Easy French Dip Sandwiches are a weeknight favorite—deli roast beef, melty cheese, and toasty buttered buns. What more could you want?!
AUTHOR NOTE
My Ultimate Weeknight Dinner!
French Dip Sandwiches are my favorite hot sandwich. They’re so good! I’ve even created fun variations like French Dip Sliders and Foil Pack French Dip Sandwiches.
I’ve shared my favorite Crockpot French Dip Sandwich before, but it takes longer since the meat slow cooks for hours. So, here’s my quick and easy version. My mom made these all the time — they were one of her go-to meals that the whole family loved!
When I’m short on time or forget to set the meat in the slow cooker, this is my go-to recipe. These sandwiches are unbelievably good; I can’t wait to hear what you think!
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Swap Or Tip |
|---|---|
| Deli roast beef | Ask the deli counter for the rarest roast beef they have. It will warm in the au jus and under the broiler, so starting rare helps keep it tender. |
| Beef consommé | This gives the au jus a rich beef flavor without needing homemade stock or pan drippings. |
| Yellow onion and garlic | Dice the onion small so it softens quickly. Jarred minced garlic works great for keeping this recipe extra easy. |
| Swiss or provolone cheese | Melts nicely and tastes great with beef. Use your favorite! |
| White sub rolls | Fresh bakery rolls are best. Look for rolls that are soft inside but sturdy enough to hold up when dipped in the au jus. |
How To Make Easy French Dip Sandwiches
- Preheat: Set oven to high broil.
- Toast Buns: Slice buns, butter insides, sprinkle with garlic powder, and broil.
- Cook Onions: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil and butter until golden and tender.
- Make Sauce: Stir in flour, then gradually add beef consommé. Simmer with thyme.
- Add Beef: Coat roast beef in the sauce. Place beef on buns, top with cheese.
- Melt Cheese: Broil until cheese melts (1-3 minutes). Serve with sauce for dipping.
What To Serve Alongside French Dip Sandwiches
- French Fries: Classic crispy fries are perfect for dipping in any leftover au jus. I buy frozen French Fries and pop them in my air fryer!
- Coleslaw: Fresh and crunchy coleslaw adds a nice contrast to the warm sandwich.
- Potato Chips: The perfect companion to really any sandwich!
- Pickles: Adds a nice tangy flavor to complement the richness of the sandwich. I love Grillo’s pickle spears!
- Garden Salad: A light side to balance out the meal. I also love this Creamy Cucumber Salad on the side.
chelsea’s recipe tips
My Top Tips For Success
- Fresh Ingredients: Good-quality roast beef makes a big difference. Ask for rare roast beef at the deli to keep it tender when heated.
- Small Onion Pieces: Dice onions very small so they cook evenly and get tender quickly.
- Soft Butter: Use butter that has sat at room temp for easy spreading on buns.
- Watch the Broiler: Keep an eye on the buns while broiling to avoid burning.
- Smooth Sauce: Stir flour well to keep the sauce smooth.
Storage
- Eat Hot: Sandwiches taste best when eaten right away to avoid getting soggy.
- Refrigerate: Store beef and sauce in separate containers for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Warm beef and sauce in a skillet on low heat. Toast buns and melt cheese before putting the sandwich together.
More Easy Sandwich Recipes:
Easy French Dip Sandwiches
French Dip Sandwiches are a weeknight favorite! Toasty, buttery buns, melty cheese, and tender deli roast beef—easy, delicious, and ready in no time.
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided
- 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 10 ounces (1 can) beef consommé
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 pound deli roast beef see note 1
- 4 slices Swiss cheese or provolone
- 4 white sub rolls see note 2
- Garlic powder to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to high broil and position the rack in the center. Slice the buns in half and place them on a sheet pan.
- Spread softened butter on the insides of the rolls and sprinkle with garlic powder. Broil until lightly toasted (30–60 seconds). Remove the top buns and set them aside, keeping the bottom buns on the sheet pan.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and 1 tablespoon butter. Once butter is melted, add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 5–7 minutes until golden, reducing the heat if necessary to prevent burning.
- Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually pour in beef consommé while whisking constantly. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low and simmer. Mix in the thyme and remove from heat.
- Add the deli roast beef to the au jus sauce, stirring to coat the beef in the sauce. Using tongs, pull the beef from the liquid and portion equal amounts onto the toasted buns.
- Cut the cheese slices in half and place them on top of the meat. Broil for 1–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and press on the top bun.
- Pour the remaining liquid into small bowls and serve alongside the hot sandwiches for dipping.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: For the best sandwiches, ask for the rarest roast beef from the deli counter to ensure it stays tender and doesn’t overcook during broiling.
Note 2: The fresher and better the sub bread rolls, the better the sandwiches!
Storage: Store beef and sauce in separate containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Assembled sandwiches taste best when eaten right away to avoid getting soggy.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 554kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 30g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Cholesterol: 76mg | Sodium: 759mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 555IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 210mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was so easy and delicious! Next time I may use more consommé so that I have more au jus for dipping. My kids loved the recipe as well. This is a winner I will make on repeat. Thank you.
Ahh this makes me so happy to hear! I love hearing that it was easy and a hit with the kids too! More consommé for extra au jus sounds like a great call, especially if your family loves dipping. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment.
Just finished having this very very good and a lot easier to make.Ibought beef that was seasoned well and it was delicious. Will definitely Blake it again.Helga
So thrilled to hear this! Thanks Helga!
I forgot to give it a 5-star rating with my previous comment. Definitely worth more stars tho!
I’m so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Amber!
Fantastic combination of flavor. Easy family pleaser.
Incredible!! Minimal effort for maximum result! This will definitely become one of our regulars! I served it with garlic steak fries!
I love to hear this! Thanks Jamie Long!
So yummy! My husband and I both loved it. I wanted a French dip with sliced beef instead of a roast and this nailed it!
So thrilled to hear this! Thanks Cassie!
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe! DELICIOUS!!!!!
Yay! So happy to hear this! Thanks Mary!