
Traditionally, French dip sandwiches don’t use mayo. But if you want, a little garlic aioli or horseradish mayo adds a nice zing.
Final Thoughts
These Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches hit all the right notes tender beef, melty cheese, crusty bread, and that irresistible dipping broth. They’re the kind of meal that makes the whole house smell like something special is happening. If you make them, I’d love to hear how it went in the comments. Let this one be your next cozy kitchen win.
Find more inspiration and ideas on Pinterest and follow along on Facebook for new recipes weekly.