Our French Dip is a labor of love, slow-cooked to perfection and now available for you to enjoy whenever you please with a mouthwatering Au Jus dip. Whether you're a mom, dad, or a culinary explorer this recipe is your culinary lifesaver.
Hello, dear friends and fellow foodie parents! Are you in search of a culinary superhero that can rescue you from the chaos of busy weeknights? Allow me to introduce you to the magic of our French Dip with Au Jus Freezer Meal!
Imagine savoring tender, thinly sliced roast beef cradled in a soft French baguette, then dipping each mouthwatering bite into a flavorful au jus sauce. It’s a taste sensation that’s both indulgent and oh-so-easy, making it a fantastic addition to your collection of make-ahead meals.
As a mom who’s been there, I know how precious time can be. From the busy school nights, chauffeuring around the state, to those days of being a counselor because the kids cannot seem to get along, your time and mental strength sometimes are just worn thin.
That’s why I’m excited to share this freezer-friendly French Dip recipe. It’s your ticket to a homemade, hearty dinner without the hassle, perfect for those nights when you need a break from the kitchen.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the simple steps of preparing these delightful sandwiches, and even suggest creative ways to serve this family-friendly favorite. Let’s take dinnertime stress off your plate, one delicious French Dip at a time!
Why you’ll Love this Make-Ahead French Dip with Au Jus Recipe
Tender, Flavorful Meat
A dipping sauce you cannot get enough of.
Crusty French Bread
Customizable
Simplicity and Comfort Food
Minimal Prep
French Dip with Au Jus Freezer Meal Recipe
Our French Dip is a labor of love, slow-cooked to perfection and now available for you to enjoy whenever you please with a mouthwatering Au Jus dip. Whether you're a mom, dad, or a culinary explorer this recipe is your culinary lifesaver.
Prepare a gallon freezer bag, labeling according to your preferred method.
Add all ingredients, except for serving, to labeled gallon freezer bag.
Seal bag, removing as much air as possible, and freeze for up to three months.
Slow Cooker Directons:
Thaw freezer bag in fridge 12-24 hours before cooking.
Dump contents of gallon freezer bag into slow cooker.
Cook on low 8-10 hours.
Remove beef, shred and serve on ciabatta rolls with Au Jus sauce on the side for dipping. (Au Jus sauce is the liquid beef cooked in leftover in the slow cooker after cooking.)
Serve and enjoy!
Instant Pot Directions
Dump the contents of the freezer bag into the Instant Pot, add 1/2 cup water.
Set to High Pressure for 60 minutes, then allow a 10-minute natural release followed by a quick release.
Remove beef, shred and serve on ciabatta rolls with Au Jus sauce on the side for dipping. (Au Jus sauce is the liquid beef cooked in leftover in the slow cooker after cooking.)
Beef Chuck Roast Alternative: Instead of beef chuck roast, you can use other cuts of beef, such as bottom round roast or sirloin roast. These cuts can also become tender and flavorful when slow-cooked and are suitable for French Dip sandwiches.
Herb Variations: While the recipe calls for dried rosemary and celery seed, you can substitute or add other herbs to change the flavor profile. For example, you can use thyme, oregano, or marjoram for a different herbal note that complements the beef.
Broth Options: Experiment with different types of broth for your au jus. While water works perfectly fine, you can also use beef broth, vegetable broth, or chicken broth based on your preference. Each type of broth will impart a slightly different flavor to the au jus.
Additions:
Caramelized Onions: Enhance the flavor of your au jus by adding caramelized onions. Sauté thinly sliced onions in a bit of oil or butter until they turn golden brown and sweet. Mix them into the au jus for a richer, more complex flavor.
Red Wine: For a luxurious twist, consider adding a splash of red wine to the au jus. The wine adds depth and complexity to the sauce. Be sure to let it simmer for a bit to allow the alcohol to cook off.
Fresh Garlic: While the recipe includes garlic powder, using fresh garlic cloves minced or sliced thinly can provide a more pronounced garlic flavor. You can add it to the slow cooker with the other ingredients for an aromatic boost.
These substitutions and additions offer flexibility and opportunities to customize your French Dip with Au Jus to suit your taste preferences and create unique variations of this classic sandwich.
How to Reheat and Store French Dip with Au Jus after cooking?
Best way to Store the Best French Dip sauce leftover?
One of the most important things to remember when getting ready to store your leftovers is to allow the cooked French Dip to cool completely to room temperature. This helps prevent condensation inside the storage container.
Choose right right airtight containers that are suitable for storage. You can use individual serving containers or larger containers if you’re storing multiple servings. If possible, separate the au jus ( the dipping sauce) from the beef and bread. Storing them separately can help prevent the bread from becoming soggy.
Label each container with the contents and the date of preparation, proper labeling helps you keep track of the storage time. Place the sealed containers/bags in the fridge or freezer.
How long with French Dip with Au Jus leftovers last in the fridge?
