When you make something as delicious as a French dip sandwich, you’d better serve some tasty side dishes to go with it! Complete your meal with one of these easy sides when you can’t decide what to serve with French dip sandwiches.
What is a French Dip Sandwich?
French dip sandwiches are piping hot sandwiches piled high with thinly sliced beef on a toasted hoagie rolls, crusty French rolls, or baguette with gooey melted cheese; pair them with beefy au jus, a flavorful dipping sauce made from the juices accumulated by cooking the beef, which is how the sandwich got its name.
Despite the name, French dip sandwiches are not originally French; it was invented in Los Angeles by a French man, who created the sandwich by happy accident while trying to use leftover juicy, roasted pork (yep, that was the original meat of choice).
Start with a Recipe for a French Dip
Make air fryer French dip sandwiches with tender, juicy skirt steak and homemade au jus in less than 30 minutes for a delicious French dip recipe you can pair with any side.
What to Serve with French Dip Sandwiches?
You can serve French dips with crispy sides like French fries or potato chips. Tender caramelized onions and mushrooms or grilled bell peppers are a fantastic addition to the sandwich, and since they are rich and savory, you can serve them with tangy sides, bright green salads, and fresh fruit.
- Start with a Recipe for a French Dip
- 1. Au Jus
- 2. Sweet Potato Fries
- 3. Roasted Potatoes
- 4. French Fries
- 5. Dill Pickles
- 6. Onion Rings
- 7. Mashed Cauliflower
- 8. Potato Chips
- 9. French Onion Soup
- 10. Avocado Tomato Cucumber Salad
- 11. Coleslaw
- 12. Potato Salad
- 13. Céleri Rémoulade
- 14. Pickled Cucumber Salad
- 15. Zucchini and Squash
- 16. Macaroni Salad
- 17. Potato Croquettes
- 18. Hasselback Potatoes
- 19. Mango Cucumber Fruit Salad
- 20. Ancho Aioli
- 21. Sumac Onions
- 22. Horseradish Cream Sauce
- 23. Chimichurri with Cilantro
- 24. Southern Comeback Sauce
- 25. BBQ Aioli
- 26. Honey Mustard Sauce
The Best Side Dishes for French Dip Sandwiches
1. Au Jus
Pair French dip sandwiches with flavorful au jus (‘with juice,’ referring to the drippings left over from roasting the beef); it is an essential part of the French dip experience. It’s often served in a small bowl on the side for dipping the sandwich or poured over the top for flavor and moisture. Prepare the dip using the liquid the beef cooks in, or make it with pantry ingredients.
- 4 cups beef broth or beef stock
- 1 tablespoon sherry wine
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 sprig fresh thyme
For a tasty variation, dip the sandwich into homemade beef gravy.
2. Sweet Potato Fries
Easy air fryer frozen sweet potato fries are a simple side dish ready in 15 minutes; the naturally sweet fries complement the rich flavor of French dip sandwiches.
3. Roasted Potatoes
Make perfectly seasoned and irresistibly crispy roasted potatoes in the oven, and since they’re so easy, you can pair them with anything, including sandwiches!
4. French Fries
Serve crispy homemade french fries with a French dip sandwich to complete the meal, and don’t forget about the dipping sauces:
Photo Credit: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen
5. Dill Pickles
Homemade dill pickles are a tangy addition to flavorful roast beef sandwiches – serve them as a garnish or side dish. If you don’t want to prepare the pickles from scratch, serve a dill pickle spear on the side.
Photo Credit: It’s Not Complicated
6. Onion Rings
If you’re gathering French dip sides, onion rings should top the list, and they are a crispy alternative to french fries for a salty addition to the meal.
Photo Credit: Feed Grump
7. Mashed Cauliflower
Mashed cauliflower is a tasty, low-carb alternative to mashed potatoes that goes with Sunday Sunday pot roast, beef stew, roasted chicken, and even French dip sandwiches!
8. Potato Chips
Crispy homemade potato chips are easy to make in the air fryer and perfect when you want something crunchy to go with your meal.
9. French Onion Soup
There is something cozy about a sandwich served with a warm bowl of soup. Savory tomato soup, hamburger vegetable soup, and French onion soup pair well with hearty French dip sandwiches. Plus, you can forgo the au jus and dip your sandwiches into the soup!
