These Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches are easy to toss together and taste fantastic! Tender, juicy meat and toasty-cheesy bread form a mouthwatering combination that will have your family and friends coming back for more … and more!

I love a good Instant Pot or slow cooker recipe because that means limited prep work and maximum ease, and this recipe for Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches is no exception.

Simple, easy-to-follow steps yield fantastically tasty results, and I guarantee this recipe will make it into your most-loved repertoire.

But the best part about this French Dip Sandwich recipe is the au jus — the richly beefy liquid gold at the bottom of your instant pot. If you’ve never enjoyed dipping a toasty, cheesy, beefy sandwich into some delicious au jus, then you MUST try this recipe.

What is a French Dip Sandwich?

If you’ve never had a French Dip Sandwich, first of all: I’m sorry. Second of all, we’ve got all you need to know about these tasty morsels, their origins, and how to make them yourself! Also known as a “beef dip” sandwich, it is thinly sliced or shredded beef served on a French Roll or Baguette.

Typically French Dip Sandwiches are served on toasted bread topped with cheese, and with a side of dipping sauce, or au jus (meaning “with juice”) made from the meat’s cooking juices.

Where did the French Dip Sandwich come from?

The original French Dip recipe hails from a faraway land known as … California. Surprise! French Dip Sandwiches are not at all French. It appears the term “French” is in reference to the bread, not the sandwich’s origins.

The exact origins are debated between two California restaurants — both claim the ORIGINAL French Dip Sandwich. Unfortunately, there’s not enough information or evidence to definitively answer which restaurant can claim to be the actual inventor. We do know it was invented in the early 1900’s in Los Angeles, and that it quickly grew in popularity!

What is the best meat for French Dip sandwiches?

French Dip Sandwiches are traditionally made with beef. Most recipes call for a chuck or rump roast; this recipe uses chuck roast. Other cuts of beef can also work, but for cooking in the Instant Pot or slow cooker, a chuck or rump roast will work and shred the best.

Does a French dip sandwich have cheese?

Only the best ones! I submit there are few things better than a toasted baguette covered in melted cheese and dipped in beef broth. This Instant Pot French Dip recipe calls for provolone cheese, though swiss, muenster, or whatever your cheese preference would also work!

How to make an Instant Pot French Dip:

It’s so easy to make French Dip Instant Pot sandwiches, and once you’ve tried this recipe you’ll keep coming back for more! You really can’t beat the simplicity of the recipe and the quality of the flavors.

For these Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches you’ll need the following ingredients:

Olive oil – for searing the beef
Chuck roast – cut in half and rubbed with salt and pepper. Don’t remove the fat! It adds lots of rich flavor to your au jus.
Onions – including sliced onions in your French Dip sandwiches will add a ton of flavor both to the juices and the meat.
Minced garlic – another ingredient that amps the flavor and yumminess of this recipe.
Beef broth – cooking the beef in liquid keeps it tender and flavorful.
French onion soup – adds so much flavor to your meat and delicious dipping juices!
Beef Bone Broth Concentrate – this is optional, but does add flavor and nutrients.
Soy sauce – the savory, deep flavors of soy sauce will add a lot of depth to your au jus.
Worcestershire sauce – again, this great blend of rich flavors is going to amp up the juices you dip your sandwiches in.
Rosemary, thyme, and bay leaves – this tasty blend of herbs will give your French dip sandwiches and au jus a fresh and delicious flavor. I can almost smell it now!
French Bread, Hoagie rolls or sandwich buns – I’ve also used fresh bolillo rolls from the bakery, or small baguettes.
Provolone cheese – I can also recommend swiss cheese, though my kids don’t prefer the swiss over provolone. For some extra depth of flavor, try a smoked provolone!
Butter and garlic paste – this is optional, but we especially like our French dip sandwiches on toasted garlic buns!

How do you make Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches?

Sear the Meat. To lock in as much flavor when cooking, you’ll want to first sear your meat. This is not required, but does add quite a bit of flavor to your recipe.
Sauté. No one likes crunchy onions. French Dip Sandwiches have a hearty onion flavor and sautéing those onions will add so much extra flavor!
Cook. Now’s the time to toss in all your ingredients into your Instant Pot. Once you’ve got everything inside, it’s time to cook it!
Shred & Assemble. Once your meat is cooked through, shred your beef. You’ll want to strain out small cups of juice to dip your sandwich in. Then scoop out large portions of shredded beef and place them in a toasty bun with cheese and eat! Don’t forget to dip!

