Description
A savory and satisfying Ground Beef French Dip Sandwich recipe featuring tender, slow-simmered ground beef in flavorful au jus, served on toasted crusty rolls with melted provolone cheese. Perfect for an easy yet gourmet-style meal at home.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1.5 pounds ground beef (80/20 blend recommended for flavor)
Seasonings and Broth
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
- 4 cups beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 bay leaf
Bread and Cheese
- 6 crusty rolls (French rolls, hoagie rolls, or similar)
- 6 slices provolone cheese (or Swiss, if preferred)
- Optional: Butter, for toasting rolls
Instructions
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly caramelized, about 8-10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Brown the Ground Beef: Increase the heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef to the pot, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook, stirring frequently, until the beef is browned all over. Drain off any excess grease.
- Add Seasonings: Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute, allowing the herbs to release their fragrance.
- Add Broth and Simmer: Pour in the beef broth and scrape the bottom of the pot to loosen any browned bits (fond). Add the Worcestershire sauce and bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for at least 1 hour, or up to 2 hours.
- Strain Au Jus: After simmering, remove the bay leaf. Strain the au jus through a fine-mesh sieve into a separate bowl or container. Discard the solids (onions, garlic, and beef).
- Adjust Seasoning: Taste the au jus and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
- Shred the Beef: After straining the au jus, return the cooked ground beef to the pot. Using two forks, shred the beef into smaller pieces.
- Add Au Jus to Beef: Add about 1 cup of the strained au jus back to the pot with the shredded beef. You can add more au jus if needed, depending on your preference.
- Simmer the Beef Mixture: Simmer the beef in the au jus for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow the flavors to meld together.
- Prepare Rolls: If desired, lightly butter the inside of each roll.
- Toast Rolls: Toast the rolls under a broiler or in a toaster oven until lightly golden brown.
- Assemble Sandwiches: Divide the shredded beef mixture evenly among the rolls.
- Add Cheese: Top each sandwich with a slice of provolone cheese (or Swiss).
- Melt Cheese: Place the sandwiches under the broiler or in a toaster oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Serve the sandwiches immediately with the remaining au jus for dipping.
Notes
- Using an 80/20 ground beef blend ensures the meat stays juicy and flavorful.
- Simmering the beef in au jus for at least an hour enhances the depth of flavor.
- Butter the rolls before toasting for extra richness and a crisp texture.
- Adjust the amount of au jus added to the beef to achieve your preferred level of moisture.
- Swiss cheese can be substituted for provolone if you prefer a nuttier flavor.
- Keep the au jus warm for dipping to maintain the sandwich’s signature moistness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Ground beef sandwich, French dip, au jus sandwich, easy beef sandwich, comfort food
