This French dip sandwich has got to be one of the best dishes I've ever tried in the slow cooker. It's really good and incredibly easy.
The beef is cooked for about 6 to 7 hours on low, then sliced and placed back into the slow cooker and kept warm. I think this step of keeping the sliced beef warm in the juices is key, as it really infuses the beef with the flavors of the au jus. I left mine in the slow cooker for about an hour, and was amazed with the flavor. The beef also is excellent warmed up the next day. It's ridiculously good.
French dip sandwiches originated in Los Angeles, and there is evidently a debate as to who invented them, Philippe's The Original, or Cole's Pacific and Electric Buffet. I think most Angelenos, myself included, think of the better known Philippe's. I remember my grandmother taking me there for lunch when we went shopping in downtown Los Angeles, and later my dad taking me there to lunch when visiting me in college (as well as Julie's Trojan Barrel, which is now closed). This restaurant, along with The Original Pantry, are wonderful places to visit for a sense of old working class Los Angeles.
I can't give myself any credit for the deliciousness of this slow cooker version of the French dip. I found it on the blog The Spiffy Cookie, my Secret Recipe Club assignment. Secret Recipe Club? Find out more about it here. It's a fun group of great food bloggers.
The Spiffy Cookie is a blog by Erin, who has her Ph.D in microbiology. Yup. She's really smart! Check out her About page, and you'll find out that she is pretty awesome. You must also check out her post, Steph's Virtual Bridal Shower, which includes Stuffed Flank Steak with Sun Dried Tomatoes, Goat Cheese, and Basil; Spinach Potato Cakes; and Amaretto Chocolate Mascarpone Cheesecake Bars. I plan to make them all.
I loved the sweet slow simmered onions in this recipe, as well as the au Jus, in which I liberally dipped my sandwich. I also baked my own baguettes. Because.
Get a recipe for my baguettes here or here.
One of the ingredients in the braise is Creole Mustard. I was able to find it in a small gourmet restaurant supply store. If you can't find it, spicy brown mustard will work just fine.
Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwich with Au Jus Recipe
Adapted from The Spiffy Cookie, adapted from The Brewer and the Baker
Ingredients
1 medium yellow onion
3/4 C beef stock/broth
1/4 C reduced sodium soy sauce
1/2 C water
1 T Worcestershire sauce
1 T Creole or spicy brown mustard
2 to 3 cloves garlic, peeled and roughly chopped
3 pound chuck roast
Salt and pepper
6 to 8 sandwich rolls, or three demi baguettes, sliced into three rolls each
6-8 slices aged Swiss cheese
Instructions
- Slice the onion into 1/4 inch thick round slices. Do not separate. Place the slices on the bottom of a slow cooker.
- Add the broth, soy sauce, water, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and garlic to the cooker.
- Salt and pepper the roast on all sides and lay it on top of the onions.
- Cook the meat on low for 6 to 7 hours.
- Transfer the beef to a cutting board and let sit for about 15 minutes while you prepare the au jus.
- Remove the onions from the pot and place them in a small bowl.
- Strain the liquid into a fat separating measuring cup and let the fat rise to the top. Alternatively, skim the fat off of the top.
- Thinly slice the roast and return it to the slow cooker and switch it to "warm." Add the onions and the liquid. Let sit for about an hour.
- To make the sandwiches, slice the rolls/baguettes in half, lengthwise, and place them on a baking sheet. Toast under a broiler, keeping a close eye, about 1 minute.
- Remove the pan from the oven, and remove the top halves of the rolls from the pan. Pile the beef and onions on the bottom halves of the rolls, top with the cheese, and broil until the cheese is melty. Top with the other half of the bread and serve with small bowls of the jus.
Happy Reveal Day! This recipe will be great for the up coming football season!
ReplyDeleteLynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
It would be wouldn't it!
DeleteMy slow cooker is one of my best friends in the kitchen. This slow cooker french dip is genius! Happy reveal day!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lynsey!
DeleteWow - that looks seriously good. I've never heard of French dip sandwiches before, but now I can't wait to try one. Extra kudos for making your own baguettes.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm kind of a breadhead!
DeleteI really think I need a slow cooker! A few years back RJ and I ate at The Pantry - I love a good old fashion diner (although now I'm thinking about pancakes ;D). Great SRC pick
ReplyDeleteHow cool that you've been there!
DeleteI love making french dip sandwiches in the slow cooker. Great SRC choice.
ReplyDeleteThanks Wendy!
DeleteSAVED to make on the next drizzly and wet day! It looks AMAZING! Karen
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it Karen!
DeleteI am all about making slow cooker meals in the summer. No oven needed. These look delicious. Great pick!
ReplyDeleteExactly! Thanks!
DeleteOne of my husband's favorite sandwiches! I love it too, so your choice is perfect with us! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMake it for him =)
DeleteOne of our favorite sandwiches, especially when made on a garlic hoagie roll! Great pick this month :)
ReplyDeleteOoooh! Garlic!
DeleteDrool.... that looks absolutely wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebekah!
DeleteI haven't had a French Dip in over 8 years, but I can still remember what it tasted like. Yours looks fantastic, I'll definitely need to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteIt had been a long time for me too!
DeleteI'm a sucker for a delicious beef dip. This looks like a delicious beef dip.
ReplyDeleteTrust me!
DeleteOh I love that you made this and chose to make your own homemade baguettes too! Thanks so much Karen!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog Erin! Love the story about who gets to clean up the kitchen too =)
DeleteOh man, I need to make this when it cools off and we get to be cozy watching football games!
ReplyDeleteTotal yum! Great Pick!!
Perfect for football season!
DeleteThis looks great! I love french dip sandwiches and this is a great use of the slow cooker. Pinned!
ReplyDeleteMmm, this looks and sounds SO good. My husband loves french dip sandwiches, but we've only bought them from delis - I've never tried making one at home. Must try this!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure he'd be very happy with this =)
DeleteI haven't had a french dip sandwich in so long...I need to try this! Love the fact that I can make it in the slow cooker!
ReplyDeleteThank Michelle. It smells sooo good when it's cooking too!
DeleteI love this. I always like meat and onion cook in slow cooker. The meat becomes tender and absorb all flavors from the sauce. Onion after long cook, also absorb sauces and taste sweet. :)
ReplyDeleteExactly!!
DeleteBeautiful photos! This looks absolutely delicious. My slow cooker is always collecting dust in the garage. I will definitely have to pull it out for this. I loved being assigned your blog this month! I have so many bread recipes pinned for fun days in the kitchen with my son.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Tara! I love that you make the Rgaif! You have sent some great traffic my way too. I love how you totally capture the spirit of SRC.
DeleteKaren, this looks like a recipe B.O.B. Bob would totally love! Thanks for sharing it on Crockpot Monday, I made sure to pin it to my Crockpot Monday Ideas page!!! Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck - Colleen
ReplyDeleteThanks Colleen!
Delete