Instant Pot French Dip

Ingredients for Instant Pot French Dip

• Boneless beef chuck roast: A 3-pound roast is the star of these Instant Pot French dip sandwiches, resulting in a tender and juicy meat when pressure cooked.
• Herbs: Dried oregano, rosemary and seasoned salt are used to season the meat and enhance the flavor of the beef.
• Beef broth: Three cups of beef broth provide the base for the savory au jus. Here’s how to make your own beef broth at home.
• Bay leaf: One bay leaf imparts a subtle earthiness to the cooking liquid.
• Garlic clove: One peeled garlic clove adds depth to the overall flavor profile of the au jus.
• French bread: Sliced lengthwise, French bread forms the perfect vessel for holding the tender beef and soaking up the flavorful au jus dipping liquid.
• Cheese: While optional, provolone or Swiss cheese melt beautifully over the warm beef.

Directions

Step 1: Season the roast

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Place the boneless beef chuck roast on a trivet in a 6-quart electric pressure cooker or Instant Pot. Sprinkle the roast with dried oregano, dried rosemary, seasoned salt and pepper.

Step 2: Add the broth and aromatics, pressure-cook the beef

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Pour the beef broth into the Instant Pot around the roast. Add the bay leaf and peeled garlic clove to the liquid. Lock the lid and close the pressure-release valve. Set the Instant Pot to pressure-cook on high for an hour and 15 minutes. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to release naturally for 10 minutes. Then carefully perform a quick release for any remaining pressure.

Step 3: Shred the beef

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Step 4: Assemble the sandwiches

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Slice the French bread lengthwise and pile the warm beef onto the bottom half. If desired, top with sliced provolone or Swiss cheese. Serve with a side of the strained au jus for dipping.

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Instant Pot French Dip Variations

• Add caramelized onions: Saute onions until golden brown and add them to the sandwiches for a sweet and savory flavor. Here’s how to caramelize onions.
• Use different bread: Try hoagie rolls or ciabatta bread for a different texture and flavor to these Instant Pot French dip sandwiches.
• Amp up the spice: Add sliced pepperoncini peppers to the finished sandwiches for a spicy kick.
• Up the umami-flavors: Saute sliced mushrooms and add them to the sandwiches for an umami-rich flavor.
• Give it a garlic butter spread: Spread garlic butter on the bread before toasting it for an extra layer of flavor.

How to Store Instant Pot French Dip

Store leftover beef and au jus separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to three days. Keep the bread at room temperature to prevent sogginess.

Can you freeze Instant Pot French dip?

Yes, you can freeze the cooked beef and au just for up to three months. Place the shredded beef and au jus in separate freezer-safe containers. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

How do you reheat Instant Pot French dip?

To reheat leftovers of these French dip sandwiches, place the meat in a covered skillet with a bit of au jus and warm over medium-low heat. Alternatively, you can microwave the beef in short intervals, adding a splash of au jus to keep the meat moist as it heats up.

Instant Pot French Dip Tips

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What’s the best cut of beef for Instant Pot French dip sandwiches?

Boneless beef chuck roast is ideal for French dip sandwiches as it becomes tender and flavorful when cooked in the Instant Pot. However, you can also use brisket or round roast—tougher cuts of beef, in particular, will work well as they become tender when pressure-cooked.

How can I thicken the au jus if it’s too thin?

If you prefer a thicker dipping sauce for these Instant Pot French dip sandwiches, make a slurry by mixing one tablespoon of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water. Stir this into the hot au jus and simmer until it reaches your desired level of thickness.

How can I make the French dip au jus more flavorful?

Adding a splash of red wine or Worcestershire sauce to the beef broth before cooking in the Instant Pot will improve the depth and flavor of the drippings.

How do you keep French dip sandwiches from getting soggy?

To prevent sogginess of your Instant Pot French dip sandwiches, serve them with the au jus on the side for dipping.

What can you serve with Instant Pot French dip sandwiches?

These sandwiches pair exceptionally well with a side of homemade French fries, a creamy bowl of coleslaw or a simple green salad.