Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (2024)

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Super EASY French Dip Sandwiches (aka Beef Dips)…with only 5 ingredients for the beef! These sandwiches include strips of tender beef stewed in an au jus gravy sauce, topped with melted provolone cheese…all on a toasted hoagie roll!

Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (1)

Served with a side of the au jus gravy sauce for dipping!

The video shows the French Dip Sandwiches (aka Beef Dips) being made in the Crock pot, but instructions for Instant Pot and Stove top are also included here or on the recipe card.

Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (2)

This is a “cheater” version of French dip sandwiches because it uses store-bought mixes of au jus and brown gravy. But it makes it SO easy to make, and adds so much flavor! You will love this “dump and go” time-saving recipe!

If you don’t count water (and adding salt and pepper if needed), the beef only requires these 5 ingredients:

  • Beef Roast or Steak
  • Brown Gravy Mix
  • Au Jus Mix
  • Onion Powder
  • Garlic powder
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What types of beef can be used for Easy French Dip Sandwiches?

We have tested this recipe with various cuts of beef, all with great success! We just use whatever is on sale at the time, and have tried it with:

  • Chuck Roast
  • Sirloin Steak
  • Petite Sirloin Steak

Lately, petite sirloin steaks have been the cheapest, so we mostly use those. My guess is any boneless beef roast or steak will do!

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How to make Easy French Dip Sandwiches in the Crock pot

For the Beef:

  • Place the sliced beef, onion powder, garlic powder, au jus mix, brown gravy mix, and water into the crockpot insert.
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  • Stir to combine.
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  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or low for 6-8 hours, or until beef is fork tender.
  • Stir the beef, and add salt and pepper taste(I used 1/2 tsp each).
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  • Serve on sandwiches, or on its own, with sides of your choice(like…veggies, bread rolls, rice, potatoes).

To make Sandwiches:

  • Preheat the broiler on HIGH.(You can also bake the rolls, see notes.)
  • Place open hoagie rolls on a foil-lined baking sheet(butter the inside if desired.)
Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (8)
  • Broil for about 1-2 minutes, or until insides are lightly browned.(Watch carefully to not burn!)
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  • Remove the tray from the oven. Take the top buns off each roll, remove them from the tray and set aside.
  • Place beef strips on top of each bottom roll, then top with sliced provolone.
  • Broil until cheese is melted(about 1 minute).
Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (10)
  • Remove from oven, and place the top bun on.
Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (11)
  • Serve each beef sandwich with a side of au jus gravy sauce from the crockpot for dipping.
Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (12)

Alternative Cooking Methods for Easy French Dip Sandwiches

Instant Pot Instructions:

  • Place the sliced beef, onion powder, garlic powder, au jus mix, brown gravy mix,and water into theInstant Potinsert, and stir to combine.
  • Close the lid and set the valve to “sealing”.
  • Turn the Instant Pot on “Manual” mode for 35 minutes(or pressure cook on “HIGH”).
  • Once done, allow a 10 minute natural release(meaning: leave it alone!), then set the valve to “venting”.
  • Stir the beef, and add salt and pepper taste(I used 1/2 tsp each).
  • Serve on toasted hoagie rolls with melted cheese. You can also just serve it on its own, with sides of your choice (like…veggies, bread rolls, rice, potatoes).
  • If making into sandwiches, follow instructions on recipe card for toasting rolls.
Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (13)

Stove Top Instructions:

(Note: For Stove top method, adjust the amount of water to 2.5 cups.)

  • Place the sliced beef, onion powder, garlic powder, au jus mix, brown gravy mix, and water into aStock Pot, or aDutch Oven, and stir to combine.
  • Bring to a simmer on medium-high.
  • Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, or until beef is fork tender.
  • Stir the beef, and add salt and pepper taste(I used 1/2 tsp each).
  • Serve on toasted hoagie rolls with melted cheese. You can also just serve it on its own, with sides of your choice (like…veggies, bread rolls, rice, potatoes).
  • If making into sandwiches, follow instructions on recipe card for toasting rolls.
Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (14)

To Bake Sandwiches:

If you prefer to bake rolls instead of broiling, here are instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • Place open hoagie rolls on a foil-lined baking sheet,(and butter the inside if desired.)
  • Bake for about 5 minutes, or until insides are lightly browned/toasted.
  • Remove the tray from the oven. Take the top buns off each roll, remove them from the tray and set aside.
  • Place beef strips on top of each bottom roll, then top with sliced provolone.
  • Bake until cheese is melted (about 2 minutes). Remove from oven, and place the top bun on.
  • Serve each beef sandwich with a side of au jus gravy sauce from the crockpot for dipping.
Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (15)

To Slice or Not to Slice?

Either way works! I love the flavor each piece of beef gets when cooked sliced! But, we have tried cooking the whole roast (to save time), then shredding after it’s cooked…and it was still so delicious!

