SPREAD LOVE

French Dip Sliders

These cozy, cheesy French Dip Sliders are the perfect party food or weeknight upgrade—soft sweet rolls piled with roast beef, gooey provolone, and caramelized onions, served with steaming au jus for dunking. Friendly, easy to assemble, and endlessly satisfying, they hit that nostalgic comfort-food spot without demanding hours in the kitchen. For extra dip inspiration, check out this roundup of budget-friendly summer dips while you plan your platter.

Why make this recipe

What makes these sliders special is the combination of sweet, savory, and ultra-melty textures: King’s Hawaiian–style rolls provide a soft, slightly sweet base that balances the savory roast beef and richly caramelized onions, while the hot au jus turns every bite into a comforting dip. They’re built for sharing, scale easily up or down, and deliver big flavor with minimal fuss—ideal for game day, potlucks, or a relaxed family dinner.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, minced
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
12 sweet rolls (King’s Hawaiian or similar)
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)

Step-by-Step Guide to Making French Dip Sliders

Preheat Oven and Prepare Rolls
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Using a long, sharp serrated knife, slice the entire block of sweet rolls horizontally through the middle, keeping them connected. Gently lift off the top section and set it aside. Place the connected bottom halves of the rolls directly into your prepared baking dish.
Caramelize the Onions
In a medium skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium-low heat. Add the thinly sliced medium onion, minced fresh thyme, 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes, or until the onions are very soft, deeply golden brown, and caramelized. Set aside.
Prepare Butter Topping
Melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter in a small microwave-safe bowl or saucepan. This melted butter will be used to brush over the tops of the sliders for a golden crust.
Assemble the Sliders
Arrange half of the provolone cheese slices directly over the bottom rolls in the baking dish, ensuring good coverage. Generously layer the 14 ounces of thinly sliced deli roast beef over the cheese. Evenly spread the prepared caramelized onions over the roast beef layer. Place the remaining provolone cheese slices over the caramelized onions. Carefully replace the reserved connected top halves of the sweet rolls back onto your stacked filling.
Brush and Bake (Covered)
Generously brush the tops of the rolls with the 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 15 minutes.
Bake (Uncovered) and Rest
After 15 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Continue to bake for another 5–10 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are golden brown and the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. Remove the French Dip Sliders from the oven and let them rest in the baking dish for 5 minutes before slicing. This helps the cheese set slightly.
Craft the Au Jus
While the sliders are baking, prepare the dipping sauce. In a medium saucepan, combine the 1 packet au jus gravy mix, 1 1/2 tablespoons dried onion soup mix, and 3 cups of water. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat, then immediately reduce the heat to low. Let it simmer gently for 5–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors are well blended and the liquid is slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Keep the au jus warm on very low heat until ready to serve.
Slice, Serve, and Garnish
After the resting period, use your serrated knife to cut along the lines of the individual rolls, separating each slider for easy grabbing. Arrange the warm, gooey French Dip Sliders on a serving platter. Pour the hot, fragrant au jus into individual small bowls or one larger communal bowl for dipping. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy every savory, cheesy bite!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Rolls: King’s Hawaiian-style sweet rolls are recommended for their soft, slightly sweet flavor that contrasts nicely with the savory beef. You can substitute with dinner rolls or slider buns if preferred.
Cheese: Provolone melts beautifully and adds a mild, creamy profile. Swiss or mozzarella are acceptable swaps for a different cheese character.
Roast beef: Thinly sliced deli roast beef keeps this quick; for a heartier, restaurant-style slider, use leftover pot roast or thinly sliced roast beef you’ve roasted yourself.
Au jus: The au jus mix plus onion soup mix is an easy shortcut. For a more robust au jus, deglaze pan drippings from a roast with beef stock and a splash of red wine, then strain.

