French Dip Sliders [+ Video]

A photo of a single french dip slider on a black plate.

French dip sliders are perfect for a quick and easy family dinner or for the next big game day! These are buttery with caramelized onions and a luscious aus jus!

French dip sliders are not at all something I grew up with but occasionally when life was busy, the weather chilly and mom was tired she’d gather up simple ingredients for French dip sandwiches. Just sliced roast beef, hoagie rolls, and flavorful aus jus was all she needed to get dinner in the table for five hungry kids.

We have our own French dip recipe on the blog but knowing how mouth watering our ham and cheese sliders are, I have been itching to make a new sliders recipe. You guys, forget the ham ones, these are out of this world. The best thing I’ve made in months!

Why Make Sliders?

Not that sliders need to be justified, but just in case you wondering why you should make them, let me tell you! Sandwiches are like the best things ever! They are like a whole meal all in one perfect little package. Sliders are just mini sandwiches, so you can eat more than one and not feel guilty! The bread to meat ratio is even better than in a full sized sandwich, and they can be eaten for dinner or for an appetizer. It’s just all around winning!

How to Make French Dip Sliders?

These french dip sliders come together in three different steps…the caramelized onions, the sandwiches, and the aus jus. First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 baking pan.

Caramelized Onions

Let’s start with the caramelized onions so that they are ready to go when you assemble the sliders. Slice a medium yellow onion and then melt a couple tablespoons of butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions to the butter with two sprigs of fresh time and water. Stir the onions occasionally and add salt and pepper. The onions will begin to turn golden and soften. They will cook for about 20-25 minutes.

Sandwiches

Now it is time to start assembling the sliders! These are so easy! Start by slicing your rolls in half and place them side by side in your greased 9×13 pan cut side up as shown below.

Then you want to lather the top of each roll with stone ground dijon mustard. A different kind of mustard can be used, but we really recommend a stone ground dijon mustard. It just gives it best flavor and extra texture.

Then add a layer of thinly sliced roast beef. We like to go to the deli counter and ask them for a half pound of their best roast beef. Then we just evenly layer it all over the mustard buns.

Next comes the cheese!! We love these sliders with provolone, so we pick up 9-12 slices at the deli counter when we get the roast beef. You can’t have too much cheese, so load it up! Place a layer of cheese on top of the roast beef.

Now we are going to grab those caramelized onions we made first. Place those evenly over the top of the cheese, and then place the other half the buns on top.

Now we need to mix together the yummy butter topping that will coat the top of the buns. We are going to melt most of the remaining butter, and add a teaspoon of worchestershire sauce and toasted sesame seeds. Brush the melted butter mixture all over the top of the buns, and then cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-30 until the sliders are golden brown. We like to top it with chopped fresh parsley after it is done baking.

Aus Jus

While the sliders are baking, let’s make the delicious aus jus! It is so dang good I could drink it! But that would be sort of weird, so I’ll sick to dunking my sliders in it!

Melt the last tablespoon of butter in a skillet, and then add the garlic, beef stock, worchestershire sauce and fresh thyme. Let it simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes until it reduces a little and thickens slightly.

Serve the sliders with little cups of aus jus on the side for dipping! I’m drooling!

Watch How These Sliders are Made…

What to Eat with French Dip Sliders?

If you are serving french dip sliders as an appetizer, you could serve it up with any delicious appetizer you want. Head to all our appetizers for ideas! We like to have a good balance of sweet and savory appetizers and treats.

French dip sliders as a meal can go with all sorts of different sides. We love it with herb and garlic roasted potatoes and some roasted garlic veggies. A side of baked beans is great on the side too with a fresh fruit salad. You could really do anything you want! Head here for more side dish ideas.

Why Do They Call Sliders Sliders?

There are many theories out there as to where the name “sliders” comes from. Most agree that the term “sliders” was first used in the 1940s in the US Navy to describe miniature hamburgers that were greasy and just slid right down when you ate them. The term “sliders” has since been expanded to include all sorts of small sandwiches and not just mini burgers.

What Is A Good Cut Of Beef For Roast Beef?

A top loin roast is the best cut of beef for making roast beef that can be sliced for sandwiches.

Can You Substitute A White Onion For a Yellow Onion?

Absolutely, especially if you love the taste of onions. White onions tend to have a sharper and more pungent flavor than yellow onions. They cook up great for caramelized onions but will have a stronger taste.

What Can You Substitute For Stone Ground Mustard?

You can use a plain dijon mustard or a spicy brown mustard. We just love the flavor and texture that stone ground mustard adds.

What Type of Bread Should Be Used for Sliders?

Any small roll or bun will work just fine. They actually make little slider sized hamburger buns these day. Hawaiian sweet rolls are my preferred roll for sliders.

These french dip sliders are my new favorite things ever! They are bold in flavor, juicy, cheesy and buttery. All the best things!!

French Dip Sliders [+ Video]