French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus Recipe

Introduction

French Dip sandwiches are a classic comfort food featuring tender, slow-roasted beef served on toasted hoagie rolls with melted provolone cheese. Paired with flavorful au jus for dipping, this recipe makes a satisfying meal perfect for gatherings or a cozy night in.

Ingredients

• 3 pounds chuck roast
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 cups (16 ounces / 480 g) beef broth, plus extra as needed
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 6 hoagie rolls, sliced horizontally and toasted
• 12 slices provolone cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Season the chuck roast evenly with this mixture on all sides.
3. Step 3: Heat the vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, brown the roast on all sides to develop a rich crust.
4. Step 4: Add 2 cups of beef broth to the pot. Cover with the lid and transfer the Dutch oven to the preheated oven. Roast for 2 to 2 ½ hours until the meat is very tender.
5. Step 5: Remove the roast from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board to rest while you prepare the au jus.
6. Step 6: To the cooking juices remaining in the pot, add 2 more cups of beef broth and 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce. Stir to combine and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat.
7. Step 7: Let the au jus simmer for 15 minutes to develop flavor, then skim off excess fat using a ladle or fat separator.
8. Step 8: Pour the au jus through a fine mesh strainer to remove any solids and keep it warm.
9. Step 9: Thinly slice or shred the rested roast beef into bite-sized pieces.
10. Step 10: Place 2 slices of provolone cheese on the bottom half of each toasted hoagie roll. Broil in the oven for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts, watching carefully to prevent burning.
11. Step 11: Divide the sliced roast beef evenly among the rolls on top of the melted cheese.
12. Step 12: Serve the assembled sandwiches immediately with a side of warm au jus for dipping.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, marinate the roast in the seasoning mixture overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
• Substitute provolone with Swiss or mozzarella cheese for a different melted cheese experience.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the roast reaches an internal temperature of about 195°F (90°C) for optimal tenderness.
• Add caramelized onions to the sandwich for a sweet contrast to the savory beef and cheese.

Storage

Store leftover roast beef and au jus separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat the beef gently in the oven or microwave with a splash of au jus to keep it moist. The au jus can be reheated on the stove and served warm for dipping.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make French Dip sandwiches ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the roast beef and au jus ahead and store them in the refrigerator. Assemble the sandwiches just before serving to keep the rolls toasted and the cheese melted fresh.

What is the best cut of beef for French Dip?

Chuck roast is ideal because it becomes tender and flavorful when slow-roasted. You can also use brisket or shoulder roast as alternatives for similar results.

French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 80 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

This classic French Dip recipe features tender, slow-roasted chuck beef seasoned with garlic and herbs, served on toasted hoagie rolls layered with melted provolone cheese. The sandwiches come with a savory, homemade au jus made from the roast drippings and beef broth, perfect for dipping. Preparing this comforting dish involves oven roasting and broiling, resulting in a flavorful, juicy sandwich ideal for a satisfying meal.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Seasoning

• 3 pounds chuck roast
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Au Jus

• 2 cups (16 ounces / 480 g) beef broth
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Sandwich Assembly

• 6 hoagie rolls, sliced horizontally and toasted
• 12 slices provolone cheese

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F to prepare for roasting the beef.
2. Season the Roast: In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, kosher salt, black pepper, and dried oregano. Rub this seasoning mixture evenly all over the 3-pound chuck roast to ensure it is well-flavored.
3. Brown the Beef: Heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Once hot, sear the chuck roast on all sides until nicely browned. This step locks in flavor and creates a rich base for au jus.
4. Roast the Beef: After browning, add 2 cups of beef broth to the Dutch oven with the roast. Cover with the lid and transfer the pot to the preheated oven. Roast the meat for 2 to 2½ hours, or until the beef is very tender and easy to shred.
5. Rest the Meat: Remove the roast from the oven and transfer it to a cutting board. Allow it to rest while you prepare the au jus, this helps retain its juices.
6. Prepare Au Jus: To the juices left in the Dutch oven, add 2 additional cups of beef broth and 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and cook for about 15 minutes to concentrate flavors.
7. Strain Au Jus: Using a ladle or fat separator, skim off any excess fat from the surface. Then pour the au jus through a fine mesh strainer to remove solids, resulting in a smooth dipping sauce.
8. Slice the Beef: Thinly slice or shred the roast beef into bite-sized pieces. This will be piled onto the sandwiches.
9. Assemble Sandwiches: Place toasted hoagie rolls on a baking sheet. Top each roll with 2 slices of provolone cheese.
10. Broil Cheese: Place the sandwiches under the oven broiler for 1-2 minutes until the cheese melts completely, watching carefully to prevent burning.
11. Add Meat: Evenly distribute the sliced roast beef over each roll on top of the melted cheese.
12. Serve: Serve the assembled French Dip sandwiches hot with a side of the warm au jus for dipping. Enjoy immediately for best flavor.

Notes

• For a richer flavor, use homemade beef broth if possible.
• If you prefer a thicker au jus, you can reduce it further by simmering longer.
• Be careful when broiling the cheese—watch closely to avoid burning.
• Leftover beef can be refrigerated and used for sandwiches the next day.
• To make the meal gluten-free, substitute hoagie rolls with gluten-free bread alternatives.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: French Dip, roast beef sandwich, au jus, beef roast, comfort food, classic sandwich, hoagie roll, provolone cheese