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French Dip Sandwiches

★★★★★ 5 /5 Updated: 7/7/22
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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

There’s no getting around it: these French Dip Sandwiches are decadent and mouthwatering!

Simply throw a roast and a few other ingredients into a crockpot, slow cook all day long, and turn the shredded meat into the best grilled sandwiches ever.

French dip sandwich made in the crockpot
Contents hide
About French Dip Sandwiches in the Crockpot
FAQ about This French Dip Sandwich Recipe
How to Freeze French Dip
What to Serve with French Dip Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
More Dump and Go Recipes
French Dip Sandwiches
Did you make this?

About French Dip Sandwiches in the Crockpot

Some of you may recognize this recipe. That’s because it’s from our cookbook, From Freezer to Cooker! It’s one of the few recipes from our cookbook that we had permission to share online. We know this is going to be a reader favorite so we wanted to get it to as many of you as possible. In From Freezer to Cooker, you’ll find many more recipes like this one.

Every recipe in From Freezer to Cooker has the following:

  • Slow cooker instructions
  • Instant Pot instructions
  • Freezing instructions for both methods
  • Clear, easy to follow instructions

There really is no other resource out there like it. If you like these Slow Cooker French Dip Grilled Cheese Sandwiches, you’ll love many others in the book as well!

From Freezer to Cooker

Let’s talk more about these scrumptious sandwiches, shall we? This upgraded grilled cheese is SO easy to throw together. Just toss a simple marinade and the roast in the cooker. You’ll end up with fall-apart beef and an au jus you may just want to drink. Then, with just a few minutes of work at the end, say hello to melty, ooey-gooey, meaty sandwiches to dip in that luxurious sauce.

FAQ about This French Dip Sandwich Recipe

How long does the beef roast cook in the slow cooker?

These cook on LOW in the slow cooker for 8 to 10 hours or on HIGH for 5 to 6 hours.

Is this a dump and go meal?

Yes and no. The meat part is for dump and go. Put it in the slow cooker in the morning and come back to it at night ready and waiting for you. I also say no because you will have to shred the meat and assemble the sandwiches.

Can I make French Dip Sandwiches in the Instant Pot?

You bet! Cut the meat into 2×2-inch pieces. Pat dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and black pepper on all sides. Place the beef in the 6-quart Instant Pot and pour in the sauce. Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 30 minutes. Allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes, then quick release the remaining pressure. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return the meat to the cooker and stir it into the sauce. Follow steps 4-6!

What should I do with the leftover meat?

If you have meat that you didn’t use in the sandwiches, score! Here are some ideas on how to use it:

  • Freeze it and make the same recipe a few weeks down the road.
  • Make Baked Nachos. Add meat, cheese, and desired toppings over tortilla chips and bake.
  • Put the meat in wraps. Add sauteed bell peppers and onions. Yum!
French dip sandwich on plate with au jus on the side

How to Freeze French Dip

Like all of the freezer meals in our recipe index, this recipe provides freezer meal instructions as well! If you want to double this recipe and freeze one for later, here is how:

Freeze for Later

Follow step 1 in the recipe below. Pour the sauce into a gallon-size freezer bag or container. Season the roast lightly with salt and black pepper and add to the bag/container with the sauce. Seal and freeze. Place the bread and cheese in separate freezer bags or containers. Seal and freeze alongside the roast.

Prepare From Frozen

Note: You will need to have butter on hand to complete this meal. Thaw. Place in the slow cooker. Follow steps 3 through 6 in the recipe.

Freezer meals stacked in a freezer

What to Serve with French Dip Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Here are some ideas that would be tasty with this recipe!

  • Corn on the Cob (cooked in the microwave)
  • Grilled Asparagus
  • Sweet and Savory Roasted Carrots

This recipe would also be a great meal for idea for groups of people! We have lots of recipes that would work for large groups. Make sure to check them out!

20+ Meal ideas for groups of people

More Dump and Go Recipes

Dump and go recipes like this French Dip Sandwich are vital on busy weeknights!

