Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches: The Ultimate Homemade, Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Recipe

This classic, hot sandwich has withstood the test of time and for good reason: crunchy hoagie rolls loaded with incredibly flavorful, tender beef just can’t be beat! For years, I struggled to find a truly from-scratch recipe that didn’t rely on pre-packaged mixes or canned soups, which drove me absolutely crazy. I was determined to create a homemade version that tasted authentic and allowed me to control every ingredient. Finally, I’ve perfected the BEST recipe that slow cooks all day, resulting in melt-in-your-mouth sandwiches that will undoubtedly earn rave reviews from everyone who tries them. What’s more, this versatile recipe includes simple regular, gluten-free, AND dairy-free options, making it perfect for accommodating just about any dietary need or preference in your crowd. Get ready to elevate your dinner game with this sensational French Dip!

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Why You’ll Adore These Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches

There’s something truly magical about a perfectly cooked beef roast, but pair it with a satisfying hoagie roll, and I’m instantly happier! This French Dip sandwich delivers an unparalleled culinary experience. The beef slow cooks all day, transforming into a fork-tender, fall-apart texture, bathed in the most rich, aromatic au jus broth you’ve ever tasted. The result is arguably the most scrumptious and deeply satisfying sandwich you’ve enjoyed in a very long time. This isn’t just a delicious meal; it’s an incredibly easy, make-ahead dinner solution that can effortlessly feed a large family or provide ample leftovers for busy weeknights. Simply set your slow cooker, forget about it until dinner, and guests will think you’ve been laboring in the kitchen all day – your secret is safe with me! This recipe is easy to prepare, exceptionally delicious, and wonderfully filling, hitting all my personal requirements for a truly GOOD dinner. In fact, I love it so much, I’m seriously considering requesting these French Dips for my birthday dinner this year, just like I used to celebrate with my beloved beef teriyaki.

How to Make These Savory French Dips Gluten-Free

Navigating food allergies means making smart substitutions without sacrificing flavor. My son has a wheat allergy, so adapting this classic French Dip recipe to be gluten-free is a priority for our family. For the crucial bread component, I highly recommend using Schar Sandwich Rolls. In my experience, these rolls most closely resemble the texture and structure of a traditional hoagie roll, providing that satisfying bite without any gluten. Beyond the bread, it’s essential to be vigilant about other ingredients. When preparing a gluten-free French Dip, always ensure you’re using a certified gluten-free soy sauce. Additionally, carefully check the label on your Worcestershire sauce, as some brands can contain hidden wheat or gluten-containing ingredients. Aside from these two considerations, the rest of this recipe is naturally gluten-free. However, as a general rule, and one I cannot stress enough, you should always check every single label of every ingredient you use. Manufacturers sometimes “sneak” gluten into the most unexpected places, so a quick check ensures safety and peace of mind for those with allergies. It’s always smart to double-check everything to keep everyone safe and happy.

*If gluten is not a concern for your household, feel free to use your preferred traditional French roll, sub roll, or hoagie bun for an equally delightful sandwich.

Making These French Dips Dairy-Free: Cheese Optional!

Another common allergy in our family is dairy, which means my son can’t enjoy the traditional melted Swiss or Provolone cheese that often tops a classic French Dip sandwich. But here’s the wonderful truth: the tender, savory meat is truly the star of this dish and honestly does not need cheese to be utterly sensational. The slow-cooked beef and rich au jus are so flavorful and satisfying on their own that he often opts for no cheese at all. This is also because, despite advancements in dairy-free products, alternative cheeses (no matter the brand) simply don’t melt with the same gooey, stretchy texture as real dairy cheese. However, if you desire a white sliced cheese substitute, we’ve had good results with Follow Your Heart Smoked Gouda. I’ve also heard excellent feedback about Violife’s Smoked Provolone Slices. Feel free to use, or omit, whatever type of non-dairy cheese substitute best suits your preferences and dietary needs in this family-favorite recipe. The choice is yours, and the sandwich will be delicious either way!

Choosing the Best Beef Bouillon for Your Au Jus

For years, I’ve been a loyal fan of Orrington Farms soup bases, both for chicken and beef. While they label their product as “soup base,” it functions identically to bouillon granules and is incredibly versatile. What I particularly love about their beef bouillon is its powdered form, which saves me from lugging heavy quarts of liquid broth home from the grocery store. It’s wonderfully flavorful, delivers a deep beefy essence to the au jus, and crucially, it’s free from common allergens like gluten and dairy, making it a safe choice for our family. Of course, if you have a preferred brand of beef bouillon or soup base that you trust and enjoy, feel free to use it. You can typically find Orrington Farms products at larger retailers like Walmart or conveniently order them online via Amazon.

