French dip grilled cheese fans, get ready for a savory and comforting meal! Imagine melted cheese and tender beef combined in a grilled sandwich, perfectly paired with warm au jus for dipping. This easy recipe is perfect for cozy dinners or casual lunches that impress family and friends.
How to Make French Dip Grilled Cheese
Making your own French Dip Grilled Cheese is easier than you might think. It involves a few simple steps and ingredients that come together to create a mouthwatering dish. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting out, you can whip up this recipe in no time.
Ingredients:
- 8 slices crusty French bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 340 grams thinly sliced roast beef
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 60 grams unsalted butter, plus extra for spreading
- 15 millilitres olive oil
- 480 millilitres low-sodium beef broth
- 10 millilitres Worcestershire sauce
- 5 millilitres soy sauce
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Directions:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter with olive oil. Add thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until deeply golden and fully caramelized, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer onions to a plate and set aside.
- Wipe the skillet clean. In a small saucepan, combine beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and thyme. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve and keep the au jus warm.
- Arrange 4 slices of French bread on a clean work surface. Layer with 1 slice of Swiss cheese, generous portions of roast beef, caramelized onions, and another slice of Swiss cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices.
- Spread unsalted butter evenly over the exterior sides of each assembled sandwich. Heat a clean skillet over medium-low. Grill sandwiches in batches until the bread is golden and crisp, and cheese is fully melted, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board, slice if desired, and serve immediately with warm au jus on the side for dipping.
How to Serve French Dip Grilled Cheese
To serve your French Dip Grilled Cheese, place the sandwiches on a plate with a small bowl of warm au jus next to them. This makes it easy to dip each bite into the flavorful broth. For an added touch, you might enjoy pairing this with a side of crispy fries or a simple salad. Don’t forget to check out other delicious grilled cheese options like the bacon guacamole grilled cheese sandwich.
How to Store French Dip Grilled Cheese
If you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, place your sandwich in a skillet over low heat to keep the bread crispy rather than soggy. You can also warm up the au jus in a saucepan.
Tips to Make French Dip Grilled Cheese
- For extra flavor, consider adding freshly cracked black pepper or a pinch of cayenne to the au jus.
- If you love a good crunch, use a heavier skillet to press down on the sandwiches while grilling.
- Experiment with different cheeses! Provolone or cheddar could also work well in this dish.
Variation
For a twist on this classic recipe, try adding sautéed mushrooms or some pepperoncini for a little heat. Alternatively, you could also use other types of deli meats like turkey or ham for varied flavors.
FAQs
Can I use different kinds of bread?
Absolutely! While French bread is traditional, you can use any crusty bread you prefer.
Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?
Yes! You can replace the roast beef with grilled vegetables or a meat alternative, and use vegetable broth for the au jus.
Can I make the caramelized onions ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the onions the day before and store them in the refrigerator. Just reheat before adding them to your sandwich.
Now you have a comforting, hearty meal that’s delicious and satisfying. Enjoy making this French Dip Grilled Cheese and the warmth it brings to your table!
French Dip Grilled Cheese
Ingredients
For the sandwich
- 8 slices crusty French bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 340 grams thinly sliced roast beef
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 60 grams unsalted butter, plus extra for spreading
- 15 millilitres olive oil
For the au jus
- 480 millilitres low-sodium beef broth
- 10 millilitres Worcestershire sauce
- 5 millilitres soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Caramelizing Onions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon unsalted butter with olive oil. Add thinly sliced onions and cook, stirring frequently, until deeply golden and fully caramelized, about 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer onions to a plate and set aside.
Preparing Au Jus
- Wipe the skillet clean. In a small saucepan, combine beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and thyme. Bring to a simmer over medium heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve and keep the au jus warm.
Assembling Sandwiches
- Arrange 4 slices of French bread on a clean work surface. Layer with 1 slice of Swiss cheese, generous portions of roast beef, caramelized onions, and another slice of Swiss cheese. Top with the remaining bread slices.
Grilling Sandwiches
- Spread unsalted butter evenly over the exterior sides of each assembled sandwich. Heat a clean skillet over medium-low. Grill sandwiches in batches until the bread is golden and crisp, and cheese is fully melted, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Serving
- Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board, slice if desired, and serve immediately with warm au jus on the side for dipping.
