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    Home » Entrees

    Published: Aug 15, 2019 · Modified: Aug 22, 2023 · By Susan

    Lazy Slow Cooker French Dip

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    a roll filled with shredded beef held over a small glass bowl filled with au just ready to dip
    a roll filled with shredded beef held over a small glass bowl filled with au just ready to dip
    A whole sandwich sitting on a plate next to a clear bowl of au just
    French dip sandwich with melted cheese on a plate with some bowls in the background
    a roll filled with shredded beef held over a small glass bowl filled with au just ready to dip
    a roll filled with shredded beef held over a small glass bowl filled with au just ready to dip

    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.

    ⏬SKIP STRAIGHT TO RECIPE⏬
    A whole sandwich sitting on a plate next to a clear bowl of au just

    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.

    Jump to:
    • 📃Shopping list
    • 🥣How to assemble
    • 🍽Serving suggestions
    • Storing leftovers
    • 😉Hints & hacks
    • ❓Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    📃Shopping list

    french dip ingredients with labels

    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!

    A raw roast sitting in a slow cooker surrounded by liquids and spices

    🍽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!

    French dip sandwich with melted cheese on a plate with some bowls in the background

    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

    1. 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. 
    2. 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.
    3. In the market for a new slow cooker? I love mine!
    a roll filled with shredded beef held over a small glass bowl filled with au just ready to dip

    ❓Frequently asked questions

    What is the best way to shred meat cooked in a crockpot?

    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.

    How can I confirm that my beef is fully cooked?

    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.

    What is the easiest way to make au jus just a little thicker

    To make your dipping liquid a bit thicker the lazy way, stir in a tablespoon of instant potato flakes.

    What kind of beer works in this recipe?

    It is generally recommended to cook red meat with a darker, more intense beer such as a stout or dark ale.

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases and affiliate links.

    📖 Recipe

    a roll filled with shredded beef held over a small glass bowl filled with au just ready to dip

    Lazy Slow Cooker French Dip

    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.
    4.43 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate Save Saved!
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 hours hours
    Total Time: 10 hours hours 20 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 348kcal
    Author: The Lazy slow cooker
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • 6 qt slow cooker
    • measuring spoons and cups
    • 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 cooker
      3.5 lb roast
    • in a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients and pour over meat
      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
    • 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

    nutritional facts include slow cooker contents and cheese only.  Bread was not included in calculation.
     
    See above for serving suggestions and other helpful information.  

    Nutrition

    Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 59g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 151mg | Sodium: 4744mg | Potassium: 867mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 121mg | Calcium: 766mg | Iron: 6mg

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    Welcome to The Lazy Slow Cooker. I am so happy you are here! My name is Susan (yep - I am Lazy Susan!) and I am the recipe developer/blogger behind these posts. I am the mom of three amazing but super busy kids and the wife of one awesome and also super busy guy. All 5 of us have very different schedules and I would not survive mealtime without my crockpot. Read More…

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