French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus

A Simple Yet Indulgent Sandwich

If you’re looking for a mouthwatering sandwich that’s easy to make and packed with flavor, you’re in for a treat. Let me tell you about my favorite recipe for French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll be making it on repeat!

This French dip sandwich is all about indulgence. Imagine tender Italian roast beef layered with gooey melted cheese, nestled in a perfectly toasted bun. And the best part? A savory, rich au jus for dipping. It’s a simple recipe, but it feels like a gourmet meal you’d find in a cozy bistro.

Why You’ll Love These French Dip Sandwiches

Over the years, I’ve perfected this recipe, and it never fails to impress. Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting a dinner, these sandwiches are a hit. They’re a great twist on your usual sandwich routine, and the au jus adds a special touch that elevates the whole experience.

The Secret is in the Au Jus

The star of the show here is the au jus, which means “with juice” in French. For this recipe, I cook the beef in a flavorful mix of onion soup and beef broth, creating a delicious dipping sauce that brings everything together. Every bite of the sandwich soaked in this rich, beefy juice is pure deliciousness.

Ingredients You’ll Need for Homemade French Dip Sandwiches

A French dip, or beef dip, is sliced roast beef on a French roll, or baguette. The beef on the sandwich can be from a leftover roast or deli-sliced roast beef. Both are delicious. The sandwich is served with a side of rich beef broth, or au jus for dipping. Before each bite, the sandwich is dipped in au jus just enough to cover a small section. The bread and meat absorb the au jus making every bite juicy and flavorful. I’m getting hungry just talking about it! So without further ado, here’s what you need to make these irresistible French Dip Sandwiches:

• Roast beef – Tender, juicy, roast beef is perfect for this recipe. Use either deli meat, chuck roast, or prime rib for the best type of beef sandwich.
• Condensed beef consomme – This makes a perfect base for the au jus, giving it a rich, savory flavor.
• Lipton onion soup mix – Adds a wonderful depth of flavor to the au jus.
• French rolls – Toasted to perfection, they soak up the au jus without getting too soggy. Hoagie buns work well too!
• Provolone cheese – Melty, gooey, and the perfect complement to the beef.
• Cream cheese – A creamy layer that adds extra texture and flavor.

How to Make the Perfect French Dip Sandwich

1. Prepare the Au Jus: In a saucepan, bring the beef consomme and onion soup mix to a boil, then simmer the sliced roast beef in it for about 5 minutes.
2. Prepare the Rolls: Spread cream cheese on the bottom halves of the French rolls, and place Provolone on the tops. Place rolls (tops and bottoms) face-up on a baking sheet. Broil until the cheese melts.
3. Assemble: Layer the warm beef on the cream cheese-covered (bottom) rolls and top with the melted cheese (top) rolls.
4. Serve: Ladle the au jus into small bowls for dipping. Dip each bite of your sandwich into the au jus for the ultimate flavor explosion.

What Beef to Use in French Dip Sandwiches

The key to this fabulous sandwich is good beef. This can be a bit challenging to find sometimes, but it’s oh-so-worth-it! You have several options for a good beef filling to choose from.

1. Deli meat – Try your grocery store’s deli to see if the butcher can thinly slice the roast beef. While there is sometimes pre-packaged roast beef available to purchase, the deli counter will have a cut that is far better tasting.
2. Leftovers – You can use leftovers to make this meal. Cook a beef roast for a meal during the week like this easy roast beef recipe. Then slice or shred the leftovers into thin pieces and use them for this French Dip dinner later in the week.
3. Steak – If you have steak for dinner, grill an extra piece or two and set it aside. The next day, use a thin knife and slice it as thinly as possible.

Tips for the Best French Dip Sandwiches

• Quality ingredients – Choose high-quality beef for the best results. The better the beef, the better the sandwich.
• Onions and mushrooms – Saute onions and mushrooms to add to the middle of the sandwich. The caramelized onions and sliced mushrooms combined give a sweet and savory flavoring.
• Cheese it up – Provolone is classic, but Swiss cheese works beautifully too.
• Toast the bread – A crispy outer layer on your rolls helps them hold up to the au jus dipping.
• Don’t forget the pickle – These french dip sandwiches pair well with a pickle and a bag of chips.

Methods to Cook the Meat for French Dip Sandwiches

Cooking your meat the day of or ahead of time is always best to meld the flavors together! Either a slow cooker or an instant pot are always great choices. Try using these small appliances to help the process move along smoother and sometimes quicker!

• Slow cooker – Place the au jus over top of the meat in the slow cooker. Slow cooker french dip sandwiches are a low and slow process that is rich in flavor.
• Instant pot – Cook your meat in the instant pot. Instant pot french dip sandwiches are a quicker way to cook your meat while keeping it tender and juicy.
• Stove top – Melt butter in a large skillet over medium high heat to cook your meat.
• Leftovers – This is usually the best and most flavorful type of meat, as it already comes pre-flavored and pre-cooked.

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers (though I doubt you will!), store the ingredients separately to keep everything fresh. Reheat and assemble when ready to enjoy.

• Separating – Take each ingredient and place them individually in storage containers that are airtight or a ziplock bag. When ready to enjoy, assemble the sandwiches and reheat.
• Reheating – Reheat each ingredient individually then assemble your french dip sandwich with au jus sauce.

More Sandwich Recipes to Try

Love this sandwich? Try out some of our other favorite sandwich recipes for more delicious options!
Kalua Pork Pulled Pork Sandwiches
Hot Turkey Sandwich
Banh Mi Sandwich
Grilled Ham and Cheese
Grinder Sandwich
Meatball Sub Sandwiches
Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich

I can’t wait for you to try these French Dip Sandwiches with Au Jus. Let me know how they turn out, and if you add your own twist, I’d love to hear about it!