Cozy Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches with Easy Rich Au Jus Recipe
Tender beef slow-cooked with caramelized onions and herbs, served on toasted rolls with a rich, flavorful au jus for dipping. Perfect for cozy nights and easy weeknight meals.
- 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 to 8 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast (USDA Choice preferred)
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups beef broth (low sodium)
- 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Salt, to taste
- 6 to 8 soft sandwich rolls or hoagie buns (Italian or French rolls)
- Provolone or Swiss cheese slices (optional)
- Butter, for toasting the rolls
Instructions
- Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on all sides.
- Optional: Heat a tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the roast on all sides until browned, about 3-4 minutes per side.
- Place sliced onions and minced garlic at the bottom of the slow cooker. Set the roast on top.
- Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Sprinkle thyme and rosemary over the roast. Cover the slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours or on high for 4 to 5 hours until beef is fork-tender and easily shreddable.
- Remove beef and tent with foil to keep warm. Strain cooking liquid into a saucepan, pressing onions to extract flavor.
- Simmer the liquid over medium heat for 5-10 minutes to reduce slightly. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Slice the roast thinly against the grain.
- Butter and toast sandwich rolls in a skillet until golden.
- Assemble sandwiches with beef slices and cheese if desired. Serve with warm au jus on the side for dipping.
Notes
Browning the beef before slow cooking adds flavor but is optional. Slice beef against the grain for tenderness. Toast rolls with butter to avoid sogginess. Au jus can be reduced for thicker flavor and freezes well. For gluten-free, use gluten-free rolls and check broth labels. Instant Pot can be used with adjusted cooking time (60-70 minutes on high pressure).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 sandwich with au j
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 600
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: French dip sandwiches, slow cooker recipes, beef roast, au jus, comfort food, easy dinner, sandwich recipe