Vegetarian French Dip Sandwiches

$6.58 recipe / $1.65 each
by Beth - Budget Bytes
4.97 from 76 votes
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Last week I saw an amazing photo of an incredible slow cooker French dip sandwich recipe and I couldn’t stop thinking about them. I wanted those sandwiches and I wanted them bad. But then I thought, “What if I tried to make vegetarian French dip sandwiches?” and then I was on a mission. This portobello mushroom-based French dip recipe turned out really amazing on the first try. So amazing, in fact, that this is the most enthusiastic that I’ve seen my boyfriend about any recipe that I’ve made for him so far. And I feed him a lot. ;)

Overhead view of vegetarian French dip sandwiches in a tray.

What is a French Dip Sandwich?

French dip sandwiches are made with tender shaved beef piled onto a French roll, topped with melted cheese (sometimes) and served with a rich broth, or au jus, for dipping. It’s absolutely delightful. BUT, because beef is so expensive these days, these vegetarian French dip sandwiches made with portobello mushrooms are a really tasty alternative. You won’t belive how delicious this broth is!

And what recipe had me drooling at my computer screen and ultimately inspired the vegetarian version? These Slow Cooker French Dip Sandwiches from Carlsbad Cravings.

How to Make a French Dip Sandwich Vegetarian

I replaced the tender beef in classic French Dip sandwiches with meaty strips of portobello mushrooms and sautéed onions to bulk them up while keeping the price low.

I’d normally add a little Worcestershire to the broth of a beef French dip, but that has anchovies in it. So, to mimic the salty-sweetness of Worcestershire, I added a little soy sauce and just a smidge of brown sugar. That hint of sweetness from the brown sugar really helped balance the flavors and made the broth complex, so don’t be tempted to skip it.

Also, I highly suggest using Better Than Bouillon to make your broth. It has a deep flavor and just the right amount of salt.

How to Store Leftovers

If you’re not eating these sandwiches all at once, store the mushroom and onions in the broth and reheat them together before piling the filling into the sandwiches and dipping them into the remaining broth. You can heat these sandwiches in a matter of minutes under the broiler, so it’s a nice quick meal for leftovers!

What Kind of Bread Should I Use?

One last note. Due to pricing and product availability, I did not use a French loaf for my sandwiches (I know, I know). Instead, I bought a pack of hoagie rolls that worked quite well. The key to choosing your bread for these sandwiches is to make sure you have something very sturdy and crusty so that it holds up to dipping in the delicious broth.

Side view of vegetarian French dip sandwiches.
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Vegetarian French Dip Sandwiches

4.97 from 76 votes
These Vegetarian French Dip Sandwiches are fast, easy, and feature a salty-sweet herb infused vegetarian au jus for dipping. 
Close up overhead shot of Vegetarian French Dip Sandwiches in a tray.
Servings 4
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 25 minutes
Total 35 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion ($0.32)
  • 3 portobello mushroom caps (about ½ lb.) ($3.99)
  • 2 Tbsp butter ($0.20)
  • 1/8 tsp salt ($0.01)
  • 1/8 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.01)
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme ($0.02)
  • 1/4 tsp dried oregano ($0.02)
  • 2 cups vegetable broth* ($0.26)
  • 1 Tbsp soy sauce ($0.06)
  • 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar ($0.02)
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder ($0.01)
  • 4 6-inch French or Hoagie rolls ($1.66)
  • 4 slices provolone ($1.00)
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Instructions 

  • Slice the onion into thin strips. Rinse the portobello caps to remove any dirt or debris. Slice each cap in half, then crosswise into 1/4-inch thick strips.
  • Add the butter to a deep skillet along with the sliced onions. Sauté the onions over medium heat for a few minutes, or just until they begin to soften.
  • Add the sliced mushrooms to the skillet along with the salt, pepper, thyme, and oregano. Sauté the mushrooms until they release all their moisture and the liquid in the bottom of the skillet has evaporated (about 10 minutes). You should see some browned bits coating the bottom of the skillet.
  • Add the vegetable broth, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic powder and stir to dissolve the browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Allow the liquid to come up to a simmer, then turn down to low and simmer for about 5 minutes while you toast the bread.
  • Open the rolls and place them on a baking sheet, open sides up. Turn the oven on to broil and place the rolls in the oven on the middle rack. Watch the rolls closely and broil just until you see a slightly browning on the edges (about 5 minutes).
  • Use a slotted spoon or tongs to take the mushrooms and onions out of the au jus. Divide the mushrooms and onions among the four rolls. Top each sandwich with a slice of provolone.
  • Return the sandwiches to the oven and broil for a few minutes more, or just until the cheese is melted. Close the sandwiches up and serve with the au jus from the skillet for dipping.

