So You’re Craving Something Tasty but Too Lazy to Spend Forever in the Kitchen, Huh? Same.
Welcome to the world of crockpot magic, my friend. This is the place where your culinary dreams come true without you needing to wear pants or even step foot in an actual restaurant. Who knew that just tossing a few ingredients in a pot could result in the glorious creation that is a French Dip Sandwich? Seriously, it’s messy, it’s delicious, and the only thing you need to worry about is how to avoid wearing part of your dinner on your face. Let’s dive in, shall we?
Why This Recipe is Awesome
So what makes crockpot French Dip Sandwiches so darn special? Let’s break it down. First off, it’s idiot-proof, even I didn’t mess it up. You just throw a bunch of stuff into your crockpot, set it, and forget it. You can binge-watch your favorite series while the magic happens. Plus, you get to feel like a gourmet chef when all you did was walk ten steps to the kitchen. It also fills your house with a mouthwatering aroma that practically gives your neighbors a reason to peer through your windows. We all love a good neighborhood scandal, right?
And let’s not forget about that au jus sauce. We’ll get to that later, but just imagine dipping your sandwich in that savory goodness. It’s like adding extra happiness to an already outstanding creation. Honestly, I could go on, but let’s save some suspense for the sandwich-making magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Alright, grab your shopping list, and let’s make sure we have everything ready before we throw ourselves into this delicious adventure. Here’s what you need:
- 2 lbs beef roast (because we want our sandwiches to be hefty)
- 1 onion, sliced (tears optional)
- 4 cups beef broth (liquid gold)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce (umami goodness)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (try saying that five times fast)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (because garlic basically makes everything better)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (who needs bland food?)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (smells amazing, feels fancy)
- 6 hoagie rolls (the ultimate delivery system for beef)
- 6 slices provolone cheese (cheesy elegance in every bite)
Now that you have your ingredients, it’s time for the fun part. Next stop: crockpot heaven.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Place the beef roast in the crockpot. Don’t overthink this; just plop it in there like you’re in a food fight.
Add sliced onion, beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, and thyme to the crockpot. Mix it around a bit, and work those arm muscles for a second.
Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. This is where you can go do fun things or take a nap. No judgment here.
Once cooked, remove the beef, shred it, and return to the liquid. Yep, transform that whole hunk of meat into the flavorful goodness it was always meant to be.
Serve the beef on hoagie rolls with a slice of provolone cheese on top. You know, just casually assemble your masterpiece like it’s a work of art.
Strain the au jus and serve it on the side for dipping. This is where you really impress people by saying “au jus.” It sounds way fancier than the effort you just put in.
Now you can make a mess and enjoy every bite. You might want to find extra napkins because this sandwich means business.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Okay, let’s drop some wisdom bombs here about things that could go hilariously wrong if you aren’t careful.
Thinking you can skip the onion. Seriously, what are you trying to accomplish? A sad piece of meat? Not on our watch.
Using cold beef right out of the fridge. Let it sit at room temperature for a bit, or you’ll be waiting an eternity for it to cook. Nobody has time for that.
Not shredding the beef. You can’t just toss it in a roll and call it a day. You need that tender shred to soak up all the flavors.
Forgetting to strain the au jus. It’s like putting a cherry on top of an ice cream sundae without the cherry. Just sad.
Eating the entire thing at once. Okay, I get it. It’s that good. But please pace yourself.
Alternatives & Substitutions
So what if you don’t have all these ingredients? Don’t panic! Here are some alternatives that could work.
Beef roast alternatives: You could use chuck roast, brisket, or even those pre-sliced deli meats if you are totally in a pinch. Just know they won’t have that melt-in-your-mouth thing going on.
Cheese swap: Don’t have provolone? Mozzarella or Swiss would still do the job, though I cannot guarantee you’ll have the same Instagram-worthy experience.
Beef broth: If you only have chicken broth, I say go for it. It might not slap you with beefy flavor but it’ll do in a pinch.
Soy sauce: Tamari or even liquid aminos can serve as a gluten-free alternative.
Garlic: Fresh garlic can take this to another level, but if you’re feeling lazy, keep rocking that garlic powder.
At the end of the day, cooking is all about improvisation—use what you have!
FAQ
Ah yes, the burning questions you didn’t even know you had. Let’s tackle these like culinary ninjas.
Can I use a different type of meat? Sure, go wild! Just keep in mind that you may be in uncharted territory.
What if I don’t have a crockpot? Friends, that is a tragedy. If your oven can handle a braise, go for it. Just settle in for a little more babysitting.
Is it necessary to use fresh herbs? Technically no, but I mean…elevate your game.
Can I make this vegetarian? You could use jackfruit or mushrooms instead of beef, but let’s be honest—are we really capturing that beefy goodness?
Can I freeze leftovers? Sure can. But judging by how good these are, there may not be any leftovers.
What’s with all this au jus fuss? It’s basically a fancy sauce that will make you feel like royalty while you feast. So please do strain it.
Final Thoughts
And there you have it, your ticket to the happiest of culinary experiences. Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it! Grab a napkin before you dive in because trust me, you’ll want to savor every last bite of that flavor-packed, dripping deliciousness. Happy dipping!
Print
Crockpot French Dip Sandwiches
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 240 minutes
- Total Time: 255 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: None
Description
A deliciously easy French Dip Sandwich made in a crockpot with tender beef and savory au jus for dipping.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs beef roast
- 1 onion, sliced
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 6 hoagie rolls
- 6 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Place the beef roast in the crockpot.
- Add sliced onion, beef broth, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, black pepper, and thyme to the crockpot. Mix it around.
- Cover and cook on low for 480 minutes (8 hours) or high for 240 minutes (4 hours).
- Once cooked, remove the beef, shred it, and return to the liquid.
- Serve the beef on hoagie rolls with a slice of provolone cheese on top.
- Strain the au jus and serve it on the side for dipping.
Notes
Make sure to let the beef sit at room temperature before cooking. Serve with extra napkins for a messy yet delicious meal!