French Dip Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions, Roast Beef, and Rich Au Jus Recipe
Introduction
French Dip Grilled Cheese combines tender roast beef and sweet caramelized onions with melted Swiss cheese between crisp slices of French bread. Served with a savory au jus for dipping, this sandwich offers a comforting, gourmet twist on a classic favorite that’s perfect for a quick dinner or indulgent lunch.
Ingredients
- 8 slices crusty French bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 12 ounces thinly sliced roast beef
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for spreading
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with the olive oil. Add the sliced onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until they are deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer the onions to a plate and set aside.
- Step 2: Wipe the skillet clean. In a small saucepan, combine the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then strain the au jus through a small strainer and keep warm.
- Step 3: Lay out 4 slices of French bread on your work surface. On each slice, layer 1 slice of Swiss cheese, a generous portion of roast beef, a scoop of caramelized onions, and another slice of Swiss cheese. Top each sandwich with the remaining bread slices, pressing gently to hold everything together.
- Step 4: Spread unsalted butter evenly on the outsides of each sandwich.
- Step 5: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Grill the sandwiches for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula, until the bread is crisp and golden and the cheese has melted.
- Step 6: Slice the sandwiches in half and serve immediately with the warm au jus for dipping.
Tips & Variations
- For a different flavor, substitute Swiss cheese with provolone or Gruyère, which also melt well.
- Use leftover roast beef or deli-style roast beef for convenience.
- Slowly caramelize the onions over medium heat to develop their natural sweetness and depth of flavor.
- Try adding a touch of horseradish cream or spicy mustard inside the sandwich for an extra zing.
- For a vegetarian version, replace roast beef with roasted portobello mushrooms and use vegetable broth for the au jus.
Storage
Wrap leftover sandwiches tightly in foil and store in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheat in a toaster oven or on a skillet to keep the bread crisp. Store any extra au jus in the refrigerator for up to three days and gently reheat on the stove before serving.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Which bread works best for this sandwich?
Crusty French bread is ideal due to its sturdy texture and crispness when grilled, which holds up well to the juicy fillings and dipping au jus.
Can another cheese be substituted for Swiss?
Yes, provolone or Gruyère are excellent alternatives that melt smoothly and offer a deliciously different flavor profile.
Print
French Dip Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions, Roast Beef, and Rich Au Jus Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
Description
This French Dip Grilled Cheese sandwich combines tender roast beef, sweet caramelized onions, and melted Swiss cheese between slices of crisp, buttery French bread. Served alongside a warm, savory au jus for dipping, it offers a comforting and flavorful meal perfect for lunch or dinner. Easy to prepare in under 40 minutes, it’s a gourmet twist on the classic French dip sandwich with added cheesy indulgence.
Ingredients
Sandwich Assembly
- 8 slices crusty French bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 12 ounces thinly sliced roast beef
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for spreading
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Au Jus Preparation
- 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with olive oil. Add sliced onions and sauté, stirring frequently, for about 12 to 15 minutes until they are deeply caramelized, golden brown, and jammy. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare Au Jus: Wipe the skillet clean. In a small saucepan, combine beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and fresh thyme. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper, then strain the mixture through a small strainer to remove solids. Keep warm for serving.
- Build Sandwiches: Lay out 4 slices of French bread on a work surface. On each, place 1 slice of Swiss cheese, a generous portion of roast beef, a scoop of caramelized onions, and a second slice of Swiss cheese. Top each with the remaining slices of bread, forming sandwiches.
- Butter the Bread: Spread unsalted butter evenly on the outsides of each sandwich, covering edge to edge for maximum crispiness when grilling. Use softened butter to prevent tearing the bread.
- Grill Sandwiches: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place sandwiches butter-side down and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula to ensure even grilling. Flip when the bread is golden brown and crispy, and the cheese is melted inside.
- Serve: Remove the sandwiches from the skillet and slice each in half. Serve immediately with the warm au jus in small bowls for dipping, enjoying the rich, cheesy, savory flavors with each bite.
Notes
- Let the Swiss cheese come to room temperature before assembling for better melting.
- Maintain medium heat while grilling to avoid burning the bread before cheese melts fully.
- Take your time caramelizing the onions; their deep golden color adds essential flavor.
- Leftover sandwiches can be wrapped tightly in foil and refrigerated for up to two days; reheat in a toaster oven or skillet to keep crust crisp.
- Extra au jus stores for up to three days refrigerated; reheat gently on the stove before serving.
- Substitute provolone or Gruyère cheese for Swiss if desired.
- Use sturdy Italian bread or sourdough if French bread is unavailable.
- For a vegetarian option, replace roast beef with roasted portobello mushrooms and use vegetable broth for the au jus.
- Serve with a peppery arugula salad, French fries, pickles, or a bright side salad to balance the richness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: High-Noon Handhelds
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: French Dip, Grilled Cheese, Roast Beef Sandwich, Caramelized Onions, Au Jus, Comfort Food, Easy Lunch, American Sandwich