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Notes

*The type of broth you use will greatly affect the end flavor of the au jus. I used vegetable flavored Better Than Bouillon concentrate to make my vegetable broth.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 329kcalCarbohydrates: 41gProtein: 12gFat: 13gSodium: 1276mgFiber: 2g
Read our full nutrition disclaimer here.
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Video

A vegetarian French dip sandwich being dipped into a bowl of au jus.

How to Make Vegetarian French Dip Sandwiches – Step by Step Photos

Sliced mushrooms and onion.

Slice one yellow onion into thin strips. Wash and slice three portobello caps. I used three caps, which weighed ½ lb. total. I like to slice them in half, then crosswise into strips so that the strips aren’t super long.

Sautéed onions in a skillet.

Add the onions and 2 Tbsp butter to a deep skillet. Sauté the onions over medium heat just until they begin to soften (about 3 minutes).

Sautéed mushrooms in the skillet.

Then add the sliced mushrooms, a pinch of salt and pepper, 1/4 tsp dried oregano, and 1/4 tsp dried thyme. Sauté the mushrooms and onions until the mushrooms release all their moisture and the liquid in the bottom of the skillet evaporates. There should be some caramelized browned bits stuck to the bottom of the skillet. 

Broth being poured into the skillet.

Add 2 cups of vegetable broth to the skillet and stir to dissolve the browned bits off the bottom. Then add 1 Tbsp soy sauce, 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar, and 1/8 tsp garlic powder.

Finished mushrooms in au jus.

Let the au jus come up to a simmer, then turn it down to low and let it simmer for 5-10 minutes while you toast the bread.

Hoagie rolls sliced open on a baking sheet.

Place four opened French or hoagie rolls on a baking sheet, open side up. Turn the oven on to broil and toast the bread under the broiler just until you start to see a little browning on the edges. I kept my oven rack in the middle so that the bread was far enough away from the broiler that it wouldn’t toast super fast. That gives you a little more room for error. 

Mushrooms and onions being placed on toasted rolls.

Use tongs or a slotted spoon to pick the mushrooms and onions up out of the au jus, then pile them onto the toasted rolls.

Sliced provolone added to the rolls.

Add a slice of provolone to each…

Melted cheese on the sandwiches on the baking sheet.

Then return the sandwiches to the broiler to melt the cheese. The open bread will continue to brown here, so if your bread was a little more on the brown side after the first broil, flip the pieces over so they’ll brown on top instead.

front view of finished sandwiches on the baking sheet.

Finally, close up the sandwiches and serve while hot! But don’t forget to ladle that yummy au jus into little bowls for dipping.

A vegetarian French Dip Sandwich being dipped into a bowl of au jus.

These Vegetarian French Dip Sandwiches are seriously good stuff. nomnomnom

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  1. Fantastic recipe–super easy and super yummy! This has become our go-to quick meal. We double up on the mushrooms (’cause why not?), and we are using the smaller “baby belle” mushrooms because they are half the price of the larger caps. Slice, saute, and eat! Thank you!!!

  2. Delicious! I used vegetarian better than bouillon. It turned out flavorful and delicious.

  3. I have made this recipe multiple times, and it is always amazing. I suggest making a double batch, and then use the leftovers to make things like: mushroom gravy, ramen, scrambles (goes great with eggs or tofu!).

  4. I absolve this recipe and I am not even vegan! I have made it several times and it’s just so easy and filling! I’ve added other veggies with the mushrooms also lime red or yellow bell or poblano or just whatever I have! It’s a ver versatile recipe!

  5. We both enjoyed this sandwich even more than if we had used steak! What an easy, healthful and delicious way to have a fun dinner that is meatless. Thanks Beth!

  6. Mmmmmm!! Amazing, I must say. These are a must-have for every mushroom fan. I’ve made them frequently in the past couple weeks. It was delicious. Thank you for sharing this fantastic dish with us.  We’re looking forward to your next delectable recipe.