Pro tip: If you’re preparing these in a slow cooker, follow the same instructions using a pan on the stovetop, then combine everything in the slow cooker and cook 3-4 hours at high heat or 5-6 hours on low.

What to serve with French Dip Sandwiches?

Most importantly, remember to serve your sandwiches with a dipping bowl of cooking juices. There’s no better way to eat your French Dip Sandwich than au jus! Try one of these Easy Side Dishes when eating your sandwiches!

I’m sure you’ll enjoy these Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches as much as we did! They truly are easy to make, and pack so much flavor and deliciousness into this one-pot meal. These are a great, easy dinner for a family gathering or large dinner group — definitely a crowd pleaser!

Yield: 10 Servings

Instant Pot French Dip

Name: Instant Pot French Dip
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 55 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Yield: 10
Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon olive oil; 3 pound chuck roast; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 medium yellow onions, sliced; 2 Tablespoons minced garlic; 1 (14.5 ounce) can beef broth; 1 (10.5 ounce) can french onion soup; 1 Tablespoon Beef Bone Broth Concentrate - optional; 1 Tablespoon soy sauce; 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary; 1/8 teaspoon dried thyme; 2 bay leaves; 8 Italian sandwich buns or Hoagie Buns; 8 - 10 slices of Provolone cheese; Garlic Butter - optional

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour 55 minutes

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 pound chuck roast
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 medium yellow onions, sliced
2 Tablespoons minced garlic
1 (14.5 ounce) can beef broth
1 (10.5 ounce) can french onion soup
1 Tablespoon Beef Bone Broth Concentrate - optional
1 Tablespoon soy sauce
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
2 bay leaves
8 Italian sandwich buns or Hoagie Buns
8 - 10 slices of Provolone cheese
Garlic Butter - optional

Instructions

Set Instant Pot to Sautee Setting and add olive oil.
Salt and pepper your chuck roast on both sides. Do not remove fat, as it will add a ton of flavor and you can remove it after cooking.
Once Instant Pot is nice and hot, add your chuck roast and sear for 2 minutes on each side and edges to seal in those delicious flavors. This step is NOT required, but does add a lot of flavor.
Once roast is seared on each side, remove from Instant Pot and set aside.
While still on Sautee setting, add onions and cook for 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Don't worry about cooking onions down completely as they will cook down later. This step is optional but adds a lot of flavor.
Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute with onions. This step is optional but does add flavor.
Remove onions and garlic and set aside.
Add beef broth to Instant pot and scrape up the stuck on bits on the bottom of your Instant Pot. This will add flavor.
Press Cancel button on Instant Pot to turn off Sauté setting.
Add chuck roast to Instant Pot.
Add onions and garlic to Instant Pot.
Add French onion soup, beef bone broth concentrate, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, dried rosemary, dried thyme, and bay leaves to instant pot.
Place lid onto Instant Pot and lock. Turn steam valve to closed position.
Press Pressure Button to High pressure.
Press Manual button and adjust timer to 60 minutes.
Once timer goes off, do not touch instant pot. Let pressure release naturally for 25 minutes. Do not flip the switch.
After 25 minutes, you can flip the switch and open your instant pot.
Remove beef, shred and remove fat bits.
While shredding beef, set instant pot to simmer and cook juices and onions down for 10 minutes. Then turn off your Instant Pot.
Place shredded beef onto your hoagie or sandwich bun, add provolone cheese and enjoy!
We like to eat ours on toasted garlic butter buns. To do this, simply slice your buns open. Blend with a spoon - 1/4 cup softened butter and 2 teaspoons garlic paste. Spread this mixture on buns and broil for 1 minute or less (watch as these will burn quickly if you aren't paying attention). Serve immediately.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 978Total Fat: 62gSaturated Fat: 25gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 33gCholesterol: 193mgSodium: 2151mgCarbohydrates: 39gFiber: 3gSugar: 6gProtein: 66g