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French Dip Sliders

Featured in Meals That Make the Table Happy.

These sliders make a fantastic meal or party treat. Each bite is layered with tender roast beef, melted provolone, sweet onions, and buttery rolls baked to perfection. Serve with au jus for a special touch. They come together quickly and are perfect for casual entertaining or spoiling your family in under an hour.
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Updated on Thu, 27 Mar 2025 22:27:15 GMT
A baking pan filled with cheesy, meat-packed sliders. Pin it
A baking pan filled with cheesy, meat-packed sliders. | mecooking.com

Mini French Dip Sandwiches turn the traditional favorite into bite-sized treats for any gathering. These tasty sliders pack juicy roast beef and gooey provolone between soft, buttery mini rolls, served with a rich dipping sauce. You'll love how the flavors and textures come together—they're so good nobody can stop at just one!

I've brought these to family get-togethers for years now, and they always vanish in seconds. There's something almost magical about that moment when the cheese gets all melty over the warm beef—folks can't help grabbing another.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Hawaiian sweet rolls or brioche mini buns: They bring just enough sweetness and butteriness to start things off right.
  • Thinly sliced top round roast beef: The paper-thin cuts make sure every bite stays tender.
  • Provolone cheese: It melts perfectly and works with the beef instead of fighting for attention.
  • Yellow onions: When slowly cooked, they turn sweet and add amazing flavor depth.
  • Good beef broth: This makes the backbone of your dipping sauce.
  • Whole garlic cloves: They add that must-have aromatic kick.
  • Worcestershire sauce: Just a splash brings a deep savory taste that makes everything better.

Making Wonderful Mini Sandwiches

Getting Onions Ready:
Start with butter bubbling in a big pan over medium heat. Drop in your thinly cut onions and stir them now and then. You'll watch them slowly change from white and crunchy to soft and golden brown. This takes around 25 minutes but creates amazing sweetness.
Mixing Up The Dipping Sauce:
In another pot, cook some butter with chopped garlic until you can smell that wonderful aroma. Add your beef broth and a splash of Worcestershire, then let it all simmer slowly. Toss in some fresh thyme and give it at least 15 minutes to let all those flavors get friendly with each other.
Putting Sliders Together:
Keep those rolls connected—it makes everything easier. Spread your sweet onions across the bottom half. Then layer on your roast beef slices and cover everything with provolone.
The Finishing Touch:
Brush some of that melted butter mix over the tops. Pop them in your hot oven and wait for the cheese to get all melty and the tops to turn golden. Your nose will tell you when they're done.
A plate of meat sandwiches with cheese and herbs. Pin it
A plate of meat sandwiches with cheese and herbs. | mecooking.com

The caramelized onions are always the star for my family. Even my daughter, who usually picks onions out of everything, asks for extra when I make these mini sandwiches.

Tasty Side Dish Ideas

Try serving these with crunchy potato wedges or a simple arugula salad. For casual events, they're great with some pickled veggies or fresh coleslaw that cuts through the richness.

Ways To Switch Things Up

Try swapping in Swiss or Havarti cheese for something different. You can add cooked mushrooms or sweet peppers for extra flavor. If you're watching salt intake, just make some of the dipping sauce with low-sodium broth.

Storing For Later

Keep any leftover sandwiches apart from the dipping sauce in sealed containers. They'll stay good in your fridge for about three days. When you want them again, warm them in a 350°F oven for around 10 minutes.

A plate of sandwiches with meat and cheese. Pin it
A plate of sandwiches with meat and cheese. | mecooking.com

I've tweaked this recipe countless times over the years, and I've learned that spending extra time on those onions really makes all the difference. Being patient with that step always pays off when you taste the final result.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How far in advance can I prep these sliders?
You can prepare them up to a day ahead. Keep them in the fridge, covered, and wait to brush the butter coating until you're ready to bake.
→ What type of rolls are recommended?
Hawaiian rolls are perfect because they're sweet and fluffy, but other soft slider buns will work fine too.
→ Is freezing these sliders an option?
Yes, you can freeze them either baked or unbaked. Wrap tightly and store for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge before reheating or baking.
→ What sides pair best with these sliders?
They go great with potato salad, coleslaw, chips, or even a refreshing green salad. Don't skip the au jus on the side!
→ How can I prevent the rolls from getting too damp?
Make sure to get rid of excess liquid from the onions and don't overdo the butter coating. Serve the au jus on the side instead of pouring it on.

French Dip Sliders

Soft rolls filled with roast beef, gooey provolone, and caramelized onions, served with warm au jus. Perfect for easy dipping and enjoying.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
60 Minutes
By: Mariana

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 sliders)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 14 ounces of deli roast beef, sliced
02 12 buttery sweet rolls
03 10 slices of provolone cheese

→ Cooked Onions

04 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
05 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter
06 1 medium onion, cut into thin slices
07 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
08 2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme

→ Topping & Dip

09 1 packet of au jus gravy mix
10 1 1/2 tablespoons of dried onion soup mix
11 1/2 cup of melted butter
12 Chopped fresh parsley for decoration (optional)
13 3 cups of water

Instructions

Step 01

Drop the butter in a wide pan on medium heat and let it melt. Stir in the onions and coat them well. Cook now and then for about 12 to 15 minutes until they turn golden, soft, and fragrant.

Step 02

Toss the thyme, salt, and pepper into the onions. Stir it up, turn off the heat, and set them to the side for later.

Step 03

Turn the oven to 350°F to warm up. Take the rolls out, keeping them together. Slice them right through the middle to separate the tops from the bottoms. Put the bottoms, cut side up, into an 11x7-inch pan.

Step 04

Lay down half of the cheese slices on the rolls. Stack the roast beef next, then spread the cooked onions evenly. Add the rest of the cheese and finally put the tops of the rolls on.

Step 05

In a little bowl, mix the melted butter with the onion soup mix. Use a brush to spread this buttery mix across the roll tops.

Step 06

Cover the pan with foil but keep it loose so it doesn’t touch the roll tops. Bake for 25 minutes. Take off the foil and pop it back in for 5 more minutes to get a little browning.

Step 07

While baking, follow the au jus package to mix it with the water. Once ready, serve with parsley if you want and the au jus on the side for dipping.

Notes

  1. Switch dried herbs for fresh but use half the amount
  2. Slider buns work too, but sweet rolls are best
  3. Try swapping in mozzarella if you don’t have provolone
  4. The au jus gives extra flavor but isn’t essential
  5. You can freeze leftovers for later

Tools You'll Need

  • Wide frying pan
  • Baking pan, 11x7 inches
  • Small bowl for mixing
  • Brush for spreading butter
  • Foil for the oven

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy from butter and cheese
  • Uses gluten-filled rolls

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 284
  • Total Fat: 18 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 17 g
  • Protein: 15 g