Slow Cooker French Dip
Juicy, tender beef piled high on a crusty roll, topped with melty cheese, and served with rich au jus for dipping—French Dip Sandwiches are the ultimate comfort food. And thanks to the slow cooker, you can make this restaurant favorite right at home with minimal effort.
This recipe transforms a simple chuck roast into a flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth filling, while the slow cooker does all the heavy lifting. Perfect for busy weeknights, game day, or anytime you’re craving a hearty, crowd-pleasing meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Hands-off cooking: The slow cooker does the work, leaving you free to tackle your day.
- Rich flavor: Layers of beef broth, onion soup, and au jus seasoning infuse the roast with incredible taste.
- Perfect for a crowd: Easy to scale up and always a hit at gatherings.
- Restaurant-worthy at home: Melty provolone or Swiss cheese + crusty rolls + savory au jus = perfection.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 2–3 lb chuck roast – The star of the dish; slow cooking makes it tender and juicy.
- 14.5 oz beef broth – Adds savory depth.
- 10.5 oz can French onion soup (Campbell’s brand) – Enhances that classic French dip flavor.
- 1 oz packet dry onion soup mix – Extra seasoning for the beef.
- 1 oz packet au jus seasoning mix – Gives the dipping liquid its signature taste.
- 6–8 slices Swiss or provolone cheese – Melty, gooey topping.
- 6–8 crusty rolls – Perfect for soaking up the au jus.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the roast: Add chuck roast to the slow cooker.
- Season and pour: Pour in beef broth and French onion soup. Sprinkle au jus mix and dry onion soup mix on top. Flip the roast to ensure it’s fully coated.
- Cook low and slow: Cover with the lid and cook on HIGH for 3–4 hours or LOW for 6–8 hours, until the meat is fork-tender.
- Shred the beef: Remove the roast and shred it easily with a fork.
- Assemble the sandwiches: Pile the shredded beef onto sliced rolls, top with a slice of cheese, then broil until the cheese is melted and the rolls are lightly toasted.
- Serve: Ladle the cooking liquid into small bowls and serve alongside the sandwiches for dipping.
Tips for Success
- Choose the right rolls: Crusty bread holds up best when dipped into the au jus.
- Don’t skip the cheese: Both provolone and Swiss melt beautifully and add a creamy contrast to the savory beef.
- Make it ahead: Cook and shred the beef a day in advance, then reheat with some cooking liquid before serving.
What to Serve With French Dip Sandwiches
French dip sandwiches are hearty on their own, but they pair perfectly with:
- Crispy French fries or sweet potato fries
- Roasted vegetables
- A fresh green salad
- Pickles or coleslaw for a tangy bite
Storing & Reheating
- Store: Leftover beef and au jus can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freeze: Shredded beef (with some au jus) freezes well for up to 3 months.
- Reheat: Warm gently in a saucepan with a bit of the au jus to keep it moist.
With just a handful of ingredients and a little patience, you’ll have a sandwich that rivals your favorite restaurant’s version. Rich, savory beef, gooey cheese, and that irresistible dipping sauce—this Slow Cooker French Dip is a recipe you’ll want on repeat.
Slow Cooker French Dip
Equipment
- 1 slow cooker
Ingredients
- 2-3 lb chuck roast
- 14.5 ounces beef broth
- 10.5 ounces french onion soup Campbells brand
- 1 ounce dry onion soup mix 1 package
- 1 ounce au jus seasoning mix 1 package
- 6-8 slices provolone cheese or swiss
- 6-8 crusty rolls
Instructions
- Add chuck roast to the slow cooker.
- Pour beef broth and french onion soup over roast, then sprinkle au jus seasoning mix and dry onion soup mix over the top. Stir up and flip the roast over to make sure it is all coated.
- Place lid on slow cooker, and cook 3-4 hours on HIGH or 6-8 hours on LOW, until meat is fork tender and shreds easily.
- When the meat is tender enough to shred easily with a fork, remove the roast from the slow cooker and shred.
- Serve by piling the shredded meat onto sliced, crusty rolls with a slice of provolone cheese.
- Toast the cheese and top bun under the broiler until the cheese melts and the bun starts toasting.
- Serve with the juices from the slow cooker as au jus for dipping.
Nutrition
Our recipe card software calculates these nutrition facts based on averages for the above ingredients, different brands, and quality of produce/meats may have different nutritional information, always calculate your own based on the specific products you use in order to achieve accurate macros for this recipe.
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