With roast beef, caramelized onion, provolone cheese layered in Hawaiian rolls, and a rich au jus, these French Dip Sliders are absolutely irresistible! Great for game day get togethers or add a side to turn them into an easy weeknight dinner.
If you love the flavors of French Onion, don’t miss our wildly popular French Onion Soup and French Onion Dip.
Easy French Dip Sliders Recipe
Whether it’s game day, a busy weeknight, or you’re just having friends over, these French Dip sliders are always a hit with everyone.
French Dip sliders are made with just a handful of items – roast beef, caramelized onions, provolone cheese between slices of Hawaiian rolls, and a few seasonings. Simple ingredients with out-of-this-world results. We love how the roll bottoms get toasted while soaking up all that decadent butter sauce. They’re so good, they really don’t even need the au jus for serving, but it definitely takes them up a delicious notch.
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to make these perfectly melty, decadent sliders:
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Roast beef – Deli slices are easy and perfect for these sliders, but we’ve also made them using leftovers from our slow cooker pot roast.
- Onion – Caramelized onions are the star in French Onion Soup, so we wouldn’t dream of leaving them out of these sliders.
- Provolone cheese – We love provolone cheese for these sandwiches, which is smooth and mild, with a subtle nutty flavor. Use fresh and thinly sliced quality cheese, so it melts properly.
- Hawaiian rolls – The texture of sweet Hawaiian rolls holds up well to the juices when baked.
- Butter – Unsalted butter is used for sautéing the onions as well as pouring over the top of the rolls.
- Seasonings – Fresh thyme, salt, and pepper are used to season the onions.
- Onion soup mix – Dried soup mix adds flavor.
- Au jus gravy mix – You can enjoy these French dip sandwiches without the au jus but it does add lots of flavor.
- Chopped parsley – An optional garnish.
What’s the best meat to use for French Dip sandwiches?
Virtually any roast beef can be used to make these sliders. While we most often use deli roast beef for this recipe, we’ve also made them with leftover pot roast and Mississippi roast. Any leftover beef you have on hand will work great.
How to Make French Dip Sliders
Wondering how to make these French dip sandwiches? It’s so easy. Here’s a brief summary.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Saute the onions. Melt the butter then add the onions. Saute until the onions are soft and browned. Add the thyme, salt, and pepper. Remove from heat.
- Cut the rolls. Use a large serrated knife to slice the entire package of rolls in half (like you would a bagel.)
- Assemble the sliders. Place the bottom slab of rolls into the baking dish. Layer with half of the cheese, roast beef, onions, and remaining cheese. Place the other slab of rolls on top.
- Bake. Stir together the melted butter and onion soup mix. Brush or pour over the top of the sliders. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 5 more minutes to brown the rolls.
- Make the au jus. Prepare the au jus per the package instructions.
- Serve. Serve the roast beef sliders garnished with parsley and a side of au jus.
Tips and Variations
For the best French dip sliders, keep these tips in mind.
- Do not pull the rolls apart. The rolls should all still be connected when you slice them in half. Do not pull each roll apart separately.
- Wait a few minutes before cutting. With almost any sliders I make, I like to let them rest for 5 to 10 minutes for the cheese to firm up just a bit. It makes cutting so much easier.
- Switch up the ingredients. While this recipe calls for classic French dip sandwich ingredients, you can easily substitute them as desired. Swiss or white cheddar cheese can be used in place of the provolone and though it wouldn’t technically be a French dip sandwich anymore, turkey would also work in this recipe.
- Add different spices. You can use dried thyme in place of fresh or any herbs you would like. Oregano, rosemary, or dried Italian seasoning would work too. Use half as much dried herbs as fresh.
Serving Suggestions
These sliders are meant to be served with a side of au jus for dipping.
If you’re serving them as an appetizer or at a party, they go great with almost any other appetizer. They pair great with a veggie tray and some ranch dip. Hot dips like spinach artichoke dip and jalapeno popper dip are always a hit too.
If you’re serving up these mini French dip sandwiches for dinner, you can’t go wrong with some roasted veggies (roasted broccoli, roasted carrots, or roasted asparagus are a few favorites) or a side salad.
How to Store Leftovers
- How to store leftovers. Store leftovers in an airtight container or wrapped tightly in foil in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- How to reheat leftovers. I recommend reheating the sliders in the oven to crisp the bun up as much as possible. Reheating in the microwave is going to lead to a soggier bun (though still delicious!)
More Slider Recipes:
- Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders
- Sweet and Spicy Chicken Sliders
- Meatball Sliders
- Hawaiian Pork Sliders
- Reuben Sliders
- Pizza Supreme Sliders
I hope you love this delicious and easy recipe – be sure to give it a review below! Also don’t forget to follow Belly Full on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!
French Dip Sliders
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion , thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 package Hawaiian rolls (12 count)
- 10 slices provolone cheese
- 14 ounces sliced deli roast beef
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter , melted
- 1 1/2 tablespoons dried onion soup mix
- 1 packet au jus gravy mix
- 3 cups water
- fresh chopped parsley for garnish, optional
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onions and saute, stirring occasionally, for about 12-15 minutes until the onions are soft and browned, starting to caramelize, but not at all burnt. Add the thyme, salt, and pepper; stir to combine. Take off the heat and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 11×7-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- Do not pull the rolls apart. Instead, using a large serrated knife, slice the rolls in half (like you would a bagel) so you have a top and bottom "slab."
- Place the bottom slab, cut side up, into the prepared baking dish. Top with half of the cheese. Add the roast beef. Top with the cooked onions, spreading them out. Add the remaining cheese, then add the top slab of rolls on top.
- In a small bowl stir together the melted butter and onion soup mix. (I like to brush this mixture on top of the rolls to make sure it’s evenly distributed, but you can just pour the butter sauce on top, if preferred.)
- Cover loosely with foil, making sure the foil is not touching the tops of the rolls, and bake for 25 minutes. Take the foil off and bake an additional 5 minutes to brown the rolls.
- While the rolls are baking, prepare the au jus per the package directions with the 3 cups of water.
- Serve the rolls with an optional garnish of parsley and au jus on the side for dipping.
This is my new addiction.
Can’t wait to try!!
Mom of boys here and always looking for foods I think they’d like. These were devoured!! Thanks for sharing!
Can I make ahead and freeze?
Hi Mary – I don’t recommend freezing these.
These were soooo good! Don’t skip the au jus. Super easy quick week night dinner. Thank you!
REALLY good.