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Home » Dinner » Slow Cooker French Dips

Slow Cooker French Dips

by Sarah Olson on April 28, 2013 | Updated May 14, 2020 26 Comments

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French dip sandwich on cutting board with au jus.

Slow Cooker French Dips have tender roast beef and a flavorful au jus, great for days that you don’t feel like cooking.

French dip sandwich on cutting board with aujus next to it.

This recipe for Slow Cooker French Dips couldn’t get any easier.  I love an easy slow cooker meal because I am always running late for work! And my family absolutely loves this meal for french dip sandwiches!

How to make French Dips in the Slow Cooker:

  • Season the roast with salt and pepper. Add to the slow cooker.
  • In a large skillet set to medium high heat add a enough cooking oil just to coat the bottom of the pan. Brown the meat on all sides. No need to cook through.
  • Add the roast to the slow cooker and add an Au just packet and water.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
  • Shred the meat and put on hoagie rolls. Put on swiss cheese and broil until melted (just takes a minute).

I serve these french dips on a quality French baguette from the bakery section of the store. And I also use real swiss cheese, not the American cheese type. You can switch out the swiss cheese for provolone if you prefer.

Can I use beer instead of water?

A can or bottle of beer can be used instead of water for this recipe or you can follow my Beer and Garlic French Dip Recipe.

More recipes that use chuck roast:

  • Slow Cooker Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa
  • Slow Cooker Amish Pot Roast
  • Slow Cooker Mississippi Pot Roast
  • Slow Cooker Beer and Ketchup Pot Roast
  • Slow Cooker Pinto Bean and Beef

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French dip sandwich on cutting board with au jus.

Slow Cooker French Dips

5 from 1 vote
Slow Cooker French Dips have tender roast beef and a flavorful au jus, great for days when you don't feel like cooking.
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Slow Cooker French Dips
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 239kcal
Author: Sarah Olson

Equipment Needed:

  • Slow Cooker- 6 quart or larger

Ingredients:

  • 3 pounds chuck roast (or use bottom round for less fat)
  • 1/4 salt
  • 1/4 pepper
  • 1/2 onion powder
  • 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
  • 1 oz. packet au jus gravy mix

For serving:

  • French bread baguette or hoagie rolls or buns
  • Swiss cheese slices about 2 per sandwich (or provolone)
US Customary – Metric

Instructions:

  • Season the meat on both sides with salt, pepper, and onion powder.
  • Set a large skillet over medium high heat. When the pan is hot add the oil. Brown the meat on all sides. Add the meat to the slow cooker
  • Sprinkle over the au jus and pour over the water (just one cup).
  • Cook on LOW for 8-10 hours.
  • Shred the meat, discard any fat. I do this on a plate, then cover with foil until ready to serve. Degrease the au jus in the crockpot by laying a paper towel over the grease and removing quickly. Add more water to the au jus if you don't have enough for serving.
  • Pile meat on buns, hoagie or french bread, add cheese.
  • Melt the cheese under the broiler in the oven.
  • Serve the french dips with the freshly prepared au jus

Recipe Notes:

Nutitional values do no include cheese and rolls.

Nutrition:

Calories: 239kcal | Protein: 38g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 105mg | Sodium: 123mg | Potassium: 580mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 4mg
Made this recipe?I want to see your photos! Tag me on Instagram @themagicalslowcooker
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    Filed Under: Beef, Dinner Tagged With: beef, cheese, Crock pot, slow cooker

    Comments

    1. Sandra E says

      August 11, 2019 at 4:46 pm

      Hi Sarah, We have tried many times to cook a roast in the crockpot but seems that is is always dried out. We cook on low and usually for only a few hours, I can’t imagine the 8-10 hours. Would you have any idea of what we are doing wrong? Yours looks so delicious! Thanks for any tips to get a juciy roast.

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        August 11, 2019 at 6:03 pm

        Hi, Sandra. You’re not cooking it long enough. A few hours in a slow cooker wouldn’t be enough time to get it tender. 8-10 hours is the normal time for a roast to tenderize on low or 5 on high if you are in a hurry. And do not open the lid during the cooking time.

        Reply
    2. Ryan H says

      August 15, 2016 at 3:06 pm

      New to slow cooking – this recipe doesn’t mention the size of the slow cooker. Is it unimportant in this case? Mine is 6 quarts, oval. Also are there any adjustments to be made when varying the amount of meat from 1.5 to 4 pounds, or are all the steps exactly the same regardless? For example will I need to cut the meat into thinner chunks if I buy a lot, or maybe add more water? More cook time?

      Reply
    3. Saralea Greener says

      March 24, 2015 at 7:54 am

      Thanks for the wonderful recipe Sarah. I plan to make it soon. Refreshing new idea with fun suggestions.

      Reply
    4. Emily says

      February 20, 2015 at 9:57 am

      I LOVE LOVE LOVE french dips, I’m pretty sure I could eat them every week! Thanks so much for the recipe, I don’t know why I never thought of doing this before. I usually make pulled beef and add bbq sauce or make my own type of bbq sauce but this sounds soo much better!! My father-in-law makes prime rib every xmas and we got some left overs and put them in the slow cooker to warm up with some au jus, it was amazing!! Thanks again!!

