If you're following a ketogenic diet and craving a classic comfort food, look no further than the Keto French Dip. This article explores various approaches to crafting this delectable sandwich, from traditional takes with keto-friendly bread to innovative chaffle-based versions.
Keto French Dip Burgers
For a twist on the traditional sandwich, consider Keto French Dip Burgers. This recipe elevates your burger game with caramelized onions and a flavorful au jus sauce for dipping.
Ingredients and Preparation
Caramelized Onions: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft and caramelized, about 15 minutes. Add garlic, salt, and pepper during the last minute of cooking.
Burgers: In a large bowl, combine ground beef with salt, pepper, chili powder, and mayonnaise. Divide the mixture into six portions and shape each into a 6-inch long rectangular patty.
Cooking the Burgers: Heat oil in the same skillet used for the onions over high heat. Once the oil shimmers, add the patties and cook until browned on the bottom (about 4-5 minutes). Flip and continue cooking to your desired doneness. Add a slice of Gruyere cheese during the last minute of cooking, if desired.
Read also: Delicious Keto Soup
Au Jus: Whisk together au jus ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes to warm through, then keep on low heat until ready to serve. For a thicker au jus, add glucomannan after the broth has warmed and stir on low heat until thickened.
Assembly: Place a burger on a toasted low-carb sub roll (cloud bread sub rolls recommended). Top with caramelized onions and other desired toppings. Serve with warm au jus on the side for dipping.
Low Carb Buns
Instead of traditional buns, consider using cloud bread sub rolls or other low-carb burger buns.
Slow Cooker or Instant Pot French Dip Sandwiches
This method offers a convenient way to prepare French Dip sandwiches with minimal effort.
Ingredients and Preparation
Prepare the Roast: Remove and discard all visible fat from the roast. Place the trimmed roast in a slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Read also: Delicious Keto Appetizer
Add Broth and Seasonings: Add beef broth, soy sauce, bay leaf, peppercorns, rosemary, thyme, and garlic powder to the slow cooker or Instant Pot.
Cooking: Cover and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours in a slow cooker (or until the meat is very tender). For an Instant Pot, cook for 60 minutes on high pressure.
Shred or Slice Meat: Remove the meat from the broth, reserving the broth. Slice or shred the meat, depending on your preference.
Toast the Rolls: Preheat oven to 350 degrees for toasting the rolls. Slice rolls (French baguette, hoagies, or French bread) in half and place on a cooking sheet. Spread with butter and bake in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until barely toasted.
Assemble the Sandwiches: Pile meat on rolls and top each roll with 2 slices of Provolone cheese. Place rolls back in the oven for 2-3 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Read also: Baking Keto Bread
Serve with Au Jus: Skim any fat off the surface of the reserved broth. Serve the sandwiches with the reserved broth for dipping. Adjust the strength of the au jus by adding water if needed.
Keto French Dip Chaffwich
A "chaffwich" uses chaffles (cheese waffles) as bread, providing a unique and keto-friendly alternative to traditional rolls.
What is a Chaffle?
A chaffle is a combination of cheese and waffle. A simple batter is made from eggs, cheese, and a few other ingredients and they cook up light and crispy in a Dash mini waffle maker.
Ingredients and Preparation
Prepare the Chaffle: Whip the egg white until frothy. Add sour cream and almond flour and blend well. Mix in the cheese.
Cook the Chaffle: Preheat the mini waffle maker as per manufacturer’s directions. When hot, add half the batter and cook for 7-10 minutes or until the chaffle is golden brown and releases easily. Repeat with the remaining batter.
Warm the Beef Broth: Meanwhile, warm the beef broth in a small skillet or pot.
Assemble the Chaffwich: Use thinly sliced roast beef from the deli or leftover roast beef. Some French dip sandwiches are served with a smear of mayo and melted cheese. This is optional and up to you.
Tips and Tricks
- Chaffles can be made ahead of time. Cook them, cool them, and then reheat them in the toaster or in the mini waffle maker for a few minutes before assembling the sandwich.
- Au jus packets are loaded with sodium and hidden carbs. Just look at the ingredient label. Ouch! Instead, use low sodium beef broth for dipping and skip the carbs and extra sodium.
- You can use a regular waffle maker - just use all the batter and then cut the waffle in half.
Open-Faced Keto French Dip Sandwich on a Chaffle
This variation offers a hearty and satisfying meal using chaffles as the base.
Preparation
Make Chaffles: Follow the chaffle recipe.
Prepare the Roast Beef: Sautee leftover roast beef in a pan with fresh minced garlic cloves.
Assemble the Sandwich: Place the chaffles on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper. Add the roast beef on top of the chaffle bread, making sure to drain it a bit so that the gravy/broth doesn’t make the chaffle soggy. Add a slice of deli cheese or shredded cheese on top.
Melt the Cheese: Place on the top rack of the oven for 5 minutes so that the cheese can melt. If you'd like the cheese to bubble and begin to brown, turn the oven to broil for 1 min.
Serve: Enjoy open-faced with a small bowl of beef broth for dipping.
Tips For Chaffles
- I suggest not rewarming the chaffle in the microwave as it would lose its crispness from steam.
- It is essential to let it cook for the entire 4 minutes before lifting the lid. Lifting beforehand can cause the Chaffle keto sandwich recipe to separate and stick to the waffle iron.
Au Jus Sauce: The Heart of the French Dip
Au jus, meaning "in its own juice," is a crucial component of any French Dip sandwich.
Traditional vs. Keto-Friendly Au Jus
Traditional au jus is made using the drippings of the meat you are cooking, mixed with a few other ingredients, typically flour. It is not keto friendly if the recipe calls for white flour.
Keto Au Jus Recipe
- Beef Broth: The base of the sauce.
- Soy Sauce or Coconut Aminos: Adds depth and umami. Coconut Aminos is the best keto-friendly alternative to soy sauce.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Enhances the savory flavor.
- Garlic Powder and Onion Powder: For aromatic flavor.
- Spices: Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Cooking Sherry (Optional): Adds great depth of flavor. If you don’t have cooking sherry, you can either use red wine or just omit it entirely and add more broth.
Instructions
- Whisk all ingredients together in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- For a thicker sauce, consider adding glucomannan or tapioca flour (use sparingly to maintain keto-friendliness). Wait for your reserved liquid to cool down before whisking tapioca flour into it to thicken it. After it thickens, reduce the heat on your pan of beef so the au jus is just hot - not bubbling.
Cheese Selection
The choice of cheese can significantly impact the flavor profile of your Keto French Dip.
- Gruyere: A bold taste that holds up to other strong flavors.
- Provolone: A classic choice for French Dip sandwiches.
- Swiss: Another popular option that melts well.
- Fontina: A creamy and mild cheese.
- Parmesan: Adds a salty and nutty flavor.
Additional Tips and Variations
- Horseradish Mayonnaise: Combine mayonnaise with horseradish for a zesty spread.
- Caramelized Onions: Adding caramelized onions elevates the flavor of the sandwich.
- Leftover Roast Beef: This recipe is a great way to use leftover roast beef.
- Make Ahead: The chaffles can be made up to five days ahead of time.
- Freezing: You can freeze chaffles (and toast them in the toaster before using) and you can freeze the beef in the broth. Homemade roast beef can last up to four days in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Chaffles will stay fresh for five days in the refrigerator or up to three months frozen in a plastic bag with the air removed.