Texas Toast French Dips Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a craveworthy, ultra-satisfying dinner that comes together with minimal fuss, look no further than these Texas Toast French Dips. This recipe takes the classic comfort of French dip sandwiches and gives it a Southern twist with buttery, garlicky Texas Toast, tender roast beef, melty provolone, and rich au jus for dipping. Every bite is overflowing with texture and flavor, making this a meal your friends and family will beg for on repeat.

Ingredients You’ll Need

What I love about Texas Toast French Dips is how approachable every single ingredient is, yet each one brings its own magic—crisp toast, savory beef, gooey cheese, and that irresistible dipping sauce. Here’s what you’ll need, with a few tips to turn simple into spectacular:

• Frozen Garlic Texas Toast: Thick, buttery slices are the secret shortcut to an epic crusty sandwich base and punchy flavor.
• Au Jus Gravy Mix: This easy mix makes a deeply savory, beefy sauce for dipping that ties everything together.
• Cold Water: Essential for mixing up your au jus; use filtered for the cleanest, purest flavor.
• Sliced Deli Roast Beef: Go for thinly sliced, quality roast beef for that classic French dip tenderness.
• Provolone Cheese: Melts beautifully and provides a creamy, oozing layer between beef and bread.
• Dried Parsley (optional): A simple sprinkle adds color and a bit of herb freshness to finish it off.

How to Make Texas Toast French Dips

Step 1: Toast the Texas Toast

Begin by preheating your oven to 425°F and lining a sheet tray with parchment paper—trust me, it makes cleanup a breeze. Arrange the frozen garlic Texas Toast on the tray in a single layer. Follow the instructions on the box, usually baking for about 8 minutes and flipping the slices halfway to ensure both sides get crispy, golden, and deliciously fragrant from all that garlicky butter.

Step 2: Prepare the Au Jus

While the toast works its magic in the oven, start your au jus. Simply whisk together the packet of au jus gravy mix with 3 cups of cold water in a saucepan. Bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it’s glossy and deeply savory—your kitchen will smell amazing at this point!

Step 3: Warm the Roast Beef

Once your au jus is ready, gently add the sliced deli roast beef right into the simmering sauce. Let the beef warm through for a couple of minutes; this keeps it juicy and infuses those savory flavors into every bite without overcooking.

Step 4: Cheese the Toast

Now, arrange your hot Texas Toast slices on the tray and lay a half slice of provolone cheese on each piece. The residual heat starts that melt, making a perfect landing pad for the roast beef.

Step 5: Pile on the Roast Beef

Using tongs, layer the warmed, au jus-soaked roast beef onto each cheesy toast slice. Be generous! The juicy meat will soak into the nooks and crannies of the toast, creating those irresistible sandwich layers.

Step 6: Double Up on Cheese

Top each sandwich with the remaining half slice of provolone. This double layer of melty cheese turns every Texas Toast French Dip into a stringy, gooey masterpiece.

Step 7: Bake Until Melty

Pop the tray back in the oven for 3 to 5 minutes—just until the cheese is bubbling and golden at the edges. If you like extra goo, let it go a smidge longer and watch the transformation!

Step 8: Garnish and Dip

If you’re feeling fancy, sprinkle a touch of dried parsley on top for a flash of color and garden aroma. Serve immediately, with small bowls of the warm au jus on the side for dunking. Get ready for excitement at the table!

How to Serve Texas Toast French Dips

Garnishes

I love topping these with a sprinkle of dried parsley or fresh chopped chives for a little fresh, bright color. For a flavor kick, you could also add a touch of cracked black pepper or thinly sliced green onions. No garnish is necessary, but it does make your Texas Toast French Dips look especially inviting!

Side Dishes

These hearty sandwiches pair well with a crisp green salad, a pile of crunchy kettle chips, or roasted veggies for balance. Fries are a classic, but I also love sweet potato wedges or even a simple slaw. Anything fresh and zippy is the perfect contrast to all that cheesy, meaty goodness.

Creative Ways to Present

For a fun family dinner, serve your Texas Toast French Dips on a giant platter with bowls of au jus for everyone to share and dip. Hosting a game night? Slice each sandwich into mini halves or quarters for easy grab-and-go sliders. For a fancy spin, layer on caramelized onions or serve with a trio of dipping sauces—classic au jus, creamy horseradish, and spicy mustard dip.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any remaining assembled sandwiches in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. For best results, keep the au jus separate in a jar or airtight container to keep the toast from getting too soft. The sandwiches will lose a little crispness, but are still delicious reheated.

Freezing

If you’d like to freeze components, wrap cooled sandwiches (without au jus) individually in foil and place in a zip-top bag. Freeze for up to one month. The au jus can be cooled and frozen in a separate container; just thaw and reheat both when ready to enjoy.

Reheating

For maximum flavor and that signature crunch, reheat Texas Toast French Dips in the oven or a toaster oven at 350°F for 8-10 minutes. Warm the au jus gently in a saucepan or the microwave, then dip each sandwich as usual. Avoid microwaving the toast itself to keep things from going soggy.

FAQs

Can I use homemade roast beef instead of deli?

Absolutely! If you have leftover roast beef from a weekend dinner, slice it thin and use it in place of deli slices—it adds a personal touch and even more home-cooked flavor.

Can I make Texas Toast French Dips vegetarian?

Yes, swap the roast beef and au jus for sautéed mushrooms and a savory vegetable broth-based dip. Use your favorite melting cheese for a delicious vegetarian version.

What if I can’t find frozen garlic Texas Toast?

You can absolutely use thick-cut bread, spread with garlic butter, and toast it in the oven. Just aim for hearty, crusty slices that can hold up to the juicy filling and dipping.

Can I prep these ahead for a party?

Sure thing! Assemble the sandwiches with cheese and beef, then chill. When ready to serve, bake just until everything is hot and bubbly, and heat up the au jus separately for dipping.

What cheese alternatives work well?

If you can’t find provolone, try mozzarella, Swiss, or even cheddar—anything that melts well and complements the beef will be wonderful in your Texas Toast French Dips.

Final Thoughts

These Texas Toast French Dips are pure joy: comforting, a little indulgent, and always a hit with a crowd. If you haven’t tried this twist on a classic French dip yet, I highly recommend it—once you take that garlicky, cheesy, beefy bite, there’s just no going back. Go on, give them a try and make dinnertime a little extra special!

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