Instant Pot French Dip

Name: Instant Pot French Dip
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 100 min
Total time: 120 min
Ingredients: 3-4 lb chuck roast or bottom round beef roast; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp pepper; 1/2 tsp onion powder; 1 Tbsp olive oil; 1.25 oz pkg dry au jus mix; 12 oz can beer; 3 Tbsp butter (melted); 1/4 tsp garlic powder; 12 slices of provolone cheese; 8 large rolls; 1 Tbsp freshly chopped parsley (optional)

4.84 from 222 votes

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By: Julie Evink251 Comments

Posted: 12/02/22

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Instant Pot French Dip is so easy to make with a virtually hands-off approach. It will give you beef that is fall apart tender and so delicious. Pile it on a toasty bun, top it with melted provolone cheese and brush the bun with garlic butter. It’s a mouthwatering sandwich perfect for an easy dinner recipe.

PIN IT FOR LATER!

Wood cutting board with french dip sandwich on it with instant pot in background

This Instant Pot French Dip Sandwich has tender roast beef, melted provolone cheese all piled on a bun that has been broiled to achieve the perfect crispy bread. Did I mention there’s a garlic butter brushed across that sandwich?

Now, if you don’t have an Instant Pot or don’t want to use it you an make these sandwiches in the Crock Pot too.

Contents show

Why Instant Pot French Dip Is The Best

Once you prep the meat, this is a set-it-and-forget-it kind of recipe with a huge payoff.
You only need 20 minutes of hands-on cooking to pull together these tasty sandwiches.
The Instant Pot allows you to achieve the perfect sear on the meat before slow cooking it to tender perfection.
Beef drippings and simple seasoning make the au jus so flavorful it’s addicting.

Overhead image of Instant Pot French Dip Ingredients

Ingredients Needed For Instant Pot French Dip

Beef – Try chuck roast or a bottom round beef roast for this recipe. They’re inexpensive, can feed the whole family, and feature marbling that makes the meat juicy, tender, and tasty.
Seasonings – We’ll mix salt, pepper, and onion powder to give the beef a pop of flavor. Feel free to add a dash of your favorite dried herbs and spices for even more flavor.
Olive Oil – Olive Oil works best for searing the beef in your Instant Pot. Other oils will work, like avocado or coconut, but I really like the rich flavor you get from olives for this dish.
Dry Au Jus Mix – Using a pre-packaged mix is convenient and guarantees the best dip for your sandwiches every time. Use whatever brand of au jus mix your family prefers.
Beer – Beer will transform the flavor of the meat. Just avoid any wild or fruity flavors. Try a different beer every time you make this for a fresh take on the same recipe.
Butter – If possible, use unsalted butter for brushing on the bread. Salted butter will work in a pinch, but you might want to lessen the salt portion in the seasoning if you do.
Garlic Powder – You can use fresh garlic and butter to flavor the buns, but garlic powder is so much faster.
Provolone Cheese – I’ve used provolone cheese in this recipe to achieve a classic French Dip flavor. To customize this recipe, you can also use swiss, gruyere, or even a sharp white cheddar.
Large Rolls – Any soft, long roll will do.
Parsley – Parsley is a garnish for these sandwiches. It’s nice, but not essential. Don’t stress if you can’t find any.

How to Make Instant Pot French Dip

Season and Sear the Roast – First, season the meat and sear it with a bit of olive oil inside your Instant Pot. If you’re using a slow cooker, you can perform this step in a skillet on the stovetop.

Prepare the Au Jus – Next, remove and set aside the seared meat so you can add beer and deglaze the pot. Scrape up all the browned bits that stick to the bottom of the pot, so you don’t lose out on any of that flavor! Add your meat back in, and sprinkle the au just packet on top.

Pressurize and Cook – Seal your pressure cooker and leave the roast to cook for 100 minutes until it’s fall-apart-tender and juicy.

Prepare the Buns – Brush your buns with melted butter mixed with garlic powder. Then broil them for a few minutes until crispy on the outside but still soft in the middle.