Equipment and timing

9×13-inch baking dish
Serrated knife (for slicing the roll block)
Medium skillet (for caramelizing onions)
Saucepan (for au jus)
Aluminum foil
Prep time: ~10–15 minutes (active)
Cook time: ~35–40 minutes (including caramelizing onions and baking)
Total time: ~50–60 minutes

Best Way to Store French Dip Sliders

Refrigerator: Store cooled sliders in an airtight container or tightly wrapped with plastic wrap for up to 3–4 days at 40°F (4°C) or below.
Freezer: Individually wrap sliders in foil and place in an airtight freezer bag for up to 2 months at 0°F (-18°C).
Au jus: Store au jus separately in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; freeze for up to 2 months.

When reheating refrigerated sliders, unwrap and heat in a 350°F oven for 8–12 minutes (covered) until warmed through; remove cover to crisp the tops for the last few minutes. For frozen sliders, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving Suggestions for French Dip Sliders

Serve the sliders with individual small bowls of hot au jus so guests can dip to taste.
Add a side of crisp pickles, coleslaw, or a simple green salad to balance the rich flavors.
For a casual spread, include kettle chips, roasted potato wedges, or sweet potato fries.
Offer condiments like grainy mustard or horseradish cream on the side for guests who want a spicy kick.

Pair the sliders with a medium-bodied beer, a light red wine like Pinot Noir, or a sparkling iced tea for a refreshing contrast.

Tips to make French Dip Sliders

Use a long serrated knife and a gentle sawing motion to slice the connected roll block evenly—this prevents crushing the rolls.
Caramelize the onions slowly over medium-low heat; patience yields deep flavor and sweetness that elevates the whole sandwich.
Keep the au jus warm on the stove at the lowest setting or in a small slow cooker so it’s ready for dunking when the sliders come out of the oven.
Brush the tops of the rolls generously with butter for a golden, flavorful crust; add a pinch of garlic powder to the butter for extra depth.

Variations

Vegetarian Variation: Swap the roast beef for roasted portobello mushroom slices and use vegetable broth with soy sauce and mushroom bouillon instead of au jus for a savory vegetarian dipping sauce.
Spicy Kick: Mix a little horseradish or spicy brown mustard into the melted butter before brushing the roll tops, or offer a chipotle mayo on the side for spreading.

Troubleshooting / Focused tip

If your onions taste sharp rather than sweet, they likely weren’t cooked long enough. The key is low-and-slow caramelization: cook them over medium-low and resist the urge to rush. A pinch of salt early on helps draw moisture and speeds the browning evenly.

FAQs

Q: How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?
A: Let the assembled sliders rest for about 5 minutes after baking so the cheese sets slightly before slicing. Serve au jus on the side rather than soaking the rolls in the sauce beforehand.

Q: Can I make the au jus from scratch?
A: Yes. For a scratch au jus, deglaze pan drippings with a splash of red wine, add beef stock, a bay leaf, and a little Worcestershire sauce; simmer and strain. Reduce to concentrate flavor as needed.

Q: Can I prepare these ahead of time?
A: You can caramelize the onions and prepare the au jus up to a day ahead; keep them refrigerated. Assemble the sliders and bake just before serving for the freshest texture.

Q: What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
A: Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for 8–12 minutes until warmed through, then uncover for a couple minutes to crisp the tops. Reheat au jus gently on the stove.

Nutrition (approximate per slider)

Calories: ~320–380 (varies by roll and portion sizes)
Protein: ~15–20g
Fat: ~18–24g
Carbohydrates: ~22–28g

Final notes and hosting ideas

These French Dip Sliders are designed to streamline hosting: assemble on a sheet ahead of time, bake while finishing a side salad, and keep the au jus warm in a slow cooker so guests can dip at leisure. They’re great for buffets because they’re easy to grab, messy in a fun way, and universally loved. Consider adding small labels at a gathering noting any substitutions (e.g., vegetarian) and place napkins nearby—the au jus encourages enthusiastic dunking!

Conclusion

If you’d like a different take on the classic slider, this recipe pairs well with other slider inspiration such as Best French Dip Sliders (Quick & Tasty!) 2025, which offers useful photo walkthroughs and slight variations. For an alternate regional spin and more serving ideas, check out this detailed write-up at French Dip Sliders – Cooking in the Midwest.