Slow Cooker vs. Instant Pot: Why Low & Slow Wins for French Dip

Trust me, I am a huge proponent of the Instant Pot. I even have an Allergy Friendly Instant Pot Cookbook! However, when it comes to this specific French Dip recipe, if I had to choose just one appliance, I would unequivocally pick the slow cooker (also known as a Crock-Pot). There is simply no substitute for the tenderizing power of low and slow cooking when it comes to beef. I’ve experimented with various timings and pressure settings in the Instant Pot, but it has never quite achieved the same “fall-apart,” effortlessly shreddable texture or the beautifully thin slices that a slow cooker consistently produces. While you are certainly welcome to use an Instant Pot if that’s your preferred cooking method, especially if speed is a priority (it will always be faster), I genuinely recommend planning ahead and opting for the slow cooker version. The patience truly pays off in the ultimate tenderness and flavor of the beef, making it worth the wait.

To Sear or Not to Sear Your Roast?

Many recipes suggest searing meat before slow cooking, but for this French Dip, I skip that step entirely. And here’s why: because the beef cooks low and slow for an extended period, and thanks to the rich blend of aromatic spices and herbs in this recipe, the roast develops incredible flavor and tenderness without the need to dirty an extra dish or deal with hot oil splatters. In fact, popular culinary resources like The Kitchn confirm that “Contrary to widely held belief, searing meat doesn’t actually seal moisture inside the cut of meat or result in a juicier finished dish.” While you are absolutely welcome to sear your meat if that’s your preference – it won’t hurt anything – the slow cooker alone will produce exceptionally tender, flavorful meat that will make your taste buds sing with delight. Speaking of tender meat, you’ll also love the tenderness of my meatball recipe.

Selecting the Perfect Cut of Roast for French Dip

For this outstanding French Dip recipe, my top recommendation is a chuck roast. This cut of beef is wonderfully marbled with fat and connective tissue, which, when cooked low and slow in a moist environment like a slow cooker, breaks down beautifully to create incredibly tender and flavorful shredded beef. A chuck roast weighing anywhere between 2 to 3 pounds is ideal for this recipe. Honestly, you could even stretch it to four pounds if you’re feeding a particularly large crowd or simply want more leftovers. The size you choose can depend on how many people you plan to serve and how much delicious leftover meat you hope to have. Typically, a 2-3 pound roast comfortably feeds my family of six, with enough leftover for another meal or two, making it a fantastic economical choice.

The Secret Behind This Gluten-Free French Dip Au Jus & Ingredients

Developing the most amazing, from-scratch au jus sauce for this French Dip recipe was a challenging but incredibly rewarding endeavor. It seemed that EVERY. SINGLE. RECIPE. I found online relied heavily on some pre-made au jus mix packet or canned French Onion Soup. The problem? Almost all of them contained either wheat or dairy, both of which we need to avoid due to allergies. Furthermore, I much prefer being able to control the exact amount of salt and other ingredients, and it’s incredibly satisfying to create something truly from scratch, without being dependent on a store-bought packet or can (especially if the store happens to be out!). So, I set out to craft a superior au jus entirely from common pantry staples, and the final result turned out even better than any version I’ve ever tasted! All you need are a few simple ingredients to create this rich, savory dipping sauce:

• **2-3 pounds beef chuck roast:** The foundation for tender meat and rich flavor.
• **Salt and black pepper:** Essential for seasoning the roast generously.
• **Dried onion flakes:** Provide a concentrated onion flavor that slowly infuses the broth.
• **Beef bouillon granules:** Our secret for a deep, robust beefy base for the au jus.
• **Gluten-free soy sauce:** Adds a wonderful umami depth and savory complexity to the sauce. (Use regular if you can.)
• **Worcestershire sauce:** Provides a tangy, savory kick and a layer of rich flavor. Be sure to check for a gluten-free version if needed.
• **Jarred minced garlic:** Offers convenience and a pungent aromatic foundation.
• **Dried oregano leaves:** Contributes an earthy, slightly peppery Mediterranean note.
• **Dried thyme:** Adds a subtle, woody, and minty undertone.
• **Onion powder:** Boosts the onion flavor profile without adding bulk.
• **Dried parsley flakes:** Brightens the overall flavor and adds a touch of freshness.
• **Dried rosemary:** Imparts a distinctive, piney aroma that complements beef beautifully.
• **Celery seed:** Offers a unique, slightly bitter, and aromatic complexity.
• **Water:** The liquid base that extracts and combines all these wonderful flavors.
• **Swiss or provolone cheese slices:** (See above for excellent dairy-free options if needed.)
• **Hoagies or sub rolls:** (Refer to the section above for fantastic gluten-free bread options.)

