French Dip cooked in your slow cooker for the perfect savory roast beef!**This recipe will give you about 6-8 sandwiches, depending on how much meat you put in each sandwich.
1largeyellow onion, cut in half, and sliced thin (OPTIONAL)see notes
6 to 8Hoagie or Submarine Rolls/Buns
Provolone or Swiss Cheese, sliced (OPTIONAL)*or any cheese of your choice
**not included in nutrition calculations
butter, for spreading on the buns for serving (optional)
Instructions
In a large bowl, or in your slow cooker, add your cold water and gravy packets and whisk it together so there are no lumps. Pour the sauce into your slow cooker if you did not mix in your slow cooker.**Ignore the packet instructions for adding water!!! Follow this recipe! There will be extra sauce/liquid after cooking, you can use this extra au jus for dipping!
Add your roast beef to the slow cooker. Separate each slice of roast beef as you add it to the slow cooker so it will cook and heat evenly.**If you have a smaller slow cooker, it will look super full of meat. After adding all of the roast beef, press the meat in to the gravy mixture so it is mostly covered. The meat shrinks a bit and settles in the sauce as it cooks!
Add your sliced onion to the meat and gravy/sauce if you are adding onions. If adding peppers add them as well.**If you are adding mushrooms, wait and add them to the slow cooker the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
The meat just needs heated through and given time to soak up the savory flavor of the gravy and au jus. Cook the roast beef on low for 4-6 hours. (Mine never needs 6 hours and is always done after 4 hours or less). Or on high for 2-3 hours. Using tongs, gently stir the meat half way through cooking if you can. (Not super important but if you can, do it!)
When you are ready to eat, set your oven to BROIL at 450°. Slice your rolls in half. Spread some butter on each half of the roll and top with your cheese ( I always use at least 2 slices). Let the rolls broil for a few minutes until the cheese is melted to your liking. Watch them closely so they don't burn!**This is optional. You do not have to broil your buns in the oven to melt the cheese! You can just slice your buns, add the cheese and top it with the roast beef!
Once the cheese is melted, add the meat and onions (optional) to each sandwich. Get a small dish of the au jus sauce for dipping if desired!
This French Dip can be stored in an airtight container in your fridge for about 3 days and can be reheated in your microwave!
Notes
I buy pre-packaged roast beef sandwich meat from the refrigerated section at my grocery store. I can't always find it in a 2 lb. container. I usually have to buy 4 smaller containers (they are 7 ounces each) to get close to 2 pounds. I prefer Hillshire Farm Ultra Thin Roast Beef, but any brand will work. It doesn't have to be thin sliced- get what you prefer!You can also get fresh sliced roast beef from your deli counter.I love to add a yellow onion to my slow cooker and let it cook with the meat. This is optional. You can also add in peppers and mushrooms. If adding mushrooms add them in the last 5 minutes of cooking so they don't end up mushy!I prefer Swiss or Provolone cheese, but any cheese is great!You do not have to broil your buns in the oven to melt the cheese! You can just slice your buns, add the cheese and top it with the roast beef!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.