French Dip Sliders with Au Jus

There’s something magical about bite-sized food that disappears as fast as you can make it, and that’s exactly what happens with these French Dip Sliders. I first made them for a game day party, and let me tell you—they were gone before halftime! These sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser: tender roast beef, melty provolone cheese, and that irresistible au jus dipping sauce. They’re so easy to throw together, even when you’re juggling a house full of guests. Plus, they’re perfect for everything from casual get-togethers to holiday appetizers. Trust me, once you try these, they’ll become your go-to party food. Let’s dive in!

Why You’ll Love These French Dip Sliders

Oh, where do I even start? These sliders are the little sandwiches that could—packed with flavor, easy to make, and guaranteed to disappear fast. Here’s why they’re a total win:

• Quick as lightning: 20 minutes from start to finish, even when you’re scrambling before guests arrive.
• Flavor bomb: Garlicky butter, melty cheese, and savory au jus make every bite irresistible.
• Crowd magnet: I’ve never brought these to a party without someone begging for the recipe.
• No-fuss fancy: They look and taste gourmet but use simple ingredients you probably already have.

Seriously, these sliders are like edible magic—simple, satisfying, and always a hit!

Ingredients for French Dip Sliders

Gather these simple ingredients – you might already have most of them in your kitchen! The magic is in the quality:

• 12 slider buns – Hawaiian rolls add sweetness, but any soft dinner rolls work
• 1 lb thinly sliced roast beef – ask your deli to slice it #1 (super thin!)
• 8 slices provolone cheese – melts beautifully and adds that classic French dip flavor
• 1/2 cup butter, melted – real butter only, please!
• 1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp onion powder – our secret flavor boosters
• 1 packet au jus gravy mix – makes the dipping sauce foolproof
• 2 cups water – for preparing the au jus

That’s it! Simple ingredients, big flavor payoff.

Equipment You’ll Need

You won’t need any fancy gadgets for these sliders—just a few basic kitchen tools you probably already own:

• Baking sheet – for assembling and baking those golden beauties
• Pastry brush – to slather on that garlic butter goodness
• Small saucepan – for whipping up the easy au jus
• Knife – for slicing the whole pan of sliders (so satisfying!)

See? Told you it was simple. Now let’s get cooking!

How to Make French Dip Sliders

Ready to make the easiest, tastiest sliders ever? Let’s break it down step by step. Trust me, it’s so simple you’ll wonder why you haven’t been making these every week!

Preparing the Sliders

First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Grab your slider buns and slice them in half horizontally (keep them connected if you’re using Hawaiian rolls—it’s a game-changer!). Layer the bottom half with that gorgeous thinly sliced roast beef, then top it with the provolone cheese. Don’t skimp on the cheese—it’s what makes them so melty and delicious! Next, mix the melted butter with garlic powder and onion powder. Brush this golden, garlicky goodness all over the tops of the buns. It’s the secret to that irresistible flavor and golden crust.

Baking the French Dip Sliders

Pop the sliders into the preheated oven and bake for about 10 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the cheese is gloriously melted and the buns are golden brown on top. The smell alone will have everyone hovering around the kitchen waiting for the first bite!

Making the Au Jus Sauce

While the sliders bake, whip up the au jus. In a small saucepan, combine the au jus gravy mix with 2 cups of water. Bring it to a simmer, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly. That’s it! You’ve got a rich, savory dipping sauce that takes these sliders to the next level.

Once everything’s ready, slice the sliders apart (if needed) and serve them warm with the au jus on the side for dipping. Watch them disappear—it’s a guarantee!

Tips for Perfect French Dip Sliders

After making these sliders more times than I can count (and fielding all the recipe requests!), I’ve picked up some foolproof tricks:

• Hawaiian roll hack: Their slight sweetness balances the savory beef perfectly – just don’t tell my grandma I swapped her classic rolls!
• Onion upgrade: Toss some caramelized onions under the roast beef – it adds amazing depth (my husband’s favorite version).
• Cheese strategy: Tear the provolone slices slightly so they melt evenly across all the sliders.
• Butter brush timing: Wait until right before baking to brush the garlic butter so the buns don’t get soggy.

These little tweaks take already-great sliders to absolute perfection!

Variations for French Dip Sliders

Want to mix things up? This recipe is crazy flexible – here are my favorite ways to play with it:

• Cheese swap: Try Swiss for extra tang or pepper jack if you like a little heat.
• Spicy kick: Stir horseradish into the au jus – my brother’s “can’t eat it without this” addition.
• Italian twist: Use mozzarella and sprinkle with oregano before baking.
• Breakfast version: Swap roast beef for crispy bacon and add a fried egg (trust me, it works!).

The beauty? You can’t mess these up – every variation turns out delicious!

Serving Suggestions

These sliders shine all on their own, but I love serving them with quick sides that balance their richness. A big bowl of dill pickles or crispy potato chips is my go-to for casual gatherings. For something lighter, a simple green salad with tangy vinaigrette cuts through that savory beef and cheese perfectly!

Storing and Reheating French Dip Sliders

These sliders disappear fast, but if you somehow have leftovers (rare in my house!), store them airtight for up to 2 days. To reheat, wrap them in foil and warm at 300°F for about 10 minutes—just enough to melt the cheese again without drying them out. The au jus keeps refrigerated separately for 3 days—just reheat gently!

Nutritional Information

Just so you know what you’re biting into (not that it’ll stop anyone from going back for seconds!):

• Per slider: About 220 calories
• Fat: 12g (6g saturated)
• Protein: 14g – thanks to all that tasty roast beef!
• Carbs: 15g (1g fiber)

Remember, these are estimates – actual values can vary based on your specific ingredients. But let’s be real – nobody eats just one!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use homemade au jus instead of the packet mix?
Absolutely! If you’ve got homemade au jus, use about 2 cups in place of the packet. My favorite homemade version simmers beef broth with onions, garlic, and a splash of Worcestershire sauce – it adds amazing depth. Just keep an eye on the salt since homemade versions vary.

How long do leftovers last?
These sliders keep beautifully for about 2 days in the fridge when stored airtight. The au jus stays good for 3 days separately. Pro tip: Store them unsliced if possible – they stay moister that way!

Can I make these ahead for a party?
You bet! Assemble them (without brushing with butter), cover tightly, and refrigerate up to 6 hours before baking. Add the garlic butter right before they go in the oven. The au jus reheats perfectly too – just warm it gently before serving.

What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Wrap them in foil and warm at 300°F for about 10 minutes – just enough to melt the cheese again without drying out the beef. Microwaving works in a pinch, but the buns can get soggy.

Can I freeze French Dip Sliders?
They freeze okay for up to a month, but the texture changes slightly. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat wrapped in foil. The au jus freezes beautifully though – I always make extra!

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