Assemble and Broil – Pile your prepared buns with shredded beef and a few slices of cheese. Stick the sandwiches under the broiler until they’re toasted to perfection.
Strain Au Jus and Enjoy – Filter the remaining juices through a mesh strainer and serve alongside the sandwiches for dipping.

French Dip sandwich on wood cutting board with a white bowl of au jus behind it and an Instant Pot

What kind of beer should I use?

You can use whatever kind of beer you’d like, from lagers to stouts to ales. They’ll impart a unique flavor to the meat, so you’ll never get tired of making this recipe. Just steer clear of any novelty flavors or added fruit flavors.

Do I need to sear the roast?

Yes, you should sear the roast before pressure cooking it. This way, you create a sealed barrier so the juices remain inside the meat for longer, tendering the cut until it’s so soft that it just falls apart.

How should I store leftovers?

Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 – 3 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

What if I don’t have an Instant Pot?

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can make this recipe in a slow cooker. We have a delicious Crock Pot French Dip Sandwich recipe!

Do I Need To Sear The Roast?

We highly recommend searing the roast. It cooks the outer surface of the meat at a high temperature so it caramelizes the roast and forms a crust. This gives it a ton of flavor, which we want. This recipe will work if you don’t sear the roast, but by searing it you’ll have more flavor!

Does It Really Need To Be Cooked For 100 Minutes?

YES! Chuck roast is a tougher cut of meat so we highly recommend cooking it like we direct. This will make it fall apart tender and you will love it!

In our Crock Pot French Dip it slow cooks all day long, by cooking this for a 1 1/2 hours it will give you that fall apart tender roast like you get in the slow cooker.

Storage

Allow meat to cool and then place leftover meat in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator. Leftovers will last 2-3 days.
To freeze leftover meat allow meat and au jus to cool. Then place in a freezer safe container and store in freezer for up to 2 months. When you are ready to use it let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat on the stove in a saucepan on the stovetop.

Tips for the Best Instant Pot French Dip!

Take the uncooked roast out of the fridge and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before cooking. This way, the large cut will heat evenly and won’t need extra time to remove the chill.
Pick a beer that compliments whatever cheese you use for your French Dips. For example, dark beer or stout will enhance the flavor of swiss or gruyere, and a bright and hoppy ale or IPA amplifies a sharp white cheddar.
Toast the buns after brushing on the garlic butter to make truly irresistible sandwiches.
If you’re making this recipe in a slow cooker instead of an Instant Pot, sear the seasoned roast in a skillet before adding it to your slow cooker. Then, place the seared and seasoned roast, au jus packet, and beer into the cooker on low for 8 hours or until the meat falls apart.
The best way to reheat leftovers is to add the meat and au jus into a saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Once the leftovers are heated, you can assemble your sandwiches the way you usually would.

Serving Suggestions

While you’ve got your Instant Pot going, you might as well pull out your Air Fryer and whip up the perfect side for your French Dip sandwiches.

One of the best parts of this recipe is the au jus sauce, so obviously, the side dish has to be dippable. I love serving Instant Pot French Dip sandwiches alongside Air Fryer Potato Wedges, Tater Tots, or Sweet Potato Fries.

These sides are delicious on their own. But they may be even better when smothered in leftover cheese melt and au jus. Give it a shot. It may be the best poutine you’ve ever tasted.

French Dip Sandwich being dipped into a white bowl holding Au Jus

Love your Pressure Cooker? You should try my French Dip Sandwiches and Pork Roast and Vegetables, too!

Make it a meal!

Take up your baked potato with these easy Hasselback Potatoes! Did someone say cheese and bacon?
Easy glazed carrots have the perfect amount of sweetness.
You can never beat these roasted vegetables that are one of my easy go-to side dishes.

Meet Julie Evink

I'm here to help you win in the kitchen again! Life is Busy, Life is Crazy, but that doesn't mean you can't make your family dinner! Julie's goal is to provide you with easy, family, friendly recipes that use pantry staples. Dinnertime will be stress free again!