Savory French Dip Sliders with Melted Swiss & Au Jus

These French Dip Sliders transform the classic sandwich into small, shareable bites—perfect for crowds. Tender roast beef, melted cheese, and sweet caramelized onions are nestled inside buttery rolls and served with warm au jus for dipping. This easy recipe is ideal for game day, parties, or a relaxed weeknight meal.

french dip sliders on an ivory ceramic plate with french fries and a cup of au jus

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Why You’ll Love These Sliders

  1. Perfect for gatherings. These sliders are easy to assemble in a single baking dish, making them a go-to for game day, parties, and casual dinners.
  2. Classic, bold flavors. Each slider layers roast beef, melted cheese, caramelized onions, and a horseradish-mayo spread, with warm jus on the side for dipping.
  3. Fast to prepare. Most of the work is simple assembly. Caramelized onions can be made ahead so you can finish the sliders quickly when guests arrive.
  4. Flexible serving options. Serve them as an appetizer alongside snacks or make them the main course with fries or a salad.
overhead photo of French Dip Slider ingredients in bowls on a white board

What You’ll Need

For the sliders

  • Slider rolls. A 12-count package of slider rolls works best; choose savory or slightly sweet varieties depending on your preference.
  • Roast beef. Thinly sliced deli roast beef, preferably on the rare side so it stays tender after baking.
  • Cheese. Thin slices of Swiss or provolone melt nicely and pair well with beef.
  • Horseradish-mayo. Mix mayonnaise with cream-style horseradish for a tangy spread. Adjust the amount to taste based on the horseradish’s pungency.
  • Caramelized onions. Slowly cooked onions add sweetness and depth. Make ahead and refrigerate if needed.
  • Butter and seasonings. Melted unsalted butter mixed with onion powder, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped parsley is brushed over the rolls before baking.
overhead photos of the ingredients needed to make beef jus on a marble board

For the jus

  • Beef broth or stock. Use a quality beef broth or stock for the best base flavor.
  • Butter and a touch of flour (optional). Butter adds richness; a small amount of flour can thicken the jus slightly so it clings to the slider without soaking them immediately.
  • Worcestershire sauce and aromatics. Worcestershire, minced garlic, and fresh thyme build savory complexity. Taste and adjust with salt, pepper, or a concentrated beef base if needed.

Choosing a baking dish

Use a rectangular glass or ceramic dish at least 10.5×7.5 inches; a 13×9-inch dish works well too. Light-colored interiors help prevent the bottoms from browning too quickly—if using a dark pan, lower the oven temperature by 25°F.

How to Make French Dip Sliders

Step 1: Prep the rolls

Slice the slab of rolls in half horizontally to separate tops and bottoms. Toast the cut sides under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until lightly golden—watch closely so they don’t burn.

slider rolls being sliced on a white marble board
a slab of slider rolls sliced in half on a white marble board

Step 2: Assemble the sliders

Lightly grease your baking dish and place the bottom halves of the toasted rolls inside, cut side up. Stir together mayonnaise and cream-style horseradish and spread half over the bottom rolls. Layer half the cheese, all the roast beef, the caramelized onions, and the remaining cheese. Spread the remaining horseradish-mayo on the roll tops and place them, mayo side down, over the sliders.

spreading horseradish mayo onto toasted slider rolls in a rectangular baking dish with an offset spatula

Step 3: Butter and bake

Combine melted butter with Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and half the chopped parsley. Brush this butter mixture over the roll tops and sides, letting some sink into the pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Remove the foil and bake another 5–8 minutes until the tops are golden and slightly crisp.

spreading butter sauce over French dip sliders in a baking dish with a pastry brush

Step 4: Make the jus

While the sliders bake, make the jus: melt butter in a small saucepan, sauté minced garlic until fragrant, then stir in a bit of flour and cook briefly. Whisk in beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer 10 minutes. If desired, whisk in a small amount of concentrated beef base for more depth. Strain for a smooth jus and keep warm for serving.

collage of 4 overhead photos showing the process of making jus in a white pot

Serving your sliders

Let the baked sliders rest a few minutes, then transfer to a cutting board and slice into individual servings with a serrated knife. Sprinkle remaining parsley over the top. Serve warm with small ramekins of jus for dipping. Plan for 1–2 sliders per guest as an appetizer, or 3–4 per person as a main course.

