Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches Recipe

Introduction

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches are a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any day of the week. Tender beef simmered in a rich broth pairs beautifully with melted provolone and crusty rolls. This easy slow cooker recipe delivers classic deli-style sandwiches with minimal effort.

Ingredients

• 3 lb beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat (or round beef roast)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (10.5 oz) can beef consommé
• 2 (10.5 oz) cans French onion soup
• 1 (12 oz) bottle of beer (non-alcoholic optional)
• 10 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dark molasses
• ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1½ tablespoons onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 3 bay leaves
• 8 French rolls or hoagie buns
• 12 slices provolone cheese
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• French fried onions (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Add olive oil to a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat.
2. Step 2: Sear the beef on all sides until lightly golden-brown, about 1-2 minutes per side.
3. Step 3: Using tongs, carefully transfer the beef to the slow cooker. Add beef consommé, French onion soup, beer, minced garlic, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaves to the cooker. Gently stir to combine.
4. Step 4: Cook on low heat for 8 hours. For a round beef roast, turn the beef over after 4 hours. If using chuck roast, after cooking for 8 hours, transfer to a cutting board and slice thinly across the grain or shred the beef.
5. Step 5: Return sliced or shredded beef to the slow cooker and cook on low for an additional hour (for round roast) or 2 hours (if sliced chuck roast).
6. Step 6: When ready to serve, remove the beef using a ladle and fine mesh strainer, straining the sauce into a large container for dipping.
7. Step 7: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Split the French rolls and place them open-faced on a baking tray.
8. Step 8: Top each roll half with beef, then add 2 slices of provolone cheese.
9. Step 9: Bake for 5-7 minutes until cheese is melted.
10. Step 10: Remove sandwiches from oven, sprinkle with fresh parsley and add French fried onions if desired. Close the sandwiches.
11. Step 11: Serve immediately with the strained sauce for dipping. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• For more flavor, sear the beef well to develop a rich crust before slow cooking.
• If you prefer a stronger onion flavor, add caramelized onions to the sandwiches before baking.
• Substitute provolone with Swiss or mozzarella cheese for a different taste.
• Use non-alcoholic beer if you want to avoid alcohol but keep the depth of flavor.

Storage

Store any leftover beef and sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4-6 days. To reheat, warm the beef gently in the sauce on the stove or in a microwave until heated through. Reheat sandwiches in the oven for best texture and melted cheese.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different cut of beef?

Yes, you can use a round beef roast or chuck roast. Chuck roast tends to be more tender and flavorful after slow cooking, while round roast is leaner and may require shredding after cooking.

How do I prevent the sandwiches from getting soggy?

Serve the sandwiches immediately after baking and add any crispy toppings like French fried onions just before serving. You can also toast the rolls lightly before assembling to add extra crispness.

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 146 reviews

• Author: anna
• Total Time: 8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x

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Description

These Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches feature tender, slow-cooked beef chuck roast simmered in a rich broth made from beef consommé, French onion soup, beer, and aromatic spices. The beef is seared, then slow-cooked to perfection until juicy and flavorful. Served on toasted French rolls with melted provolone cheese, these sandwiches are perfect for a comforting meal paired with the savory dipping jus.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Sauce

• 3 lb beef chuck roast – trimmed of excess fat (or round beef roast)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 (10.5 oz) can beef consommé
• 2 (10.5 oz) cans French onion soup
• 1 (12 oz) bottle beer (non-alcoholic optional)
• 10 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon dark molasses
• ½ tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1½ tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 3 bay leaves

For the Sandwiches

• 8 French rolls or hoagie buns
• 12 slices provolone cheese
• 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
• French fried onions (optional)

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Instructions

1. Heat Olive Oil: Add olive oil to a large nonstick skillet and heat over medium heat until shimmering, preparing to sear the beef.
2. Sear Beef: Place the beef chuck roast in the hot skillet and sear on all sides until lightly golden brown, about 1-2 minutes per side. This seals in flavor.
3. Transfer to Slow Cooker and Add Sauce Ingredients: Using tongs, carefully transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker. Add beef consommé, French onion soups, beer, minced garlic, dark molasses, Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, thyme, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. Stir gently to combine the liquids and spices around the roast.
4. Cook the Beef (Round Roast Option): Cook on low heat for 8 hours, turning the beef halfway through the cooking time at 4 hours for even cooking. After 8 hours, shred the beef into the sauce and continue cooking on low for an additional hour to enrich the flavor.
5. Cook the Beef (Chuck Roast Option): Cook on low for 8 hours. Once done, thinly slice or shred the beef. Return the sliced meat to the slow cooker and cook on low for 2 more hours to soak up the sauce.
6. Store Leftovers: Place any leftover beef in an airtight container with remaining sauce to prevent drying. Refrigerate for 4-6 days.
7. Prepare Sandwiches: When ready to serve, remove beef from slow cooker with a ladle and strain sauce through a fine mesh strainer into a large container for dipping.
8. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
9. Assemble Sandwiches: Split French rolls horizontally and place them open-faced on a baking tray. Pile each half with warm beef, then top with 2 slices of provolone cheese.
10. Bake: Bake sandwiches in the preheated oven for 5-7 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Finish Sandwiches: Remove sandwiches from the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, and add French fried onions if desired. Close sandwiches.
12. Serve: Serve immediately with the warm strained dipping jus on the side. Enjoy your delicious French Dip sandwiches!

Notes

• For the round roast, turning the beef halfway through helps even cooking and tenderness.
• Shredding the beef after cooking allows it to soak more sauce and adds to juiciness.
• French fried onions add extra crunch and flavor but are optional.
• Any leftover beef and sauce can be refrigerated and reheated gently for up to 6 days.
• You can use non-alcoholic beer if desired without impacting the flavor greatly.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 8 hours
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: French Dip Sandwiches, Slow Cooker Beef, Beef Sandwich, Comfort Food, Easy Slow Cooker Recipe