Easy French Dip Sliders with Homemade Au Jus
Easy French Dip Sliders with Homemade Au Jus
There are some recipes that just know exactly who they are. These Easy French Dip Sliders with Homemade Au Jus are buttery, cheesy, beefy little sandwiches baked until golden and served with a warm, savory dip that makes the whole thing feel way fancier than the effort required.
And honestly? That is my favorite category of food.
These sliders are made with soft sweet rolls, thinly sliced roast beef, melty provolone cheese, and a garlicky butter topping that bakes right into the tops of the rolls. Then, because we are not stopping at “pretty good,” they get served with a homemade au jus for dipping.
The au jus is the moment. The main character. The reason everyone is suddenly standing around the pan saying, “Wait, are there more?”
These are perfect for game day, parties, holidays, cozy dinners, or any night when you want something that feels fun but does not require you to emotionally recover from cooking it.
Why You’ll Love These French Dip Sliders
These French Dip Sliders are the kind of recipe that feels like party food but is absolutely allowed to be dinner.
They are easy to assemble, bake all at once in a 9×13-inch dish, and come out hot, melty, buttery, and ready to pull apart. The roast beef stays tucked inside with the cheese, while the tops get brushed with a garlic butter mixture that gives them that golden, savory, “oh no I need another one” finish.
The homemade au jus makes them feel extra special without making the recipe complicated. It is made with beef broth, butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and black pepper, then simmered until it tastes like something you would want to dip literally anything into.
Bread? Dip it.
Slider? Dip it.
Tiny corner piece of cheese that fell out? Obviously dip it.
What Are French Dip Sliders?
French dip sliders are a mini, baked version of a classic French dip sandwich. Instead of one big sandwich, everything gets layered onto a slab of rolls, baked together, sliced into individual sliders, and served with au jus on the side.
Traditionally, a French dip sandwich is served with a savory meat juice or broth-style dipping sauce. “Au jus” literally means “with juice,” which is why that warm, beefy dip is such an important part of the whole experience.
Basically, the sandwich is good. The dip makes it iconic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for these sliders is simple, but each part is doing important work.
Sweet rolls or slider rolls: These make the perfect soft, slightly sweet base for all the savory roast beef, cheese, and garlic butter. Keep the rolls connected and slice the whole slab in half horizontally so the sliders are easy to assemble.
Thinly sliced deli roast beef: Deli roast beef keeps this recipe super easy. The best tip is to keep it fairly dry going into the sliders so the rolls do not get soggy before baking.
Provolone cheese: Provolone melts beautifully and has that classic deli sandwich flavor that works so well with roast beef and au jus.
Butter: Butter is used in both the garlic topping and the au jus. This is not the time to ask butter to be quiet. She has a job to do.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds flavor to both the topping and the au jus. It makes the whole kitchen smell like something delicious is happening, which is always the goal.
Worcestershire sauce: This adds deep, savory flavor to both the garlic butter topping and the au jus.
Dijon mustard: Dijon gives a little tang and sharpness that balances the richness of the butter, beef, and cheese.
Dried minced onion: This gives the buttery topping that savory onion flavor without needing to sauté anything first.
Dried parsley: Adds a little herby flavor and makes the tops of the rolls look extra pretty.
Parmesan cheese: Optional, but delicious in the garlic butter topping if you want a little salty, cheesy finish.
Beef broth: The base of the homemade au jus. Since this is the dipping sauce, use one you like the flavor of.
Soy sauce: Just a little soy sauce adds savory depth to the au jus without making it taste like soy sauce.
Black pepper: Adds warmth and a little bite.
Cornstarch slurry: Optional, but great if you want the au jus to have a little more body. It should still be thin enough for dipping, not thick like gravy.
How to Make Easy French Dip Sliders
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lightly greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish or lining it with parchment paper.
Without pulling the rolls apart, slice the whole slab in half horizontally. Place the bottom half into the prepared baking dish.
Layer the provolone cheese over the bottom rolls, then add the roast beef in an even layer. Place the top half of the rolls back on top.
Next, stir together the melted butter, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, dried minced onion, Dijon mustard, dried parsley, and parmesan cheese if using. Brush that mixture generously over the tops of the rolls.
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for another 7–10 minutes, until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.
While the sliders bake, make the homemade au jus. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, add the garlic, and cook just until fragrant. Stir in the beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and black pepper. Let it simmer for 8–10 minutes so the flavors can come together.
If you want the au jus slightly thicker, stir in the cornstarch slurry and simmer for another minute or two. Keep it loose and dippable.
Slice the sliders and serve them warm with the homemade au jus on the side.
Tips for the Best French Dip Sliders
The biggest tip for this recipe is to keep the roast beef dry going into the sliders. The au jus is for dipping, not for soaking the sandwiches before they bake. This keeps the rolls soft and buttery without turning soggy.
Covering the sliders for the first part of baking helps warm everything through and melt the cheese. Removing the foil at the end gives the tops time to get golden.
If the tops start browning too quickly, loosely cover them with foil again for the last few minutes.
For extra golden, glossy tops, brush the rolls with a little more melted butter right after baking. Completely unnecessary? Maybe. Delicious? Obviously.
Can I Make These Ahead of Time?
These are best served fresh and warm, but you can do a little prep ahead.
You can assemble the sliders earlier in the day, cover them tightly, and keep them in the fridge until you are ready to bake. For the best texture, wait to brush on the garlic butter topping until right before baking.
You can also make the au jus ahead of time and reheat it gently on the stove when it is time to serve.
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Store the au jus separately so the rolls do not get soggy. Reheat the sliders in the oven or air fryer until warmed through. You can microwave them too, but the tops will be softer.
Reheat the au jus in a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl until warm.
What to Serve with French Dip Sliders
These sliders are super versatile. Serve them as a party appetizer, a game day snack, or an easy dinner.
They pair well with simple sides like fries, chips, a green salad, roasted vegetables, or a cozy soup. But honestly, a plate of these sliders with a little bowl of au jus is already giving main character energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use another cheese besides provolone?
Provolone is a great choice because it melts well and tastes delicious with roast beef. If you want to keep the recipe classic and simple, stick with provolone.
Do I have to use sweet rolls?
Sweet rolls work really well because the slightly sweet bread balances the salty roast beef, melty cheese, and savory au jus. Slider rolls also work if you prefer something less sweet.
Is the cornstarch slurry necessary?
No, the cornstarch slurry is optional. Use it if you want the au jus to have a little more body, but keep it thin enough for dipping.
Can I make the au jus without thickening it?
Yes. A classic au jus is usually thin and brothy, so you can absolutely skip the cornstarch slurry.
How do I keep French dip sliders from getting soggy?
Keep the roast beef dry when layering it into the sliders, and serve the au jus on the side for dipping. That way the sliders stay buttery and soft without becoming wet.
Final Thoughts
These Easy French Dip Sliders with Homemade Au Jus are one of those recipes that look like you did a lot more than you actually did. Soft rolls, savory roast beef, melty provolone, garlic butter, and a warm homemade dipping sauce? It is giving comfort food, party food, and lazy-but-impressive dinner all at once.
And truly, any recipe that comes with its own little bowl of dip is already winning.
Easy French Dip Sliders with Homemade Au Jus
Ingredients
Sliders
- 12 sweet rolls or slider rolls
- 14-16 ounces thinly sliced deli roast beef
- 6-9 slices provolone cheese
Garlic Butter Topping
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp dried minced onion
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese optional
Homemade Au Jus
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 ½ cups beef broth
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon soy sauce
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch mixed with 1 tablespoon water optional for a slightly thicker dip