  • Shoestring fries. Crispy fries are a natural pairing and can be dipped in jus or horseradish-mayo.
  • Potato chips. Kettle-style chips add crunch and contrast.
  • Garden salad. A simple green salad lightens the meal and balances the rich sliders.
baked french dip sliders in a white and blue baking dish with bowls of au jus and a plate of french fries

Storing and reheating leftovers

Store leftover sliders and jus separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to two days. To reheat, wrap sliders in foil and warm in a 350°F oven for 10–15 minutes until heated through; open the foil for a few minutes if you want to re-crisp the tops. Gently reheat the jus on the stovetop or in the microwave until steaming.

roast beef slider being dipped into a white ramekin of jus

Substitutions and FAQs

  • No horseradish? Swap with Dijon or grainy mustard for a different but complementary tang.
  • Short on time? Use a store-bought au jus mix or jarred au jus and enhance with a pinch of thyme while simmering.
  • Can they be assembled ahead? Yes. Assemble up to 4 hours in advance but wait to add the butter topping until just before baking. Keep covered in the fridge and bring to room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.
  • Make the onions ahead? Caramelized onions keep 3–4 days refrigerated and are handy to have ready for the sliders or other dishes.
french dip sliders on a plate with french fries and a cup of jus

French Dip Sliders

by Amanda Biddle
Comforting and flavorful sliders made with roast beef, melty cheese, caramelized onions, and horseradish-mayo, served with warm jus for dipping. Great for entertaining.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings (2 sliders)

Ingredients

  • 1 package King’s Hawaiian Savory Butter Rolls
  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon cream-style horseradish
  • ½ pound provolone or Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
  • ½ pound deli roast beef, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup caramelized onions
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish

For the jus

  • 2 cups beef broth or stock
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large garlic clove, minced
  • 1–1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1–2 teaspoons roasted beef base (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme (or ¼ teaspoon dried)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prep the rolls

  • Use a serrated knife to slice the rolls horizontally into two slabs. Place cut sides up on a baking sheet and broil 1–2 minutes until lightly toasted. Watch carefully to avoid burning.

Make the sliders

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat a rectangular baking dish (at least 10.5×7.5 inches) with cooking spray. Place bottom roll halves in the dish, toasted side up.
  • Stir together mayonnaise and horseradish. Spread half over the bottom rolls.
  • Layer half the cheese over the mayo, then the roast beef, caramelized onions, and the remaining cheese. Spread the remaining horseradish-mayo on the roll tops and place them, mayo side down, over the sliders.
  • Combine melted butter, Worcestershire, garlic powder, onion powder, and parsley. Brush over the tops and sides of the rolls. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes, then uncover and bake 5–8 minutes until tops are golden.
  • Let stand a couple of minutes, cut into individual sliders with a serrated knife, garnish with parsley, and serve with warm jus.

Make the jus

  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Stir in flour and cook briefly.
  • Whisk in beef broth, Worcestershire, thyme, and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Taste and adjust with beef base, salt, or pepper as needed. Strain for a smooth jus and keep warm for serving.

Notes

Caramelized onions: Make ahead if desired; their prep time is not included in the recipe times.

Horseradish: Strength varies by brand—adjust quantity to taste or substitute Dijon mustard if preferred.

Flour in the jus: Optional. A small amount adds body and helps prevent quick sogginess when dipping soft rolls; omit for a thinner jus.

Baking dish: A light-colored interior is best; if using a dark pan, reduce oven temperature to 325°F and monitor the bottoms to prevent over-browning.

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 2 sliders
| Calories: 545 kcal
| Carbohydrates: 33 g
| Protein: 25 g
| Fat: 35 g

Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.

About our recipes

These recipes use US customary measurements and have not been tested for high-altitude baking or cooking.