With proper cooling and storage containers being used, your French Dip should remain fresh in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. Always make sure that you perform sniff tests when going to reheat your leftovers to make sure that your recipe has not spoiled during its stay in the fridge.
Can I freeze Slow Cooker French Dip with Au Jus?
Absolutely, yes you can freeze French Dip! Prepare to freeze your leftovers as if you were placing them in the fridge. Allow your leftovers to cool completely. Separate your leftovers into meal sized portions, for easier reheating. When you freeze your leftovers, they should maintain freshness for 2-3 months.
If you are looking to make this into a raw freezer meal, simply add all the ingredients into a gallon sized freezer bag, remove as much air as possible from the bag. Seal, and freeze for 3-6 months. Make sure to label your bag, so you are not left with a surprise in a few months 🙂
How to Reheat Homemade French Dip Sandwiches?
If you are reheating from a frozen state, allow your French Dip to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before you plan to use it. Once it is thawed completely, there are different ways to reheat your leftovers. You can reheat on the stovetop or in a microwave.
When reheating on the stovetop, pour the Au Jus into a saucepan and heat it over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally until it’s warmed through. If it’s too thick, you can add a bit of water or broth to thin it out. Meanwhile, warm the beef slices in a separate skillet over medium heat, flipping until heated through. You can also warm the bread in the skillet to regain its crispness.
When you’re wanting to use the microwave, simply put your sandwich together, put a safe wrap or lid on top of the sandwich, and heat in 30 second intervals until you have reached a temperature you are good with. Always check to make sure your meat is cooked through.
Classic French Dip with Au Jus FAQs
What is an interesting fact about French Dip Sandwiches?
An intriguing fact about French Dip sandwiches is that their origin is still a subject of debate. There are two popular stories about their creation, one involving a french restaurant wonder in Los Angeles and the other attributing to a different Los Angeles eatery. Regardless of their exact origin, French dips have become a beloved classic in American cuisines throughout the country.
How did the French Dip get its name?
The French Dip sandwich got its name from the practice of dipping bread into a flavorful au jus ( juices) created during the roasting or cooking of the protein, the beef. The sandwiches name reflects this iconic dipping aspect that sets it apart from other sandwiches. The bread, generally consisted of French bread, used as the sandwich exterior.
Is there another name for French Dip?
There are a few other names that you may hear when talking about a French Dip Sandwich. Another name for a French Dip sandwich is simply “Beef Dip” or “ Dip Sandwich”
What does a French Dip consist of?
A French Dip consists of thinly sliced roast beef piled onto a crusty french baguette or roll. The sandwich is typically served with an au jus, allowing diners to dip each bite into the flavorful broth.
The Au Jus is the juices leftover from the cooking on the beef, and it gives the sandwich a flavorful punch.
Where did the French Dip Sandwich originate from?
The origin of the French Dip sandwich is often attributed to Los Angeles. The story is that there were two rival restaurants claiming its invention in the early 20th century. Philippe’s and Cole’s, both located in LA, each have their own version to the story, making the exact origin somewhat of a mystery to foodies.
Did the French invent French Dip with Au Jus?
No, despite its name, the French Dip sandwich is not believed to have originated in France. It is more closet associated with the culinary history of Los Angeles, United States.
Different variations of French Dip in France?
Although the French Dip did not originate in France, there are version of the sandwich throughout the globe.
In France, there is a similar sandwich called “pain bagnat” or “dipped bread,” which involves dipping a bread roll in a flavorful liquid or sauce. However, it is not identical to the American French Dip in terms of ingredients and preparation.
Best techniques for making French Dip with Au Jus?
The best techniques for making a French Dip with Au jus involve slow-cooking a quality cut of beef, seasoning it well, and preparing a rich au jus sauce.
Achieving the desired level of tenderness and flavor in the beef is key, and proper seasoning and serving techniques ensure an excellent French Dip experience.
Variations to make a French Dip healthier?
To make a French Dip healthier, consider using lean cuts of beef, opting for a whole-grain bread, and reducing the sodium in the Au Jus.
Also, you can add vegetables or use a low sodium broth to reduce the overall salt content while still enjoying the classic flavors of this beloved sandwich.
This turned out wonderfully and was so easy to throw together! My husband loved it too and I will definitely be adding this into our rotation of dinners that I regularly make. Thanks for a great meal! 😀
As a full time working mom of four, I know how hard it is to find time (or energy) to cook. That’s why I’ve spent over a decade perfecting freezer meal recipes to make sure they’re not only quick to prepare but packed with flavors the whole family will love!
Amanda says:
What would be the timing for an instant pot? Thanks!!! Looks delicious!!!
Hannah Stewart says:
60 minutes on high pressure with 10 min natural release
Chris says:
Looking forward to making this soon!
Hannah Stewart says:
Let me know your thoughts!
Rachel says:
This turned out wonderfully and was so easy to throw together! My husband loved it too and I will definitely be adding this into our rotation of dinners that I regularly make. Thanks for a great meal! 😀
Hannah Stewart says:
Thank you so much! I am so glad you liked it. 🙂