Slow cooker French dip is a tasty and fun family meal. Shredded, flavorful, tender beef slow cooked to perfection and served sandwich style with au jus for dipping.
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The Merriam-Webster on-line definition of lazy is: disinclined to activity or exertion: not energetic or vigorous. Yep! That's me! Good thing I have my crock pot to let me take the easy way out!
This French dip sandwich recipe is a perfect example of a simple recipe that is still a great meal. The longer cooking time of this easy recipe makes it perfect for busy weeknights.
This is one of those slow cooker meals that will quickly become a favorite of the entire family. It's a delicious hot sandwich with melted cheese on a French roll AND you get to dip it! Not sure why dipping a sandwich in a bowl of au jus sauce is so much fun - but my kids always loved it.
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📃Shopping list
To make the easy slow cooker recipe, you will need :
- Roast - rump roast, eye of round roast or beef chuck roast
- Beef broth
- Onion soup mix
- Water
- Worcestershire sauce
- Beer - darker beers are best, but I generally use what I have on hand
- Garlic
- Swiss cheese - provolone or mozzarella are good too
- French baguettes - hoagie rolls work well too
🚀Jump to recipe card for exact quantities and other details
🥣How to assemble
First, place roast into your slow cooker. Next, use a mixing bowl to mix all liquids and spices together. Pour mixture over the beef.
Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. After at least 7 hours, remove the beef from your slow cooker, shred and return to cook in the juices.
When you are ready to serve, Place shredded meat on crusty french bread/baguettes and top with cheese. Finally, spoon some of the juices from your slow cooker into small bowls for dipping and you are set!
Optional step: To ensure cheese melts to a nice gooey consistency, you can place your cheese-topped sandwiches on a cookie sheet. Then, just slide it in the oven for a couple of minutes. Melted perfection!
🍽Serving suggestions
If you are looking to add a little kick to your sandwich, serving with a bit of horseradish will add some great flavor. Swiss cheese is the most common cheese used on this sandwich, but melted provolone cheese and mozzarella cheese are also delicious.
Not a fan of french rolls? This dish is also great served on any crusty roll or soft hoagie bread. You can even use slider rolls to make French dip sliders.
The au jus is great for more than just dipping your sandwich! Try spooning it over a side of mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower, rice, or riced cauliflower. You will get rave reviews from your whole family!
This dish is great served with a side of cheesy potatoes or squash & zucchini parmesan. And... of course, it goes great with a glass of red wine!
Storing leftovers
Slow cooker French dip leftovers make great freezer meals. Store leftover beef and cooking liquid in an airtight container or bag. Leftovers will last 3-4 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. Just pair with a fresh roll and you are set!
If you love this recipe, please let me know in the comment section below!
😉Hints & hacks
- This is a perfect meal for days when your people will be eating at different times. After the cooking time, turn your slow cooker to warm. Everyone can have a wonderful comfort food meal, whenever they are ready to eat.
- I always recommend the use of a slow cooker liner. Of course, this is an optional step. I like to purchase my liners in bulk for a less expensive per-piece price.
- In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
❓Frequently asked questions
There always seems to be a lot of debate over the best way to shred beef. I don’t really have an opinion other than that I like to wash as few dishes as possible. Therefore, I usually use two forks to just pull the meat apart. Others prefer to use everything from a potato masher to a hand mixer.
The best way to confirm if meat is fully cooked is to use a meat thermometer. Beef is considered safe to eat when it has reached in internal temperature of at least 145ºF. Keep in mind that it is best to slow cook your roast well beyond the time it reaches that temperature. This will help to make it extra tender.
To make your dipping liquid a bit thicker the lazy way, stir in a tablespoon of instant potato flakes.
It is generally recommended to cook red meat with a darker, more intense beer such as a stout or dark ale.
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📖 Recipe
Lazy Slow Cooker French Dip
Equipment
- baking tray optional
- slow cooker liner optional
- 2 forks to shred beef
Ingredients
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 packet french onion soup mix
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 11.2 oz bottle of beer
- 2 tablespoon chopped garlic
- 3.5 lb roast rump, eye of round or chuck
- sliced swiss cheese provolone or mozzarella would also work well
- French rolls for serving hoagie rolls and slider rolls are also great
Instructions
- place roast into bottom of the slow cooker3.5 lb roast
- in a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients and pour over meat1 cup beef broth, 1 packet french onion soup mix, 2 cups water, 2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 11.2 oz bottle of beer, 2 tablespoon chopped garlic
- cook on low for 8-10 hours.
- after at least 7 hours, remove meat and shred. I generally use two forks for this process. If you wont be serving right away, return meat to pot and keep warm in cooking juices.
- To serve: place meat on thick, crusty rolls and top with a slice of cheese
- OPTIONAL; preheat oven to 350°
- Place assembled sandwiches on a baking tray and put in preheated oven just long enough for cheese to melt
- serve with small bowl or ramekins filled with the au jus (juices) from the original pot for dipping!
Notes
Nutrition
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