The Next-Level Sandwich You Can Make With Your Instant Pot

Toasted baguettes slathered in horseradish mayo, topped with roast beef, caramelized onions and cheese (in this case, raclette). (Photo: Kelly Paige)
Toasted baguettes slathered in horseradish mayo, topped with roast beef, caramelized onions and cheese (in this case, raclette). (Photo: Kelly Paige)

Is there anything that screams comfort food more than the classic French dip sandwich? How can you resist delicious roast beef topped with cheese and onions, stuffed into a crusty roll and then dipped into its own cooking juices? You really can’t.

Making these tasty treats can be a time strain, but I figured out a way to speed up the cooking process by having the Instant Pot do all the work. The meal comes together with just a few simple but key ingredients. Let’s review.

The Bread

Clergyman Gordon B. Hinckley is credited as having said, “You can’t build a great building on a weak foundation,” and the same goes for sandwiches. The success or failure of a French dip starts with the bread.

Go out there and get yourself the best baguette you can find. I’m talking crusty on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside. This sandwich was made for dipping, and a soft roll simply won’t do.

I make that perfect baguette even more perfect by toasting it with garlic butter and slathering it with horseradish mayo. Swoon.

The Meat

Traditionally, French dip sandwiches are made with beef round roast, which is slow-cooked in the oven for hours and then thinly sliced. But who has time for that?

For this recipe, I went with a fattier cut of beef ― because fat equals flavor. I used a beautifully marbled chuck roast and cut it into 1-inch cubes so it would cook quicker. After it finished, I let it cool slightly to break into larger pieces without falling apart. We’re not looking for shredded beef.

You absolutely need two types of onions to make the jus. (Photo: Kelly Paige)
You absolutely need two types of onions to make the jus. (Photo: Kelly Paige)

The Jus

Another critical element of this sandwich is the beefy, delectable sauce you dip everything into. I used a combination of fresh and dried onions, beef stock, dark beer, Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce to make an insanely rich and delicious au jus. It’s so good, it’s drinkable.

Some might ask if two types of onions are necessary. The answer is yes. The dried onions give a concentrated, pungent flavor, while the fresh onions caramelize and add sweet notes to the jus.

The Cheese

These sandwiches are usually made with Swiss or provolone cheese, but I’ve never been one to follow rules, so I used raclette cheese instead. Raclette is a semi-firm cow’s milk cheese from the Swiss Alps that transforms into a creamy, nutty, a little bit funky deliciousness when melted. If you can’t find Swiss raclette, look for the Leelanau or Reading variety. They’re made in the U.S. and similar to the European counterpart.

What could be better than this? (Photo: Kelly Paige)
What could be better than this? (Photo: Kelly Paige)

Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds chuck roast, cut into 1-inch cubes

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided

  • 1 yellow onion, sliced

  • 2 cups beef stock

  • 1 cup dark beer

  • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

  • 2 tablespoons soy sauce

  • 1 tablespoon dried onion flakes

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder, divided

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 6 small French baguettes, sliced in half lengthwise

  • 4 tablespoons garlic butter (4 tablespoons melted butter plus 1 teaspoon garlic powder)

  • 1/2 cup horseradish mayo (1/2 cup mayo plus 1 tablespoon prepared horseradish)

  • 5 ounces raclette cheese, sliced thinly

  • Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

  1. Set your Instant Pot (or multi-cooker) to the high sauté setting. Add 1 tablespoon oil to the pot and let it heat until the oil is shimmering. Generously season beef cubes with salt and pepper – don’t skimp here. Working in batches, add beef to pot and cook until it’s evenly browned on all sides. Remove to a bowl and repeat with remaining beef and oil.

  2. Add onion slices to the pot and then cook in the beef renderings until translucent, about 5 minutes.

  3. Add beef stock, beer, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, onion flakes, dried thyme, garlic powder, bay leaf and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to the Instant Pot. Add beef and accumulated juices back into the pot and close the top.

  4. Select the manual setting. Set the pressure to high and set the timer for 35 minutes. When finished cooking, use the quick-release pressure option. Let the beef cool slightly and break it into large chunks. Strain the au jus into a bowl.

  5. Meanwhile, preheat the broiler of your oven. Brush garlic butter onto the tops of the baguettes. Place the top halves of the bread cut-side down on a baking sheet and broil until golden, about 2-3 minutes.

