There’s something wonderfully satisfying about pulling apart a warm, cheesy slider, especially when it’s packed with savoury beef and ready for a dip in a rich, flavourful jus. This French Dip Sliders recipe is one of those dishes that has become a constant in my kitchen. It transforms a handful of good quality ingredients into a meal that feels special yet is genuinely straightforward to put together. We’re talking tender, thinly sliced roast beef, sweet caramelised onions, and gloriously melty Provolone cheese, all tucked into soft brioche buns and baked with a savoury butter topping.

I’ve been making this for over 7 years, and it never disappoints. The magic is in the details: the way the jus soaks into the bottom of the buns just enough, the golden, slightly crisp tops from the butter glaze, and the deep, savoury flavour of the dipping sauce that brings it all together. It’s the kind of food that makes everyone at the table go quiet for a moment, simply enjoying the first bite. It’s a brilliant meal for a relaxed weekend lunch, a family film night, or whenever you need a little bit of delicious comfort in your life.

This isn’t just another sliders recipe; it’s a thoughtfully tested method that guarantees fantastic results. From getting the onions perfectly jammy to ensuring the buns are toasted but not dry, we’ll walk through every step. Whether you’re an experienced cook or just starting, you’ll find this recipe manageable and the pay-off absolutely worth it. It’s a step up from your average sandwich and a fantastic alternative to our family’s other favourite, the classic Smashed Burgers Recipe.

Recipe Overview

This French Dip Sliders recipe brings the beloved flavours of the classic sandwich into a fun, shareable format. Expect deeply savoury, thinly sliced beef and sweet onions piled onto soft buns, topped with melted cheese, and brushed with a rich garlic and Worcestershire butter. The accompanying au jus is simple but essential, creating the perfect dipping sauce. I’ve found that letting the jus simmer for at least 10 minutes is key to developing its rich flavour.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Servings: Serves 4-6 people (makes 12 sliders)
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This French Dip Sliders Recipe

• Rich, Savoury Flavour: The combination of tender roast beef, sweet caramelised onions, and sharp Provolone cheese creates a wonderfully balanced and satisfying taste. The homemade au jus is the star, adding a deep, savoury note to every bite.
• Ready in Under an Hour: From start to finish, this entire meal comes together in about 40 minutes, making it a fantastic option for a weeknight dinner that feels a bit special.
• A Flexible Recipe: Don’t have Provolone? Gruyère or a good quality Swiss cheese work beautifully, adding a lovely nutty flavour. You can also add sautéed mushrooms along with the onions for extra earthiness.
• Great for Gatherings: These beef sliders are ideal for sharing. They work wonderfully for a casual get-together, a game day spread, or a family-style dinner where everyone can help themselves.
• Family Tested and Approved: This is one of those recipes that always gets compliments in our house. My husband, who’s usually picky, asked for seconds the very first time I made them!

French Dip Sliders Recipe

⏱️ 15 min prep  •  🍳 35 min cook  •  👥 4 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

For the best results, starting with good quality ingredients makes all the difference, especially the beef and the stock. I always get my roast beef thinly sliced from the local deli counter as it saves time and ensures it’s lovely and tender. For the stock, a high-quality liquid stock or a rich stock pot (I like Knorr) will give your au jus a much deeper flavour than a standard cube.

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 500g thinly sliced cooked roast beef
• 12 slider buns (brioche style works best)
• 12 slices Provolone cheese (or Gruyère)
• For the Au Jus:
• 500ml good quality beef stock
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• A pinch of black pepper
• For the Topping:
• 60g unsalted butter, melted
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

Marcus’s Tip: Don’t be tempted to use thick-cut beef. The beauty of this recipe is how the very thin slices of beef become incredibly tender and soak up the flavours. Ask your deli counter to slice it as thinly as they can without it falling apart.

How to Make French Dip Sliders

The process for this sliders recipe is straightforward. We’ll start by preparing the filling and the jus, then assemble the sliders and bake them until they are hot and the cheese is beautifully melted. The key is to work methodically and have all your components ready to go.

1. Caramelise the Onions: Heat the olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large frying pan over a medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft, sweet, and golden brown. Knowing how to caramelise onions properly is a great kitchen skill. Once done, remove them from the pan and set aside.
2. Prepare the Au Jus: In the same pan, add the 500ml of beef stock, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer gently for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavours to deepen. Season with black pepper.
3. Warm the Beef: Add the thinly sliced roast beef to the simmering au jus. You only need to warm it through for 1-2 minutes. Using tongs, remove the beef from the jus, letting any excess liquid drip off, and place it in a bowl. Keep the au jus simmering gently on a low heat.
4. Assemble the Buns: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Slice the sheet of slider buns in half horizontally without separating them. Place the bottom half in a baking dish. I find that lightly toasting the cut side under the grill for a minute at this stage helps prevent a soggy bottom.
5. Layer the Sliders: Layer the warmed beef evenly over the bottom buns. Top with the caramelised onions, spreading them out, followed by the slices of Provolone cheese. Place the top half of the buns back on.
6. Make the Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the 60g of melted butter, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and chopped parsley.
7. Bake the Sliders: Brush the butter mixture generously over the tops of the buns, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 10-12 minutes.
8. Final Browning: Remove the foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and completely melted.
9. Rest and Serve: Let the sliders rest for a few minutes before slicing them into individual portions. Serve immediately with the warm au jus on the side for dipping.

