This Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches recipe features chewy French rolls filled with tender juicy, shredded roast and are dipped into the pot roast au jus.
Many people think of making Crock Pot recipes in the winter, but I am more of a year-round slow cooker gal. I like that my Crock Pot doesn’t heat up my house in the summer like an oven does. Things are busy in all the seasons and it’s always nice to have a delicious meal that is already cooked when dinner time rolls around.
 These Slow Cooker French Dip sandwiches have chewy French rolls fill with tender, juicy shredded beef and are amazing when dipped into the pot roast au jus dip! This has been one of our favorite family recipe for many, many years.
How To Make French Dip Sandwiches:
Step One: Make The Roast
Put a 3-4 pound roast into a 6-quart slow cooker and sprinkle it with a packet of zesty Italian dressing mix . You can rub it into the roast if you want or just use a spoon or fork to spread it around.
Then, flip the roast over and sprinkle the other side with the second packet of dressing mix. Pour the beef broth in around the roast, put the cover on and cook it on low for 6-8 hours, or until tender.
* Every slow cooker is different so cooking times may vary
Step Two: Prepare The Sandwich and Au Jus
In order to easily transfer roast into the dinner rolls, use to forks to shred the meat. Divide the juice or pot roast drippings from the slow cooker into small bowls. Dip the French dip sandwiches into the drippings.
For an added crunch place the dinner rolls on a pan in the oven and warm them up. Slice them in half and fill them up with the shredded roast.
Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches FAQ’s
1. How can I make a gravy if I want my au jus to be thicker? You can follow the recipe in THIS POST for making pot roast gravy.
2. What can I add to dress up the sandwiches? Adding sliced onions, mushrooms and/or cheese can make it an extra special sandwich.
3. I can’t find the zesty Italian dressing mix what else can I use? You can use the original Italian dressing mix instead.
4. What if I don’t have enough juice left in the slow cooker for dipping sauce? Making a packet of gravy or au jus or warming up some beef broth would work well as a replacement.
Looking For More Pot Roast Recipes?
Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Cheesy Chicken Dumplings re an easy dinner recipe for a busy weekday. Put the chicken in the crockpot in the morning and add the dumplings before serving.
This Slow Cooker Corn Chowder Recipe with Potatoes and Ham is an easy crock pot recipe and the perfect comfort food for dinner! It will be a family favorite.
Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Tortellini is warm, comfort food at it’s finest. This easy, crockpot recipe will quickly become a favorite family dinner!
Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
This Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches recipe features chewy French rolls filled with tender juicy, shredded roast and are dipped into the pot roast au jus.
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound beef roast, top round, bottom round, or chuck
- 2 packets zesty Italian dressing mix, or use original
- 1 cup beef broth
- 10 French dinner rolls
Instructions
- Put the roast in a 6-quart slow cooker. Sprinkle with one packet of zesty Italian dressing mix. Flip the roast over and sprinkle the other side with the second packet of dressing mix. Pour the beef broth in around the roast.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or until tender. Shred the roast with two forks.
- Toast the French dinner rolls in the oven, cut them in half and fill with the shredded roast.
- Divide the juice from the slow cooker into small bowls and dip the sandwiches in the pot roast au jus.
Notes
Remember slow cookers vary so your cooking time may vary. See blog post for additional tips and ideas.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 607Total Fat: 31gSaturated Fat: 13gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 156mgSodium: 743mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 50g
Melissa Souther says
I saw your recipe yesterday afternoon and tried it out. Put my roast in the crock pot at 6:00 last night and rubbed 2 packets of the grocery store brand ( I’m a cheapskate) Italian Dressing mix on the meat as directed, and 2 cups of water. I thought I had bouillon cubes in the cupboard, but I guess they ran away… No broth either, so I just decided that I’d rely on the meat to make it’s own with the water I added. I cooked mine on high for 2 hours and then shifted to low until 9:30 the next morning. When I took the lid off and stuck the forks in to tear the roast apart, it was so tender! Plus the taste was amazing! My family will love these sandwiches with provolone cheese tonight! Thanks for the recipe!
Tonia says
I think I’m going to your house for dinner tonight! 🙂
Lani says
Hi,
I’m going to try this recipe as it sounds delicious. One question I have; in the ingredient list it calls for 1 C beef broth. Is this just in case there isn’t enough au jus from the roast for dipping? I didn’t see that I was supposed to add it to the crock pot during cooking.
Thank you,
Lani
Tonia says
Hi Lani,
Sorry I wasn’t very clear in my instructions. I added the beef broth before I started cooking the roast. You can cook your roast without it but I’ve always added at least 1/4 of liquid to my slow cooker when making roasts to make sure it doesn’t dry out.
Enjoy!
