Description
These French Dip Sliders are tender, juicy, and perfect for parties! Thinly sliced beef, melty cheese, and savory au jus make these bite-sized sandwiches absolutely irresistible. Easy to make ahead!
Ingredients
For the Sliders:
- 1½ pounds beef (top round roast, sirloin tip, or chuck roast), thinly sliced — the thinner, the better for quick cooking
- 12 slider buns or small rolls — Hawaiian rolls work beautifully here
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
- 8–12 slices provolone or Swiss cheese — provolone is classic, Swiss adds a nutty sweetness
- Optional toppings: caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms — these add incredible depth
For the Au Jus (Dipping Sauce):
- 3 cups beef broth — use low-sodium if you’re watching salt
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce — adds umami richness
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional) — or use fresh if you have it
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
Heat your large skillet over medium-high heat and add that tablespoon of olive oil. Once it’s shimmering, add the thinly sliced beef in batches.
Let each batch cook for 2–3 minutes per side until you see a nice golden-brown crust forming. This step is where all the flavor magic begins! Remove the cooked beef to a plate and set aside while you make the au jus.
In your medium saucepan, combine the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, sliced onion, minced garlic, and thyme. Give it a good stir and bring everything to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Let it bubble away for 10–15 minutes so all those flavors can marry together and the onions become soft and sweet. Taste it and add salt and pepper as needed—remember, the broth and soy sauce are already salty, so go easy at first.
Keep this warm on the stove while you assemble your sliders. Trust me, you want that au jus piping hot when it’s time to dip.
Preheat your oven to 350°F and grab your baking dish. Separate your slider buns and line up all the bottom halves in the dish, cut side up.
Now comes the fun part—divide that beautiful seared beef evenly among all the buns. Lay a slice of provolone or Swiss cheese over each pile of beef.
If you’re adding caramelized onions or sautéed mushrooms, now’s the time to nestle them in there. These extras aren’t required, but oh my goodness, they take these sliders from great to absolutely unforgettable.
Place the top halves of the buns over your cheese-covered beef, creating little slider sandwiches all snug in the pan. Cover the whole dish tightly with aluminum foil—this keeps everything moist and helps that cheese get gloriously melty.
Pop the dish into your preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the cheese is completely melted and the sliders are heated through. The aroma wafting through your kitchen right now? That’s the smell of pure comfort.
Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven and let it sit for just a minute. Transfer your sliders to a serving platter—they look so inviting all lined up together!
Pour that hot, aromatic au jus into small bowls or ramekins and place them strategically around your platter for easy dipping. Serve these beauties immediately while they’re warm, the cheese is gooey, and the au jus is steaming.
Notes
- Hawaiian rolls are magic – Those slightly sweet, pillowy rolls are absolutely perfect for sliders. They stay soft, hold up to the beef and au jus, and everyone loves them.
- Cheese placement matters – Put the cheese directly on the hot beef so it starts melting immediately. This creates that gooey, stringy pull we all love.
- Don’t skip the searing – Yes, you could just warm the beef in the au jus, but searing it first adds incredible depth of flavor through caramelization. Don’t skip this step!
- Keep it warm – If you’re serving these at a party, keep extras in a low oven (200°F) until you’re ready to bring out the next batch.
- Butter the tops – For an extra-indulgent touch, brush the tops of the buns with melted butter mixed with a little garlic powder before baking.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Searing, Baking
- Cuisine: American