Tips From My Kitchen

• Cheese Placement is Key: Place the cheese slices so they slightly overlap. This creates a complete “cheese blanket” over the beef and onions, ensuring every single slider has a generous amount of gloriously melty cheese.
• The Secret Step for Buns: I learned that a quick toast of the bottom buns before assembling makes a huge difference. Just a minute or two under a hot grill is enough to create a slight barrier that stops the beef juices from making them too soft.
• Make-Ahead Method: You can caramelise the onions and make the au jus up to two days in advance. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge. When you’re ready to eat, simply reheat the jus, warm the beef in it, and assemble the sliders as directed. It cuts the prep time down significantly.
• Storage: Leftover sliders can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat them in the oven at 160°C for about 10 minutes until warmed through. Store the au jus separately and reheat it on the hob or in the microwave.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need any highly specialised gear for this recipe, just some basic kitchen equipment.

• Large frying pan or skillet
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• 9×13 inch (or similar size) baking dish
• Small bowl for the topping
• Pastry brush
• Tongs

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Rushing the Onions: Don’t try to cook the onions on high heat to speed things up. They will burn before they have a chance to release their sugars and become sweet. Low and slow is the only way to get that perfect jammy texture.
• Boiling the Jus: Keep the au jus at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. Boiling it too hard can cause it to reduce too much and become overly salty.
• Skipping the Rest Time: Letting the sliders rest for just a few minutes after they come out of the oven allows the cheese to set slightly and makes them much easier to cut and serve without falling apart.

Delicious Variations to Try

While this recipe is fantastic as is, it’s also a great base for customisation. Here are a few ideas we’ve enjoyed.

• Spicy French Dip Sliders: Add a layer of pickled jalapeños on top of the onions before adding the cheese. You could also add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the au jus for a little background heat.
• Mushroom and Swiss Sliders: Sauté 200g of sliced cremini mushrooms with the onions and swap the Provolone for a good quality Swiss or Gruyère cheese for a classic, earthy flavour combination.
• Different Protein: This method works wonderfully with other thinly sliced meats. Try it with leftover roast turkey or thinly sliced cooked chicken for a different take. For another great ground beef dinner, check out our Easy Ground Beef Tacos Recipe.

What to Serve With French Dip Sliders

These rich beef sliders are quite filling, so I like to pair them with simple sides that complement their flavour without being too heavy.

• Crispy Oven Chips: A pile of salty, crispy chips is the ultimate companion for dipping into any extra au jus.
• A Simple Green Salad: A fresh salad with a sharp lemon vinaigrette helps cut through the richness of the beef and cheese.
• Drink Pairing: A robust ale or a smooth glass of Merlot stands up well to the savoury flavours of the dish. For a non-alcoholic option, a sparkling apple juice works nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions

French Dip Sliders

Tender roast beef, sweet caramelised onions, and melted Provolone cheese are packed into soft brioche buns and served with a rich, savory au jus for dipping. Perfect for a party or a fun weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 4 servings

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 650

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large onion thinly sliced
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• 500 g thinly sliced cooked roast beef
• 12 slider buns brioche style works best
• 12 slices Provolone cheese or Gruyère

For the Au Jus

• 500 ml good quality beef stock
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• A pinch of black pepper

For the Topping

• 60 g unsalted butter melted
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley

Method

 

1. Caramelise the Onions: Heat the olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter in a large frying pan over a medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions and cook slowly for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are soft, sweet, and golden brown. Knowing how to caramelise onions properly is a great kitchen skill. Once done, remove them from the pan and set aside.
2. Prepare the Au Jus: In the same pan, add the 500ml of beef stock, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, and garlic powder. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer gently for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavours to deepen. Season with black pepper.
3. Warm the Beef: Add the thinly sliced roast beef to the simmering au jus. You only need to warm it through for 1-2 minutes. Using tongs, remove the beef from the jus, letting any excess liquid drip off, and place it in a bowl. Keep the au jus simmering gently on a low heat.
4. Assemble the Buns: Preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C fan). Slice the sheet of slider buns in half horizontally without separating them. Place the bottom half in a baking dish. I find that lightly toasting the cut side under the grill for a minute at this stage helps prevent a soggy bottom.
5. Layer the Sliders: Layer the warmed beef evenly over the bottom buns. Top with the caramelised onions, spreading them out, followed by the slices of Provolone cheese. Place the top half of the buns back on.
6. Make the Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together the 60g of melted butter, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, and chopped parsley.
7. Bake the Sliders: Brush the butter mixture generously over the tops of the buns, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake for 10-12 minutes.
8. Final Browning: Remove the foil and bake for another 5-7 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is bubbling and completely melted.
9. Rest and Serve: Let the sliders rest for a few minutes before slicing them into individual portions. Serve immediately with the warm au jus on the side for dipping.

Notes

For extra flavor, lightly toast the inside of the buns before assembling to prevent them from getting soggy. Serve immediately with the warm au jus.

From my kitchen to yours, I truly hope you enjoy making this French Dip Sliders recipe. They are a guaranteed hit for almost any occasion and bring so much flavour to the table with minimal fuss. For a sweet treat to follow this savoury meal, why not try our Lemon Crumb Bars? Let me know how your sliders turn out in the comments below – I love hearing from you! Happy cooking!