Easy French Dip Sandwiches are one of my go-to weeknight meals! Deli roast beef on toasty buttered buns with melty cheese — does it get any better than this?!

Easy and melty French Dip Sandwiches ready to be enjoyed.

Easy French Dip Sandwiches

French Dip Sandwiches are my favorite hot sandwich. They’re so good! I’ve even created fun variations like French Dip Sliders and Foil Pack French Dip Sandwiches.

I’ve shared my favorite Crockpot French Dip Sandwich before, but it takes longer since the meat slow cooks for hours. So, here’s my quick and easy version. My mom made these all the time — they were one of her go-to meals that the whole family loved!

When I’m short on time or forget to set the meat in the slow cooker, this is my go-to recipe. These sandwiches are unbelievably good; I can’t wait to hear what you think!

All the ingredients including buns, oil, flour, onions, roast beef, garlic, butter, cheese, seasonings, and consomme prepped out for easy assembly.

Ingredients

  • Olive oil: Adds flavor and helps cook the onions.
  • Butter: Half for toasting the buns, half for cooking the onions.
  • Yellow onion: Dice small for quick cooking and to blend well with the sauce.
  • Garlic: Jarred works great for this quick recipe.
  • Flour: Thickens the sauce a bit.
  • Beef consommé: Makes a tasty sauce for the beef and dipping.
  • Dried thyme: Adds a nice herb flavor.
  • Deli roast beef: Use good quality for the best flavor. Ask the deli for the rarest roast beef to avoid overcooking.
  • Swiss or provolone cheese: Melts nicely and tastes great with beef. Use your favorite!
  • White sub rolls: Soft and perfect for toasting. Get them from the bakery for a crusty outside and soft inside.
  • Garlic powder: Adds extra flavor to the buns.

The onions being sauteed with the garlic and the roast beef being added in for these French Dip Sandwiches.

How To Make Easy French Dip Sandwiches

  1. Preheat: Set oven to high broil.
  2. Toast Buns: Slice buns, butter insides, sprinkle with garlic powder, and broil until toasted.
  3. Cook Onions: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil and butter until golden and tender.
  4. Make Sauce: Stir in flour, then gradually add beef consommé. Simmer with thyme.
  5. Add Beef: Coat roast beef in the sauce.
  6. Assemble: Place beef on buns, top with cheese.
  7. Melt Cheese: Broil until cheese melts (1-3 minutes).
  8. Serve: Serve with sauce for dipping.

The buns being toasted and the roast beef and cheese being layered in.

What To Serve Alongside Easy French Dip Sandwiches

  • French Fries: Classic crispy fries are perfect for dipping in any leftover au jus. I buy frozen French Fries and pop them in my air fryer!
  • Coleslaw: Fresh and crunchy coleslaw adds a nice contrast to the warm sandwich.
  • Potato Chips: The perfect companion to really any sandwich!
  • Pickles: Adds a nice tangy flavor to complement the richness of the sandwich. I love Grillo’s pickle spears!
  • Garden Salad: A light side to balance out the meal. I also love this Creamy Cucumber Salad on the side.

A French dip sandwich fresh out of the oven ready to be enjoyed.

Recipe Tips

  • Fresh Ingredients: Good-quality roast beef makes a big difference. Ask for rare roast beef at the deli to keep it tender when heated.
  • Small Onion Pieces: Dice onions very small so they cook evenly and get tender quickly.
  • Soft Butter: Use butter that has sat at room temperature for at least an hour for easy spreading on the buns.
  • Watch the Broiler: Keep an eye on the buns while broiling to avoid burning.
  • Smooth Sauce: Stir flour well to keep the sauce smooth.
  • Serve Hot: These sandwiches taste best when served right away.

One of the sandwiches being dipped into the consommé.

Storage

Storage

  • Eat Hot: Sandwiches taste best when eaten right away to avoid getting soggy.
  • Refrigerate: Store beef and sauce in separate containers for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat: Warm beef and sauce in a skillet on low heat. Toast buns and melt cheese before putting the sandwich together.

More Easy Sandwich Recipes:

5 from 1 vote

Easy French Dip Sandwiches

Easy French Dip Sandwiches are one of my go-to weeknight meals! Deli roast beef on toasty buttered buns with melty cheese.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 sandwiches

Ingredients  

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, separated
  • 1 cup finely diced yellow onion
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 tablespoon white flour
  • 10 ounces (1 can) beef consommรฉ
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 pound deli roast beef Note 1
  • 4 slices Swiss or provolone
  • 4 white sub bakery bread rolls Note 2
  • Garlic powder, to taste

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to high broil and position the rack in the center. Slice the buns in half and place them on a sheet pan.
  • Spread softened butter on the insides of the rolls and sprinkle with garlic powder. Broil until lightly toasted (30-60 seconds). Remove the top buns and set them aside, keeping the bottom buns on the sheet pan.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Once the butter is melted, add the onion and garlic. Sautรฉ for 5-7 minutes until golden, reducing the heat if necessary to prevent burning.
  • Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute. Gradually pour in the beef consommรฉ while whisking constantly. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer. Mix in the thyme and remove from heat.
  • Add the deli roast beef to the au jus sauce, stirring to coat the beef in the sauce. Using tongs, pull the beef from the liquid and portion equal amounts onto the toasted buns.
  • Cut the cheese slices in half and place them on top of the meat. Broil for 1-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted. Remove from oven and press on the top bun.
  • Pour the remaining liquid into small bowls and serve alongside the hot sandwiches for dipping.

Video

Recipe Notes

Note 1: For the best sandwiches, ask for the rarest roast beef from the deli counter to ensure it stays tender and doesn't overcook during broiling.
Note 2: The fresher and better the sub bread rolls, the better these sandwiches!

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 465kcal

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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