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Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches with Juicy Au Jus

Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches - featured image

This easy crockpot French dip sandwich recipe features tender, slow-cooked chuck roast, savory au jus, and melty provolone cheese on crusty rolls. It’s the ultimate comfort food, perfect for family dinners, gatherings, or cozy weekends.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 34 lbs boneless beef chuck roast
  • 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce (or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
  • 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 3 fresh cloves, minced)
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 bay leaf
  • Salt, to taste (start with 1/2 teaspoon—adjust after cooking)
  • 46 crusty French rolls or hoagie buns (about 6 inches each)
  • 812 slices provolone cheese (or Swiss, mozzarella, or dairy-free cheese slices)
  • Butter (for toasting the rolls—optional)
  • Optional: Caramelized onions
  • Optional: Sauteed mushrooms
  • Optional: Horseradish sauce
  • Optional: Fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels. (Optional: Sear in a hot skillet with oil for 2 minutes per side for extra flavor.)
  2. Place beef in the crockpot. Add beef broth, water, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, thyme, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and bay leaf. Do not add salt yet.
  3. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours or HIGH for 4–5 hours, until beef is fork-tender and shreds easily.
  4. Remove beef to a cutting board. Skim fat from the au jus if desired. Taste and add salt if needed. For thicker au jus, simmer in a saucepan for 5–10 minutes to reduce.
  5. Shred the beef with two forks, discarding any fatty bits. Spoon a little au jus over the shredded beef to keep it juicy.
  6. Slice rolls in half. Spread with butter and place cut-side up on a baking sheet. Top each with 1–2 slices of cheese. Broil for 2–3 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  7. Pile shredded beef onto the bottom half of each roll. Add optional toppings if desired. Cap with the cheesy, toasted top.
  8. Ladle warm au jus into small bowls or mugs for dipping. Serve sandwiches hot with au jus.

Notes

For best results, use low-sodium broth and taste the au jus before adding salt. Searing the beef before slow cooking adds extra flavor but is optional. Toasting the rolls is key for texture. Store leftover beef and au jus separately for best freshness. Easily adaptable for gluten-free or dairy-free diets.

Nutrition

Keywords: French dip, crockpot, slow cooker, beef sandwiches, au jus, comfort food, easy dinner, family meal