Smoked French Dip Sandwich Recipe
Warm, thinly sliced Roast Beef piled high on a soft French Roll served with piping hot Au Jus gets my taste buds working – that’s why I’m making a Smoked French Dip Sandwich! I’m going to share with you how I create this classic Smoked French Dip Sandwich using my smoker. First you’ll need a good quality cut of beef to turn into mouth-watering, roast beef. I’m using a 4lb choice grade, Eye of the Round today.
Coat the outside of the roast with a little olive oil and season with a good dose of Kosher Salt and Coarse Ground Black Pepper. Let the roast hang out on the counter while the smoker comes up to temperature about 30 minutes.
Today I’m firing up my Gateway Drum smoker but you can use any grill/smoker set up for indirect cooking. You want to hold the temperature steady between 250-275⁰.
Once the coals are good and hot add a couple chunks of pecan to the fire and get the cooking grate in place. Set the roast on one side of the grate.
The Au Jus is just as important as the beef for this Smoked French Dip Sandwich, so in a half size aluminum pan, sweat down a thinly sliced Vidalia sweet onion. (Toss the onion in a little olive oil, salt and pepper for extra flavor)
This pan goes right on the grate – beside the roast. I want the onions to pick up some of the pecan smoke as well.
After about 20 minutes the onion are soft enough. Add 8oz of Johnny’s French Dip Au Jus base and 2 cups of water to the pan. (If you can’t find Johnny’s at your local store substitute 24oz of Beef Stock)
Stir this mixture and cover with a lid or aluminum foil to prevent it from reducing too much. This delicious broth will simmer on the pit until you’re ready to slice the roast.
Flip the Eye of Round after 20 minutes of smoking, and insert a probe thermometer into the center (I use the Smoke by Thermoworks). Set the alarm for 130⁰ – medium rare.
It should take in the neighborhood of 1 hour 15 minutes to reach desired doneness, but trust the thermometer, don’t go by time alone.
Once the alarm sounds, remove the roast from the pit and cover loosely with aluminum foil. It’ll need to rest for at least 30 minutes before slicing. Leave the pan of Au Jus on the pit until it’s time to carve.
For serving, slice the roast across the grain as thin as possible. Place that beautiful pile of smoked beef into the hot au jus.
To make this Smoked French Dip Sandwich, serve it up with some fresh French Rolls, thinly sliced provolone cheese, a touch of Creamy Horseradish Sauce, and of course you can’t forget the Au Jus for dipping.
Creamy Horseradish Sauce:
12oz Mayonnaise
4oz Kraft creamy Horseradish
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish from jar
1 teaspoon Frank’s Hot Sauce
Pinch of Salt and Pepper to taste
This is one classic Smoked French Dip Sandwich that your bbq pit takes to the next level!
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Smoked French Dip Sandwich Recipe
Ingredients
- 4lb Eye of Round Beef Roast
- 2 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Kosher Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Coarse Ground Black Pepper
Au Jus
- 16oz Water
- 8oz Johnny’s French Dip Au Jus base
- 1 Sweet Onion thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Creamy Horseradish Sauce
- 12oz Mayonnaise
- 4oz Kraft creamy Horseradish
- 1 teaspoon prepared horseradish from jar
- 1 teaspoon Frank’s Hot Sauce
- Pinch of Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare BBQ Smoker or grill for indirect cooking at 250-275⁰. Add pecan wood chunks to hot coals for smoke.
- Rub olive oil over the surface of the roast and season with Kosher Salt and Black Pepper on all sides.
- Place the roast on one side of the cooking grate. Toss the sliced onion in half size aluminum with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place the pan on the cooking grate with the roast.
- Sweat the onion for 20 minutes stirring half way and add the Au Jus base and water. Cover the pan and simmer.
- Turn the roast after 30 minutes of smoking to brown both sides. Insert a meat probe thermometer set for an internal temperature of 130⁰ (medium rare).
- Continue to cook the roast until it hits target temp and remove from smoker about 1 hour 15 minutes total cook time.
- Rest the roast for 30 minutes before thinly slicing. Place the slices in the jus for serving.
- Serve the roast beef on fresh French Rolls topped with a creamy horseradish sauce, thinly sliced Provolone cheese, and a bowl of the Au Jus for dipping.
Smoked French Dip SandwichHave a Question About This Recipe?
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What would the temp for a medium be, 140*?
Yes. 140 is Medium. Remember to account for carry over. Meaning the roast internal temp keeps rising after removing from the grill. Go for 135 if you think 130 is too red.
Made this today, Malcom, you are a culinary genius… I used beef for the Ju. Amazing.
★★★★★
I make these French dips almost weekly. Quick, easy and awesome
★★★★★
Does this save well? Can I freeze it and have French dips in the future?
How long can the beef be stored in the au jus in the fridge.?
Where does the dip ju come from. Is it separate or did it come from the pan that was cooking the onions?
He made it with “Johnnys” 1 part Johnny’s and 2 parts water. But, he said you can substitute beef broth.
I recommend watching the video about this.
If I want to make this in the morning and have it for dinner, should I cook it to IT of like 120 and then it will cook the rest of the way when I reheat in in the pan with the au ju?
FYI – When I go to print this recipe it says the page is not found.
Hi Malcolm
I’ve watched a previous video where you used prime rib bones to make au ju. My father in law loves French dip would you recommend using that recipe or this one?
Made this tonight after looking at the recipe for a while. Can’t believe how good it was. It is the best French Dip you’ll have! Family absolutely loved it! Well done Malcom!!
★★★★★