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(8) French Dip Sandwich

Updated October 2, 2025 / By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

Get some good, crusty bread, thinly-sliced beef, Gruyère cheese, melt it all happily together and viola! You’ve got yourself a legit French dip, ready for a dunk in luscious au jus broth. Categories

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We’d Like To Introduce You To The Best French Dip Sandwich Recipe, Ever.

Our French dip recipe, that is. Yeah, it’s a mighty bold claim. But we’re passionate about this toasty, melty, beefy sandwich, and when we went to make our own version, we were not messing around. It had to be classic, loaded with steak, dripping with au jus, and just oozing with gorgeous cheese. In other words, it had to be absolutely messy, meaty perfection. And that’s what we’ve created! Cook one up, and taste for yourself.

What Is a French Dip?

Beyond the obvious—a really delicious steak sandwich—the French dip has a rather interesting and disputed origin. Firstly, the French dip is not French at all, but was created in Los Angeles sometime in the very early 20th century. Other than that though, the origin is hotly contested! Who knew a sandwich could stir up such intense debate, but two L.A. restaurants—Phillipe’s and Cole’s—each claim to be the original home of the French dip and it’s not at all clear who is the true inventor of this delicious sandwich. If you want to read up on it, Thrillist has a pretty intense dive into the origin story. But if you’re like us, you don’t really care who invented it—you’re just like “hey, pass the au jus”.

What Is the Best Cut of Beef to Use for French Dip Sandwiches?

People use all sorts of different cuts for making French dips. Phillipe’s—one of the two originators of the sandwich—uses beef top round roast. Some recipes just call for “roast beef’. However, we’re big fans of steak, and we’re generally inclined to take things over the top whenever possible. So yeah. We’re calling for either skirt steak or flank steak here. What’s the difference? Well here’s a little primer:

• Skirt steak: cut from the diaphragm muscles of a cow, skirt steak is lean (but not as lean as flank steak) and inclined to be a tiny bit tough. But it has an intensely beefy flavor that we really love.
• Flank steak: cut from the abdominal area of a cow, flank steak is a lean, mean, flavor machine. We like it a little better than skirt steak, but they’re both good and sometimes skirt steak is cheaper so don’t sweat it—honestly either cut of beef works beautifully in this French dip recipe!

What Is French Dip Sauce Made Of?

The classic meaty “jus” that comes alongside a French dip for, well, dipping, is perhaps the sandwiches’ most defining characteristic. It sets it apart. Plus, it’s just FUN to dip your sandwich. But what is homemade au jus sauce made from? Au jus sauce is pretty much just seasoned beef broth, and, specifically, our au jus is made from beef broth seasoned with:

• Thyme
• Salt
• Sherry
• Worcestershire sauce
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder

How to Make French Dip Sandwiches

Our recipe makes not one, not two but FOUR French dip sandwiches! Sandwiches for the whole family—yahoo! They’re super simple, too. Here’s how easy it is to make a French dip:

1. Grill (or sear) your steak to a perfect medium rare.
2. Slice the steak against the grain as thin as possible.
3. Make the au jus sauce—simmer the broth and seasonings until they’re melded.
4. Butter the baguettes and sprinkle them with granulated garlic.
5. Dip the steak pieces in the au just before laying them in the prepped bread.
6. Top the steak with cheese!
7. Broil until melty.
8. Serve with a side of that delicious beefy jus.

More Toasty, Melty Sandwich Recipes To Try

• Perfect Grilled Cheese
• Santa Fe Grilled Chicken Sandwich
• Patty Melt
• Croque Madame

Tools You’ll Need

• Saucepan
• Grill or sauté pan
• Ramekins or cocotte dishes
• Whisk
• Sharp knife
• Cutting board

When I Dip You Dip We Dip

Sorry. Couldn’t help it. Please forgive us. Anyway, if you make this French dip, let us know how you like it! Share a photo and tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper so that we can see your stuff! Happy eating!