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To cook the beef roast whole (without slicing):

Place the beef roast in the pot and rub with all the dry ingredients. Pour the water over top and follow these cooking times, or until beef is fall apart tender and shreddable:

  • Crock pot: 5-6 hours on HIGH, or 8-10 hours on LOW.
  • Instant Pot: 90 minutes, with a 10 minute natural release.
  • Stove Top: 2.5-3 hours.
  • Note: This was tested using a beef roast (chuck roast). If using steaks, it may take less time since they are smaller cuts.
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Enjoy! 🙂

TRIED THIS RECIPE? PLEASE LEAVE A REVIEW AND A STAR RATING IN THE COMMENT SECTION…WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW IT CAME OUT!

Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (18)

Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe}

Super EASY French Dip Sandwiches (aka Beef Dips)…with only 5 ingredients for the beef! These sandwiches have strips of tender beef stewed in an au jus gravy sauce, topped with melted provolone cheese…all on a toasted hoagie roll!

4.79 from 69 votes

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 4 hours hours

Total Time: 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 8 sandwiches

Ingredients

  • 3 lb beef steak or roast, thinly sliced (into about 2-3" strips) (Chuck roast, sirloin steak, petite sirloin all work! See notes)
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 packet au jus gravy mix (1 oz. packet) *see notes
  • 1 packet brown gravy mix (1 oz. packet)
  • salt & pepper to taste (If needed. I added 1/2 tsp each.)
  • 8 hoagie rolls, or french bread rolls
  • 8 provolone cheese slices (or more if you want it extra cheesy!)
  • butter, optional (for buttering bread rolls)

Instructions

  • Place the sliced beef, onion powder, garlic powder, au jus mix, brown gravy mix, and water into the crockpot insert and give it a quick stir.

  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 4 hours, or low for 6-8 hours, or until beef is fork tender.

  • Stir the beef, and add salt and pepper taste (I used 1/2 tsp each).

  • Serve on toasted hoagie rolls with melted cheese. You can also just serve it on its own, with sides of your choice (like…veggies, bread rolls, rice, potatoes).

To Make Sandwiches:

  • Preheat the broiler on HIGH. (You can also bake the rolls, see notes.)

  • Place open hoagie rolls on a foil-lined baking sheet (butter the inside if desired.)

  • Broil for about 1-2 minutes, or until insides are lightly browned. (Watch carefully to not burn!)

  • Remove the tray from the oven. Take the top buns off each roll, remove them from the tray and set aside.

  • Place beef strips on top of each bottom roll, then top with sliced provolone.

  • Broil until cheese is melted (about 1 minute). Remove from oven, and place the top bun on.

  • Serve each beef sandwich with a side of au jus gravy sauce from the crockpot for dipping.

Video

Notes

Types of Beef:

We have tested this recipe with various cuts of beef, all with great success! We just use whatever is on sale at the time. We have tried with:

  • Chuck Roast
  • Sirloin Steak
  • Petite Sirloin Steak

Lately, petite sirloin steaks have been the cheapest, so we mostly use those! So my guess, is any beef steak or roast will do!

To Slice or Not to Slice?

Either way works!

I love the flavor each piece of beef gets when you cook it sliced! But, we have tried cooking the whole roast, then shredding after and it was still so delicious!

See notes on the blog for times/tips on cooking whole roast or steak.

To Bake Rolls:

If you prefer to bake rolls instead of broiling, here are instructions:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF.
  • Place open hoagie rolls on a foil-lined baking sheet, (and butter the inside if desired.)
  • Bake for about 5 minutes, or until insides are lightly browned/toasted.
  • Remove the tray from the oven. Take the top buns off each roll, remove them from the tray and set aside.
  • Place beef strips on top of each bottom roll, then top with sliced provolone.
  • Bake until cheese is melted (about 2 minutes). Remove from oven, and place the top bun on.
  • Serve each beef sandwich with a side of au jus gravy sauce from the crockpot for dipping.

Instant Pot Instructions:

  • Place the sliced beef, onion powder, garlic powder, au jus mix, brown gravy mix, and water into the Instant Pot insert, and stir to combine.
  • Close the lid and set the valve to “sealing”.
  • Turn the Instant Pot on “Manual” mode for 35 minutes (or pressure cook on “HIGH”).
  • Once done, allow a 10 minute natural release (meaning: leave it alone!), then set the valve to “venting”.
  • Stir the beef, and add salt and pepper taste (I used 1/2 tsp each).
  • Serve on toasted hoagie rolls with melted cheese. You can also just serve it on its own, with sides of your choice (like…veggies, bread rolls, rice, potatoes).
  • If making into sandwiches, follow instructions on recipe card for toasting rolls.

Stove Top Instructions:

(Note: For Stove top method, adjust the amount of water to 2.5 cups.)

  • Place the sliced beef, onion powder, garlic powder, au jus mix, brown gravy mix, and water into a Stock Pot, or a Dutch Oven, and stir to combine.
  • Bring to a simmer on medium-high.
  • Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 1.5-2 hours, or until beef is fork tender.
  • Stir the beef, and add salt and pepper taste (I used 1/2 tsp each).
  • Serve on toasted hoagie rolls with melted cheese. You can also just serve it on its own, with sides of your choice (like…veggies, bread rolls, rice, potatoes).
  • If making into sandwiches, follow instructions on recipe card for toasting rolls.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: French

Keyword: beef, beef dip, crockpot, easy recipe, instant pot, sandwich, stove top

Tried this recipe?Mention @thatsdeelicious or tag #thatsdeelicious!