More Side Dishes for French Dips
10. Avocado Tomato Cucumber Salad
Combine fresh herbs, juicy tomato, crisp cucumber, and creamy avocado to make this easy, light side dish.
More Cucumber and Tomato Salads:
11. Coleslaw
Homemade coleslaw incorporates shredded cabbage, carrots, mint leaves, cilantro, and scallions tossed in a tangy dressing. For another variation, make vinegar coleslaw to pair with your French dip sandwich.
12. Potato Salad
Healthy potato salad combines fork-tender potatoes, hard-boiled eggs, celery, pickles, and onions tossed in a tangy, yogurt-based sauce. Or you can whip up a batch of Southern potato salad with a spicy, creamy sauce.
13. Céleri Rémoulade
Céleri rémoulade is a simple French salad with celeriac, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, and spices. This crisp and tangy salad is an ideal side dish, or you can pile it high on your French dip sandwich for a crunchy topping.
Photo Credit: Salad on a Roll
14. Pickled Cucumber Salad
Pressgurka is a quick pickled salad that is a delicious combination of sweet and sour. Pair them with savory dishes like meatballs and French dip sandwiches.
15. Zucchini and Squash
Make tender, golden air fryer zucchini and squash! The simple side dish cooks to perfection in 15 minutes!
Air Fryer Vegetable Recipes:
- Air Fryer Broccoli and Cauliflower
- Air Fryer Red Potatoes with Greek Seasoning
- Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts
- Air Fryer Home Fries
- Air Fryer Fingerling Potatoes
16. Macaroni Salad
Creamy macaroni salad complements the savoriness of a French dip, and you will love the crunch from the celery and onions.
Photo Credit: Strength and Sunshine
17. Potato Croquettes
Potato croquettes are golden brown, fried mashed potato balls.They are one of the best ways to use leftover mashed potatoes and a perfect crispy side dish you can dunk into tangy lemon dill aioli.
Photo Credit: Christina’s Cucina
18. Hasselback Potatoes
Make crispy air fryer Hasselback potatoes in 20 minutes by slicing them accordion-style and slathering them in rich garlic butter sauce.
19. Mango Cucumber Fruit Salad
Mango cucumber fruit salad is a refreshing side that pairs perfectly with French dip sandwiches.
Photo Credit: Greedy Girl Gourmet
Toppings for French Dip Sandwiches
20. Ancho Aioli
Make homemade ancho aioli using simple ingredients. The smoky and savory sauce is a great way to flavor burgers, chicken wraps, salmon, and French dips. For more aioli flavors, try Cajun aioli.
21. Sumac Onions
Sumac marinated red onions or yellow pickled onions are tangy additions to grilled meats, kabobs, salads, and sandwiches like a French dip. You can also use the tasty seasoning to make sumac dressing to drizzle over the top of the tender beef and melty cheese.
22. Horseradish Cream Sauce
Use horseradish cream sauce as a dip or spread for entrees like steak, lamb roast, grilled chicken, and French dips.
23. Chimichurri with Cilantro
Enhance French dip sandwiches by adding chimichurri with cilantro. It’s an excellent topping for a hot sandwich, grilled fish, roasted vegetables, and steak. You can also use chimichurri aioli!
More Herb Sauces:
24. Southern Comeback Sauce
Classic Southern comeback sauce combines creamy mayonnaise, ketchup, honey, hot sauce, and Cajun seasoning (try my Slap Ya Mama’s Seasoning recipe). The sauce will add a zesty kick to your sandwich. Oh, and don’t forget to add a few pickled jalapeños.
Photo Credit: The Cookin’ Chicks
25. BBQ Aioli
Transform sandwiches, wraps, and BBQ recipes with savory homemade BBQ aioli – the smoky, creamy sauce will enhance the flavor of whatever you pair it with.
26. Honey Mustard Sauce
If you enjoy honey mustard sauce, this creamy homemade version is for you! Spread the sweet and tangy sauce onto French dip sandwiches.
Photo Credit: Fannetastic Food
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best meat for a French dip sandwich?
Thinly sliced seasoned roast beef is the star ingredient in most French dip sandwiches. Top-round or bottom-round roasts are a popular choice because they are lean and flavorful cuts of meat. Many recipes call for chuck roast, perfect for the slow cooker, or you can braise it in a Dutch oven. I also love using skirt or flank steak for another variation.