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French Dip Sandwich Recipe

Updated October 2, 2025

By Holly Erickson & Natalie Mortimer

• Serves: 4
• Prep Time: 20 min
• Cook Time: 15 min
• Calories: 860

Description

Tender seared steak with melted Gruyère on garlic butter rolls, served with rich beef au jus for dipping. These easy homemade French dip sandwiches are ready in 35 minutes. Restaurant-quality sandwich at home! Print Recipe Pin Recipe

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Ingredients

• 1 ½ pound skirt or flank steak
• Kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper
• 4 (6-inch) French or hoagie rolls,, sliced in half diagonally
• 6 tablespoons (¾ stick) salted butter, softened
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 cups grated Gruyère or Swiss cheese
• Minced fresh flat-leaf parsley, for serving (optional)

Au Jus

• 4 cups beef stock
• ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon sherry wine
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons onion powder

Method

1. Prepare the steak. Generously season the steak with salt and pepper. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat and sear the steak until it reaches medium-rare, depending on thickness about 3 minutes per side, or until it reaches 135°F on an instant-read thermometer. Let rest for 5 minutes. Slice the steak into strips, as thin as possible against the grain and set aside.

2. Make the au jus. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk the beef stock, thyme, salt, sherry, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and onion powder, until fully combined. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes.

3. Butter the inside of each roll, and sprinkle with the 2 teaspoons garlic powder. Place open-faced on a rimmed baking sheet.

4. Turn the oven broiler to HIGH. Quickly dip the strips of steak into the au jus and place in even amounts onto one side of each roll. Sprinkle ½ cup of the cheese on each sandwich. 

5. Place the sheet pan under the broiler until the cheese begins to melt, watching carefully, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with parsley, if desired.

6. Ladle ¾ cup of au jus into small ramekins. Serve with the warm sandwiches for dipping.

Related Recipes

• Philly Cheesesteak Skillet
• Meatball Sub Sandwich
• Sheet Pan Italian Sausage Heros with Honey Mustard

Nutrition Info

• Per Serving
• Amount

• Calories 860
• Protein 56 g
• Carbohydrates 46 g
• Total Fat 54 g
• Dietary Fiber 2 g
• Cholesterol 193 mg
• Sodium 774 mg
• Total Sugars 6 g

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French Dip Sandwich

Questions & Reviews

Rated 5 stars by 8 readers

Ask a Question or Write a Review Name* Email* Comment Rating 5 4 3 2 1 Submit

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Questions 3 Reviews 8 Avg: 5 / 5

• Anne

  How many beef dips will a 2 lb top round make?

  Probably around 6. We use 1.5 lbs meat and it makes 4. Hope you enjoy.

• scott

  Do I have to use sherry wine and what else can I use in place of the sherry wine

  You can substitute sherry wine with dry white wine, dry vermouth, dry Madeira, dry Marsala, you can also use chicken stock or red wine vinegar.

• beckie

  Do you think I can put this in the crock pot?

  Yes!

• Riley

  5-star rating

  Baller recipe, would dunk again 6.7'/0

  Thanks Riley!

• Diana

  5-star rating

  Really delicious recipe, this will be a keeper for our house.

  So great to hear! Thanks Diana, glad you loved it.

• Ann

  5-star rating

  Wonderful flavor! A big hit with my family. Will definitely make this again.

  Thanks Ann, so happy your family enjoyed these!

• Melissa

  5-star rating

  So good!

  Thanks Melissa, we are so glad you loved it!

• Kristine

  5-star rating

  These were really good! Used provolone instead of Swiss/Gruyère and added a light swipe of creamy horseradish before toasting. Will make again!

  Thanks so much, we are so happy you loved it Kristine!

• Jacqulyn

  5-star rating

  Thanks for this recipe. I made it today and it came out most delicious! Happy holidays!

  Thanks Jacqulyn, glad you loved it!

• Sophia

  5-star rating

  So good honestly the best French dip I have ever made!

  Thanks so much Sophia! Glad you loved it!

• Ashley

  5-star rating

  Add a little horseradish and this sandwich is amazing!

  OH YEAH!! I love horseradish!

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