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Foil Pack French Dip

Great for camping or casual meals at home, this nontraditional French dip is a fun pull-apart sandwich that comes together quickly, thanks to a couple of shortcuts: roast beef from the deli and a quick “au jus” made from butter. We might not have a homemade roast or a pan full of drippings, but we definitely aren’t short on flavor here. Keep in mind the au jus will only be as good as your beef broth, so it’s worth using a well-seasoned homemade broth or seeking out quality bone broth from a butcher shop.
Servings 6 people
Author Linda Ly

Equipment

  • Olive oil cooking spray, for preparing the aluminum foil

Ingredients

For the Au Jus

  • 4 tablespoons (½ stick) butter 56 g
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour 8 g
  • 2 cups well-seasoned beef broth 480 ml
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • Kosher salt
  • Ground black pepper

For the Sandwiches

  • 8 tablespoons 1 stick, or butter, at room temperature 112 g
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley 4 g
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 pound (about 16 inches), halved widthwise so you have 2 (8-inch, or 20 cm) loaves 454 g
  • Dijon mustard for spreading
  • 12 slices provolone cheese
  • 1 pound thinly sliced deli roast beef 454 g

Instructions

  • Prepare a medium-hot two-zone fire in a charcoal grill (see page 26) with a grill grate over the coals.
  • Measure two sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil (at least 18 inches, or 45 cm, long) and mist the surface of each sheet with cooking spray. Set aside until needed.
  • To make the au jus: On the stovetop, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Whisk the flour into the butter and cook, whisking frequently, until the flour is incorporated and the mixture thickens, 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Add the broth and Worcestershire and whisk to combine. Increase the heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Boil the au jus until it thickens slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Keep warm until ready to use.
  • To make the sandwiches: In a small bowl, using a fork, mash the butter, parsley, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, and pepper until well combined.
  • Cut even slits about ó inch (1 cm) apart in each loaf, stopping just before you slice through the bottom so the slices hold together. You should have 12 equal “slices” of bread per loaf.
  • Spread a thin layer of the butter mixture on one side of every other slice. Spread a thin layer of Dijon on the opposite side of each buttered slice. Starting at the end of each loaf, tuck 1 slice of provolone and 2 slices of roast beef between the buttered and Dijon sides, so when the bread is pulled apart when serving they will become individual sandwiches.
  • Place a loaf in the center of each prepared foil sheet and lightly coat the tops and sides of the bread with the remaining butter mixture. Fold and seal the foil into packets (see page 76).
  • Place the foil packets on the grate over direct heat. Grill for 5 to 10 minutes, turning frequently, until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted. If you’d like to add a bit more crispness, move the foil packs over indirect heat, open the packs to expose the top and sides of each loaf, and close the grill lid. Continue grilling for about 5 minutes more, until the bread is golden brown all the way through.
  • Serve the French dips family style with au jus on the side and let your guests pull apart their own sandwiches.

Notes

If you plan to put leftover rib roast in these sandwiches, use the luscious pan drippings from your roast in place of the butter to make the au jus that much better!