These French Dip Sliders are a perfect mix of comfort and convenience. I love how the melted Swiss cheese, tender roast beef, and caramelized onions come together inside warm, buttery slider buns. It’s everything I enjoy about a classic French dip sandwich—just in a more fun, sharable form.
Why I’ll Love This Recipe
I love how quick these are to prep and how easily they serve a group. Whether I’m making them for game day, a party, or just a cozy dinner, these sliders are always a hit. The buttery topping, flavorful au jus for dipping, and soft rolls make this dish incredibly satisfying. I also appreciate that I can prep much of it ahead of time.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
-
Slider buns
-
Unsalted butter
-
Yellow onion
-
Fresh thyme leaves
-
Garlic
-
Granulated sugar
-
Salt
-
Black pepper
-
Roast beef, thinly sliced
-
Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
-
French onion soup (canned)
-
Water
-
Packet of Au Jus mix
Directions
-
I start by preheating the oven to 350°F and placing the bottom halves of the slider buns in a baking dish.
-
In a skillet, I melt butter and cook the sliced onions with thyme, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper until they’re soft and golden.
-
I add in the roast beef strips and warm them with the onion mixture.
-
I layer the beef and onion mixture over the buns, then top with Swiss cheese and the bun tops.
-
I melt more butter, mix in thyme, garlic, and salt, then brush this over the tops of the sliders.
-
I bake for 15–20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
-
While the sliders bake, I prepare the au jus by heating French onion soup, water, and the au jus packet in a skillet until warmed through.
Servings and timing
-
Servings: 12 sliders
-
Prep Time: 25 minutes
-
Cook Time: 15 minutes
-
Additional time for au jus: 10–12 minutes
-
Total Time: About 40 minutes
Variations
-
I like to swap the Swiss cheese with Gruyère, provolone, or Havarti depending on my mood.
-
If I don’t have fresh thyme, I use dried thyme—just a little less to avoid overpowering the flavor.
-
For a bolder kick, I sometimes add a smear of horseradish sauce or Dijon mustard under the beef.
-
When I want more crunch, I toast the slider buns before layering the ingredients.
-
I’ve also used different deli meats like turkey for a fun twist.
Storage/Reheating
-
I store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
-
I don’t freeze these because the bread can get soggy and lose its texture.
-
To reheat, I use the toaster oven or microwave until just warmed through—usually about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
FAQs
How far ahead can I make these sliders?
I make the caramelized onions a day in advance and store them in the fridge. When I’m ready to assemble, I just reheat them and continue the recipe.
Can I use different types of rolls?
Yes, I often switch between potato rolls, Hawaiian rolls, or even brioche buns based on what I have. All work well.
What’s the best way to slice the buns?
If they aren’t pre-sliced, I use a serrated knife and keep the tops and bottoms as full sheets. It makes assembly easier and helps everything stay together during baking.
Can I use pre-cooked roast beef?
Absolutely. I usually use deli-sliced roast beef and warm it with the onions for better flavor and texture.
How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?
I make sure not to overload the buns with too much butter or onion mixture. A light layer keeps things flavorful without soaking the bread.
Conclusion
These French Dip Sliders are one of my go-to comfort meals when I want something rich, warm, and easy to share. I love that they’re simple enough for a weeknight but tasty enough for a party. The flavorful beef, gooey cheese, and savory dip make this recipe one I come back to again and again. Whether I’m making a full batch for a crowd or just a few for dinner, they always disappear fast.
Print
French Dip Sliders
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Description
These French Dip Sliders are warm, cheesy, and packed with tender roast beef and caramelized onions, served with a flavorful au jus for dipping—perfect for parties, game days, or cozy family dinners.
Ingredients
- 12 slider buns
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter (divided)
- 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (plus more for topping)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 lb roast beef, thinly sliced
- 8 slices Swiss cheese
- 1 can (10.5 oz) French onion soup
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 packet Au Jus mix
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the bottom halves of the slider buns in a baking dish.
- In a skillet over medium heat, melt 2 tbsp butter. Add onions, thyme, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Cook until onions are soft and golden, about 10–12 minutes.
- Add roast beef to the skillet and warm it with the onion mixture for 2–3 minutes.
- Spoon the beef and onion mixture evenly over the bottom buns. Top with Swiss cheese slices and cover with the bun tops.
- Melt the remaining 2 tbsp butter and stir in a pinch of thyme, minced garlic, and a bit of salt. Brush over the tops of the buns.
- Bake sliders for 15–20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and tops are golden brown.
- While baking, combine French onion soup, water, and au jus mix in a saucepan. Heat until warmed through, about 10–12 minutes.
- Serve the warm sliders with the prepared au jus on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Swap Swiss cheese for Gruyère, provolone, or Havarti.
- Use dried thyme if fresh isn’t available—just reduce the quantity slightly.
- Add horseradish or Dijon mustard under the beef for extra flavor.
- Lightly toast the buns before assembling for added crunch.
- Different deli meats like turkey also work great in this recipe.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 15g
- Cholesterol: 48mg