French Dip
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This Slow Cooker French Dip is the answer to your “What’s for dinner?” dilemma. We’re talking tender beef, melty cheese, and toasty rolls all dipped in savory perfection… and your slow cooker does most of the work. Go ahead, impress your family with minimal effort.
Make it a meal! Serve these yummy sandwiches with a delicious side salad, crispy onion rings, or mac and cheese for the ultimate comfort meal!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy weeknight dinner: This hands-off meal is perfect for busy nights when you want dinner ready with minimal effort.
- Game day food: A crowd-pleasing sandwich that’s hearty, easy to serve, and perfect for dunking during the big game.
- Budget-friendly meals: Chuck roast is an affordable cut that delivers big flavor without breaking the bank.
This crock pot French dip is your new weeknight dinner hero. With just a few pantry staples and a chuck roast, you get tender, juicy beef that practically falls apart on its own. The slow cooker does all the heavy lifting while you kick back and wait for your kitchen to start smelling like magic.
What really makes this French dip recipe shine is the rich, savory au jus. Toasted rolls, melty beef, and a side of dip? It’s the kind of meal that feels fancy but takes almost zero effort.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To get the most flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth Slow Cooker French Dip, you’ll want to start with quality ingredients that do the heavy lifting while your slow cooker works its magic. Here’s everything you need (plus a few tips to help you get the best results):
- Chuck roast – This cut is ideal for slow cooking. It breaks down beautifully and soaks up all that savory broth. Look for a roast with good marbling.
- Seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion salt) – Simple but effective. These pantry staples create a flavorful crust on the beef as it cooks.
- Beef broth & beef consommé – The combo adds depth and richness to your au jus. Consommé is more concentrated, so don’t skip it if you can help it.
- Beer – A darker beer like a porter or stout adds a deep, slightly bitter balance to the broth. No beer on hand? Sub with more broth or a splash of balsamic vinegar for tang.
- Worcestershire sauce – This umami powerhouse rounds out the flavor. A little goes a long way.
- Garlic – Fresh cloves are best. Smash or mince them for extra punch.
- Butter – Adds richness and helps mellow out the broth. Don’t skip it!
- Rolls – Hoagie or French rolls are perfect. Lightly toast them so they hold up to all that delicious dipping.
With just a handful of ingredients and a few pantry staples, you’ll have a restaurant-style sandwich that tastes like you worked all day (spoiler: you didn’t).
Jesseca’s Recipe Review
Making beef dip in slow cooker is exactly the kind of recipe I lean on when I want a cozy, no-fuss dinner that feels a little extra. The beef turns out insanely tender, the au jus is rich and savory, and my family practically races to the table when they smell it cooking. It’s a forever favorite around here.
What is the best cut of meat to use?
Chuck roast is going to give you the best flavor and the most tender finish. However, I try to use whatever is on sale the week we’re shopping.
Tip from Jesseca:
Strain and refrigerate the leftover au jus—then skim the fat off the top and use it as a base for gravy, soup, or even to reheat leftovers without drying them out. It’s liquid gold!
Substitutions and Variations
One of the best parts of this beef dip in crock pot recipe? It’s super flexible. Whether you’re out of something or want to switch it up, here are some easy swaps and flavor upgrades:
- No beer? Swap it with more beef broth or a mix of broth + a splash of balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar for depth.
- Chuck roast substitute: Brisket or bottom round roast will work in a pinch, though chuck roast gives the best texture for shredding.
- No beef consommé? Use extra beef broth, but add a bouillon cube or two for a richer flavor.
- Add cheese: Top with provolone, Swiss, or mozzarella for a melty upgrade. Broil the sandwiches for 1-2 minutes to get it nice and bubbly.
- Want heat? Add sliced pepperoncini or banana peppers to the sandwich before serving.
- Garlic lover? Roast a head of garlic and mix it into the shredded beef for next-level flavor.
This recipe is made to be fuss-free, so don’t stress the swaps. Make it work with what you’ve got—and make it yours.
How To Make Crock Pot French Dip
This recipe is as easy as it gets—just a few minutes of prep and your slow cooker handles the rest. Here’s the basic rundown so you know what you’re getting into:
- Season the meat: Mix together salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion salt. Rub it all over your chuck roast.
- Slow cook it: Add the roast to your slow cooker along with broth, consommé, beer, Worcestershire, and garlic. Cook low and slow for 8 hours.
- Strain & shred: Save the juice (aka your dip!). Shred the beef and keep it warm.
- Prep the rolls: Slice, butter, and toast under the broiler until golden.
- Assemble & serve: Load up your rolls with beef and serve with that flavorful broth on the side.
This meal is cozy, hands-off, and absolutely dinner-win worthy. Once you try it, it’ll be on repeat!
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Make-ahead: You can prep the entire recipe a day or two in advance! Just cook the beef as directed, shred it, and store both the meat and au jus in separate airtight containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, reheat the meat in a skillet or microwave with a splash of broth to keep it juicy, toast your rolls fresh, and you’re good to go.
Leftover storage:
- Fridge: Store shredded beef and au jus separately in airtight containers for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the cooled meat and broth in freezer-safe bags (press out extra air) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheat like a pro: Warm the beef gently in a skillet with a little of the au jus, or microwave it with a damp paper towel over the top to prevent drying out. Always serve with warm broth for that perfect French dip experience!
Recipe FAQs
You can, but it’s not ideal. Cooking on low for 8 hours gives the roast time to fully break down and become tender. High heat can make it tougher and less flavorful.
Replace the beer with more beef broth or use a splash of balsamic vinegar mixed with broth for added depth.
It’s optional! Searing adds extra flavor but isn’t required. The slow cooker will still deliver a tender and tasty roast without it.
French rolls, hoagie buns, or baguettes are all great picks. Choose something sturdy enough to hold up to the juicy meat and dipping.
Add provolone, Swiss, or mozzarella to your sandwich before toasting. Broil for 1–2 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
For best flavor, yes. Consommé is richer and more concentrated than broth. If you only have broth, consider adding a bouillon cube to boost it.
Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich
Ingredients
- 3 lb beef roast*
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion salt
- 1 10.5 oz can beef broth
- 1 10.5 oz beef consommé
- 1 can good quality beer
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic (minced)
- 2 tablespoon butter (soft)
- French rolls
Instructions
- In a small bowl, stir together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion salt.
- Sprinkle the seasoning blend evenly over all sides of the chuck roast.
- Place the seasoned roast into the bowl of your slow cooker.
- Pour in the beef broth, beef consommé, beer, Worcestershire sauce, and toss in the garlic cloves.
- Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the meat is fall-apart tender.
- Once cooked, carefully remove the meat and strain the remaining liquid into a bowl or container. This is your dipping au jus—don’t toss it!
- Use two forks to shred the beef into bite-sized pieces. Cover with foil to keep warm.
- Slice your sandwich rolls in half, spread with butter, and place under the broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden and slightly crisp.
- Pile shredded beef onto each roll and serve with a side of the warm au jus for dipping.
Notes
Nutrition
The nutrition facts provided are calculated using a third-party tool and are estimates only. Actual nutritional content may vary based on the ingredients and brands you use, as well as portion sizes. For accurate results, please consult a registered dietitian or nutritionist.
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