Make this Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches recipe and fill chewy French rolls with tender, juicy, shredded roast to dip in 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 filled 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 recipes for many, many years.
Table of contents
How To Make French Dip Sandwiches:
Cook 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.
In order to easily transfer roast into the dinner rolls, use to forks to shred the meat.
Prepare the French Dip Sandwiches and Au Jus
If you want an added crunch, place the dinner rolls on a pan in the oven and lightly toast them up. Then, slice them in half and fill them up with the shredded roast beef.
Divide the juice or pot roast drippings from the slow cooker into small bowls. Dip the French dip sandwiches into the drippings.
Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches FAQ’s
Remove 1 1/2 cups of beef drippings/juices from the crockpot. If you don't have enough, you can add beef bullion broth until you get to 1 1/2 cups. Pour the beef drippings/liquid into a saucepan. In a small bowl, mix together 1/4 cup of cold water and two tablespoons of cornstarch until smooth. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the saucepan. Bring the gravy to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly, and boil for 30-60 seconds until thickened.
Adding sauteed onions, sliced mushrooms, and/or cheese can make it an extra special sandwich.
You can use the original Italian dressing mix packets instead. Or use the seasonings in my Italian dressing recipe to make your own blend.
You can make a packet of store-bought gravy or au jus. Or warm up some beef broth.
More Crock Pot Recipes
- Slow Cooker Garlic Herb Cheesy Chicken Dumplings are a family favorite!
- This Slow Cooker Corn Chowder Recipe is perfect for cold nights.
- Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo Tortellini is total comfort food!
- These tender Crock Pot Pork Chops include gravy for mashed potatoes.
Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches
Video
Ingredients
- 3-4 pound beef roast top round, bottom round, or chuck
- (2) .6 ounce 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.
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 : )
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!