Happy New Year! Our 20 Home Cooked Meals in January Challenge has been a big hit, and now’s a perfect time to share another easy recipe. If you unwrapped a pressure cooker for the holidays, this French dip is for you — it’s simple, safe, and delicious. No pressure cooker? No problem: you can make it in a slow cooker with a little extra planning.
Tender roast beef piled on toasted French rolls with melted provolone and dipped in hot au jus — it’s hard to beat. The meat stays juicy and shreddable when cooked in a pressure cooker or a slow cooker.
Ingredients
- Beef roast (see suggested cuts below)
- Olive oil
- Yellow onion
- 2 packets Lipton onion soup mix
- Worcestershire sauce
- Beef broth
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder
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Can This Be Made in the Slow Cooker?
Yes. If using a slow cooker, sear the roast in a cast-iron or heavy pan first, then transfer it to the slow cooker. Deglaze the pan with a splash of vinegar or a little broth and add those flavorful browned bits to the slow cooker too. Cook on low until the meat is fork-tender.
What Roast to Look for at the Grocery Store
All of these cuts work well for shredding in a pressure cooker or slow cooker:
- Eye of round
- Rump roast
- Chuck roast
Step-by-Step
I prefer the Instant Pot because you can sear the roast right in the inner pot, which keeps cleanup to a minimum. Be sure to sear and then deglaze the pot before pressure cooking; skipping deglazing can trigger a burn error on some models.
After deglazing, return the roast to the pot and add the remaining ingredients, or transfer everything to a slow cooker. Pressure cook on high for 50 minutes, then allow a natural release for 20–30 minutes. For slow cooker, cook on low for 6–8 hours (or 8–10 hours total if you prefer very tender shredding).
Instant Pot Recommendation
The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 8-quart is a great size for families and works well for this recipe. The 8-quart model accommodates a larger roast comfortably.
What Bread To Use
Fresh French rolls are ideal. Slice and broil them with provolone on low for about 3 minutes until the cheese melts and the bread is lightly toasted. Bakery rolls or a good French baguette both pair nicely with this roast.
I don’t include full sandwich macros because bread and cheese choices vary. In MyFitnessPal, search “Stay Fit Mom Roast Beef” and “Stay Fit Mom Au Jus” to log the roast and the dipping sauce separately. Enjoy!
French Dip Sandwiches {Instant Pot or Slow Cooker}
Equipment
- Instant Pot (or pressure cooker)
- Slow cooker (optional)
Ingredients
- 3 lbs eye of round beef (or similar roast)
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion (about 200 g), chopped
- 2 packets Lipton onion soup mix
- 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 32 oz beef broth
- Salt, pepper, and garlic powder to taste
Instructions
- Slice or trim the roast as needed and season generously with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Let rest 15 minutes.
- Set the pressure cooker to Sauté. When hot, add oil and sear the meat 2–4 minutes per side until browned. Remove the roast and set aside.
- Add chopped onion to the pot and cook until translucent.
- Pour in beef broth, onion soup mix, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
- Return the roast to the pot, submerging it in the liquid.
- Cook on high pressure for 50 minutes, then allow natural release for 20–30 minutes.
- Shred the meat and serve on toasted French rolls with provolone. Use the cooking liquid as Au Jus for dipping.
- Slow cooker option: After searing and sautéing onions on the stove, transfer everything to a slow cooker and cook on low for 8–10 hours, or until the roast shreds easily.
Notes
Search “Stay Fit Mom Roast Beef” and “Stay Fit Mom Au Jus” in MyFitnessPal to log the roast and the dipping sauce. Au Jus macros per 100 g: approx. 1.1 g protein, 4.8 g carbs, 0.6 g fat.
Nutrition
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