French dip sandwiches are a real labor of love. But these French dip sliders come together in a flash.
They feature roast beef, sweet caramelized onions, and gooey Provolone cheese. They’re packed with flavor and perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
I made them for our last game day party, and they were gone in minutes!
Trust me, you need to try these French dip sliders ASAP. You won’t be disappointed.
Why You’ll Love These French Dip Sliders
The combination of tender beef, buttery rolls, and dunkable au jus makes these sliders totally irresistible.
And if that’s not enough reason to make them, here’s a few more:
Comfort Food Favorite: There’s something so satisfying and nostalgic about biting into a warm, beefy, cheesy slider. And the au jus gravy takes them to a whole new level of deliciousness.
Easy Entertaining: Sliders are quick and easy to assemble, making them ideal for stress-free entertaining. Plus, you can easily double or triple the recipe.
Versatile Recipe: Classic French dip sandwiches use beef and Provolone with onions and au jus. But these are your sliders! So feel free to add horseradish, mustard, or jalapeños if you want heat.
Ingredients
These Hawaiian roll sliders are seriously addictive. And thanks to a simple shortcut, you don’t need to spend hours in the kitchen to make them.
Here’s the shopping list:
- Hawaiian Sweet Rolls: They’re my go-to because they’re soft and fluffy with a hint of sweetness. But go ahead and use whatever you like best.
- Deli Roast Beef: Thinly sliced, tender roast beef is the star of these sliders. For the best taste and texture, I suggest getting it freshly sliced from the deli counter.
- Provolone Cheese: This mild, slightly sharp Italian cheese melts beautifully and complements the beefy flavor.
- Yellow Onion: Caramelized yellow onions provide a sweet, mellow taste that perfectly balances the richness of the meat and cheese.
- Butter and Olive Oil: Butter caramelizes the onions and is brushed on top of the rolls. The oil helps cook the onions without burning them.
- Sugar, Salt, and Pepper: Just a pinch of each in the onions.
- Au Jus Gravy Mix: Here’s the shortcut! You can make this from scratch if you like, but I’m here for minimal prep recipes!
- Mayonnaise: Spread on the inside of the rolls to prevent sogginess and add creamy flavor. You can also mix in some mustard if you like.
How to Make French Dip Sliders
For the best sliders ever, you’ll need to caramelize the onions low and slow until they’re super soft and sweet. That takes a bit of time.
But it’s not complicated! Just follow these steps:
1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F and lightly butter a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. CARAMELIZE. Cook the onions in the butter and oil over low heat. Add the sugar, salt, and pepper and stir well.
3. ASSEMBLE. Slice the rolls in half horizontally and place the bottoms in the dish. Spread the mayo over the surface, then evenly layer the beef, onions, and cheese. Nestle the roll tops in place and gently press to secure.
4. BAKE. Brush the tops of the rolls with melted butter, cover loosely with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5 more minutes.
5. AU JUS. Prepare the au jus gravy according to package directions after removing the foil.
6. SERVE. Let the sliders cool for 5 minutes. Then, cut into individual rolls and serve warm with the au jus.
Tips For the Best French Dip Sliders
These bad boys are great as an appetizer, for tailgating, or even as an easy weeknight dinner.
But before you get cooking, check out these tips:
- Toast the buns. Cut them in half and broil them for a few minutes until golden. This adds a layer of texture and keeps them from getting too soggy.
- Don’t break the rolls apart. The key to making sliders is to cut the whole slab in half horizontally. That way, you can easily load them up with fillings and bake them. Cut them into portions for serving.
- Season the tops. Brush the tops with melted garlic butter or sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over before baking.
- Make ahead. Assemble the sliders a few hours in advance, then cover and refrigerate until ready to bake. Let sit at room temp while preheating the oven and bake as instructed.
- Variations. Try different meats, like pastrami, corned beef, or ground beef patties. Experiment with other melty cheeses, like Swiss, mozzarella, or white cheddar. Add toppings like horseradish, jalapeños, or pepperoncini.
- Homemade au jus. Warm 1/4 cup butter and 1 clove minced garlic in a saucepan. Add fresh thyme or rosemary, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Simmer on low for 5-10 minutes or until reduced.
What To Serve With French Dip Sliders
As an appetizer, these are perfect alone. After all, they come with a yummy sauce, so what more could you ask for?
But for lunch or dinner, why not make it a complete meal with one of these tasty sides?
You could go with fries, potato wedges, or salad, of course. But if you want to impress, try one of these recipes:
- Air Fryer Fried Pickles – they’re crunchy, tangy, and super fun
- Deviled Egg Pasta Salad – rich, cool, and wonderfully creamy
- Roasted Zucchini – it’s nice and crunchy without the added calories
- Crispy Smashed Potato Salad – it’s crispy, cool, creamy, and to die for
How to Store
Leftovers? What leftovers?
Seriously, I doubt you’ll need to worry about storing anything. But on the off chance you do, here’s the low-down:
To Store: Keep leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Store the au jus separately in the fridge.
To Freeze: Assemble the sliders up to the point of baking, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking as directed, adding an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time if needed.
To Reheat: Wrap leftover sliders in foil and bake for 10-15 minutes at 350°F. Reheat the au jus in the microwave or on the stovetop until hot.
More Slider Recipes You’ll Love
Hot Italian Sliders
Cuban Sliders
Turkey and Cheese Sliders
BBQ Chicken Sliders
Big Mac Sliders
French Dip Sliders
12
servings20
minutes25
minutes307
kcalTrust me when I say you need to try these French dip sliders ASAP. They’re meaty, messy, and chock-full of caramelized onions and ooey-gooey cheese.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1/4 teaspoon sugar
pinch each salt and pepper
1 (12 count) package Hawaiian sweet rolls
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, optional
1 pound thinly sliced deli roast beef
12 slices Provolone cheese
1 packet au jus gravy mix (plus water)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13 inch baking dish. Set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter with the olive oil. Add the sliced onions, sugar, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft and caramelized, about 15-20 minutes.
- Slice the rolls in half horizontally, but do not break them apart. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish and spread the mayonnaise evenly over the cut sides. Add the mustard, if using.
- Layer the roast beef evenly over the rolls. Top with the caramelized onions and Provolone cheese slices. Then, place the top half of the rolls on top.
- Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in the onion skillet and brush over the tops of the rolls. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5 more minutes or until the rolls are lightly browned and the cheese is melted.
- After removing the foil from the sliders, prepare the au jus gravy according to package directions. Stir until smooth, then turn off the heat.
- Remove the sliders from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Then, slice into individual portions and serve warm with the au jus gravy for dipping. Enjoy!
Notes
- Toast the buns. Cut them in half and broil for a few minutes until golden. This adds a layer of texture, and it keeps them from getting too soggy.
- Homemade au jus. Warm 1/4 cup butter and 1 clove minced garlic in a saucepan. Add fresh thyme or rosemary, 1 cup beef broth, and 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Simmer on low for 5-10 minutes or until reduced.