  6. Remove bread top halves from the baking sheet. Place the bottom halves on the baking sheet, cut-side up, and slather with horseradish mayo. Add cooked beef and cheese slices. Broil until cheese is melted, about 1 minute.

  7. Add bread tops and serve with warm au jus to dunk the sandwich in.

Related Coverage

The Best Instant Pot Recipes To Make With The Pressure Cooker Feature

11 Foods You Should Never Try To Cook In An Instant Pot

Consumed: Epic Sandwiches

Also on HuffPost

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup

<strong>Get the <a href="https://peasandcrayons.com/2017/02/instant-pot-creamy-tomato-soup.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup</a> recipe from Peas and Crayons.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Creamy Tomato Soup recipe from Peas and Crayons.

Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/instant-pot-broccoli-cheddar-soup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup</a> recipe from Half Baked Harvest.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Broccoli Cheddar Soup recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu

<strong>Get the <a href="https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-short-rib-ragu" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu</a> recipe from Pinch Of Yum.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Short Rib Ragu recipe from Pinch Of Yum.

Instant Pot Pumpkin Grits

<strong>Get the <a href="https://peasandcrayons.com/2018/09/instant-pot-pumpkin-grits.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Pumpkin Grits</a> recipe from Peas and Crayons.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Pumpkin Grits recipe from Peas and Crayons.

Instant Pot Thai Lemongrass Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/instant-pot-thai-lemongrass-chicken/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Thai Lemongrass Chicken</a> recipe from Half Baked Harvest.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Thai Lemongrass Chicken recipe from Half Baked Harvest.

Instant Pot Minestrone

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.feastingathome.com/instant-pot-minestrone/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Minestrone</a> recipe from Feasting At Home.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Minestrone recipe from Feasting At Home.

Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs And Spaghetti Squash

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/instant-pot-turkey-meatballs-and-spaghetti-squash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Turkey Meatballs and Spaghetti Squash</a> recipe from Half Baked Harvest.</strong>

The Best Instant Pot Taco Meat

<strong>Get the <a href="https://lexiscleankitchen.com/best-taco-meat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Best Instant Pot Taco Meat</a> recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen.</strong>
Get the Best Instant Pot Taco Meat recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen.

Instant Pot Black Bean Dip

<strong>Get the <a href="https://peasandcrayons.com/2017/09/instant-pot-black-bean-dip.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Black Bean Dip</a> recipe from Peas and Crayons.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Black Bean Dip recipe from Peas and Crayons.

Paleo Chicken And Broccoli

<strong>Get the <a href="https://lexiscleankitchen.com/chicken-and-broccoli/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paleo Chicken and Broccoli</a> recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen.</strong>
Get the Paleo Chicken and Broccoli recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen.

BBQ Pulled Chicken (Instant Pot Or Slow Cooker)

<strong>Get the <a href="https://umamigirl.com/bbq-pulled-chicken-for-instant-pot-or-slow-cooker/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BBQ Pulled Chicken</a> recipe from Umami Girl.</strong>
Get the BBQ Pulled Chicken recipe from Umami Girl.

Instant Pot Pork Carnitas

<strong>Get the <a href="https://damndelicious.net/2018/09/07/instant-pot-pork-carnitas/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Pork Carnitas</a> recipe from Damn Delicious.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Pork Carnitas recipe from Damn Delicious.

Instant Pot Ragu

<strong>Get the <a href="https://damndelicious.net/2018/08/03/instant-pot-ragu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Ragu</a> recipe from Damn Delicious.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Ragu recipe from Damn Delicious.

Instant Pot Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/instant-pot-chipotle-cheddar-corn-chowder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder</a> recipe from Half Baked Harvest</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Chipotle Cheddar Corn Chowder recipe from Half Baked Harvest

Instant Pot Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.foodiecrush.com/instant-pot-orange-chicken-lettuce-wraps/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps</a> recipe from Foodie Crush.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Orange Chicken Lettuce Wraps recipe from Foodie Crush.

2-Ingredient Salsa Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="https://lexiscleankitchen.com/salsa-chicken/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2-Ingredient Salsa Chicken</a> recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen.</strong>
Get the 2-Ingredient Salsa Chicken recipe from Lexi's Clean Kitchen.

Instant Pot Ham And Bean Soup

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.bunsinmyoven.com/ham-and-bean-soup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup</a> recipe from Buns In My Oven.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup recipe from Buns In My Oven.

