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This easy French Dips recipe is a classic and just the thing after a long day when you want something good to eat but don’t feel like cooking.
You Can Never Go Wrong With This Classic Sandwich
These hearty, crusty, flavorful sandwiches are a hit in my family, so I thought I’d offer up the recipe to you, too! Warm, crusty bread. Tender roast beef piled high. Gooey cheese melting into every nook. And that rich and most delicious au jus sauce is just waiting on the side for dipping.
If y’all tuned in for my French onion soup, you are probably starting to see that I love this little packet of au jus gravy mix! It’s quickly becoming one of my favorite shortcuts to add a depth of flavor to any dish.
It’s truly one of those flavors I can taste every time I think about it!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Italian bread with a thick crust
- Butter, room temp
- Au jus gravy mix
- Onion powder
- Herb and garlic powder
- Worcestershire sauce
- Deli roast beef
- Sliced provolone cheese
Helpful Tips Before You Start
- Don’t overstuff the bread. Leaving space between fillings makes these easier to pull apart and helps the cheese melt evenly.
- Wrap tightly in foil. This keeps the bread from drying out while everything warms through.
- Use beef broth if you want extra flavor. Swapping water for beef broth when making the au jus sauce gives it a deeper, richer taste.
- Serve right away. French Dips are best hot, when the cheese is melty, and the au jus is warm.
How to Make Oven-Baked French Dips
Step 1: Prep the Butter Mixture
In a small bowl, stir together the softened butter, a tablespoon of the au jus mix, garlic and herb seasoning, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth and well combined.
Step 2: Slice the Bread
Place one loaf on a foil-lined baking sheet. Using a sharp knife, cut ¾-inch slices almost all the way through, but stop before you hit the bottom so the loaf stays intact. This works best on a sturdy cutting board.
Step 3: Butter and Fill
Spread the butter mixture between the slices, getting it down into the cracks. Tuck folded roast beef and half slices of provolone cheese into every other cut. This keeps the sandwiches from getting overcrowded.
Step 4: Wrap and Bake
Spread more butter over the top of the loaf, then wrap it tightly in foil. Repeat with the second loaf. Bake at 400°F for 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the bread is crisp.
Step 5: Make the Au Jus
While the sandwiches bake, whisk the remaining au jus mix with water or beef broth in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low heat and simmer until slightly thickened.
Step 6: Serve and Dip
Unwrap, pull apart, and serve warm with plenty of au jus for dipping!
What to Serve with French Dips
These sandwiches pair perfectly with Parmesan Oven Fries, potato chips, or a simple Mustard Slaw. They’re also great alongside caramelized onions, a side of sliced onions, or even leftover au jus spooned over roasted vegetables.
Storage & Leftovers
Leftovers can be wrapped tightly and stored in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven for best results. While they’re still good the next day, French dips are at their absolute best fresh from the oven!
Frequently Asked Questions
A crusty roll is key. Italian bread, crusty French rolls, or a French baguette all work well. You want something sturdy that won’t fall apart when dipped into the au jus sauce.
Absolutely! Provolone cheese is classic, but Swiss cheese is another popular choice for a French dip sandwich recipe. Either melts beautifully and pairs well with flavorful beef.
Yes, and it’s a great upgrade! Using beef broth instead of water gives the au jus a richer flavor.
Wrap the loaves tightly in foil while baking and serve the au jus on the side for dipping. This keeps the bread golden brown and crisp.
Ingredients
- 2 loaves of Italian bread with a thick crust
- 1 stick butter at room temp or 1/2 cup
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- ¾ tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp herb and garlic powder You can also use a little garlic powder and your favorite dried herb
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 lb deli roast beef
- 1 packet sliced provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- In a small bowl, place the butter, 1 tablespoon of au jus mix, garlic and herb mix, Worcestershire sauce, and onion powder. Stir until well combined.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Set a loaf of bread in the center and cut it into 3/4-inch slices nearly all the way down the length of the loaf. But don’t cut all the way through to the bottom, just close. Using a small spatula or butter knife, divide about 1/4 of your butter mixture evenly between each cut of the bread.
- Place a folded piece of roast beef and 1/2 a piece of provolone cheese between every other cut of the bread. Make sure you don’t stuff every space so you can make pull-apart sandwiches.
- Spread another ¼ of the butter mixture onto the top of the bread and fold up the aluminum foil to enclose it completely. Repeat with the other loaf of bread.
- Once both loaves are securely wrapped, place them in the oven on a baking sheet for about 10-15 minutes or until the cheese is thoroughly melted and the crust is crispy.
- While the sandwiches are in the oven, combine the rest of the au jus gravy mix with 2 cups of water or beef stock in a small saucepan and stir. Bring to a boil, stirring often, and then bring it down to a simmer to thicken a bit until the bread is done.
- Serve your herb French dip sandwiches with a bit of the au jus gravy for dipping and enjoy this hearty and flavorful supper!
