French Dip Sandwiches (Instant Pot or Crock-Pot)
There’s something about a pot of beef slowly simmering in rich broth that just feels like home. This Homestead French Dip Sandwich recipe is made completely from scratch using homemade beef broth and our Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix—no store-bought packets, no shortcuts, just deep, comforting flavor.
Whether you’re feeding hungry farm hands, hosting family, or craving a cozy winter meal, this from-scratch French Dip recipe delivers tender beef, savory au jus, and that classic homestead comfort we all love.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Made completely from scratch
- Uses real pantry ingredients
- No store-bought onion soup packets
- Tender, flavorful beef every time
- Easy Instant Pot or Crock Pot methods
- Perfect for cold weather, gatherings, or freezer meals
Equipment Needed
- Instant Pot or Crockpot
Ingredients for From-Scratch French Dip
- 3–4 lb beef roast (chuck roast works best)
- 2 tbsp olive oil or beef tallow
- 2 tbsp Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix (packet of French onion soup mix)
- 3–4 cups homemade beef broth (enough to mostly cover the roast)
- 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Hoagie buns or crusty sandwich rolls
- Provolone, Swiss or mozzarella cheese (optional)
Homestead Tip:
Homemade beef broth adds unmatched depth to the au jus—this is where cooking from scratch really shines.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Homestead French Dip Sandwiches
Instant Pot French Dip (Quick & Tender)
- This method gives you slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add oil or tallow.
- Lightly season the beef roast with salt and pepper.
- Sear the roast on all sides until deeply browned, then turn off the sauté.
- Remove the roast from the pot and place it in a medium bowl or on a roasting pan.
- Pour in some of the beef broth and scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add the remaining beef broth, the Worcestershire sauce, the onion soup mix, and garlic powder.
- Add the roast back to the Instant Pot.
- Lock the lid and cook on High Pressure for 70 minutes.
- Allow a 15–20-minute natural release, then vent the remaining pressure.
- Remove the roast and shred with forks, or cut into thin slices.
- Turn the Instant Pot back to Sauté and simmer the au jus for 5–10 minutes to concentrate flavor.
- Return shredded beef to the pot and keep warm until serving.
CrockPot French Dip (Low & Slow)
- The classic homestead way—simple, hands-off, and full of flavor.
- Heat oil in a skillet and sear the roast on all sides for a couple of minutes.
- Remove the roast from the hot skillet and place it in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the beef with onion soup mix and garlic powder.
- Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cover and cook:
- Low: 8–10 hours
- High: 5–6 hours
- Shred the juicy beef directly into the crockpot.
- Let the beef rest in the broth for 15–20 minutes before serving.
Dutch Oven French Dip (Low & Slow)
- The classic homestead way—simple, hands-off, and full of flavor.
- Heat oil in a Dutch oven and sear the roast on all sides for a couple of minutes.
- Remove the roast from the hot skillet and place it in the crockpot.
- Combine beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, onion soup mix and garlic powder.
- Pour beef broth mixture over roast.
- Cook the beef in a covered Dutch oven at 300°F for 3–4 hours until fork-tender.
- Shred the juicy beef directly into the Dutch oven.
- Let the beef rest in the broth for 15–20 minutes before serving.
How to Serve French Dip Sandwiches
- Slice hoagie rolls or crusty rolls lengthwise.
- Pile high with shredded beef.
- Top with provolone, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese, if using.
- Put the sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with small bowls of hot au jus for dipping.
Serve alongside roasted potatoes, homemade French fries, or a simple green salad. And don’t forget the horseradish sauce.
Homestead Tips & Variations
- Add caramelized onions or mushrooms: Sauté and add for extra depth of flavor.
- Make ahead: French dip tastes even better the next day.
- Freezer-friendly: Freeze beef and au jus together for easy meals.
- Crowd-sized: Double the recipe for markets, gatherings, or busy farm days.
Storage, Freezing & Reheating
This French dip stores beautifully and is perfect for make-ahead meals.
