Easy French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups: Flavorful Beef Bites Recipe

Introduction

These Easy French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups transform the classic French dip sandwich into bite-sized, dippable delights perfect for appetizers, snacks, or a light meal. Featuring tender, slow-cooked beef wrapped in soft tortillas with melty cheese and caramelized onions, they’re sure to impress and satisfy.

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds boneless beef roast (chuck, top round, or sirloin)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 small yellow onion, finely minced (optional for au jus enhancement)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional for au jus enhancement)
• 1 additional cup low-sodium beef broth (optional for au jus enhancement)
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional for au jus enhancement)
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or dry red wine (optional for au jus enhancement)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (optional, for thickening au jus)
• 8-10 large (10-inch) flour tortillas
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 12 slices provolone cheese (Swiss or Gruyere as substitutes)
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced and caramelized (about 1 cup)
• 1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (optional)
• Fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped (for garnish)
• Creamy horseradish sauce (for serving)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat the beef roast dry and rub all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme.
2. Step 2: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat; sear the beef on all sides until deeply browned, about 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a slow cooker.
3. Step 3: Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and bay leaves to the slow cooker. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until beef is tender.
4. Step 4: Remove beef from slow cooker; tent with foil and rest for 15-20 minutes. Thinly slice against the grain.
5. Step 5: Strain the cooking liquid into a saucepan, skim off fat, and keep warm. In a small skillet, sauté minced onion in oil or butter until translucent, add garlic and cook 1 minute more.
6. Step 6: Combine sautéed aromatics with strained liquid, add additional broth, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar or wine. Simmer 10-15 minutes to deepen flavor. Thicken with cornstarch slurry if desired.
7. Step 7: Caramelize sliced large onion by cooking in butter or oil over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden and soft, about 30-45 minutes.
8. Step 8: Warm tortillas briefly if stiff. Spread about 2 tablespoons softened cream cheese over each tortilla, leaving a small border. Add a thin layer of Dijon mustard if using.
9. Step 9: Layer 1-2 provolone slices, sliced beef, and caramelized onions evenly over cream cheese.
10. Step 10: Fold sides of tortilla inward slightly and roll tightly from one edge to enclose filling. Place seam-side down and repeat with remaining tortillas.
11. Step 11: To finish, either pan-fry in a bit of oil or butter for 2-3 minutes per side until golden and cheese melts, or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes until lightly golden and melted.
12. Step 12: Let roll ups cool slightly, then slice into 1-inch pinwheels. Garnish with chopped fresh herbs and serve immediately with warm au jus and horseradish sauce.

Tips & Variations

• Use chuck roast for the most tender, flavorful beef, but top round or sirloin works well if sliced thinly.
• Caramelizing the onions adds sublime sweetness and depth—don’t rush this step if possible.
• Try Swiss or Gruyere cheese for a different but equally tasty flavor profile.
• For thicker au jus, add the cornstarch slurry gradually and keep it thin to maintain traditional dipping consistency.
• If short on time, skip searing the beef but know it adds significant flavor.

Storage

Store leftover roll ups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a skillet over low heat or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Keep au jus separate in the fridge and warm gently before serving.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the au jus ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the au jus up to two days in advance. Store it in the refrigerator and gently reheat on the stove before serving. Stir well before serving to recombine any separated juices.

What if I don’t have a slow cooker?

You can braise the beef roast in a heavy pot or Dutch oven with broth and seasonings, covered, at a low oven temperature (around 300°F) for 3-4 hours until tender. The results will be similar but may require more attention.