Watch the VIDEO on how to make Easy French Dip Sandwiches! Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube Cooking Channel so that you never miss a recipe video! 🙂

Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (19)
Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (20)

Looking for more easy Crockpot or Instant Pot recipes? Try out one of these:

  • Easy Mexican Shredded Beef
  • Shredded Chicken Taco Meat
  • Easy Carnitas
  • Beef Chile Colorado

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Easy French Dip Sandwiches {Crockpot or Instant Pot Recipe} (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between French dip and beef dip? ›

A French dip sandwich, also known as a beef dip, is a hot sandwich consisting of thinly sliced roast beef (or, sometimes, other meats) on a "French roll" or baguette.

What's the difference between a French dip and an Italian Beef? ›

Technically, a French Dip is made with thinly sliced beef and braised in a broth or au jus while an Italian Beef is braised with lots of Italian herbs, spices and the pickled vegetables giving it a distinct tang that the French Dip doesn't have.

What is a French dip sandwich made of? ›

French dip, a sandwich traditionally consisting of sliced roast beef (though pork, ham, turkey, and lamb are sometimes used), served on French bread, and eaten au jus (“with juice,” referring to the flavourful drippings of the meat left over from roasting).

What is a wet French Dip? ›

The basic concept is the same at both places – Philippe's serves their French Dip “wet” which means that the roll is dipped in the meat juices and then filled with roast beef, Cole's serves theirs with a side of au jus which diners dip their sandwich into.

Is beef gravy the same as au jus? ›

Like gravy, jus (pronounced zhoo) starts with the drippings from cooked meat. Unlike gravy, however, it is not thickened with flour; instead, the liquid is reduced until it reaches the desired consistency, which is usually thinner than gravy.

What is au jus mix made of? ›

Homemade Beef Au Jus Recipe
  1. 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or rendered chilled beef roast fat.
  2. 1 peeled and medium diced yellow onion.
  3. 1 medium diced rib of celery.
  4. 1 peeled and medium diced carrot.
  5. 2-3 smashed garlic cloves.
  6. ½ cup red wine.
  7. 4 cups beef stock or pan drippings.
  8. 1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce.
Dec 16, 2022

Can I use beef broth instead of au jus? ›

What Is A Good Substitute For It? If you don't have the ingredients on hand to make it, you can try using a store-bought beef broth or beef consommé as a substitute. These options won't have the same depth of flavor as homemade au jus, but they can still add a tasty touch to your meal.

What is the best chip to eat with French onion dip? ›

I will always recommend serving this French onion dip with ridged potato chips, but if you don't have them on hand, plain potato chips or fresh veggies will work too. Store any leftover dip in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What is a wet Italian sandwich? ›

Dry - The beef is pulled from the juice with tongs, most of the juice is allowed to drip off, and it is put into a roll. No juice is added, and the sandwich is about as dry as it can get. Wet - The beef is pulled from the juice and immediately put into a roll, leaving the beef “wet”.

What is the difference between jus and au jus? ›

Jus is a specific type of sauce, made from meat juice that has typically been derived from a roast. It's thus typically served as an accompaniment to meat, especially roast beef, which is then known as beef "au jus".

What is a dipped Italian sandwich? ›

Dipped: Your sandwich is submerged in the gravy for a few seconds. Easy Dipped: Your sandwich is submerged in gravy for just one second. Extra Gravy: Your sandwich is splashed with extra gravy but not submerged. Dry: Before putting the beef on your sandwich, we wring as much gravy from the beef as possible.

What is in Arby's French Dip? ›

About the Sandwich

Roast beef. Swiss. Sub roll. French au jus sauce.

Is cheese standard on a French Dip? ›

The classic French Dip Sandwich is a hot sandwich boasting tender thin slices of beef layered on a long French roll, often with melted cheese, then dipped in a flavorful sauce made from the pan juices called “au jus,” French for “with broth” or “with juice.”

What's the difference between a French Dip in a roast beef sandwich? ›

They're both beef on a bun, that's about the only similarity. French dip is made with cold roast beef that's heated either in the jus or on a grill, then put on a bun to serve with more jus on the side as the 'dip'.

What is another name for beef dip? ›

What is a French Dip Sandwich? This hot sandwich also goes by the name beef dip and is traditionally served with hot sliced roast beef on baguette bread with a side of beef au jus that is created when cooking the roast beef. Other ingredients are sometimes added such as cheese, onions, spicy mustard or mayonnaise.

What is beef dip sauce made of? ›

To make it, you're going to place your roasting pan with the beef drippings on the stove top before adding your onions, garlic, thyme, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer, then cook until slightly thickened. Soon, you'll have the most delicious dipping sauce to complete your French dip.

Why do they call it a French Dip? ›

There is further uncertainty about why the dish is called the French dip. It could be due to Philippe's heritage, the French roll it is served on, or because the police officer's name was French. The second restaurant that claims to have invented the French dip is Cole's, also known as Cole's Pacific Electric Buffet.

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