French Dip Sandwiches & Au Jus

My husband suggested we have french dip sandwiches for dinner this week, & I had to stop & think about, "When was the last time I actually had a french dip sandwich?"  I honestly couldn't really remember...elementary school?  Really?  It's not like I don't like them, I LOVE them, so why hadn't I made them before?  Well, enough with the questions.  I hopped on the french dip train & made them! And I am so glad I did!  This recipe is slow cooked, so the meat is amazingly tender & the au jus is rich & flavorful.  Will be making this again & again!

French Dip Sandwiches & Au Jus

Recipe altered from Baking Bites by: Amber (Dessert Now, Dinner Later!)

• 3 1/2 lbs Beef Chuck Roast
• 16oz beef broth (I did 2 cups of water with 2 tsp/2 cubes beef bouillon)
• 1-10.5oz can Condensed French Onion Soup
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 small red onion, julienne
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• French Rolls/Hoagies
• Sliced Provolone Cheese

1. Pour beef broth & soup into a crock pot.  Add garlic powder, onion, salt, & pepper.
2. Trim roast of most of the fat & add to crock pot.  Cut roast up to fit into crock pot, if you have a smaller one.  (I believe mine is a 4 qt & it was a tight squeeze.)
3. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low 6-8.  (I actually did high for 4 & then low for 3 & it was falling apart delicious!)
4. Strain the au jus into a separate pot with a mesh strainer.  If you have a gravy separator, use it to remove the oil film at the top.  If not, do what you can to get most of the oil off the top, unless you like it that way.  
5. Serve on fresh or toasted rolls with cheese if desired.  Dip into the fresh au jus & enjoy!

*You can season your roast with salt & pepper & sear it in a pan before slow cooking it for additional flavor.  

**If you end up with extra au jus after everyone has scarfed their delicious sandwiches, don't you dare get rid of it!  Pour the rest into an ice cube tray & save it!  Great for gravy or soup!

My husband suggested we have french dip sandwiches for dinner this week, & I had to stop & think about, "When was the last time I actually had a french dip sandwich?"  I honestly couldn't really remember...elementary school?  Really?  It's not like I don't like them, I LOVE them, so why hadn't I made them before?  Well, enough with the questions.  I hopped on the french dip train & made them! And I am so glad I did!  This recipe is slow cooked, so the meat is amazingly tender & the au jus is rich & flavorful.  Will be making this again & again!

French Dip Sandwiches & Au Jus

Recipe altered from Baking Bites by: Amber (Dessert Now, Dinner Later!)

• 3 1/2 lbs Beef Chuck Roast
• 16oz beef broth (I did 2 cups of water with 2 tsp/2 cubes beef bouillon)
• 1-10.5oz can Condensed French Onion Soup
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 small red onion, julienne
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• French Rolls/Hoagies
• Sliced Provolone Cheese

1. Pour beef broth & soup into a crock pot.  Add garlic powder, onion, salt, & pepper.
2. Trim roast of most of the fat & add to crock pot.  Cut roast up to fit into crock pot, if you have a smaller one.  (I believe mine is a 4 qt & it was a tight squeeze.)
3. Cook on high for 4-6 hours or low 6-8.  (I actually did high for 4 & then low for 3 & it was falling apart delicious!)
4. Strain the au jus into a separate pot with a mesh strainer.  If you have a gravy separator, use it to remove the oil film at the top.  If not, do what you can to get most of the oil off the top, unless you like it that way.  
5. Serve on fresh or toasted rolls with cheese if desired.  Dip into the fresh au jus & enjoy!

*You can season your roast with salt & pepper & sear it in a pan before slow cooking it for additional flavor.  

**If you end up with extra au jus after everyone has scarfed their delicious sandwiches, don't you dare get rid of it!  Pour the rest into an ice cube tray & save it!  Great for gravy or soup!