A Prime Rib French Dip Sandwich is a rich, satisfying meal built from tender, thinly sliced prime rib piled into a soft roll and served with a warm, savory au jus for dipping. This sandwich highlights the beef’s natural flavor and is perfect for entertaining, turning leftover roast into an elevated comfort-food favorite.
Prime Rib French Dip Sandwiches
Making a prime rib French dip at home gives you full control over quality and flavor. Start with a well-rested prime rib—either freshly roasted or leftover—from which you can carve or shave ultra-thin slices. Light seasoning, high-quality bread, and a properly seasoned au jus make all the difference. The result is an indulgent sandwich that’s deceptively simple to prepare yet impressive in presentation.
This sandwich adapts well to different occasions: serve it as a quick weeknight dinner, a centerpiece for a casual gathering, or as hearty game-day fare. Because the assembled sandwich is best served immediately, keep the components separated—bread, cheese, meat, and au jus—if you plan to store leftovers. When you’re ready to eat, reheat the au jus, dip the slices briefly to warm them, and assemble for a juicy, flavorful bite.
Au jus can be made from pan drippings, beef stock, and aromatics, or you can use a high-quality prepared mix if you prefer convenience. Top the sandwich with white American or provolone cheese, or skip the cheese if you want the beef to shine. Toasted sub rolls or hoagie buns add texture and help the sandwich hold up to dipping.
Explore more grilling and smoker recipes on this site for complementary sides and pairings.
Recipe Shopping List
Here are the main items to have on hand. For exact quantities and details, see the ingredient list in the recipe card below.
- Prime rib (fresh or leftover)
- Au jus or beef drippings
- Sub buns or hoagie rolls
- White American cheese (or your preferred melting cheese)
How To Make This Recipe
Below is a straightforward overview of the steps. Follow the full recipe card for quantities and timing.
- Slice: Use a very sharp knife, an electric carving knife, or a slicer to cut the prime rib into the thinnest slices possible. Paper-thin slices give the best texture for dipping.
- Heat Au Jus: Warm the au jus in a saucepan until it simmers gently. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt or a splash of Worcestershire if needed.
- Toast: Halve your rolls and toast the cut sides until lightly browned. Toasting helps the bread resist sogginess from the au jus.
- Melt Cheese: Add two slices of cheese to each toasted roll and melt briefly under a broiler or in a hot oven.
- Dip and Build: Briefly submerge the sliced beef in the simmering au jus for 20–30 seconds to warm and flavor it, then pile it onto the prepared rolls.
- Serve: Offer extra au jus on the side for dunking and serve immediately while hot.
Try pairing this sandwich with gratin, roasted vegetables, or a crisp salad for a balanced meal.
Recipe FAQ
Store components separately. Keep sliced meat in an airtight container with a little au jus to retain moisture; it will keep well for 3–4 days in the refrigerator. Toasted rolls and assembled sandwiches are best eaten the same day.
Use pan drippings from your roast, combined with beef broth and a splash of Worcestershire or soy sauce for depth. Simmer briefly and strain. Prepared au jus mixes are also convenient and work well in a pinch.
Sturdy hoagie or sub rolls that are soft inside but firm enough to hold meat and dip are ideal. If you enjoy baking, homemade rolls give a special touch.
More Sandwiches
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- Prime Rib Pinwheel Sandwich
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- Crispy Panko Fish Sandwich
- Traeger Grilled Chicken Sandwich
- Traeger Pulled Lamb Gyro Sandwiches
- Smoked Shredded Beef Dips
- Smoked Hot Roast Beef Sandwich Boats
- Blackstone Philly Cheesesteaks
- Buffalo Chicken Flatbread
- Smoked Over The Top Sloppy Joes
- Griddle Patty Melt
Prime Rib French Dips
Yield: 6 servings
This easy Prime Rib French Dip is a great way to use leftover prime rib or to serve as a quick weeknight meal that still feels special.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
- 3 pounds medium-rare prime rib, thinly sliced
- 2 cups au jus
- 6 sub buns
- 12 slices white American cheese
Instructions
- Thinly slice the prime rib as thin as possible.
- Heat the au jus in a saucepan until it reaches a gentle simmer.
- Slice and toast the buns on the cut sides until lightly browned.
- Place two slices of cheese on each toasted roll and melt briefly under a broiler or in the oven.
- Dip the sliced beef into the simmering au jus for about 30 seconds to warm it and add flavor, then pile onto the prepared rolls.
- Serve with extra au jus for dipping.
Nutrition Information (per serving)
Calories: 1319 • Total Fat: 82g • Saturated Fat: 35g • Cholesterol: 228mg • Sodium: 2033mg • Carbohydrates: 70g • Fiber: 3g • Sugar: 8g • Protein: 72g
Nutrition data is an estimate.