My brother makes the most incredible french dip sandwich I've ever tasted, and for months I couldn't figure out how he got his so much better than mine. Emma would demolish his in minutes but barely touch what I made. Finally, he showed me his technique one weekend, and I realized I'd been doing everything wrong. It's not about fancy cuts of meat - it's about understanding how to make that au jus rich and getting the bread just right for dipping.
Why You'll Love This French Dip Sandwich
This french dip sandwich recipe saved my weeknight dinner routine when Emma started getting picky about what he'd eat. He'll devour this sandwich but turn his nose up at most other things I make. The beef comes out tender every time, and that au jus is rich enough to actually dip without it tasting like water with salt.
What makes this work so well is how simple it really is. Most people think you need expensive roast beef or fancy equipment, but you don't. Just good timing and knowing a few tricks my brother taught me. Plus, it's one of those meals that makes you look like you know what you're doing in the kitchen, even when you're just following the steps.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This French Dip Sandwich
- Ingredients for French Dip Sandwich
- How To Make French Dip Sandwich Step By Step
- Equipment For french dip sandwich
- Storage Tips
- Smart Swaps For French Dip Sandwich
- French Dip Sandwich Variations
- Why This French Dip Sandwich Works
- Top Tip
- The Flavor My Best Friend Never Told Me About
- FAQ
- Time to Make Your Best French Dip Yet!
- Related
- Pairing
- French Dip Sandwich
Ingredients for French Dip Sandwich
The Sandwich:
- Thinly sliced roast beef
- French rolls or hoagie buns
- Provolone or Swiss cheese
- Butter for toasting
The Au Jus:
- Beef broth or stock
- Worcestershire sauce
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Bay leaves
Optional Extras:
- Red wine
- Caramelized onions
- Horseradish mayo
- Fresh thyme
See recipe card for quantities.
How To Make French Dip Sandwich Step By Step
Make the Au Jus:
- Heat beef broth in small saucepan
- Add Worcestershire sauce and seasonings
- Let simmer 10-15 minutes
- Taste and adjust salt
Prep the Sandwich:
- Slice rolls in half lengthwise
- Butter the cut sides lightly
- Toast until golden brown
- Set aside
Warm the Beef:
- Heat roast beef in skillet gently
- Don't let it get dry
- Add splash of au jus if needed
- Keep it warm
Build It:
- Serve with au jus for dipping
- Layer cheese on bottom half of roll
- Add warm roast beef on top
- Top with other half of roll
Equipment For french dip sandwich
- Large skillet for warming beef
- Small saucepan for au jus
- Sharp knife for slicing
- Measuring spoons
- Small bowls for serving au jus
Storage Tips
Au Jus Storage:
- Cool completely before storing
- Keep in fridge up to 3 days
- Reheat gently on stovetop
- Add water if it gets too thick
Leftover Beef:
- Store separately from bread
- Wrap well in fridge 2-3 days
- Reheat gently with splash of au jus
- Don't overheat or it gets tough
Assembly Tips:
- Never store assembled sandwiches
- Keep components separate
- Toast bread fresh each time
- Warm everything before building
Smart Swaps For French Dip Sandwich
Bread Options:
- French rolls → Hoagie buns
- Regular → Gluten-free rolls
- Fresh → Day-old
Meat Choices:
- Deli roast beef → Leftover pot roast
- Pricey cuts → Budget roast beef
- Regular → Turkey for lighter option
Cheese Swaps:
- Provolone → Swiss cheese
- Regular → Sharp cheddar
- Dairy → Vegan cheese slices
Au Jus Alternatives:
- Regular → Low-sodium version
- Beef broth → Vegetable broth
- Store-bought → Homemade stock
French Dip Sandwich Variations
French Onion Style:
- Add caramelized onions
- Use Gruyere cheese
- Extra herbs in au jus
- Splash of white wine
Spicy Kick:
- Horseradish mayo spread
- Pepper jack cheese
- Dash of hot sauce in au jus
- Pickled jalapeños
Italian Style:
- Add roasted peppers
- Use mozzarella cheese
- Italian seasoning in broth
- Fresh basil leaves
BBQ Twist:
- Mix BBQ sauce with au jus
- Add crispy onions
- Sharp cheddar cheese
- Smoky paprika
Why This French Dip Sandwich Works
From testing this french dip sandwich dozens of times, I've figured out what makes the difference between a good sandwich and one that actually tastes like something. The key is in the au jus - most people just heat up broth and call it done, but that tastes like nothing. Adding those seasonings and letting it simmer for a bit creates depth that goes well with the beef instead of just being warm liquid. You want that dipping sauce to have some character, not just be salty water.
