Beef Au Jus Crock Pot French Dips: Easy Weeknight Dinner

August 12, 2024
4:19 pm
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Main Dishes / Entrees, Meat & Chicken, Slow Cooker

Hey y’all! I’m back with our first recipe since I had to take a long break: Beef Au Jus Crock Pot!

This recipe is super easy to make (even easier than Honey Garlic Chicken Crock Pot) and it’s all done in your slow cooker. You just add the ingredients in and set it to forget it until you’re ready to eat. 😉

You start by seasoning a beef chuck roast with salt and pepper and setting it aside for about 20 min. This allows all the juices to start flowing through the meat, and it will give your meat time to come to room temp. It’s a neat kitchen trick! I use it on steaks also. Soooooo good.

You then sear the roast on all four sides to give it a nice crust and place it in the slow cooker. Boom. Now, you turn the roast into something heavenly by using ingredients to make your own au jus. Pretty simple ingredients too, man. I keep my kitchen stocked with all of them. 😉

Table of Contents

Slow Cooker vs. Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches: Personal Experience

I've always been a fan of the slow cooker for making roast beef au jus crock pot. There’s something about the smell of beef simmering away all day that makes the house feel cozy and inviting. Recently, I tried the same recipe in my Instant Pot, and while it was faster, I found that the slow-cooked version still had a slight edge in terms of flavor and tenderness. But hey, both methods have their place, and it’s great to have options!

Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

When I first started making French Dip sandwiches, the slow cooker was my go-to. There’s something so satisfying about prepping everything in the morning, letting it cook all day, and then having a delicious meal ready by dinner.

The slow cooker method allowed me to really let the flavors meld and develop. The beef chuck roast would come out so tender it practically melted in my mouth. I’d often use this method on weekends or days when I knew I’d be busy with work or errands. The aroma that filled my house throughout the day was an added bonus—every time I’d walk in the door, I’d be greeted by the mouthwatering smell of slow-cooked beef.

Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

However, there were times when I’d forget to start the slow cooker in the morning (hello, busy life!) or when a craving would strike suddenly, and I didn’t have hours to wait. Enter the Instant Pot. The first time I made French Dip sandwiches in the Instant Pot, I was blown away by how quickly it transformed a tough cut of meat into something tender and flavorful.

The sauté function was a game-changer, allowing me to sear the meat directly in the pot without dirtying another pan. Within an hour, I had juicy, tender beef ready for sandwiches. It was perfect for those weeknights when I needed a quick yet satisfying dinner.

Personally, I love having both options available. The slow cooker method is my favorite for the rich flavor and fall-apart tenderness, but the Instant Pot is a lifesaver when I need a speedy meal without sacrificing too much on taste. Whether I’m using the slow cooker or the Instant Pot, French Dip sandwiches are always a hit in my household.

Ingredients Used To Make Beef Au Jus Crock Pot

Beef chuck roast

Olive oil
Beef stock
Worcestershire sauce

Soy sauce
Italian seasoning (optional really)
Hoagie rolls

Provolone cheese

How To Make Beef Au Jus Crock Pot

Prep– sear the roast, and add ingredients to the slow cooker.

Cook– this is the bomb diggity part because YOU technically aren’t doing any cooking- the slow cooker is doing it all. 😉 Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 5-6 hours. Remove roast and place on cutting board and slice.
Assemble/Broil Slow Cooker French Dips– Preheat oven to broil on high. Slice open a hoagie roll, place meat inside, and top each one with 2 pieces of provolone. Broil for 1-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve– serve with a side of the homemade au jus.

See, that’s Beef Au Jus Crock Pot recipe. Super easy. Super delicious (especially that homemade au jus you use for dipping).

Happy dipping!

Quick Cooking Recipe

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 4 hours
Inactive: 4 hours

Total: 8 hours, 10 mins
Author: Jen Sharpin | So Damn Delish
Yield: 6 hoagies

These Beef Au Jus Crock Pot are heavenly. Locked and loaded with flavor that simmers in the slow cooker it will have your tastebuds craving more!

Ingredients

3lb beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
1 Tablespoons olive oil

4 cups (32oz) beef stock, divided
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)
6 hoagie rolls
12 slices provolone cheese

Salt & pepper, to taste

Instruction

Prep:

- Season roast generously with salt and pepper. Set aside for 20 minutes to bring to room temperature.
- Add 3 cups beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and Italian seasoning (if using) to slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear roast on all sides (about 3-5 minutes per side) to give the roast a nice crust. Remove roast and place in slow cooker.
- Turn the heat down to medium. Add 1 cup of beef stock to the pan. Bring to a slight boil. Using a wooden spoon scrape up all the brown bits from the pan. Add beef broth mixture and browned bits to slow cooker.
Cook: Cook in slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. Remove meat from slow cooker. Slice meat into thin strips.

