Easy French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups: Flavorful Beef Bites Recipe
These Easy French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups combine the tender, slowly cooked beef roast with rich, savory au jus and creamy cheese, all wrapped in soft flour tortillas. Perfect as dippable appetizers or a light meal, they offer the classic flavors of a French dip sandwich in a fun, handheld form. The recipe includes seared and slow-cooked beef with a homemade au jus, complemented by caramelized onions, cream cheese, and provolone, delivering layers of flavor and an irresistible dip-worthy experience.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 to 8 hours (slow cooker on LOW) or 3 to 4 hours (slow cooker on HIGH)
- Total Time: 6.5 to 8.5 hours (including resting and prep)
- Yield: 8-10 roll ups 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Beef and Its Glorious Juices:
- 2–3 pounds boneless beef roast (chuck roast, 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
For Enhancing the Au Jus (Optional):
- 1 small yellow onion, very finely minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 additional cup low-sodium beef broth
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar or splash of dry red wine (Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water (cornstarch slurry, optional)
For the Tortilla Roll Ups:
- 8–10 large (10-inch) flour tortillas
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 12 slices provolone cheese (or Swiss/Gruyere as substitute)
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced then caramelized (about 1 cup caramelized)
- Optional: 1-2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped, for garnish
For Serving:
- Creamy horseradish sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare and Season the Beef: Pat the beef roast dry with paper towels to ensure a good sear. Mix sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and dried thyme in a small bowl and rub all over the beef roast to evenly season it.
- Sear for Deeper Flavor: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear the beef roast on all sides for 2-3 minutes each, until a deep brown crust forms. This step adds rich flavor through the Maillard reaction. Transfer the seared beef to the slow cooker.
- Slow Cook to Perfection: Pour 4 cups of low-sodium beef broth and 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce over the beef in the slow cooker. Add two bay leaves. Cover and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours, until the beef is tender and easily pierced with a fork.
- Rest and Slice the Beef: Remove the beef from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Tent with foil and rest for 15-20 minutes to allow juices to redistribute. Thinly slice the beef against the grain for tenderness. Return the sliced beef to 1-2 cups of warm cooking liquid in the slow cooker or a separate bowl to keep warm and moist.
- Prepare the Au Jus (Optional but Recommended): In a skillet, sauté the finely minced yellow onion and garlic until softened and fragrant. Add an additional cup of low-sodium beef broth, soy sauce, and balsamic vinegar or red wine, stirring to combine. Pour this mixture into the beef cooking liquid. If a thicker au jus is desired, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer until slightly thickened.
- Caramelize the Onions: Thinly slice one large yellow onion and cook over low to medium heat with a bit of oil or butter until deeply golden and sweet, about 20-30 minutes. Stir frequently to avoid burning.
- Assemble the Roll Ups: Lay out a flour tortilla, spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese (optionally mixed with Dijon mustard) evenly. Layer several slices of the thinly cut beef, caramelized onions, and 1-2 slices of provolone cheese. Roll the tortilla tightly into a log shape. Repeat with remaining tortillas and ingredients.
- Serve: Arrange the roll ups on a platter. Garnish with finely chopped fresh chives or parsley. Serve alongside warm au jus and creamy horseradish sauce for dipping. Enjoy these flavorful, fun French Dip Tortilla Roll Ups as appetizers or a light meal.
Notes
- Searing the beef roast before slow cooking enhances flavor but can be skipped if short on time.
- Caramelizing the onions adds a wonderful depth of sweetness but can be omitted for a quicker prep.
- The au jus can be served as is or thickened with cornstarch slurry to your preference.
- Use burrito-sized tortillas to ensure easy rolling and prevent cracking.
- For variation, substitute provolone with Swiss or Gruyere cheese.
- Keep sliced beef warm in au jus to retain moisture before assembly.
- Store leftovers with au jus to keep the roll ups moist when reheating.
Keywords: French dip roll ups, slow cooker beef recipe, tortilla roll ups, French dip appetizer, au jus dip, caramelized onions, creamy cheese roll ups