Essential Tools for Crafting Your From-Scratch French Dip

Preparing this delicious French Dip sandwich recipe doesn’t require a lot of specialized equipment, but having these essential tools on hand will make the process smooth and enjoyable:

• **Slow cooker/crock pot:** Ensure it’s large enough to comfortably fit your chosen roast along with five cups of water and all the seasonings. A 6-quart or larger is usually ideal.
• **Cutting board:** A sturdy surface for seasoning your roast and later for shredding the tender beef.
• **Chef’s knife:** Useful for trimming any excess fat from the chuck roast before cooking, if desired.
• **Two forks:** The perfect duo for effortlessly shredding the incredibly tender, slow-cooked beef.
• **Oven or toaster oven:** For toasting your hoagie rolls and melting the cheese to golden perfection.
• **Cookie sheet/baking sheet:** To hold your bread halves while toasting in the oven or toaster oven.
• **Hot pads/oven mitts:** Essential for safely handling hot baking sheets and removing bread from the oven.
• **Small bowls:** Perfect for serving individual portions of the flavorful au jus sauce for dipping.
• **Fine mesh strainer:** Crucial for straining the cooking broth, leaving you with a smooth, clear au jus, free of herbs and spices.

How to Assemble Your Easy French Dip Sandwiches

Once your beef has slowly simmered to perfection, assembling these French Dip sandwiches is the final, delightful step. Follow these simple instructions for the perfect bite:

• Once the meat has slow cooked and become fork-tender, carefully move the slow cooker setting to “warm.” Gently remove the entire roast and place it onto a large, clean cutting board.
• Next, using a fine mesh strainer, carefully strain the rich cooking broth. This process will separate and discard all the cooked herbs and spices, leaving you with a beautifully smooth and clear au jus sauce. Ladle generous portions of this exquisite au jus into individual small bowls, perfect for dipping. (Rest assured, there should be plenty of flavorful broth remaining in the slow cooker for the shredded beef to sit in, ensuring it remains wonderfully juicy – you never want your beef sitting dry!)
• Using two forks, shred the tender beef roast into desired pieces. Return the shredded beef back into the slow cooker, allowing it to stay warm and absorb more of those delicious leftover juices.
• Take your chosen hoagie or sub rolls (or gluten-free bread) and slice them horizontally in half, if they don’t come pre-cut.
• Arrange both halves of the bread, face up, on a cookie sheet. Generously top each half with your cheese of choice (whether it’s Swiss, provolone, or your preferred dairy-free alternative).
• Place the cookie sheet on the top rack under the broiler of your oven or toaster oven. Watch closely! This step will only take a minute or two for the cheese to melt into gooey perfection and the bread to toast to a lovely golden brown.
• Carefully remove the bread from the oven and, using a spoon or tongs, generously load one side of each toasted bread half with the incredibly tender, shredded roast beef.
• Place the other bread half on top, completing your magnificent French Dip sandwich.
• Serve immediately and warm, with the side bowl of savory au jus (the flavorful cooking juices) ready for dunking. Enjoy every irresistible bite!

Watch How to Make This French Dip Sandwich Recipe!

I understand that seeing a recipe come to life can be incredibly helpful, especially for a dish as delicious as this French Dip sandwich. That’s why I’ve filmed a complete video tutorial for you! The video should automatically pop up on your screen as you browse this page. If for some reason it doesn’t appear, you can always find it conveniently located at the bottom of the recipe card below. And, if all else fails, you are always welcome to view it directly on my YouTube Channel. Happy cooking!