      Reply
    5. Karen Lynn Thompson Miller says

      October 24, 2014 at 2:35 pm

      I have to try these! They look and sound sooooooo wonderful!

      Reply
    6. Becca from ItsYummi! says

      April 21, 2014 at 11:17 am

      My husband will go crazy for these, Sarah! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

      Reply
    7. Sharon says

      March 22, 2014 at 8:55 am

      Making this for dinner tonight! I’ve made it several times, and my 3 guys just DEVOUR it! Very easy, delcious meal. I use London broil, which actually turns out nice and tender. Kaiser rolls and Swiss cheese. Definitely a keeper! Thanks, Sarah!

      Reply
    8. Marisol says

      October 23, 2013 at 6:37 pm

      Just pulled out a top round roast out of freezer, so ready to try this! Thanks Sarah!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        October 23, 2013 at 6:38 pm

        You’re going to love it!

        Reply
    9. denise says

      October 6, 2013 at 5:56 pm

      Made this for my family tonight. Got rave reviews from everyone, Thanks!

      Reply
    10. Barbara Du Plessis says

      September 29, 2013 at 10:25 pm

      Ok ok stop it now guys….. U are making me hungry !!

      Reply
    11. Sharon Nunn says

      September 22, 2013 at 6:42 pm

      These sandwiches are awesome! Made them last night, followed the recipe exactly. My only regret is that I didn’t make more! My family of very picky eaters devoured these. Will definitely be a frequent favorite at our house! Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    12. Alexis Sheppard says

      September 21, 2013 at 11:01 am

      Another good addition along with the Au Jus packet is a packet of Italian Seasoning….wonderful!

      Reply
    13. Greg says

      July 23, 2013 at 12:15 am

      I’m making these again this week by popular request. This will be my 3rd time in the last month making these sandwiches. We have decided that we prefer a sirloin tip roast instead of the bottom round roast for the sandwiches, but that is just personal preference. This time I am going to pair these with a great pita bread recipe that I use often. I know that sort of moves it way out of the French Dip realm, but these sandwiches on a soft, warm, fresh baked pita sounds too incredible to pass up. I may prefer the heft of the full sub bun instead, but we will have to see. This recipe has quickly become a favorite and a staple in our menu.

      Reply
      • Greg says

        July 28, 2013 at 5:43 pm

        As much as I love a good pita, it is NOT the way to go with these French Dips. The pita, while warm and yummy, was not substantial enough to absorb the au jus. You need a good, solid sub or hoagy bun to get that au jus! This is why I never saw a French Dip made on a pita before. Oh well, lesson learned!

        Reply
        • Sarah Olson says

          August 1, 2013 at 6:22 pm

          Greg, I just love how much you enjoy this recipe! I just emailed you my newest Dip recipe, It’s called The Ultimate Diner Dip. I think you will like it!

          Reply
    14. Greg says

      June 29, 2013 at 7:34 pm

      I made these for dinner yesterday and they were a huge hit! My wife was eating leftovers that evening proclaiming that “those sandwiches are so good!” My store was out of bottom round roast so I used a sirloin roast instead. I toasted the buns to make them crispy outside, and we added sauteed mushrooms. These were super easy to make and were restaurant quality. Highly recommend these! We will be having these again!

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        June 30, 2013 at 6:43 am

        Greg, mushrooms on these french dips sound amazing! Going to make that this week!

        Reply
    15. Jo says

      June 26, 2013 at 10:37 am

      This looks so delish! I’m making it now and it smells amazing, can’t wait to try it!

      Reply
    16. Jo-Ann Hanchera says

      May 23, 2013 at 6:54 pm

      Right off the bat someone wants to start changing the recipe as in, why couldn’t you use this instead of that. Why bother looking for a recipe if you like to make your own ingredients? This site makes it possible for us to view recipes that new and adventuresome in the food department.

      Reply
      • Jill says

        June 1, 2013 at 10:36 am

        Hello Jo-Ann, I believe you read too much into my post or read it too quickly. Just to clarify, I didn’t ask “why not”, I asked “what if”. Just trying to make the best use of london broil I had just purchased on sale – to try something new and adventuresome with it. Big difference between challenging someone on what they did, versus asking them for their opinion/guidance. Thank you again for posting a great recipe Sarah!

        Reply
      • rcapp says

        June 4, 2013 at 8:59 am

        Wow- JoAnn these boards are not just about “following” directions, but about adjusting things to your own taste and asking questions and learning. Do you do everything your told or do you ever “step out of the box” and try new things? Wtf

        Reply
    17. Jill says

      May 20, 2013 at 4:44 am

      Could you use a top round aka London broil? Also, where do you get the packet of au jus mix?

      Reply
      • Sarah Olson says

        May 20, 2013 at 5:59 am

        Yes, a london broil would probably work just fine. The au jus packets are where you get taco seasoning packets at the grocery store, usually on the top shelf. 🙂

        Reply

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