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What Is the Difference Between Italian Beef and French Dip

What Is the Difference Between Italian Beef and French Dip?

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Last Updated on October 4, 2022 by Lauren Beck

You might be wondering what the difference is between Italian beef and French dip. Both are sandwiches that feature thinly sliced meat, but there are some key differences that set them apart.

For starters, Italian beef is typically made with roast beef that has been cooked in a seasoned broth. This gives the meat a lot of flavor and makes it very tender. French dip, on the other hand, is made with meat that has been cooked in a simple beef broth.

Another difference between these two types of sandwiches is the way the meat is served. Italian beef is usually served with the juices from the cooking broth, while French dip is served without any sauce or juices.

What Is Italian Beef?

Italian beef is a type of slow-roasted sandwich meat that is traditionally made from beef chuck roast. The meat is seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices, and then it is cooked until it is very tender. Once it is cooked, the beef is shredded or sliced thin and served on a crusty roll with a variety of dipping sauces.

What Is French Dip?

French dip is a type of sandwich that is traditionally made with thinly sliced roast beef on a crusty roll. The sandwich is then dipped in au jus, which is a beef broth that has been seasoned with herbs and spices. French dip sandwiches can also be made with other types of meat, such as pork or chicken.

French Dip vs. Italian Beef

The biggest difference between French dip and Italian beef is in the way that the meat is cooked. Italian beef is slow-roasted until it is very tender, while French dip is made with thinly sliced roast beef that is not cooked all the way through. This means that French dip sandwiches will have a slightly different texture than Italian beef sandwiches.

Another difference between these two types of sandwiches is in the sauces that are used. Italian beef is typically served with a variety of dipping sauces, while French dip is dipped in au jus before it is eaten.

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How to Make Italian Beef?

Hearty Italian Beef Sandwich with Hot Giadanarra Peppers

Here is a recipe for how to make Italian beef:

Ingredients:

  • 1 (3-pound) beef chuck roast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup giardiniera, optional

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef chuck roast and cook until browned on all sides.
  3. Remove the beef from the skillet and add the onion, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onion is translucent.
  4. Add the beef broth, red wine, Worcestershire sauce, and giardiniera (if using).
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. Place the beef in a large baking dish and pour the sauce over top.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
  8. Shred the beef with a fork and serve on crusty rolls with your favorite dipping sauce.

How Do You Order an Italian Beef? 

There are a few different ways that you can order an Italian beef sandwich. The most common way is to order it “dry” or “dipped.” Dry means that the sandwich will just have the beef and the sauce on it, while dipped means that the whole sandwich will be dipped in the au jus before it is served.

You can also order your sandwich “sweet” or “hot.” Sweet means that the giardiniera will be added to the sandwich, while hot means that the peppers will be added.

If you want to try something a little different, you can also order an Italian beef pizza. This is a pizza that is made with the same ingredients as an Italian beef sandwich, but it is served on a pizza crust instead of a roll.

How to Make French Dip?

Here is a recipe for how to make French dip [1]:

Ingredients:

  • 1 (3-pound) beef chuck roast
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup beef broth
  • 1/2 cup red wine
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Instructions:

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef chuck roast and cook until browned on all sides.
  3. Remove the beef from the skillet and add the onion, garlic, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Cook until the onion is translucent.
  4. Add the beef broth, red wine, and Worcestershire sauce.
  5. Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce heat to low. Simmer for 10 minutes.
  6. Place the beef in a large baking dish and pour the sauce over top.
  7. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 3-4 hours, or until the beef is very tender.
  8. Slice the beef thinly and serve on crusty rolls with au jus for dipping.

Can I Make French Dip In the Crockpot?

Yes, you can make French dip in the crockpot! Just follow the recipe above, but instead of cooking it in the oven, cook it on low in the crockpot for 6-8 hours.

How To Store French Dip Sandwiches?

If you have leftovers, you can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just reheat in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove until warmed through.

You can also freeze French dip sandwiches for up to 3 months. Just place them in a freezer-safe container or bag and thaw in the fridge when you’re ready to eat.

Conclusion

Now that you know the difference between Italian beef and French dip, you can decide which one you want to try! If you’re feeling adventurous, why not try both? They are both delicious in their own way.

Reference:

  1. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/136476/easy-french-dip-sandwiches/
Lauren Beck
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