After a busy weekend, I’m back in meal planning mode! I turn to my crockpot at least once a week for easy slow cooker meals like slow cooker pork chops and slow cooker lasagna.
I love the simplicity and flavor of these Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches. They couldn’t be easier to throw together and the result is the most tender roast beef, melted provolone cheese and a toasted hoagie served with au jus that’s all made in the slow cooker!
Ingredients:
Bread: Good quality bread is key! Hoagies, sub rolls, baguette’s or any type of crusty bread will be great. Avoid soft rolls or bread as they will soak up the liquid quickly and get very soggy, causing the sandwich to fall apart. Beef: Chuck roast, rump roast or other cheaper cuts of beef that cook well in the slow cooker. Trim any large excess pieces of fat from your roast. Allow the roast to come to room temperature a bit before searing it. I take mine out of the fridge for 15 minutes beforehand. Cheese: Swiss or provolone is what I recommend but choose your favorite! Au Jus: As the meat cooks int he slow cooker with the spices and liquid, a natural au jus dipping sauce will be made. Ladle the sauce from the bottom of the pot into small bowls for dipping the sandwiches.
How to Make French Dip Sandwiches:
Prep the roast: Season all sides of the chuck roast with salt and pepper, oregano, and thyme. Sear the roast in a very hot skillet with a little bit of oil until browned on all sides.
Cook on low: Add meat to slow cooker and pour all “slow cooker” ingredients on top. Cook on LOW for 4 hours and then remove meat to a cutting board. Thinly slice the meat and then return it to the slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for one more hour.
Strain Au jus: When ready to serve, remove the roast to a bowl. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer and reserve it for dipping the sandwiches in.
Assemble and serve: Preheat oven to Broil. Slice rolls in half and lightly butter one side. Add a few slices of meat to the other side and two slices of cheese on top. Place in oven on High Broil until the cheese melted and bread is golden. Serve with reserved au jus.
Serve French Dip with:
A Salad: Cucumber Avocado Salad or Classic Wedge Salad would both taste great. Coleslaw Potato Salad Veggies and dip
Additional Variations:
Make it healthier: serve on a whole wheat bun and leave off the cheese. Make it “Philly style”: add caramelized onions and bell peppers Add some heat: jalapeños, yellow pepper, diced chilies, or crushed red pepper.
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for more great recipes! I originally shared this recipe September 2016. Updated April 2020 with process photos and instructions. RATE and COMMENT below! I would love to hear your experience.
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