We’ve rounded up 15+ amazing dump and go crock pot recipes. Bonus: You can make them ahead and freeze these meals for later, too. Freezing instructions included!

Ready to make some gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches? Let’s do this!

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

★★★★★ 5 from 3 reviews

French Dip Sandwiches

Slow cooked shredded beef and au jus make the most delicious grilled French Dip Sandwiches ever!

Yield: 8 Sandwiches 1x
Prep: 10 minCook: 8 hoursTotal: 8 hours 10 minutes
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • 2 1/2 – 3 lbs boneless beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
  • 4 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
  • 16 slices of sourdough bread
  • 8 slices Provolone cheese

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

  1. In the crockpot, whisk together the broth, soy sauce, minced onion, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, oregano, thyme, bay leaf, and red pepper flakes. 
  2. Place the roast in the cooker and season lightly with salt and black pepper on all sides. Spoon the sauce over the top.
  3. Cover and cook on Low for 8 to 10 hours or on High for 5 to 6 hours, until the meat easily shreds. Transfer the roast to a cutting board and shred with two forks. Return the meat to the cooker and stir it into the au jus (leftover juice).
  4. Spread a thin layer of butter over one side of each slice of bread. Place a slice of cheese on the unbuttered side of half the slices of bread. Using a slotted spoon, add a layer of the shredded meat (be sure to drain the liquid first). Top a second slice of bread, buttered-side up. (Optional: You can always add another slice of cheese to each sandwich if you really want to go for it!)
  5. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook the sandwiches for a few minutes on each side, until the bread is golden brown and the cheese has melted.
  6. Serve the sandwiches warm, with the warmed juices from the cooker in small bowls alongside for dipping.

Freeze for Later: Add the ingredients from Step 1 into a gallon-sized freezer bag. Season the roast lightly with salt and black pepper on all sides and add to the bag along with the sauce. Seal and freeze. Place the bread and cheese in separate freezer bags or containers. Seal and freeze alongside the roast for a meal kit.

Prepare From Frozen: Note: You will need to have butter on hand to complete this meal. Thaw. Place the roast and sauce in the slow cooker. Follow steps 3 through 6.

Equipment

Slow Cooker

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Notes/Tips

Instant Pot Directions: Find the Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches recipe here.

Quick Tip: If you don’t have time to turn these into grilled cheese sandwiches, then simply serve on toasted ciabatta rolls with a slice of Provolone cheese.

Where We Get Our Beef: We get our beef from ButcherBox. The beef is grass-fed and curated from trusted farms. We highly recommend this service to source healthy meat–like uncured bacon, chicken, and wild salmon–and have used it for years ourselves.

© Author: Thriving Home
Method: Slow Cooker

Did you make this?

Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

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Polly Conner

Polly Conner

As co-founder of Thriving Home, Polly’s passionate about helping busy parents get dinner on the table. With a house full of kids, dogs, and (usually) a DIY project in the works, she knows firsthand how every minute (and every dollar) counts. As a business owner, she enjoys wearing multiple hats and serves best as a project manager for Thriving Home.

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  1. AvatarLisa says

    Posted on 2/28/21 at 2:14 pm

    This was so good! I don’t often cook red meat so am always a little uncertain how to cook it. Made this for company. It was so easy and soo delicious!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Rachel TiemeyerRachel Tiemeyer says

      Posted on 2/28/21 at 7:26 pm

      Yeah! So happy you enjoyed it. 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.

      Reply
  2. AvatarAmy says

    Posted on 2/20/21 at 6:42 pm

    These turned out so good! Very cozy for a snowy winter day.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Polly ConnerPolly Conner says

      Posted on 2/21/21 at 9:01 am

      Agreed! Glad you liked it. Thanks for taking a moment to leave a review. Much appreciated!

      Reply
  3. Avatarlois says

    Posted on 2/17/21 at 3:07 pm

    who knew a grilled cheese could get even better? These are AMAZING!!! so so so yummy!

    ★★★★★

    Reply

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