French Dip Sandwiches
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
5 hrs 5 mins
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Total Time
5 hrs 10 mins
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Servings
8
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Calories
779 kcal
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Course
Main Course
French Dip Sandwiches
Description
This recipe begins by seasoning a chuck roast with salt, pepper, oregano, and thyme, then briefly searing it to develop a browned exterior. It is slow-cooked with broth, cola, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, and French onion soup mix, which combine to tenderize the meat and infuse complex savory and slightly sweet flavors. After cooking for several hours, the roast is sliced thinly and returned to the slow cooker to keep warm in the cooking liquid.
The assembly involves slicing hoagie rolls, buttering the top sides, and layering them with the cooked beef and Swiss cheese, then broiling briefly to melt the cheese and toast the bread. The au jus from the slow cooker serves as a warm, seasoned dipping sauce for the sandwiches.
These sandwiches have a tender, juicy beef filling with herb and onion notes, complemented by the creamy melted cheese and soft toasted roll. They pair well with classic sides like coleslaw, potato salad, or crispy fries. Variations include adding caramelized onions or peppers, jalapeños for heat, or serving on whole wheat buns for a lighter option.
Practical tips include broiling the sandwiches just until cheese melts to avoid overcooking the bread, and that the au jus can also be used as a flavorful broth base for other dishes or dips. The slow cooker method ensures easy preparation and tender meat without active cooking time.
Ingredients
- 3.5 pounds chuck roast
- salt freshly ground
- black pepper freshly ground
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano dried
- 1/2 teaspoon thyme dried
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 packet onion soup mix (dry), or homemade
- 3 cloves garlic , minced
- 2 1/3 cups beef broth low-sodium
- 1 cup cola not diet, Coke brand
- 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Tablespoons soy sauce low-sodium
For serving:
- 16 lices swiss cheese or your favorite kind, or provolone cheese
- 8 hoagie roll or sub rolls
Instructions
- Season all sides of the chuck roast with salt and pepper, oregano, and thyme.
- Add olive oil to a large non-stick skillet over medium high heat. Add meat to the pan and sear on high heat for 30 seconds or so on all sides, just until lightly browned.
- Place meat in the slow cooker and sprinkle with French onion soup mix and garlic. Pour broth, coke, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce on top.
- Cook on LOW for 4 hours and then remove meat to a cutting board. Thinly slice the meat and then return it to the slow cooker and continue to cook on LOW for one more hour.
- When ready to serve, preheat oven to High broil. Slice rolls in half and lightly butter the top side. Add a few slices of meat to the bottom halves and top with two slices of cheese.
- Broil for a few minutes, just until the cheese its melted and bread is golden. Ladle the au jus sauce from the slow cooker into small bowls for dipping. Enjoy.
Notes
- For a healthier version, use whole wheat buns and omit the cheese.
- Try adding caramelized onions and bell peppers for a Philly-style twist.
- Introduce heat with jalapeños, diced chilies, or crushed red pepper to suit your taste.
- Serve alongside cucumber avocado salad, classic wedge salad, coleslaw, fries, potato salad, or simple veggies and dip for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 779 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 779kcal | 39% |
| Carbohydrates | 40g | 13% |
| Protein | 59g | 118% |
| Fat | 41g | 63% |
| Saturated Fat | 19g | 95% |
| Cholesterol | 175mg | 58% |
| Sodium | 1879mg | 78% |
| Potassium | 841mg | 18% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 520IU | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 481mg | 48% |
| Iron | 15.6mg | 87% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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