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Our family absolutely loves this crock pot French Dip recipe. French Dip was always one of my favorite meals to order in restaurants as a kid, and this one is just as good as any restaurant version.
We’ve included Crock pot and Instant Pot instructions with our recipe.
What is French Dip?
French dip is a sandwich made of sliced roast beef served on bread and eaten with au jus dipping sauce on the side.
French Dip is not actually French in origin but was created in Los Angeles, California in the United States. Click here to learn more about the origins of the French Dip Sandwich.
How Do I Make French Dip in the Slow Cooker?
To cook French Dip in the Crock Pot, start with a high-quality cut of beef such as beef shoulder, chuck roast, or rump roast.
Add seasonings and beef broth and cook on HIGH for 4-5 hours or LOW for 6-8 hours.
Tips for Making French Dip at Home
This is definitely a fix-it-and-forget-it type of meal, although it’s tough to forget it when mid-afternoon the whole house starts to smell absolutely amazing!
I’ve made a couple of different versions of crock pot French Dip, and I like that this one doesn’t have any packets of artificial ingredients.
- This easy slow cooker French Dip calls for sliced onions in the crock pot. When I have time, I also slice onions and mushrooms and sautรฉ them in a skillet with a little olive oil and butter to serve on top of the meat. Amazing flavors!
- Any cut of pot roast beef will work for this recipe, depending on how much you want to spend and how lean you want the meat. I get the biggest one I can afford and we eat the leftovers for lunches.
- When meat is done, remove it from the slow cooker and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes. This helps seal in juices and also helps it cool off enough to work with.
- Shred meat with 2 forks or slice. If slicing, an electric knife works best for getting thin, shaved slices of meat.
- For a keto or lower carb alternative, serve over cauliflower rice.
- For serving, you will need sandwich rolls and cheese slices. Our family is currently obsessed with these Pretzel slider buns. You can purchase pretzel slider buns at the grocery store or here is a recipe if you’d like to try making your own: Mel’s Kitchen Pretzel Rolls.
- For WW members, use a light hamburger bun for fewer points.
- We like Provolone cheese slices with this recipe, but mozzarella, cheddar, and American cheese also work.
- WW members, use Sargento Ultra Thin cheese slices for fewer points per slice.
Weight Watchers French Dip Recipe
This French Dip is a delicious WW dinner that feels like a decadent treat.
- We recommend serving the beef on a light hamburger bun.
- 1 slice ultra-thin Sargento Provolone cheese.
- Choose a leaner cut of beef such as beef shoulder roast or beef arm or blade roast with any visible fat removed.
Updated February 2023 for Weight Watchers Points.
Instant Pot French Dip Instructions
Instead of a slow cooker, this French Dip can be cooked in a pressure cooker using the following directions.
(About 2.5 hours)
- Turn Instant Pot to the “Saute” setting. Add 2 tsp olive oil and sautรฉ roast until brown on all sides, about 5-8 minutes.
- Turn off the sautรฉ button. Carefully scrape the bottom of the Instant Pot to remove any browned bits.
- Add remaining ingredients to the Instant pot. Lock the lid in place and be sure the vent is set to “sealing”.
- Click the “Meat/Stew” function and increase the time to 120 minutes. It will take a few minutes to come to pressure.
- After 2 hours when the pot beeps, allow it to naturally release (about 25 minutes).
- Carefully remove the lid and continue as the recipe indicates.
What to Serve with French Dip
Here are some great sides to serve with French Dip sandwiches.
- Potato chips
- Cole slaw (check out this low-calorie, low points WW coleslaw recipe)
- Potato salad
- Salad
- Steam fresh vegetables
- French fries
- Instant Pot Applesauce
Freezer Recipe French Dip
I’ve made this recipe for years as a freezer meal. Here’s what to do.
- Cook French dip according to the slow cooker or Instant Pot instructions.
- Remove meat and allow to cool. Slice or shred and bag. Add about 1/4 cup broth with the meat to keep it moist.
- Allow broth to cool, then place in a container or ziplock bag.
- Freeze meat and broth together.
- On serving day, reheat beef and broth on the stovetop for about 15 minutes or until hot throughout, or microwave for just a couple of minutes until hot. Serve on sandwich buns with cheese slices.
Family Favorite Slow Cooker French Dip Recipe
Create this delicious meal for your family and watch as it gets devoured.
Family Favorite French Dip
Equipment
- slow cooker
Ingredients
- 1 onion cut in half and sliced
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cans beef broth low sodium if possible
- 3 Tbsp Dijon Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- โ tsp salt
- 3 pounds beef shoulder roast chuck roast, or chuck arm pot roast
To Serve
- rolls
- cheese slices
Instructions
- Place onion in greased crock pot.
- Place roast on top of onion.
- Pour broth, mustard, sauces, and spices over roast.
- Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 6 to 8 hours.
- Remove the meat and shred.
- Keeping the juice, serve the meat on rolls (using onions if desired) with cheese.
- Serve au jus on the side in individual containers for dipping.
WW Information
WW Program 2025
The WW Zero Point Foods updated on December 10, 2024, which changes the point value of some recipes. Use the WW recipe analyzer feature to confirm points. -Sara
Click here for the FREE 3 Day Meal Plan featured in Woman’s World magazine.
Notes
Nutrition
The Points value of these recipes was calculated by this website and is provided for informational purposes only. This is not an endorsement, sponsorship or approval of this website or its recipes by WW International, Inc.
You can serve this on small slider rolls, over a salad or plain with a side of veggies for even lower points.
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We are not beef eaters. We tried to use chicken instead of beef in a crockpot BBQ recipe and didnโt like it. We then used a JennieO turkey loin and loved it! Have you tried the French Dip with. Turkey loin before and if so, how was the result? Thank you!