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Tasty French Dip Sliders

Featured in: Perfect Party Appetizers and Snacking Solutions

French Dip Sliders make a fantastic crowd-pleaser or simple family dinner that'll get everyone excited. Stacked with soft deli roast beef, gooey provolone, and sweet caramelized onions between fluffy, buttery buns. The rolls get a tasty coat of seasoned butter and onion soup mix before turning golden in the oven. The real magic happens when you serve them with warm au jus alongside for dunking. You can have these tasty mini sandwiches ready in about an hour. They're perfect for watching sports, casual get-togethers, or when your family deserves something fancier than everyday sandwiches.
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Updated on Thu, 13 Mar 2025 18:22:07 GMT
A tray of sandwiches with meat and cheese on a pan. Pin it
A tray of sandwiches with meat and cheese on a pan. | yummygusto.com

Mini French Dip Sandwiches turn the traditional favorite into bite-sized treats perfect for any gathering. These yummy sliders pack juicy roast beef and gooey provolone between soft, butter-brushed rolls, served with a rich dipping sauce. They bring together amazing flavors and textures that'll have your guests grabbing more before they're gone.

I've brought these to so many family get-togethers and they vanish in seconds flat. There's something truly magical about how the cheese gets all melty over the warm beef that keeps everyone coming back to snag another one.

Key Ingredients Breakdown

  • Hawaiian sweet rolls or buttery brioche buns: They add just the right touch of sweetness that makes everything better.
  • Thinly sliced top round beef: The paper-thin cuts make sure each bite practically melts away.
  • Provolone slices: This cheese melts beautifully and works with the meat without stealing the show.
  • Yellow onions: Once they're caramelized, they bring an amazing sweet flavor to the mix.
  • Flavorful beef broth: This creates the backbone of your amazing dipping sauce.
  • Whole garlic cloves: They add that must-have flavor kick throughout the dish.
  • Worcestershire sauce: A splash adds that special something that makes the whole dish pop.

Crafting Delicious Sliders

Making Caramelized Onions:
Get butter bubbling in a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in your thinly sliced onions and stir once in a while. You'll see them slowly turn from white and crunchy to soft and golden brown as their sugars come out. Give them about 25 minutes to reach that sweet, perfect state.
Mixing Your Dipping Sauce:
Grab another pot and melt some butter with minced garlic until you can smell that wonderful aroma. Add your beef broth and a splash of Worcestershire, then let it all simmer gently. Drop in some fresh thyme and let everything hang out together for at least 15 minutes.
Putting Sliders Together:
Keep those slider buns connected in one piece to make your life easier. Spread a thick layer of those sweet caramelized onions on the bottom half. Next, pile on your roast beef slices and top everything with a blanket of provolone.
Finishing Touches:
Brush the bun tops with your butter mixture. Pop them in your hot oven and keep an eye out as the cheese gets all gooey and the tops turn a beautiful gold color. When you catch that amazing smell, they're ready.
A plate of meat sandwiches with cheese and herbs. Pin it
A plate of meat sandwiches with cheese and herbs. | yummygusto.com

The caramelized onions are the secret star in our house. My daughter usually picks onions out of everything, but she actually asks for extra when I make these sliders.

Tasty Side Dish Ideas

These go great with some crunchy potato wedges or a simple arugula salad. For casual get-togethers, try serving them with some tangy pickled veggies or fresh coleslaw to balance out the richness.

Ways To Switch It Up

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

Storage Solutions

Keep any leftover sandwiches away from the dipping sauce in a sealed container. They'll stay good in your fridge for about three days. When you want to eat them, warm them up 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. | yummygusto.com

I've been tweaking this recipe for years now, and I've learned that spending extra time on those onions really makes all the difference in how everything tastes. That bit of patience during caramelizing always pays off when you take that first bite.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these French Dip Sliders ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can put everything together up to a day before. Just keep them wrapped in the refrigerator, and wait to add the butter mixture until you're ready to bake.
→ What's the best type of rolls to use?
Hawaiian sweet rolls work amazingly well since they're fluffy and have a touch of sweetness, but any small dinner rolls will do the trick.
→ Can I freeze these sliders?
Sure thing! You can freeze them either before or after cooking. Just wrap them tightly and store for up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight before warming up.
→ What can I serve with French Dip Sliders?
These little sandwiches go great with potato chips, cold potato salad, creamy coleslaw, or a light green salad. And don't forget warm au jus on the side for dipping!
→ How do I keep the rolls from getting soggy?
Make sure you let extra liquid drain from your onions and don't go overboard with the butter topping. It's best to serve the dipping sauce separately so everyone can dunk as they eat.

French Dip Sliders

These French Dip Sliders stack juicy roast beef, melty provolone and sweet caramelized onions on buttery rolls with rich au jus for dipping.

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

Category: Small Bites

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 sliders)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Main Components

01 12 dinner rolls, sweet variety
02 14 ounces roast beef, thinly sliced from deli counter
03 10 slices of provolone, from the cheese section

→ Onion Mixture

04 3 tablespoons butter, unsalted
05 1 medium onion, cut into thin slices
06 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme leaves
07 1/4 teaspoon salt (kosher preferred)
08 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Topping & Dipping Sauce

09 1/2 cup melted butter, unsalted
10 1 1/2 tablespoons onion soup mix from packet
11 1 packet of au jus mix
12 3 cups water, room temperature
13 Chopped fresh parsley for decoration (if you want)

Instructions

Step 01

Melt your butter in a big skillet over medium heat. Toss in sliced onions and coat them well. Cook and stir now and then for about 12-15 minutes until they turn soft and golden brown without burning.

Step 02

Mix in thyme, salt, and pepper with the onions. Stir everything together, remove from stovetop, and put aside for later.

Step 03

Turn your oven on to 350°F. Keep the sweet rolls connected and cut them horizontally through the middle. Put the bottom half face-up in a 11x7 baking dish.

Step 04

Cover with half your cheese first. Next, arrange beef slices on top. Spread your cooked onions over the meat. Finish with remaining cheese before placing the top half of rolls back on.

Step 05

Mix melted butter with onion soup mix in a small bowl. Brush this all over the tops of your rolls so it soaks in evenly.

Step 06

Put foil over the top without touching the rolls and bake for 25 minutes. Then take off the foil and cook 5 more minutes to get the tops golden.

Step 07

While waiting, make the au jus using water following package instructions. Serve your sliders with optional parsley sprinkle and the warm dipping sauce on the side.

Notes

  1. If you don't have fresh herbs, go with dried ones but use half as much
  2. Any small buns work fine though sweet ones taste best in our opinion
  3. We really like using provolone or mozzarella for these sandwiches
  4. You don't need the au jus but it makes them taste even better
  5. You can stick these in the freezer for later

Tools You'll Need

  • Big frying pan
  • Baking dish (11x7 size)
  • Small bowl for mixing
  • Brush for spreading butter
  • Tin foil

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has dairy products (butter and cheese)
  • Contains wheat from the 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