~Tonia
Sherry says
I thought the Au Jus was the gravy left in the pot after the roast cooked! That is the best there is!
kristin says
What is the Italian Seasoning Packet that you use? Is it the Italian salad dressing packets?
Thank you for the idea. It sounds delicious!
Tonia says
I used the Good Seasons Italian Dressing Packet: http://www.kraftfoodservice.com/productsandbrands/dressings/goodseasons.aspx Enjoy! ~Tonia
April Smith says
Are you sure about cooking it on High for 6-8hrs? Don’t you mean on Low for 6-8hrs? Cooking it on high for that long will certainly over cook it and not to mention probably ruin your crockpot.
Tonia says
Hi April,
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, that is how I cook it. How do you make your roast in a slow cooker? Low for 6-8 hours? I would love to hear what you add to if for flavoring.
~Tonia
amie says
I’m making beef French dips which I have never done. I’ve always used pork. What do you recommend when I have 5 hours before dinner time?
amie says
And using the crock pot..
Tonia says
Meat like you would use for roast needs to cook slowly for a long period of time so that it can soften. They are often tougher cuts of meat. I’m not sure how you could speed up the process. You could try cutting the meat into smaller pieces and cook it on high but I’m not sure of the results you will get.
Tonia says
I would cook your meat in the oven instead of using a slow cooker when you are short on time. I made this Barbecue Pot Roast in the oven cooking it as 325 for 3 hours: http://www.thegunnysack.com/barbecue-pot-roast-recipe/
hana shime says
hi,,kindli could u tel me what is: “Pot Roast”
is it: Pork or —,sori,tis is my first time cook,
how u can share pls,,thanks,–shim–sg
Tonia says
Hi Shim,
It is roast beef but this same technique also works with pork roast if you prefer that.
~Tonia
madscar says
This is amazing:) Love it!
Tonia says
Thanks!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor says
Roast in the slow cooker is my absolute FAVE!! Sounds fantastic on the sandwiches, Tonia!!
Kymi a says
Oh wow this looks so good my mouth is watering lol thank u for sharing I know what’s for dinner tomorrow 🙂 Love crockpot cooking.
Mackenzie says
This sounds awesome Tonia; need to try this soon! Thanks! 🙂
Liz Fourez says
Being that my husband raised cattle for many years, we ALWAYS have a freezer full of beef. I finding new ways to use it, and your recipe looks delicious! I’m totally craving pot roast now! Thanks for sharing Tonia : )
Nancy P.@thebittersideofsweet says
Yay!! I love French dip and never knew how to make it!!! Thanks for the recipe!!
Alyssa Rivers says
I also LOVE using my slow cooker in the summertime! These look fantastic Tonia!
Anne @ Domesblissity says
Great minds Tonia. I like to use my slow cooker in summer too although I’m firing up the oven more now to heat the house up in the evenings!
Anne xx
Jane's Adventures in Dinner says
GREAT slowcooker meal. The slowcooker is my very best friend.
Tonia says
Thank Jane! Nothing like a BFF that is always there for you and makes your life easier, right?
Jules@Happy House and Home says
Two of my kids are teens and they will ONLY eat beef if it’s in a French Dip! (Lucky we all like them!). I usually use leftover roast, but this is a great idea to use the crock pot. Plus, the crockpot is great for summer. Especially on rainy hot days when you have to use the kitchen. I will pin this! Thank you!
Tonia says
Thank Jules! I hope they enjoy it! Isn’t it amazing how much food teens can consume?
Shannah @ Just Us Four says
I love using my slow cooker in the summer. It keeps the house so much cooler but still provides a delicious meal. These sandwiches look so good!
Tonia says
Thanks Shannah!
Carol says
I need to use my slow cooker more and had not thought about it for Summer but you’re right. Perfect for hot days and not heating up the house. These look fabulous!
Tonia says
Thanks Carol! I agree! I need to use mine more too!
Debra Elliott says
Yummy!
Tonia says
Thanks Debra!
Norma Turvey says
I like to take slow cooker pot roast and pile it in a kaiser roll or sub sandwich roll add cheddar cheese, wrap it it foil and bake it till the cheese is all melty and thr roll is nice and crispy on the outside, it is delicious, and my family really love it this way!
Tonia says
Oh Norma…that sounds amazing! Thanks for the great idea. I’ve got to give it a try!
Anna says
I have to show this recipe to my daughter as she loves Roast Beef & she likes using her slow cooker when ever possible..
Plus it does look real good.
Tonia says
Thanks Anna! I hope she tries it out!
Vanessa says
Those look really good! I love my slow cooker but I don’t use my slow cooker as often as I should though.
Tonia says
Thanks Vanessa! I know what you mean…I need to do more planning ahead so that I am more prepared!