Roast Beef Sliders

If you're a fan of easy party food, delicious sliders, or good recipes in general, you're going to really love these melty roast beef sliders. These are a decidedly more savory take on the typical ham-and-cheese sliders that are served on sweetened rolls. We call for butter rolls (instead of sweet rolls) and pair roast beef, a garlic-herb butter, and tangy horseradish mayo for the ultimate appetizer. Smoked provolone enhances the savory meatiness of the dish, and we're telling you now, you won't be able to eat just one.

If you're planning ahead for a party, these are easy to assemble and then chill until you're ready to bake. They're also versatile; you can mix up the cheeses, spreads, and topping to fit what you need. We have a few ideas for that.

Here, learn how to make roast beef sliders, and everyone will be thrilled when these show up at the party. They'll be happy to see you, too.

What's the Difference Between Roast Beef Sliders and French Dip Sliders?

Our wonderful recipe for roast beef sliders is similar to our recipe for French Dip Sliders. Both use savory butter rolls, roast beef, and provolone cheese, but what makes the French Dip Sliders so French Dip-y is the caramelized onions and au jus dipping sauce. The roast beef sliders are faster with a more flavorful butter topping, but both are incredibly good. We wouldn't dare pick one as a favorite.

Ingredients for Roast Beef Sliders

Classic sandwich ingredients come together for the best roast beef sliders. One trip to the grocery store, and you'll find everything you need for this recipe:

• Mayonnaise: The base for the tangy horseradish spread.
• Prepared horseradish: Lends the perfect bite to the spread and is a classic companion to roast beef. Look for it in the refrigerated section.
• Dijon mustard: Brightens up the creamy sandwich spread.
• Butter slider rolls: Such as King’s Hawaiian. Make sure you get the butter rolls, not the sweet rolls.
• Smoked provolone: Ask your deli counter for this cheese; the kind that's presliced likely won't be the smoked variety, and it's worth it for the extra wait.
• Thinly sliced deli roast beef: While you're at the deli, go ahead and get some fresh roast beef. It'll have great texture and better flavor.
• Salted butter: This will be melted into a sauce that's spread across the sliders.
• Worcestershire sauce: Adds a great hit of savory flavor for the garlic-herb butter.
• Poppy seeds: A tiny bit of crunch and a hint of nutty flavor.
• Dried Italian seasoning: A great mix of seasonings and herbs that blends well with the rest of the sandwich.
• Garlic powder: Adds some savory flavor to the sliders buttery topping.

How To Make Roast Beef Sliders

These roast beef sliders are assembled in minutes; the hardest part is waiting for them to bake. Here's a brief outline of the recipe. Keep scrolling for the full thing:

• Step 1. Make the mayonnause spread by combining the mayonnaise, horseradish, and mustard.
• Step 2. Slice the rolls in half, but do not separate them. You want them to stick together so you can easily bake them. Spread the mayo mixture across the rolls, then move the rolls to a baking dish lined with parchment paper. You can skip the parchment paper if you want, but it absolutely makes cleanup easier, and we're all for that.
• Step 3. Assemble the sliders by putting half the cheese on the rolls, followed by the roast beef and the remaining cheese and tops of the rolls.
• Step 4. Make the butter topping by combining melted butter and remaining ingredients in a bowl. Brush the butter sauce across the tops of the rolls. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
• Step 5. Bake sliders until heated through and the cheese is melted. To finish them, remove the foil, and continue to bake until the rolls are browned and crisp. Remove the dish from the oven, and use a knife to separate the sliders. Serve immediately.

What's the Best Way To Serve Roast Beef Sliders?

Because they're sliders, you might immediately think of them as an appetizer or party food, but you could certainly serve these as a meal. However, they are fairly rich and meaty, so as a starter, you’d probably have just one. As a main, two sliders seems like plenty. Plan accordingly if you're serving a crowd and want to have enough.

You can round out your menu with great sides, including potato salad, shoestring fries, or crispy chips. If this is for a spread of appetizers, then you can't go wrong with Loaded Deviled Eggs, Fried Pickle Chips, or Easy Chili.

Variations

Once you try this, you're going to want to keep making it, and you can absolutely mix things up. Here are a few fun ideas:

• Swap cheeses: Smoked provolone has a beautiful savory quality that is perfect for these mini sandwiches, but you could use Cheddar, pepper Jack, havarti, or any good melty cheese.
• Mix up the mayo spread: Add some cayenne pepper or paprika for a bit of heat and spice, or go for a mustard-based spread that has more tang than creaminess.
• Add bacon: No one will argue with you if you include some crisped bacon at the center of these sliders.
• Change rolls: These savory butter rolls have the just-right combination of flavor and texture, but don't be afraid to try other rolls, like brioche rolls or pretzels rolls. You may have to get creative when assembling the sliders—most of them don't come in a sheet of rolls—but where there's a will, there's a way.
  

How To Store Roast Beef Sliders

Any leftover sliders can be wrapped in storage wrap or moved to an airtight container and kept in the fridge up to 2 days. The rolls may soften as they sit, but the slider will still be delicious when reheated. You can warm all the leftover sliders in the oven at 300°F, covered with aluminum foil. If you reheat in the microwave, be prepared the rolls may be extra soft and spongy.

Can You Make Roast Beef Sliders Ahead of Time?

You can absolutely make these sliders ahead of time—up to a point. If you're just trying to party prep, make these through Step 3 (arranging the cheese, roast beef, and roll tops). Then, wrap the baking dish, and store in the fridge up to 2 days. When you're ready to bake them, bring the pan out of the fridge to warm while you make the butter mixture and preheat the oven. Add the butter mixture, cover with aluminum foil, and bake according to directions. You may need a few extra minutes to get warmed and melty, but it won't take long.