French Dip Sandwich – So quick & easy!

There are few things in the world as delicious as a French Dip Sandwich! A toasted loaf is filled with tenderly cooked beef sauteed with onions and seasoning. If that wasn’t enough flavor for you, the entire thing is then dunked into a rich, flavorful broth to soften it slightly before sinking your teeth in.

Sound fantastic? It is! But you may also enjoy some of my other favorite sandwiches like this Pepper and Goat Cheese Crustini, Crock Pot Pepper Chicken, or this delicious Juicy Chicken Burger with Feta.

Easy Instant Pot French Dip

The original French Dip Sandwich requires searing a chuck roast first and only then then cooking it for several hours until it’s soft and tender. It’s a delicious sandwich with lots of delicious beefy flavor and a beautiful au ju  to go with it.

And guess what? I’ve found a way to get all the same flavors, juiciness and deliciousness at a fraction of the time and effort. I’m about to let you in on my little secret tricks 😉

Here’re the two shortcuts that I’m taking to make it quicker and easier. First, I’m using a pre-sliced beef. Of course you can slice it yourself if you’re unable to find it pre-sliced beef, you’re welcome to do it yourself. Next, I’m using an Instant pot. Having the meat in very thin slices serves two purposes. It makes it cook very fast, and it keeps it tender even when it’s cooked fast. While your Instant Pot French dip is cooking away, you can be folding laundry, watching a show, or spending time with your family.

Making this recipe into an Instant Pot French dip not only gives you super tender meat, but it also gives you the most incredible au jus to dip your sandwich into.

How to Make the Best French Dip Recipe

There are several components that go into making a fantastic French dip recipe, and each one matters! What’s the point of making all this tender, juicy meat if in the end it’s slathered with subpar sauce and stuffed into a stale roll? Here’s how to take advantage of each ingredient and make the best French dip possible!

Which Bread to Use in a French Dip Recipe

There are several types of bread that would work well for a French dip recipe. You want something that is sturdy enough to handle the juicy meat and au jus it’s dipped into. If you choose something too soft, the entire sandwich will likely fall apart and create a soggy, inedible mess. Here are my picks for the best bread to use for a French dip:

• Baguette
• Hoagie Roll (make sure to glaze it with egg white to make it more durable” for all that au jus)
• Onion Roll
• Sub Sandwich Roll

Beef to Use in a French Dip Recipe

The other major component of this French dip recipe is the beef itself. Choosing the right beef will give you a 2 for 1 benefit. Firstly, you’ll have a much tastier sandwich. Secondly, you’ll likewise have a better au jus.

For a leaner version I recommend using top round beef sliced into strips for this French dip recipe. However, you can also use chuck roast or round roast if necessary.

How to Make a French Dip Sandwich

*For detailed recipe instructions see the recipe card bottom of the post.

• Caramelize two large onions in 3-4 tablespoons of oil over medium heat until golden in color, stirring often (~10 min). The caramelization is what packs the flavor, so don’t stop until they’re golden.
• Remove half of the onions to a bowl and set aside.
• Meanwhile, prepare and measure out the rest of the ingredients.
• Add the thinly sliced beef to the caramelized onions along with the rest of the ingredients into the pot (except for the caramelized onions that we set aside) and stir. Cover with the lid, close the valve to “seal” and pressure cook for 10 minutes on high. Then, turn off the pressure cooker and naturally release pressure for 15 minutes. Open the lid, stir and serve.

How to serve the French Dip Sandwich:

Make a U-slice on a hoagie roll, open it and toast it until lightly golden. Fill the sandwich with the tender beef, caramelized onions that we set aside, cheese (optional), and a side of au juice to dip the sandwich with, and ENJOY!

Scroll down for the print-friendly version of the recipe card with precise recipe. 

More Beef Recipes to Try:

• Mongolian Beef
• Steak Bites with Chimichurri Sauce
• Air Fryer Steak Tips
• Instant Pot Korean Beef and Rice

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French Dip Sandwich - So Quick and Easy!

5 from 8 votes

This French dip sandwich is so easy to make thanks to the Instant Pot! Here's step by step directions for building the best sandwich of your life!

Author: Marina | Let the Baking Begin

Course: Entree, Main Entree

Cuisine: American

Keyword: french dip sandwich

Calories: 701 kcal

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Servings: 4 6-inch sandwiches

Ingredients

• 2 large onions, sliced into half rings
• 3 to 4 tbsp oil
• 2 lbs top round beef - sliced into thin strips (chuck roast or rump roast will also work)
• 1 Tbsp Worstershire sauce
• 1 tsp fish sauce
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt (use less if using table salt)
• 1/2 tsp black ground pepper
• 1/2 to 1 cup beef broth
• 3 garlic cloves, pressed or minced
• 1/4 tsp dried rosemary

To serve

• 4 6-inch hoagie rolls
• 4 slices provolone cheese
• 4 tbsp butter (for toasting the hoagie rolls) *optional

Instructions

How to make the Best French Dip Sandwich

1. Caramelize 2 large onions over medium heat in 3-4 tablespoons of olive oil, stirring often until well caramelized and transluscent (~10 minutes). Remove 1/2 the onions to a bowl and set aside.

2. Add the rest of the ingredients into the Instant Pot, close the lid and set the valve to "seal". Pressure cook on "high" for 10 minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally for another 15 minutes. Open the lid, stir and serve on a buttered (optional), toasted hoagie roll with a slice of cheese and caramelized onions.

Recipe Notes

Best bread for the French Dip Sandwich:

• Hoagie roll, French Baguette, onion roll, sub sandwich roll. 

Nutrition Facts

French Dip Sandwich - So Quick and Easy!

Amount Per Serving

Calories 701 Calories from Fat 504

% Daily Value*

Fat 56g86%

Saturated Fat 18g113%

Cholesterol 161mg54%

Sodium 862mg37%

Potassium 752mg21%

Carbohydrates 7g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 40g80%

Vitamin C 5mg6%

Calcium 62mg6%

Iron 5mg28%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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