Mini French Slider Feast with Au Jus Dipping Sauce

These tasty, bite-sized French Dip Sliders Au Jus are a cinch to make and are the perfect dish for game day snacking, summer barbecues or a quick weeknight meal. They feature tender roast beef, melted cheese, and fried onions sandwiched in a small roll, topped with a flavorful au jus sauce for dunking. With each bite, the cheesy goodness oozes out while the rich and savory au jus drenches the whole slider, delivering maximum flavor. Eating these sliders is truly a love affair for your taste buds! The best part is you won’t have to worry about leftovers, as I can assure you these sliders will disappear fast due to their tender, tender meat and mouthwatering combo of flavors.

Why You Need to Make This Recipe?

There are many justified reasons to wonder why you need to make these best french dip sliders.

1. With a quick and easy prep of only 10 minutes and then ready to eat in just 15 more minutes, all you need to do is assemble everything and then pop it in the oven or smoker until the tops are golden brown.
2. The budget-friendly slider recipe utilizes simple ingredients like roast beef, rolls, cheese, and onions, which one can find at any local grocery store for only a couple of dollars.
3. These flavorful, packed sliders are deliciously versatile, making them great for parties and gatherings where everyone can enjoy.
4. The classic slider form with melty provolone cheese that keeps everything together for dipping in the flavorful sauce is simply irresistible.
5. On top of that, these simple and straightforward sliders are easy to serve in individual servings for a truly hassle-free dish to put out, so guests can dish out and easily eat.

Not only are they one of the best things you can ever eat, but they constitute an entire little meal packed into one perfect, miniature package. You can eat more than one without feeling guilty, since the bread to meat ratio is even better than a full sized sandwich. Enjoy them for dinner, as an appetizer or really any time – these sliders are an all-around winning choice.

What are Sliders?

The translation of the word “slider” into many different languages can result in some of the funniest ways to describe these small sandwiches. For example, in Ukrainian it translates to “povsoonky” which literally means “baby’s onesie”! Simply put, sliders are just small-sized burgers or warm sandwiches made and served in soft buns.

A favorite type of sandwich for many, the mini size of sliders make for a delicious and easily portable slider recipe. Using classic burger ingredients and flavors in a reduced scale is what has made sliders so popular. Recipes for sliders range from basic toppings on a small bun to more elaborately stuffed mini sandwiches. Hawaiian Rolls or baking sliders in a casserole dish are amazing ways to make many at one time. These French Dip Sliders, stacked with roast beef, onions and melty provolone cheese, makes flavorful sandwiches that are as delicious and melty as they are cheesy – perfect for dinner.

Choosing the Perfect Bread for French Dip Sliders

While you can certainly use any type of bread for this French dip recipe, mini buns or rolls will work best at holding the tasty sliders together. I always suggest using Hawaiian Rolls for this slider recipe, since they have just a slight sweetness that provides the perfect contrast to the savory flavor of the meat and onions. The rolls’ petite size is ideal too, as 12 of them will comfortably fit all snuggled together nicely in a standard casserole dish to conveniently bake all at once.

However, sweet rolls are not necessarily required. You could also use basic slider buns or any of your own favorite kinds of slider rolls. Simply pick whichever type of bun or small roll you like best, as most small rolls and buns will work great for this easy slider recipe.

Versatile Meat Options for Slider Perfection

When it comes to the main meat for these tasty sliders, you really can’t go wrong. This recipe calls for roast beef slices, mainly because pre-sliced deli roast beef is so convenient. However, you could also use pulled beef from a Mississippi pot roast or leftover shredded or thinly sliced beef from a regular roast. If you happen to have some extra leftover beef in your fridge already, feel free to repurpose it into these sliders. No matter the cut or source, the melting cheese and onions help turn any roast beef into slider perfection!

Cheese Options for French Dip Sliders

In keeping with the classic French Dip Sandwich, Provolone cheese is typically the first choice for topping these French Dip Sliders, too. However, feel free to really use any cheese you like in this recipe. Other cheeses that would also work great include mozzarella, pepper jack or cheddar. If using a softer cheese like mozzarella, it may be best to shred it so it stays put better on the sliders, which already have a tendency to be a bit messy with all their delicious fillings! Shredded cheese will also melt smoothly over the ham and bread. So in the end, almost any melty cheese you enjoy would be suitable for these sliders.