Easy French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups: Flavorful Beef Bites Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 123 reviews

• Author: Lily
• Total Time: 7-8 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8–10 servings (depending on tortilla count) 1x

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Description

These Easy French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups transform the classic French dip sandwich into a fun, dippable appetizer or light meal. Featuring tender slow-cooked beef, melty provolone cheese, and caramelized onions, all wrapped in soft flour tortillas and served with rich au jus dipping sauce, these roll ups offer a perfect blend of savory flavors and satisfying textures ideal for gatherings or weeknight dinners.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Beef and Its Juices

• 2–3 pounds boneless beef roast (chuck roast preferred)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 bay leaves

Au Jus Enhancers (Optional but Recommended)

• 1 small yellow onion, finely minced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup additional low-sodium beef broth
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or splash of dry red wine (Cabernet or Merlot)
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (cornstarch slurry, optional)

Tortilla Roll Ups

• 8–10 large (10-inch) flour tortillas
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 12 slices provolone cheese
• 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced and caramelized (about 1 cup caramelized onions)
• 1–2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (optional)
• Fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped for garnish

For Serving

• Creamy horseradish sauce, store-bought or homemade

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Instructions

1. Prepare and Season the Beef: Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels. Mix sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme in a small bowl. Rub the seasoning all over the beef thoroughly.
2. Sear the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef roast on all sides for 2-3 minutes until deeply browned. Transfer the beef to the slow cooker.
3. Slow Cook the Beef: Pour 4 cups beef broth and Worcestershire sauce over the beef in the slow cooker. Add bay leaves. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours until beef is very tender.
4. Rest and Slice the Beef: Remove beef from slow cooker and let rest tented with foil for 15-20 minutes. Thinly slice the beef against the grain, then return to 1-2 cups of warm cooking liquid to keep moist and warm.
5. Prepare the Au Jus: Strain remaining cooking liquid through a fine mesh sieve into a saucepan. Skim the fat and keep warm. In a small skillet, sauté minced onion in olive oil or butter until translucent (5-7 minutes), add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add strained liquid, additional beef broth, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar or wine. Simmer 10-15 minutes to meld flavors. Optionally, thicken with cornstarch slurry for 1-2 minutes. Keep warm.
6. Caramelize the Onions: In a skillet over medium-low heat, melt butter or olive oil and add thinly sliced onions with a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, for 30-45 minutes until golden and sweet. Set aside.
7. Prepare Tortillas and Spreadings: Soften cream cheese to room temperature. Warm tortillas if stiff by microwaving briefly or heating in a dry skillet.
8. Assemble Roll Ups: Lay one tortilla flat. Spread about 2 tablespoons cream cheese evenly, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Optionally spread a thin layer of Dijon mustard over the cream cheese. Layer 1-2 slices provolone cheese, then generous thin slices of warm beef, and spoon caramelized onions on top.
9. Roll the Tortilla: Fold in the sides about 1 inch to contain filling and roll tightly from the edge closest to you, keeping the filling snug. Place seam-side down on a plate. Repeat with remaining tortillas and fillings.
10. Cook the Roll Ups: Option A (Pan-Frying): Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat with a drizzle of olive oil or butter. Cook roll ups seam-side down 2-3 minutes per side until golden and cheese melts.
    Option B (Baking): Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place roll ups seam-side down on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 10-15 minutes until tortillas are lightly golden and cheese melted.
11. Slice and Garnish: Let roll ups cool 1-2 minutes, then slice into 1-inch pinwheels using a sharp serrated knife. Arrange on a platter and sprinkle with chopped fresh chives or parsley.
12. Serve: Serve warm French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups immediately with hot au jus dipping sauce and creamy horseradish sauce on the side.

Notes

• Using chuck roast or similarly marbled beef enhances tenderness and flavor.
• Searing the beef before slow cooking adds significant depth of flavor but can be skipped in a hurry.
• Caramelizing onions is optional but highly recommended for sweetness and complexity.
• If short on time, soften cream cheese in the microwave for 15-20 seconds but do not melt.
• The au jus is traditionally thin; use cornstarch slurry sparingly to avoid over-thickening.
• Roll tortillas tightly and fold in edges before rolling for neat, manageable pinwheels.
• Pan frying yields a crispy exterior; baking keeps them softer and is better for larger batches.
• Store leftovers separately from the au jus; reheat gently before serving.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 6-8 hours (slow cooker) plus 45 minutes caramelizing onions
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Slow Cooking
• Cuisine: American with French Dip inspiration

Keywords: French Dip, Beef Roll Ups, Tortilla Roll Ups, Slow Cooker Recipe, Appetizer, Party Food, Au Jus, Caramelized Onions, Comfort Food