The other thing that matters is not overcooking the roast beef when you warm it up. Too many people blast it with high heat and wonder why their meat gets chewy. Gentle warming with a splash of that seasoned au jus keeps everything tender and adds flavor instead of drying it out. Emma's friends always ask what makes ours different from what they get at restaurants, and honestly, it's just taking the time to do these small steps right.
Top Tip
- The secret to this french dip sandwich recipe is browning a little butter in your skillet before warming the roast beef. My brother taught me this trick - let a tablespoon of butter get golden in the pan first, then add your beef. It creates this rich, nutty flavor that soaks into the meat and makes the whole sandwich taste more complex.Most people skip this step and wonder why their sandwich tastes flat.
- That little bit of browned butter makes all the difference between a decent sandwich and one that actually has depth of flavor. Plus, it helps keep the beef from sticking to the pan while it warms up, so you get better texture too.The timing matters here - you want the butter to smell nutty but not burnt. It takes about two minutes over medium heat, and you'll know it's ready when it stops foaming and starts turning golden brown.
The Flavor My Best Friend Never Told Me About
My best friend makes the most incredible french dip sandwich I've ever had, and for years she kept dodging my questions about what made hers so much better than mine. Every time I asked, she'd just smile and say "it's nothing special." Finally, after Emma begged her to teach me during one of our weekend get-togethers, she revealed her secret ingredient that changes everything.
She adds a splash of soy sauce to her au jus. I know it sounds weird for a french dip sandwich, but that little bit of umami makes the broth taste so much richer and meatier. She learned it from her grandmother who used to work in restaurant kitchens back in the day. "Just a teaspoon," she said, "any more and it tastes like Asian food instead of french dip."Now I add it to mine every time, and suddenly everyone started asking what made my au jus so much better.
FAQ
What goes on a French dip sandwich?
Classic French dip sandwiches include thinly sliced roast beef, cheese (usually provolone or Swiss), and a toasted French roll or hoagie bun. Some people add caramelized onions, horseradish mayo, or roasted peppers. The key is keeping it simple so the beef and au jus flavors come through.
What is the best cut of meat for French dip?
Deli roast beef works great for quick prep. If cooking from scratch, chuck roast or bottom round roast give good flavor and tenderness when slow-cooked. Leftover pot roast also works well - just shred it instead of slicing for better texture in the sandwich.
What cheese goes best with French dip?
Provolone and Swiss are the most popular choices because they melt well and don't overpower the beef flavor. Sharp cheddar works too if you like stronger cheese taste. Avoid soft cheeses that get too gooey when melted - they make the sandwich messy to eat.
What is an American French dip sandwich?
The American French dip was actually invented in Los Angeles in the early 1900s, despite the "French" name. It's roast beef on a crusty roll served with au jus for dipping. The sandwich has no connection to French cuisine - it's purely an American creation that became popular nationwide.
Time to Make Your Best French Dip Yet!
Now you have all the techniques for making the french dip sandwich that beats any restaurant version - from proper au jus seasoning to my best friend's secret soy sauce trick. This simple sandwich shows that sometimes the most basic recipes need the most attention to get right.
Want more dinner favorites? Try our Best Teriyaki Chicken Recipe that's sweet, savory, and ready in 30 minutes. Need a side dish that everyone loves? Our Healthy Sweet Potato Casserole works for both weeknight dinners and holidays. Craving more sandwich inspiration? Our Easy Chicken Shawarma Recipe brings those Mediterranean flavors right to your kitchen!
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Pairing
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French Dip Sandwich
Equipment
- 1 Small Saucepan (For simmering the au jus)
- 1 Large skillet (For warming roast beef)
- 1 Sharp knife (For slicing rolls and cheese)
- 1 Measuring spoons (For seasonings)
- 2 Small bowls (For serving individual au jus dips)
Ingredients
- 200 g Thinly sliced roast beef - Preferably deli‐style or leftover pot roast
- 2 French rolls or hoagie buns - Split lengthwise
- 2 slices Provolone or Swiss cheese
- 1 tablespoon Butter - For toasting rolls
- 2 cups Beef broth or stock - Low-sodium if preferred
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- — to taste Salt & pepper
- 2 Bay leaves - Optional for extra depth
Instructions
- Gather roast beef, French rolls, cheese, broth, and seasonings
- Combine broth and seasonings in a saucepan and simmer until deeply flavorful
- Butter roll halves and toast in skillet until golden brown and crisp
- Brown butter then gently heat roast beef slices with a splash of au jus
- Layer cheese and warm beef on toasted rolls and serve alongside au jus
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