Description
This French Dip Sandwich recipe features tender chuck roast slow-cooked to perfection in a rich, flavorful broth, served on hoagie rolls with melted Gruyere cheese and a savory au jus for dipping. Easy to prepare in a crockpot, this sandwich offers a delicious and comforting meal ideal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Meat and Seasonings
- 3 pounds chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
- Coarse salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Broth and Sauce
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 packet beefy onion soup mix
Sandwich Assembly
- 6 hoagie rolls
- 6 ounces freshly shredded Gruyere cheese
- Minced parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare the Slow Cooker: Coat a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray to prevent sticking and facilitate easy cleanup.
- Sear the Roast: Heat vegetable oil in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Season the chuck roast generously with salt and pepper. Sear the roast on both sides until it develops a golden-brown crust, enhancing flavor through caramelization.
- Slow Cook the Roast: Transfer the seared roast to the prepared slow cooker. Add beef broth, water, Worcestershire sauce, beefy onion soup mix, garlic powder, oregano, and thyme over the roast. Cook on LOW heat for 4 hours to begin tenderizing the meat.
- Slice and Continue Cooking: After 4 hours, remove the roast to a cutting board and thinly slice it across the grain for tenderness. Return sliced meat to the slow cooker and continue cooking on LOW for an additional 1 to 2 hours, allowing flavors to meld and meat to soften further.
- Prepare the Au Jus: Remove the roast from the slow cooker and strain the broth to remove fat, producing a clean, flavorful au jus for dipping.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Split hoagie rolls open and fill them generously with the sliced beef and shredded Gruyere cheese.
- Melt the Cheese: Place the assembled sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese melts and becomes golden and bubbly. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Alternatively, warm the sandwiches in a 350°F (175°C) oven until the cheese melts.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish sandwiches with freshly minced parsley and serve hot with a bowl of the au jus for dipping, enhancing each bite with rich, savory juice.
Notes
- For extra flavor, allow the slow cooker to rest with the meat inside after cooking before slicing to retain juices.
- If you don’t have Gruyere, Swiss or provolone cheese can be good substitutes for melting.
- Be sure to slice the roast against the grain to ensure tender bites.
- You can prepare the au jus in advance and reheat gently before serving.
- Keep an eye on the sandwiches during broiling to prevent the bread from burning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