- Refrigerator:
- Store leftover shredded beef in the au jus in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Keeping the meat submerged prevents it from drying out.
- Freezer:
- Allow beef and au jus to cool completely. Freeze together in freezer-safe containers or bags for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
- Reheating:
- Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat or in a slow cooker until warmed through. Add a splash of beef broth if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What cut of beef is best for French dip sandwiches?
Chuck roast is the best choice because it becomes incredibly tender and flavorful when slow-cooked. Bottom round or rump roast can also work, but may be slightly leaner.
2. Can I make French dip ahead of time?
Yes! French dip actually tastes better the next day. Make it 1–2 days ahead and store the beef in the au jus until ready to serve.
3. Do I have to sear the beef first?
While not required, searing adds rich flavor and depth to the au jus. For best results, don’t skip this step.
4. Can I make this without an Instant Pot or crock pot?
Absolutely. You can cook the beef covered in a Dutch oven at 300°F for 3–4 hours until fork-tender.
5. What bread works best for French dip sandwiches?
Hoagie rolls, French rolls, or crusty sourdough buns work best. You want bread sturdy enough to hold up when dipped.
Special Tools (affiliate links): Instant Pot | Crock-Pot |
This homestead-style French dip recipe is a perfect example of why I love cooking from scratch. A good cut of beef, homemade broth, and a simple onion soup mix create a comforting, nourishing meal that feels both practical and special.
If you haven’t made your own onion soup mix yet, it’s an easy pantry swap that elevates everyday meals like this one.
Warm, hearty, and made with intention—this is homestead cooking at its best.
Lechyd Da, (means “Cheers to Good Health” in Welsh)
French Dip Sandwiches (Instant Pot or Crock Pot)
Equipment
- Instant Pot or Crock-Pot
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs beef roast chuck roast works best
- 2 TBSP olive oil or beef tallow
- 2 TBSP Homemade Dry Onion Soup Mix packet of French onion soup mix
- 3-4 homemade beef broth enough to mostly cover the roast
- 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp garlic powder optional
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Hoagie buns or crusty sandwich rolls
- Provolone, Swiss or mozzarella cheese (optional)
Instructions
Instant Pot French Dip (Quick & Tender)
- This method gives you slow-cooked flavor in a fraction of the time.
- Set the Instant Pot to Sauté and add oil or tallow.
- Lightly season the beef roast with salt and pepper.
- Sear the roast on all sides until deeply browned, then turn off sauté.
- Remove the roast from the pot and place in a medium bowl or on roasting pan.
- Pour in some of the beef broth and scrap the browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Add remaining beef broth, the Worcestershire sauce., the onion soup mix and garlic powder.
- Add the roast back to the Instant Pot.
- Lock the lid and cook on High Pressure for 70 minutes.
- Allow a 15–20 minute natural release, then vent remaining pressure.
- Remove the roast and shred with forks, or cut into thin slices.
- Turn Instant Pot back to Sauté and simmer the au jus for 5–10 minutes to concentrate flavor.
- Return shredded beef to the pot and keep warm until serving.
Crock Pot French Dip (Low & Slow)
- The classic homestead way—simple, hands-off, and full of flavor.
- Heat oil in a skillet and sear the roast on all sides for a couple of minutes.
- Remove the roast from the hot skillet and place it in the crockpot.
- Sprinkle the beef with onion soup mix and garlic powder.
- Pour in beef broth and Worcestershire sauce.
- Cover and cook:
- Low: 8–10 hours
- High: 5–6 hours
- Shred the juicy beef directly into the crockpot.
- Let the beef rest in the broth for 15–20 minutes before serving.
How to Serve French Dip Sandwiches
- Slice hoagie rolls or crusty rolls lengthwise.
- Pile high with shredded beef.
- Top with provolone, mozzarella, or Swiss cheese, if using.
- Put the sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with small bowls of hot au jus for dipping.
- Serve alongside roasted potatoes, homemade French fries, or a simple green salad. And don’t forget the horseradish sauce.
