French Dip Grilled Cheese Recipe
This French Dip Grilled Cheese sandwich combines tender roast beef, melted Swiss cheese, and sweet caramelized onions between crusty French bread slices. Served with a savory homemade au jus for dipping, this comforting sandwich is perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
- Author: Leo
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Bread & Cheese
- 8 slices crusty French bread
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
Meat
- 12 ounces thinly sliced roast beef
Onions & Butter
- 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus extra for spreading
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Au Jus
- 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
- Caramelize Onions: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until they become deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Remove the onions from the skillet and set aside on a plate.
- Prepare Au Jus: Wipe the skillet clean. In a small saucepan, combine the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and fresh thyme sprig. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Strain the mixture through a fine strainer to remove solids, then keep the au jus warm.
- Build Sandwiches: Lay out 4 slices of French bread on a work surface. On each slice, layer one slice of Swiss cheese, a generous portion of roast beef, a portion of caramelized onions, and a second slice of Swiss cheese. Top each with the remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
- Butter the Bread: Evenly spread unsalted butter on the outside of each sandwich to ensure a crisp golden exterior when grilled.
- Grill Sandwiches: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches on the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently with a spatula until the bread is crisp and golden brown and the cheese is melted inside.
- Serve: Slice the sandwiches in half and serve immediately alongside the warm au jus for dipping, enhancing the rich flavors of the sandwich.
Notes
- For a deeper flavor, caramelize onions slowly over lower heat if time permits.
- Use low-sodium beef broth to better control the saltiness of the au jus.
- Fresh thyme adds a nice herbal note; substitute with dried thyme if fresh is unavailable.
- Pressing the sandwich while grilling helps achieve even melting and a compact sandwich.
- Serve with a side of pickles or a simple salad for a complete meal.
Keywords: French dip grilled cheese, roast beef sandwich, caramelized onions, au jus, grilled sandwich, Swiss cheese, comforting sandwich