Clean Eating Instant Pot Summer Soup

<strong>Get the <a href="https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-summer-soup" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Clean Eating Instant Pot Summer Soup</a> recipe from Pinch Of Yum.</strong>
Get the Clean Eating Instant Pot Summer Soup recipe from Pinch Of Yum.

Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes

<strong>Get the <a href="http://acalculatedwhisk.com/instant-pot-mashed-potatoes/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes</a> recipe from A Calculated Whisk.</strong>
Get the Easy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes recipe from A Calculated Whisk.

Instant Pot Chicken Pozole

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.feastingathome.com/pozole-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Chicken Pozole</a> recipe from Feasting At Home.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Chicken Pozole recipe from Feasting At Home.

Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.feastingathome.com/instant-pot-chicken-tortilla-soup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup</a> recipe from Feasting At Home.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe from Feasting At Home.

Instant Pot Yogurt

<strong>Get the <a href="https://damndelicious.net/2018/08/28/how-to-make-yogurt-in-an-instant-pot/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Yogurt</a> recipe from Damn Delicious.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Yogurt recipe from Damn Delicious.

Instant Pot Split Pea Soup With Harissa

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.feastingathome.com/instant-pot-split-pea-soup-with-harissa/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Harissa</a> recipe from Feasting At Home.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Split Pea Soup with Harissa recipe from Feasting At Home.

Instant Pot Butter Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-butter-chicken/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Butter Chicken</a> recipe from Well Plated.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe from Well Plated.

'Make Life Simple' Instant Pot Lentil Soup

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.feastingathome.com/instant-pot-lentil-soup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">"Make Life Simple" Instant Pot Lentil Soup</a> recipe from Feasting At Home.</strong>
Get the "Make Life Simple" Instant Pot Lentil Soup recipe from Feasting At Home.

BBQ Instant Pot Whole Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="https://ohsweetbasil.com/bbq-instant-pot-whole-chicken-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">BBQ Instant Pot Whole Chicken</a> recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil.</strong>
Get the BBQ Instant Pot Whole Chicken recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil.

Smoky BBQ Instant Pot Ribs

<strong>Get the <a href="https://ohsweetbasil.com/smoky-bbq-instant-pot-ribs-recipe/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Smoky BBQ Instant Pot Ribs</a> recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil.</strong>
Get the Smoky BBQ Instant Pot Ribs recipe from Oh, Sweet Basil.

Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

<strong>Get the <a href="https://peasandcrayons.com/2018/01/instant-pot-apple-cinnamon-oatmeal.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal</a> recipe from Peas and Crayons.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe from Peas and Crayons.

Instant Pot Lamb Tagine

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.feastingathome.com/instant-pot-lamb-tagine/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Lamb Tagine</a> recipe from Feasting At Home.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Lamb Tagine recipe from Feasting At Home.

Instant Pot Coconut Tandoori Chicken

<strong>Get the <a href="https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-coconut-tandoori-chicken" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Coconut Tandoori Chicken</a> recipe from Pinch Of Yum.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Coconut Tandoori Chicken recipe from Pinch Of Yum.

Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff

<strong>Get the <a href="https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-beef-stroganoff/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff</a> recipe from Well Plated.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff recipe from Well Plated.

Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup With Cauliflower

<strong>Get the <a href="http://acalculatedwhisk.com/instant-pot-potato-leek-soup/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup with Cauliflower</a> recipe from A Calculated Whisk.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Potato Leek Soup with Cauliflower recipe from A Calculated Whisk.

Instant Pot Beef And Broccoli

<strong>Get the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-beef-and-broccoli/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli</a> recipe from Well Plated.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Beef and Broccoli recipe from Well Plated.

Instant Pot Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken)

<strong>Get the <a href="http://acalculatedwhisk.com/instant-pot-fesenjan/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken)</a> recipe from A Calculated Whisk.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Fesenjan (Persian Pomegranate Chicken) recipe from A Calculated Whisk.

Instant Pot Bacon And Sweet Potato Chili

<strong>Get the <a href="http://acalculatedwhisk.com/instant-pot-bacon-sweet-potato-chili/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Instant Pot Bacon and Sweet Potato Chili</a> recipe from A Calculated Whisk.</strong>
Get the Instant Pot Bacon and Sweet Potato Chili recipe from A Calculated Whisk.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.