The Best Sauce for French Dip Sandwiches

To achieve the most authentic French Dip Sandwich experience, ideally make the au jus sauce from the pan drippings created when cooking a nice roast beef, prime rib, or pot roast. These natural drippings create a lovely au jus that is just too delicious to drink on its own. While it may seem sort of weird at first, don’t knock it until you try dunking these sliders right into the savory, beefy au jus sauce – it’s heavenly!

For those without roast pan drippings on hand, a store-bought au jus seasoning mix can also work well. Just be aware that pre-made mixes tend to be pretty salty, so be sure to follow the packet instructions and add the seasoning to water, tasting as you go. Homemade or store-bought, au jus is truly what transports these French Dip Sandwiches to a whole other level.

French Dip Sliders Au Jus

Recipe by Carmen FoodieCourse: AppetizersCuisine: French

Servings

4

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

15

minutes

Calories

440

kcal

Total time

25

minutes

These sliders take the classic French dip sandwich and shrink it down to the perfect snack size. Thinly sliced roast beef, melted cheese and crispy buns become ooey gooey goodness when dressed with savory caramelized onions and dippped into a rich au jus sauce. With layers of flavor in every bite, these mini sandwiches are sure to become a new favorite appetizer.

Ingredients

• For Sliders:

• 1 medium yellow onion

• 2 sprigs fresh thyme

• Kings Hawaiian slider buns or other buns

• Mayo

• Provolone cheese

• Roast beef

• Shredded parmesan cheese (optional)

• Toasted sesame seeds

• For Au Jus:

• 1 Tbsp unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup water or beef broth

• Au Jus powder mix

• 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1/4 tsp garlic powder

• 1/4 tsp onion powder

• Fresh thyme

Directions

• These tasty French dip sliders are simple and come together in three different steps: caramelized onions, assembling the sandwiches and preparing the au jus dipping sauce.
• To make the Au Jus dipping sauce, in a small saucepan, melt 1 Tbsp unsalted butter over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup water or beef broth and an Au Jus powder mix. Also stir in 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/4 tsp garlic powder, 1/4 tsp onion powder, and fresh thyme. Let it simmer on the stove for 10 minutes so the flavors meld and the sauce reduces and thickens slightly.
• To start, caramelize the onions, slice 1 medium yellow onion and melt a couple tablespoons of butter in a sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onions and butter, along with two sprigs of fresh thyme and a splash of water. Stir occasionally and season with salt and pepper. Also sprinkle in 1/4 tsp sugar to help the onions caramelize and turn golden brown as they soften over about 20–25 minutes.
• Once the onions are ready, it’s time to assemble the sliders. A great slider needs a good base – I prefer using Kings Hawaiian slider buns since they are the perfect size and are already split and ready to go. For other buns, use a serrated knife to slice the buns in half horizontally, cutting about halfway through. Then layer the top buns onto the bottom buns.
• Next, spread mayo on the bottom buns and top with a generous layer of provolone cheese. Then add two layers of roast beef evenly across the buns. Grab the caramelized onions that were made first and place them evenly over the top of the beef and more provolone cheese if desired. Finally, place the top buns back on.
• To finish off the tops of the buns, mix together a yummy butter topping to coat the top buns: In a small bowl, melt the remaining butter and add 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Then brush the melted butter mixture all over the tops of the buns.
• For extra richness, also brush some of the savory Au Jus sauce on the bunned sliders too, reserving the rest for dipping. And if you can’t get enough melty, cheesy delight, also feel free to sprinkle some shredded Parmesan cheese over the bunned tops.
• Once you’ve got everything all sorted out, gently transfer the sliders to a baking dish or sheet covered with aluminum foil for easy clean-up. Then finish by placing the sliders in the oven or smoker and baking at 350°F for 15 minutes until the cheese is fully melted through the tops of the buns are nicely toasted.
• Cut into individual sliders and serve with Au Jus for dipping.

Notes

• Place any leftover sliders in an airtight container and store in the fridge, where they will stay good for up to five days.
• For longer storage, wrap individual sliders tightly in foil and transfer to a freezer-safe container for freezing for up to one month.
• To reheat, simply preheat your oven to 300 degrees, place the sliders in an oven safe container and cover with foil. Let them heat for 10 minutes, or until heated through.

What to Serve With French Dip Sliders?