Assemble Sandwiches:

Preheat oven to broil on high.

Fill each hoagie with the sliced meat and top each one with 2 pieces of provolone. Place on baking sheet.

Broil for 1-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly, watching carefully not to burn.

Serve:

Place each sandwich on a plate. Use a ladle to scoop the au jus from the slow cooker and place some in a small bowl. Serve a side of au jus with each sandwich for dipping. Serve!

Notes

We love using horseradish cream sauce on these too. You can make your own or you can easily find it at your local deli department.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

Calories: 620
Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 1250mg

Fat: 30g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 14g

Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fiber: 2g

Protein: 55g
Cholesterol: 135mg

Tips for Customizing Your Beef Au Jus Crock Pot French Dips

There are plenty of ways to customize this beef au jus crock pot recipe to suit your taste preferences. Try out these tips, you can customize your sandwiches to suit your personal taste preferences and create a meal that’s uniquely yours.

Red Wine Addition:
- Tip: Add a splash of red wine to the slow cooker for a deeper, more complex flavor. It pairs wonderfully with beef and adds richness to the au jus.
- How: Add about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of red wine to the slow cooker along with the beef stock and other ingredients.

Herb Infusion:
- Tip: Use fresh herbs like rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves to infuse more aromatic flavors into the meat and au jus.
- How: Tie fresh herbs together with kitchen twine or place them in a small herb infuser and add them to the slow cooker.

Garlic Boost:
- Tip: Add garlic cloves to the slow cooker for an extra burst of flavor.
- How: Smash 4-5 garlic cloves and add them to the pot along with the beef and other ingredients.

Caramelized Onions:
- Tip: Add caramelized onions to your sandwich for a sweet, savory addition.
- How: Slowly cook thinly sliced onions in a bit of butter over medium-low heat until they are golden brown and caramelized, then add them to your sandwich.

Mushroom Addition:
- Tip: Incorporate sautéed mushrooms for an earthy, umami flavor.
- How: Sauté sliced mushrooms in a bit of olive oil or butter until they are browned and tender, then add them to the slow cooker or directly to your sandwich.

Spicy Kick:
- Tip: Add a bit of heat to your French Dip by incorporating spicy ingredients.
- How: Add pepperoncini peppers to the slow cooker, or use a spicy cheese like pepper jack on your sandwich.

Horseradish Sauce:
- Tip: Serve your French Dip with a dollop of horseradish cream sauce for a sharp, tangy flavor.
- How: Mix prepared horseradish with sour cream or mayonnaise and a bit of lemon juice, salt, and pepper.

Double Cheese:
- Tip: Use a combination of cheeses for extra flavor and texture.
- How: Layer provolone with a bit of grated Parmesan or sharp cheddar before broiling.

For more delicious, easy-to-make recipes that bring flavor and fun to your kitchen, check out So Damn Delish. Whether you’re looking for quick weeknight meals or something special for the weekend, you’ll find tons of mouth-watering options that will leave you and your family craving more!

Beef Au Jus Crock Pot French Dips: Easy Weeknight Dinner

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Print Recipe

This beef au jus crock pot is heavenly at So Damn Delish. Locked and loaded with flavor that simmers in the slow cooker it will have your tastebud craving more!

Total Time: 8 hours, 10 mins
Yield: 6 hoagies 1x

Ingredients

Scale

3lb beef chuck roast, trimmed of excess fat
1 Tablespoons olive oil
4 cups (32oz) beef stock, divided

1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning (optional)

6 hoagie rolls
12 slices provolone cheese
Salt & pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prep:

- Season roast generously with salt and pepper. Set aside for 20 minutes to bring to room temperature.
- Add 3 cups beef stock, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, and Italian seasoning (if using) to slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear roast on all sides (about 3-5 minutes per side) to give the roast a nice crust. Remove roast and place in slow cooker.
- Turn the heat down to medium. Add 1 cup of beef stock to the pan. Bring to a slight boil. Using a wooden spoon scrape up all the brown bits from the pan. Add beef broth mixture and browned bits to slow cooker.

Cook: Cook in slow cooker for 3-4 hours on high or 5-6 hours on low. Remove meat from slow cooker. Slice meat into thin strips.

Assemble Sandwiches:

Preheat oven to broil on high.

Fill each hoagie with the sliced meat and top each one with 2 pieces of provolone. Place on baking sheet.

Broil for 1-3 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly, watching carefully not to burn.

Serve:

Place each sandwich on a plate. Use a ladle to scoop the au jus from the slow cooker and place some in a small bowl. Serve a side of au jus with each sandwich for dipping. Serve!