Tender Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches Recipe with Easy Rich Au Jus
A comforting and easy slow cooker recipe for tender beef chuck roast sandwiches served with a rich, flavorful au jus perfect for dipping.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 10 hours (slow cooker low) or 4 to 5 hours (slow cooker high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes to 10 hours 10 minutes (slow cooker low) or 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (slow cooker high)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast, well-marbled
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 1 large yellow onion, sliced thinly
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- French rolls or baguette
- Provolone or Swiss cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Pat dry the chuck roast with paper towels and season generously on all sides with salt and pepper.
- Optional: Sear the roast in a hot skillet with a little oil for 3-4 minutes per side until browned.
- Place the sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Place the beef on top of the onions.
- Pour in the beef broth and Worcestershire sauce around the sides, avoiding washing away the seasoning on the roast.
- Sprinkle dried thyme and rosemary over the top.
- Cover and set the slow cooker to low for 8 to 10 hours, or high for 4 to 5 hours.
- Check for doneness: the roast should be fork-tender and easily pull apart.
- Carefully remove the roast and set it on a cutting board to rest for 10 minutes.
- Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan, skim off any excess fat, and simmer over medium heat to reduce slightly, about 10 minutes. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Slice the roast against the grain into thin slices.
- Split the rolls and layer with sliced beef. Add cheese if using, then toast briefly under a broiler or in a skillet until the cheese melts.
- Serve with warm au jus in small bowls or cups for dipping.
Notes
Optional searing adds depth but is not required. For gluten-free, substitute bread with almond flour buns. To brighten au jus, add a splash of soy sauce or a pinch of garlic powder. Resting the meat after cooking improves juiciness. Keep au jus and meat separate when storing to prevent soggy bread.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich with au j
- Calories: 575
- Fat: 25
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 45
Keywords: French dip sandwiches, slow cooker recipes, beef chuck roast, au jus, easy dinner, comfort food, crockpot sandwiches