French Dip Sandwiches Recipe

Roast beef: Thinly sliced and tender, this is the star of the sandwich, providing rich, savory flavor.

Hoagie rolls: These rolls are perfect for holding all the delicious ingredients together and toasting up nicely in the oven.

Provolone cheese: Mild and creamy, this cheese melts beautifully over the roast beef.

Beef broth: Forms the base of the dipping sauce, adding depth and richness to the sandwich.

Worcestershire sauce: Adds a tangy, umami flavor to the broth, enhancing the overall taste.

Garlic powder: Provides a subtle garlic flavor that complements the beef.

Onion powder: Adds a hint of onion flavor without the need for fresh onions.

Salt and pepper: Essential for seasoning the broth and bringing out the flavors of the other ingredients.

When preparing the beef broth mixture, allow it to simmer gently for a few minutes before adding the sliced roast beef. This will help the flavors of the worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder to meld together, creating a richer and more flavorful dipping sauce. Additionally, to ensure the hoagie rolls are perfectly toasted and the provolone cheese is evenly melted, keep a close eye on them in the oven and rotate the baking sheet if necessary for even toasting.

• roast beef - Substitute with turkey breast: Turkey breast is a leaner option and can provide a different flavor profile while still being thinly sliced for the sandwich.

• hoagie rolls - Substitute with baguette: A baguette offers a similar texture and can hold up well to the dipping sauce.

• provolone cheese - Substitute with mozzarella cheese: Mozzarella has a mild flavor and melts well, making it a good alternative to provolone.

• beef broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can be used for a lighter, vegetarian-friendly option.

• worcestershire sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce provides a similar umami flavor and can be used in equal amounts.

• garlic powder - Substitute with fresh garlic: Fresh garlic can offer a more robust flavor; use one clove of minced garlic for every teaspoon of garlic powder.

• onion powder - Substitute with fresh onion: Fresh onion can add a stronger flavor; use ¼ cup of finely chopped onion for every teaspoon of onion powder.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add both saltiness and umami flavor, reducing the need for additional salt.

• pepper - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can add a bit of heat along with the peppery flavor, use sparingly to taste.

• Allow the roast beef to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the hoagie rolls soggy.
• For short-term storage, place the roast beef in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• Store the hoagie rolls separately in a resealable plastic bag or airtight container at room temperature to maintain their texture.
• If you plan to freeze the roast beef, wrap it tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap, then place it in a freezer-safe bag. It can be frozen for up to 2 months.
• To freeze the assembled French dip sandwiches, wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container.
• When ready to eat, thaw the roast beef or assembled sandwiches in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat the roast beef in a skillet with a bit of beef broth over medium heat until warmed through.
• For reheating the assembled sandwiches, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the sandwiches on a baking sheet and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
• Always serve the French dip sandwiches with a small bowl of warm beef broth for dipping to enhance the flavor and experience.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap each French Dip Sandwich in aluminum foil to keep the hoagie rolls from drying out.
  3. Place the wrapped sandwiches on a baking sheet and heat for about 10-15 minutes, or until the roast beef is warmed through and the provolone cheese is melted.
  4. For a crispier roll, unwrap the sandwiches for the last 2-3 minutes of heating.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a skillet over medium heat.
  2. Add a small amount of beef broth to the skillet to create steam.
  3. Place the French Dip Sandwich in the skillet and cover with a lid.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the roast beef is warmed and the provolone cheese is melted.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Wrap the French Dip Sandwich in a damp paper towel to keep the hoagie rolls from becoming too hard.
  2. Place the wrapped sandwich on a microwave-safe plate.
  3. Microwave on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. If the provolone cheese isn't fully melted, continue to microwave in 15-second intervals.

• Air Fryer Method:

  1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap the French Dip Sandwich in aluminum foil.
  3. Place the wrapped sandwich in the air fryer basket.
  4. Heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the roast beef is warmed and the provolone cheese is melted.
  5. For a crispier roll, unwrap the sandwich for the last 2 minutes of heating.

• Sous Vide Method:

  1. Preheat your sous vide water bath to 140°F (60°C).
  2. Place the French Dip Sandwich in a vacuum-sealed bag or a resealable bag using the water displacement method.
  3. Submerge the bag in the water bath and heat for about 30-45 minutes.
  4. Remove the sandwich from the bag and serve immediately.

• Toaster Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Wrap the French Dip Sandwich in aluminum foil.
  3. Place the wrapped sandwich on the toaster oven tray.
  4. Heat for about 10-12 minutes, or until the roast beef is warmed and the provolone cheese is melted.
  5. For a crispier roll, unwrap the sandwich for the last 2-3 minutes of heating.

• Skillet: Used to heat the beef broth mixture and warm the roast beef.

• Oven: Preheated to 350°F (175°C) to melt the cheese and toast the hoagie rolls.

• Baking sheet: Holds the hoagie rolls while they are being toasted in the oven.

• Tongs: Used to place the warm roast beef onto the rolls.

• Small bowl: Serves the warm broth for dipping.

• Measuring cups: Measures the beef broth.

• Measuring spoons: Measures the Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder.

• Knife: Slices the roast beef thinly if not pre-sliced.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to slice the roast beef if needed.

Preheat the oven: Start by preheating your oven while you prepare other ingredients to save time.

Use deli roast beef: Purchase pre-sliced roast beef from the deli to avoid slicing it yourself.

Heat broth in microwave: Warm the beef broth in the microwave to speed up the process.

Assemble sandwiches ahead: Assemble the hoagie rolls with provolone cheese and keep them ready to pop into the oven.

Multitask: While the roast beef is warming in the skillet, prepare the rolls and cheese on the baking sheet.