These rich and filling French dip sliders stand as a hearty meal on their own, but you can elevate them even further with some classic sides. Roasting herb roasted potatoes and carrots to perfect tenderness with rosemary, thyme, and garlic is a favorite option. The blend of flavors pairs beautifully with the savory sliders. Another comforting option involves slow-cooking garlic mashed potatoes in a crockpot until they become creamy, with roasted garlic cloves scattered throughout. 

For those looking for something lighter, a fresh fruit salad makes a nice complement, cutting through the beef and cheese with seasonal fruits. You can also try baked beans as a side dish. And of course, no slider meal is complete without crunchy sides – coleslaw offers a cool contrast, while french fries and tater tots are ideal for soaking up every last drop of the tender beef au jus sauce. Really, these easy French dip sliders truly showcase their versatility, as they can either stand alone or be enhanced with a variety of crowd-pleasing sides.

How to Store Leftovers?

While these famously delicious French dip sliders may not often have leftovers thanks to their irresistible combination of tender roast beef, melty cheese and caramelized onions stacked on a toasted bun, on the rare chance there are any remaining – here’s how to store them:

Place any leftover sliders in an airtight container and store in the fridge, where they will stay good for up to five days. For longer storage, wrap individual sliders tightly in foil and transfer to a freezer-safe container for freezing for up to one month. To finish reheating leftover sliders later, simply warm them in the oven or microwave for a few minutes until piping hot.

Best Way to Heat Up Leftover French Dip Sliders

When heating up leftover French Dip Sliders, the goal is to get the meat and cheese heated up and melty again without making the Hawaiian Roll soggy. The first choice for doing this is in the oven. Simply preheat your oven to 300 degrees, place the sliders in an oven safe container and cover with foil. Let them heat for 10 minutes, or until heated through.

You can heat the sliders in the microwave if you want to save time. However, use 50% power and heat them in 30 second increments, checking and rotating between each 30 seconds. Microwaving ensures the bread stays crunchy while warming up the fillings. Either way, these reheated sliders will be almost as good as the first time around!

Variations

These roast beef sliders on Hawaiian rolls are very customizable. Here are a few ideas:

1. Low-calorie: Swap the roast beef slices for leaner proteins like pork, turkey or chicken to reduce calories.
2. Spicy: Give the sliders some heat by adding a dash of hot sauce or sliced jalapeño peppers to the mix.
3. Cheese lovers: Aside from provolone, layer on additional melty cheeses like Parmesan, Swiss or mozzarella.
4. Caramelized onions: Take thin slices of yellow onions and sauté them slowly in melted butter with a pinch of salt and black pepper until nice and soft, sweet and caramelized. Spread the onions on the sliders for extra flavor.

Getting creative with the components is half the fun of sliders. Feel free to experiment with your favorite ingredients.

Final Thoughts From Carmen Foodie

These flavor-packed French Dip Sliders Au Jus are sure to be a favorite for any meat lover. With tender beef, melted cheese and crisp buns topped with savory au jus sauce, they are truly indulgent in every bite. With so many delicious components, these sliders are worthy of starring on any appetizer spread or casual weeknight meal. Most importantly, enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Do They Call Sliders?

Sliders earn their name because they are small burgers designed to be easily “slid” or held in one hand for snacking.

What Is A Good Cut Of Beef For Roast Beef?

Top choices for roast beef are chuck roast, top round roast or bottom round roast – they are flavorful cuts that become tender when cooked low and slow.

Can You Substitute A White Onion For a Yellow Onion?

Yes, you can interchangeably use white and yellow onions, though white onions have a milder flavor than yellow onions.

How to make French dip sliders?

You’ll need roast beef, cheese, buns, caramelized onions and au jus sauce. Then layer the fillings on the buns and bake until the cheese melts.

What are French dips dipped in?

Diners enjoy authentic French dip sandwiches by dipping the sandwich into a savory, beef broth-based au jus sauce for maximum flavor.

What is French Dip sauce made of?

The classic French Dip sauce is an au jus made from pan drippings created when cooking roast beef, or using beef broth mixed with seasonings like Worcestershire sauce.

What is the name of the sandwich with au jus?

The sandwich traditionally served with au jus dipping sauce is known as the French Dip sandwich.

What is the difference between beef dip and French Dip?

A French Dip uses higher quality beef and is served with au jus dipping sauce, while a beef dip sandwich can use various beef and may not include the signature au jus.

What do you eat with French Dip?

Common sides for French Dip sandwiches include french fries, coleslaw or macaroni salad to complement the rich flavors of the beef and au jus.