French Dip Grilled Cheese with Caramelized Onions and Rich Au Jus Recipe
This French Dip Grilled Cheese recipe combines the rich flavors of caramelized onions, melted Swiss cheese, and thinly sliced roast beef inside crusty French bread. Served with a warm, savory au jus for dipping, it’s a comforting and indulgent twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich, perfect for a satisfying lunch or dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 sandwiches 1x
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
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 the olive oil. Add the thinly sliced onions and sauté, stirring frequently, until they become deeply caramelized and golden brown, about 12 to 15 minutes. Once done, transfer the onions to a plate and set aside.
- Prepare Au Jus: Wipe the skillet clean. In a small saucepan, combine the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, minced garlic, and fresh thyme. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Strain the au jus through a small strainer and keep it warm for serving.
- Build Sandwiches: Lay out 4 slices of French bread on your work surface. On each slice, place one slice of Swiss cheese, then a generous portion of the thinly sliced roast beef, followed by the caramelized onions, and a second slice of Swiss cheese. Top each sandwich with the remaining bread slices.
- Butter the Bread: Evenly spread unsalted butter on the outside surfaces of each assembled sandwich. This will help achieve a crispy, golden crust when grilling.
- Grill Sandwiches: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium heat. Place the sandwiches in the skillet and grill for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, pressing down gently to compact the sandwich. Grill until the bread is crisp and golden brown and the cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Slice the sandwiches in half and serve immediately alongside the warm au jus for dipping, enhancing the flavor and moisture of each bite.
Notes
- Use crusty French bread for the best texture and flavor contrast.
- Caramelizing onions adds deep sweetness and enhances the sandwich’s flavor.
- If you prefer, substitute Swiss cheese with provolone or Gruyere for a different cheesy profile.
- Keep the au jus warm to ensure a comforting dip experience.
- For a richer sandwich, add a splash of red wine to the au jus while simmering.
- You can prepare caramelized onions and au jus in advance to save time when assembling.
Keywords: French dip grilled cheese, caramelized onion sandwich, roast beef sandwich, au jus sandwich, melted Swiss cheese sandwich
