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Buttery Roast Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.4 from 12 reviews
  • Author: Claire
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 12 sliders
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Lactose

Description

Enjoy these buttery roast beef sliders featuring tender caramelized onions, homemade garlic aioli, melty cheese, and a flavorful au jus sauce. Perfect for gatherings or a satisfying meal, these sliders combine rich, savory flavors with a soft Hawaiian roll, brushed with garlicky butter and baked to golden perfection.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Caramelized Onions

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 3 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons beef broth

For the Homemade Garlic Aioli

  • 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, finely grated or minced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • ½ cup light olive oil or neutral oil
  • Kosher salt, to taste

For the Au Jus Sauce

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon Better than Bouillon Beef Base
  • 2 cups beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

For the Roast Beef Sliders

  • 12 slider buns, sliced in half (Hawaiian rolls preferred)
  • ¼ cup homemade garlic aioli or mayonnaise
  • ½ pound deli roast beef, thinly sliced
  • 12 slices melty cheese (provolone, Swiss, or muenster)
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 cups caramelized onions

For the Garlic Butter Sauce

  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
  • ½ tablespoon garlic powder
  • ½ tablespoon dried minced onion
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste


Instructions

  1. Make the Caramelized Onions: Melt the butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions, sprinkle with salt and brown sugar, and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onions are soft, deep golden brown, and jammy — about 45 minutes. Stir in the beef broth to deglaze the pan and pick up all the flavor. Set aside.
  2. Make the Garlic Aioli: In a small bowl, whisk the egg yolk, Dijon mustard, grated garlic, and lemon juice until smooth. Using an immersion blender or whisk, slowly stream in the oil until thick and creamy. Season with salt and set aside. (Alternatively, mix garlic, mustard, lemon, and salt into mayonnaise for an easier version.)
  3. Prepare the Au Jus Sauce: Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the beef base, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 20 minutes until reduced by half. Keep warm for serving.
  4. Toast the Bottom Buns: Preheat oven to 350°F. Slice buns in half horizontally without separating. Place bottom halves cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Lightly brush with melted butter or aioli and toast for 5 minutes until golden.
  5. Assemble the Sliders: Spread garlic aioli generously on bottom buns. Layer roast beef evenly (2–3 layers). Add slices of melty cheese, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top. Spoon caramelized onions evenly across sliders.
  6. Top and Prepare for Baking: Place top halves of rolls on sliders. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, garlic powder, dried minced onion, salt, and pepper. Brush generously over tops.
  7. Bake the Sliders: Cover loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until tops are golden and cheese is melted.
  8. Serve: Slice between rolls to separate sliders. Serve warm alongside bowls of au jus for dipping.

Notes

  • For a quicker 30-minute version, use mayonnaise instead of homemade aioli and omit caramelized onions.
  • Make sliders up to two days ahead without onions or garlic butter; add these and bake before serving.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
  • Reheat leftovers in the oven at 375°F for 10 minutes to avoid sogginess.
  • Hawaiian rolls work best for sweet, soft buns but any slider bun can be used.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slider
  • Calories: 320 kcal
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 550 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: twenty-five g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 18 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg