Indulge in the ultimate comfort food with our Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches! This recipe delivers incredibly tender, flavorful shredded beef, topped with melted provolone cheese and served on a toasted bun with a rich, savory au jus for dipping. Forget the slow cooker – our Instant Pot method is quicker and locks in maximum flavor, promising rave reviews from your family and guests.
Transform a simple meal into an extraordinary dining experience with this sensational Instant Pot French Dip Sandwich Recipe. The magic of the Instant Pot lies in its ability to tenderize a chuck roast to perfection while infusing it with deep, savory flavors that truly set this dish apart. Prepare yourself for an outpouring of compliments and requests for seconds!
Why This Instant Pot French Dip Recipe is a Must-Try
When it comes to crafting the perfect French Dip sandwich, the Instant Pot is an absolute game-changer. Here’s why this recipe will become a cherished favorite in your kitchen:
- Unmatched Flavor & Tenderness: Unlike traditional slow cooker methods that can sometimes result in diluted flavors, the Instant Pot’s sealed environment intensely concentrates all the aromatic goodness. This ensures every strand of beef is infused with a rich, deep flavor, making it superior to any slow-cooker Italian beef sandwich you might have tried. The pressure cooking process also breaks down tougher cuts like chuck roast, resulting in unbelievably tender, melt-in-your-mouth shredded beef.
- Speed and Efficiency: While the slow cooker demands hours of patient waiting, the Instant Pot drastically cuts down cooking time without compromising on quality. You can achieve fall-apart tender beef in a fraction of the time, making this an ideal meal for busy weeknights or when unexpected cravings strike.
- No Mystery Ingredients: Say goodbye to processed soup packets and artificial flavors. This recipe relies on wholesome, fresh ingredients and simple pantry staples to create a broth so delicious, you’ll want to savor every drop. You’re in complete control of the flavors, ensuring a truly authentic and homemade taste.
- A Family Favorite: Who can resist a warm, toasted bun piled high with savory shredded beef, topped with gooey melted provolone cheese, and served with a side of irresistible au jus for dipping? This sandwich is a universally loved comfort food that’s guaranteed to be a huge hit with both kids and adults. It’s the perfect centerpiece for a cozy family dinner or a casual gathering with friends.
Essential Ingredients for a Perfect French Dip
Crafting an exceptional Instant Pot French Dip begins with selecting the right ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial:
- Chuck Roast: This is the star of your French Dip. Opt for a 3-pound chuck roast, cut into a few large chunks for easier searing. Chuck roast is renowned for its rich marbling and connective tissue, which, under pressure, transforms into succulent, tender beef. Avoid leaner cuts, as they won’t achieve the same melt-in-your-mouth texture and deep flavor. You may trim any excessively large pieces of fat before cooking, but some fat is essential for moisture and taste.
- Aromatics & Seasonings:
- Kitchen Staples: Kosher Salt, Freshly Ground Black Pepper, and Olive Oil for seasoning and searing the beef.
- Garlic Powder: Provides a foundational aromatic flavor. Use garlic powder, not garlic salt, to control the sodium levels. If you only have garlic salt, remember to reduce the amount of kosher salt accordingly.
- Yellow Onion: Cut into wedges, a yellow onion offers a slightly sweeter and mellower flavor compared to white onions, complementing the beef beautifully.
- Soy Sauce & Worcestershire Sauce: These are your secret weapons for amplifying the umami (savory) depth of the broth. They add a complex, rich savoriness that elevates the overall flavor profile without dominating it.
- Herbs: Fresh Bay Leaf, Fresh Rosemary, and Fresh Thyme are vital for an aromatic and fragrant broth. These herbs impart a classic, earthy essence that is synonymous with traditional French Dip. If fresh herbs aren’t available, you can use dried herbs, but reduce the quantity (typically 1 teaspoon of dried herbs for every tablespoon of fresh).
- Beef Broth: Approximately 2 cups of quality beef or beef bone broth will form the base of your rich au jus. Choose a low-sodium option to better control the seasoning of your final dish.
- Buns: The vessel for your glorious sandwich! Hot Dog buns or Lobster Roll buns are ideal. Lobster roll buns, with their vertical slice, are particularly well-suited for filling with shredded meat and cheese, making for a cleaner eating experience. Hot dog buns, cut horizontally, are a perfectly viable and common alternative. Toasting them is highly recommended for added texture and to prevent sogginess.
- Provolone Cheese: A mild, semi-hard Italian cheese that melts beautifully. Its creamy texture and delicate flavor perfectly complement the savory beef, adding a desirable gooey element to your sandwich. Other great melty cheeses like Swiss or Monterey Jack can also work if preferred.
The Art of the Au Jus and Sandwich Assembly
The “au jus” is undeniably the soul of a French Dip sandwich. It’s the flavorful juice extracted from the slow cooking of the meat, essential for dipping and enhancing every bite. Here’s how to ensure your au jus is perfect and how to assemble your sandwiches for optimal enjoyment:
- Prepare the Flavorful Broth: The first step to a truly authentic French Dip is to cook your beef in a rich, aromatic broth. This not only tenderizes the meat, making it incredibly easy to shred, but also creates the foundation for your savory au jus. The Instant Pot excels at concentrating these flavors.
- Separate the Au Jus: Once the beef is cooked and removed, carefully pour all the remaining cooking liquid into a fat separator. This clever tool allows the liquidized fat rendered from the beef to rise to the top, making it easy to pour off the pure, flavorful, defatted au jus from the bottom. This ensures a clean, rich dipping sauce without any greasy residue. Reheat the au jus gently just before serving to ensure it’s piping hot for dipping.
- Toast Your Buns: For the best texture and to prevent the buns from becoming soggy too quickly, lightly toast them. You can do this under a broiler for a minute or two (watch carefully!), in a toaster oven, or even briefly on a griddle. A warm, slightly crisp bun adds a wonderful contrast to the tender beef.
- Create a Cheese Barrier: This is a crucial step for maintaining the integrity of your sandwich. Line the inside of your toasted bun with slices of provolone cheese. As the cheese melts, it forms a delicious, protective barrier that helps prevent the hot, juicy beef and au jus from making the bun soggy, allowing you to enjoy every bite without structural collapse.
- Fill with Tender Beef: Generously pile the delicious, hot shredded beef into the cheese-lined bun. Ensure an even distribution for a satisfying mouthful with every bite.
- Serve with Au Jus: Place your magnificent beef dip sandwich on a plate, ideally with a small bowl or ramekin of the reserved au jus for dipping. Some prefer to drizzle the au jus directly over the meat before serving, while others enjoy the interactive experience of dipping each bite. Either way, the au jus is indispensable for that authentic French Dip experience.
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Pot French Dip
The secret to incredibly tender beef lies in using a chuck roast. This cut of beef is rich in fat and connective tissue, which, when cooked under high pressure in an Instant Pot, breaks down beautifully. The pressure cooking environment accelerates this tenderizing process, ensuring the meat remains moist, succulent, and falls apart easily for shredding. The Instant Pot’s sealed design also helps retain moisture, further contributing to the beef’s tender texture.
Flavor building starts even before cooking. First, generously season the chuck roast with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, then sear it thoroughly in the Instant Pot. Searing creates the Maillard reaction – a chemical process between amino acids and reducing sugars that produces a rich, complex flavor and a beautiful brown crust. Seasoning before cooking allows the flavors to penetrate the meat more effectively. Additionally, sautéing onions and adding aromatic fresh herbs like rosemary and thyme, along with umami-rich soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, significantly enhance the depth of flavor in the cooking liquid. The Instant Pot’s airtight seal is crucial here, as it prevents flavor loss through evaporation, concentrating all those wonderful tastes into the beef and the au jus.
Adding the provolone cheese directly onto the toasted bun before piling on the hot shredded beef serves a practical and delicious purpose. As the cheese melts, it creates a protective, gooey layer that acts as a barrier. This barrier prevents the hot, juicy beef and the subsequent au jus from immediately saturating and making your bun soggy. It helps maintain the bun’s integrity and texture, ensuring a more enjoyable eating experience.
“Au jus” is a French culinary term that translates literally to “with juice.” In the context of French Dip, it refers to the natural juices and flavorful liquid that render from the meat as it cooks. This rich, savory broth is typically served alongside the sandwich for dipping, making it an indispensable component of the classic French Dip experience.
Absolutely! The shredded beef and au jus can be prepared a day or two in advance. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, gently reheat the beef and au jus on the stovetop or in the microwave until warmed through. Then, toast your buns, add the cheese, and assemble as usual. This makes it a fantastic meal prep option for busy weeks!
French Dip sandwiches pair wonderfully with a variety of classic sides. Consider serving them with crispy french fries, a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, potato chips, a creamy coleslaw, or even some roasted vegetables. For a heartier meal, a cup of tomato soup or a side of macaroni and cheese would be excellent complements.
More Irresistible Sandwich and Beef Recipes You’ll Love:
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and flavor of Instant Pot French Dip, you’ll be thrilled to explore more delicious sandwich and beef recipes perfect for any occasion:
- Slow Cooker Italian Beef Sandwiches from Mom on Timeout – Another classic shredded beef sandwich, great for different flavor profiles.
- Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe from She Wears Many Hats – A delightful sweet and savory experience.
- Plus, this French Dip Crescent Ring looks terrific, too – A creative twist on the French Dip concept!
- Ciabatta Cubano Sandwich – A vibrant, flavorful pressed sandwich.
- Brie, Jam and Salami Sandwich – An unexpectedly delicious gourmet sandwich.
- Instant Pot Baby Back Ribs – For another incredible Instant Pot beef experience.
- More of my Best Beef Recipes – A collection of top-rated beef dishes for every taste.
Do you own an Instant Pot? We’d love to hear about your favorite recipes in the comments below! Share your recommendations and inspire fellow home cooks.
Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches
10 minutes
1 hour 10 minutes
1 hour 20 minutes
8 servings
A quicker and more flavorful version of the classic shredded beef sandwich, prepared in an Instant Pot for ultimate tenderness and served with a rich au jus.
Ingredients
- 3-pound chuck roast, cut into a few chunks for easier browning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large yellow onion, cut into wedges
- ¼ cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups beef or beef bone broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 2-3 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme
- 8 hot dog or lobster roll buns
- 16 slices Provolone cheese
Instructions
- Season the chuck roast pieces generously with kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.
- Turn on your Instant Pot and select the “Sauté” function. Add a tablespoon of olive oil to the pot. Once hot, carefully add the seasoned chuck roast pieces.
- Allow the beef to brown deeply on one side for 3-5 minutes, then flip and sear the other sides until a rich crust forms. Remove the browned beef to a platter.
- Add the onion wedges to the Instant Pot (add more olive oil if needed). Sauté the onions, stirring occasionally, until they are softened and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
- Turn off the “Sauté” function on the Instant Pot. Add the soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce, then use a wooden spoon to scrape the bottom of the pot, loosening any browned bits (this is called deglazing and adds immense flavor).
- Return the browned beef to the pot. Pour in the beef broth and add the bay leaf, fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme sprigs.
- Secure the lid on the Instant Pot and ensure the sealing vent is closed. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” function, set it to “High” pressure, and cook for 60 minutes.
- Once the cooking cycle is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for at least 15-20 minutes. After natural release, carefully quick-release any remaining pressure.
- Remove the tender chuck roast from the pot. When cool enough to handle, shred the beef using two forks, discarding any large pieces of fat.
- Pour the remaining cooking juices from the Instant Pot into a fat separator. Allow the fat to rise to the top, then pour the flavorful, defatted au jus into a separate bowl or serving pitcher. Reheat the au jus gently before serving.
- When ready to assemble, lightly toast the hot dog or lobster roll buns under a broiler for 1-2 minutes (watch carefully to prevent burning).
- Layer two slices of Provolone cheese inside each toasted bun, creating a barrier. Pile a generous amount of the warm shredded beef on top of the cheese.
- Serve immediately with the warm au jus on the side for dipping, or drizzle the au jus directly over the meat in the sandwich, as desired. Enjoy your delicious Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches!
Notes
This recipe has been adapted from various slow cooker French dip sandwich recipes, optimized for the speed and flavor enhancement of the Instant Pot.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- OXO Cutting Board
- OXO Fat Separator
- 8 quart Instant Pot
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
8
Serving Size:
1
Amount Per Serving (Estimate):
Calories: 1210Total Fat: 83gSaturated Fat: 36gTrans Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 40gCholesterol: 330mgSodium: 1852mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 101g
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. To obtain the most accurate representation, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.
HOW MUCH DID YOU LOVE THIS RECIPE?
Stay connected and share your culinary creations with us! You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Don’t forget to tag us when you try one of our recipes! And if you loved the results, please consider leaving a 5-star rating in the recipe card above or a comment on the blog. Your feedback helps us grow and inspires other home cooks!