Do you ever crave a dinner that’s kinda fancy but secretly low-fuss? Yep, Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches swoop in like a savory superhero. Picture this: you’ve had a wild day (what day isn’t lately?), you’re starving, the kids are circling—they want something delicious. You need dinner quick, but oh boy, you want it to taste like a five-star restaurant. That’s exactly why I love this recipe. Juicy beef, melty cheese, crusty bread, all dunked in that unbelievable au jus—gets me every time. And the best part, you toss it in the Instant Pot, and dinner almost makes itself.
Whats the Best Cut of Meat for Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches?
Not all beef is made for snuggly, juicy, dip-and-shred vibes. For the most mouthwatering Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches, I always go straight for chuck roast. Honestly, nothing compares. It’s got just the right amount of marbling. When you cook it in the Instant Pot, that extra fat softens things up, and gives you beef that shreds apart beautifully. I’ve tried bottom round once because it was on sale, and—eh, it’s ok in a pinch. But chuck roast still wins hands down.
Now, some folks swear by rump roast. I did try that in the Instant Pot once, and I gotta admit, the meat came out less juicy than I wanted. Not terrible, just a little past its prime, like me at an early morning workout. If you want a flavor punch, some recipes toss in a bit of brisket. It’ll work, but expect a longer cook time if you go that route. My personal motto for these sandwiches: don’t overthink it. Chuck roast, that’s the golden ticket.
I served these Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches at our last game night—my friends basically wiped out the whole platter in fifteen minutes! The beef fell apart, and everyone kept dunking their sandwiches like it’s the last supper.
How to Make French Dip Sandwiches (Step-By-Step)
First step, grab your Instant Pot and chuck roast. Season the beef with a mix of salt, pepper, and—ditch this at your own risk—garlic powder. Brown it right in the pot using the sauté setting. (If you skip, you lose flavor. Trust me, I’ve been impatient and always regret it.)
Once browned, pull out your roast for a sec and pour in beef broth. Scrape up the tasty browned bits with a wooden spoon. Pop the roast back in, add sliced onions, a dash of Worcestershire sauce, and maybe a splash of soy sauce if you want the flavor deeper.
Seal it up. Set the Instant Pot for about 60 minutes on high pressure. Natural release or quick release—it depends on how famished you are. Take out the beef, shred it (two forks do the trick), then strain the broth into a bowl for your delicious dipping au jus.
Pile the shredded beef onto crusty rolls (I’m partial to hoagie rolls), top off with provolone cheese, and hit ’em under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Out pops pure sandwich magic. Dunk away.
Recipe Tips
One thing I’ve learned—don’t skimp on the bread. A sad soggy roll ruins the moment. Buy sturdy French-style rolls or baguettes. Not too hard but not those cottony soft ones, either.
The onions can be optional, but I beg you, give them a shot. They add so much sweet-savory goodness. If you’re a garlic fiend, tuck sliced garlic cloves in with the meat. Also, don’t be afraid to let the beef bathe in that au jus a little before you assemble.
I always say, make extra. These Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches are even better the next day. Toss leftovers in the fridge, and you’ll be thanking yourself at lunch.
Substitutions for This French Dip Recipe
Here comes the honest truth—this recipe is forgiving. Ran out of chuck roast? Use eye of round, top round, or even stew beef in a pinch. Flavor’s a little different but still plenty tasty.
Don’t have beef broth? Chicken broth will do, though it won’t be as robust. For cheese, provolone is classic, but mozzarella, Swiss, or even cheddar sneak in just fine if that’s what’s in your fridge. Wheat rolls, white buns, gluten-free bread—anything goes.
No Instant Pot? Just slow cook your beef in a crockpot for eight hours. You’ll survive, I promise.
Expert Tips & Tricks
Let’s get down to the best bits—serving! Here are my favorite quick ideas:
- Toast the rolls for a couple of minutes under the broiler. Textural heaven.
- Add a spoonful of horseradish sauce if you like a spicy kick.
- Serve chips or a simple green salad alongside for an easy complete meal.
Also, don’t toss the leftover au jus—freeze it for soup or dipping sandwiches later on. Play around with herbs like thyme or rosemary if you want more fancy flavor. The more you make these, the more you’ll find little ways to tweak the recipe for your crew.
Common Questions
Q: Do I need to brown the beef first?
A: Short answer—no, but do it. Browning adds serious flavor. You’ll taste the difference.
Q: Can I make these Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches ahead?
A: Absolutely! The beef gets even juicier after a night in the fridge. Just reheat and serve.
Q: What’s the best cheese for this?
A: Classic provolone is my go-to. But hey—Swiss or mozzarella works if that’s more your style.
Q: How do I keep my sandwiches from getting soggy?
A: Toast the bread and pile on warm beef right before serving. No early assembly, or you’ll get mush.
Q: Can I freeze leftovers?
A: The shredded beef freezes well! Just keep the au jus separate.
Let’s Get Dippin’ – Easy Dinner Magic
So, there you have it—my loyal Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches recipe to the rescue. If you’ve read this far, you’re hungry for something cozy, satisfying, and way less effort than people expect. Every time I make these, they vanish (literally, my picky eaters gobble them up). If you want a little inspiration, I loved the tweaks in this recipe from One Happy Housewife or check out how No. 2 Pencil breaks it down in their Instant Pot French Dip Sandwich Recipe. Try it—swear, you’ll feel like a dinner hero.
Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 3 lbs chuck roast Chuck roast is preferred for its marbling and flavor.
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder Optional, but recommended for flavor.
- 2 cups beef broth You can use chicken broth as a substitute.
- 1 medium onion, sliced Adds sweet-savory flavor.
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce Optional for enhanced flavor.
For Assembly
- 6 rolls hoagie rolls Sturdy French-style rolls are best.
- 6 slices provolone cheese You can substitute with mozzarella, Swiss, or cheddar.
Instructions
Preparation
- Season the chuck roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Use the sauté function on the Instant Pot to brown the beef on all sides.
- Remove the roast from the pot and pour in the beef broth, scraping up the browned bits.
- Return the roast to the pot, add sliced onions, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce.
- Seal the Instant Pot and set it for 60 minutes on high pressure.
After Cooking
- Once cooking is complete, shred the beef with two forks.
- Strain the broth into a bowl to make the au jus.
- Fill the toasted rolls with shredded beef and top with provolone cheese.
- Place sandwiches under the broiler for a couple of minutes until cheese is melted.
