Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Winter is the perfect time of year to get out the crock pot and make some simple one pot meals. If you are short on time, crock pot meals will come in handy when planning your weekly meals.

I like to make a list of my family's favorite crock pot meals and rotate through them during the winter months. Some of my family's favorite crock pot meals include crock pot beef stew, crock pot pulled pork chili, crock pot meat balls, crock pot sweet and sour chicken, and these easy french dip sandwiches.

My family loves french dip sandwiches. They go great with anything, and even most picky eaters will eat them. They are so easy to make, and if you have leftovers you can freeze them for another meal, so there is no waste! (I hate letting any food go to waste).

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil2 pounds chuck roast*1 medium onionSaltPepperGarlic powder

*Chuck roast can be a bit expensive, so watch for meat sales. If you want to use a less expensive cut of meat, try using sirloin instead.

Slice the onion into thin slices.

Sprinkle salt, pepper, and garlic powder all over the roast, turning the roast to make sure you coat all sides. Use your hands to rub the seasonings into the meat really well. You can't add too much seasoning to this recipe.

In a large pan or frying pan, sear the roast in vegetable oil or olive oil over medium heat until the roast is brown on all sides. Remove the meat from the pan and set it on a plate while you cook the onions.

Add the sliced onions to the pan and saute them until the onions are soft, adding a little more vegetable or olive oil if necessary.

Place the roast and onions in the crock pot and cook them on low for 6-8 hours. Remove the meat and onions from the crock pot and shred the meat with a fork.

Serve the shredded beef on sub style sandwich rolls with the sliced onions added on top and serve with this delicious, inexpensive homemade au jus mix. You can also add a slice of cheese such as provolone cheese, but adding cheese is optional.

If you have leftover beef, just place it in meal size portions into ziploc bags and freeze for later meals. The leftover beef can be frozen for 3-6 months.

If you like to make and freeze meals ahead of time, then cook two roasts (I have two crock pot because who doesn't need two crock pots!?). Then you will for sure have extra shredded beef to freeze for later meals.

French dip sandwiches are great with a salad like loaded baked potato salad and these baked beans that are better than Bush's baked beans. Coleslaw would also be a great side dish to serve with these sandwiches.

Give these french dip sandwiches a try and see if your family enjoys them as much as my family does.

Rachel Paxton has been sharing cooking, canning, gardening, and homemaking skills with the next generation for more than 20 years.