More Incredible Slow Cooker Recipes You’ll Love

Why yes, I do! The slow cooker truly is one of the best kitchen inventions ever. Its “set it and forget it” convenience means you can enjoy a long day, knowing a delicious, hot dinner is waiting for you when you get home! All of my slow cooker recipes are developed to be gluten-free and dairy-free, but you can easily substitute back in regular ingredients if those allergens aren’t a concern for your family, and they will still turn out incredibly tasty. There’s nothing quite like serving a dinner that the whole family will adore! Be sure to check out these other fantastic slow cooker creations:

• Slow Cooker Pork Tacos
• Slow Cooker Creamy Green Chile Chicken
• Slow Cooker 4 Ingredient Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
• Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
• Slow Cooker Sweet Potato Casserole
• Slow Cooker San Francisco Pork Chops
• Slow Cooker Green Chile Enchilada Soup
• Slow Cooker Chocolate Lava Cake
• Slow Cooker Hot Cocoa

How to Store and Reheat Leftover French Dip Sandwiches

One of the best things about this French Dip recipe is how well the leftovers keep! To properly store and enjoy your delicious meal again, place the juicy shredded beef and any remaining au jus sauce in separate airtight containers. Store these in your refrigerator, distinct from any leftover bread and cheese. The meat and au jus will keep beautifully for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to re-serve this delightful sandwich the next day, simply warm up the desired amount of beef and broth in the microwave or a small saucepan on the stovetop until heated through. While the meat is reheating, quickly toast fresh bread (or leftover bread, if stored separately) and melt your cheese slices as you did for the initial assembly. Then, just like before, generously load the tender roast beef onto your toasted bread, add the top half, and serve warm with a side of the flavorful au jus for dunking. You’ll feel like you’ve opened your very own gourmet sandwich shop!

*Be sure to leave a star rating after you’ve tried the recipe by clicking the stars in the recipe card below.

CROCK POT FRENCH DIP FROM SCRATCH + VIDEO (GF, DF OPTION)

Yield:
8

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
6 hours

Additional Time:
20 minutes

Total Time:
6 hours 25 minutes

This classic, hot sandwich has withstood the test of time and for good reason: crunchy hoagie rolls loaded with flavorful, tender beef just can’t be beat! I could never find a from-scratch recipe which drove me crazy. I didn’t want to just use some package or can and I’ve finally found the BEST recipe that slow cooks all day to give you sandwiches that will get rave reviews. This recipe also has regular AND gluten free and dairy free options too–so you can feed just about anyone in your crowd.

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds chuck beef roast
• salt and black pepper (to liberally put on each side of the roast)
• 1/2 cup dried onion flakes
• 5 Tablespoons beef bouillon granules
• 1/4 cup gluten-free soy sauce (or regular if you can have gluten)
• 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if needed)
• 8 cloves garlic (4 tsp jarred minced garlic)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 5 cups water
• Swiss or provolone cheese slices (or dairy-free if needed, see above for options)
• Hoagies or sub rolls (see above for gluten-free options)

Instructions

1. Liberally salt and pepper both sides of your roast.

2. Place it inside of your slow cooker (also known as a crock pot).

3. Pour all of the spices on top of the roast.

4. Pour the water next to the roast.

5. Turn the slow cooker to low and cook 6-8 hours, or until fork tender.

6. Remove the roast and shred, cut off and discard any large pieces of fat.

7. Take a fine mesh strainer and strain the herbs and spices (optional).

8. Place the shredded meat back in the sauce.

9. Cut the buns\/hoagies in half (if not already done). Place on a baking sheet face up.

10. Cover with halves of bread with cheese slices (or dairy free cheese) if desired.

11. Broil for a minute or two (watch closely!) until cheese is melted and bread is toasted. (FYI: dairy-free cheese will not melt as much as regular cheese.)

12. Remove from the oven, and place the shredded meat on top of one side of the bread, and then place the other on top.

13. Serve hot, with a small bowl full of the delicious au jus sauce (the juice it cooked in) for dipping.

14. Store leftover meat and au jus sauce in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Keep bread and cheese stored separately. When ready to eat, reheat as much meat and sauce as you need, and toast the bread and cheese and assemble as before.

Enjoy!

Notes

*Note–if you need it fish free, omit the Worcestershire

For frequently asked questions and substitutions see the text above the recipe.

Be sure to watch the video to see how to make it.

*Our allergies, while severe and that get re-tested frequently, are such that we can go strictly by what’s on the label. I do not call companies to see what things are derived from, or call manufacturers to see about potential cross contact. If your allergies require you to do so, please do your own homework. I cannot assure you of any ingredient’s safety, only you can do that. I simply share what works for our family

**If you are going to feed this to someone with food allergies, and you yourself do not have food allergies, I HIGHLY recommend having them check every single brand and ingredient you are using, to ensure they’re OK with each part of the recipe. And, to make sure you’ve talked to them about how to avoid cross contamination in your kitchen.

Adapted from: Eazypeazymeals’s French Dips

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 611Total Fat: 27gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 213mgSodium: 2123mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 2gSugar: 4gProtein: 72g

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