Easy French Dip Sliders
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