Tender Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches Recipe Easy Homemade Au Jus
This recipe features slow-cooked beef chuck roast made tender in a crockpot, served on crusty rolls with a rich, flavorful homemade au jus for dipping. It’s an easy, no-fuss comfort food perfect for casual gatherings or busy evenings.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 to 9 hours (low) or 4 to 5 hours (high)
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes to 9 hours 10 minutes (low) or 4 hours 10 minutes to 5 hours 10 minutes (high)
- Yield: 6 to 8 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 to 4 pounds beef chuck roast
- 4 cups (960 ml) low-sodium beef broth
- 1 large onion, sliced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional, for browning)
- 6–8 French rolls or hoagie buns
- Butter (optional, for toasting buns)
Instructions
- Pat the chuck roast dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper on all sides.
- Optional: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and sear the roast for 3-4 minutes per side until browned. Transfer to the crockpot.
- Place sliced onion and minced garlic around and on top of the roast in the crockpot.
- Add 4 cups beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, dried thyme, and dried rosemary to the crockpot. The liquid should come about halfway up the roast; add water or more broth if needed.
- Cover and cook on low for 8-9 hours or on high for 4-5 hours until the meat is fork-tender and easily pulls apart.
- Remove the roast and shred the beef with two forks. Return shredded beef to the crockpot and mix with the juices.
- Strain the cooking liquid through a fine sieve into a saucepan and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes to concentrate flavors. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Spread butter on the cut sides of the buns and toast in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crispy.
- Assemble sandwiches by piling shredded beef onto toasted rolls and serve with warm au jus on the side for dipping.
Notes
Browning the roast before slow cooking adds deeper flavor but is optional. Use gluten-free rolls and skip butter to make the recipe gluten-free and dairy-free. To thicken au jus, mix 1 teaspoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon cold water and stir into simmering juice. Avoid lifting the crockpot lid during cooking to maintain temperature.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: One sandwich
- Calories: 550650
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 40
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 45
Keywords: French dip sandwiches, crockpot recipes, slow cooker beef, au jus, easy dinner, comfort food, beef chuck roast