Make these Roast Beef Sliders with toasted buns, thinly sliced homemade tender roast beef, melty pepper jack cheese, pickled red onion, and garlic aioli for an easy and super delicious game day or party meal. They will be a hit!
How about some party food made with leftovers?
These are easy to put together and will be a real hit at your game-day or holiday party!
Table of Contents
Why you’ll love this roast beef sliders
- Easy: After preparing the roast beef ahead, and then the quick aioli and pickled onions, all you have to do is toast the slider buns and assemble the sliders.
- Super tasty!
- Make-ahead: You can make your roast beef as well as the pickles and aioli ahead of time and store them in the fridge in separate containers until you are ready to serve your sliders. Or if you are in a hurry or don't have much to spare, you can prepare these roast beef sliders with deli roast beef.
- Crowd-friendly: This roast beef slider recipe is perfect for parties, family events, sports games, tailgating, and other special occasions. They also cost less than Arby's roast beef sliders.
- It can be gluten-free or low-carb if you use gluten-free or low-carb bread.
Roast Beef Sliders Recipe
Compared to other cuts of beef, roast beef is a more affordable option. It also makes great leftovers the next day for roast beef sandwiches, sliders, tacos, and hashes.
Our beef is seasoned with a savory rub that calls for garlic, Worcestershire sauce, Dijon, and herbs before roasting.
Once it's seared and then slow-cooked in the oven, it becomes juicy and tender with a deep, rich color that always has people coming for seconds.
The slow-roasting technique allows the meat to retain its moisture and prevents the meat from becoming tough, delivering a tender slice every time.
We paired it with melty, spicy Pepper Jack cheese, sweet and sour red onion pickles, and a pungy aioli, delivering big flavors in small portions.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make these hot roast beef sliders, you'll need:
- Roast beef, thinly sliced
- 8 brioche sliders (or you may replace them with oat rolls, dinner rolls, or Hawaiian sweet rolls)
- 4 slices of pepper Jack cheese, each slice of cheese cut into 4 squares to fit the sliders (If you are not a fan of spicy foods, use provolone, Havarti, smoked gouda, cheddar, or Swiss cheese)
- Pickled red onions (or store-bought pickled onions, or if you prefer, pepperoncini peppers or caramelized onions although they don't taste like the pickled onions)
- Aioli ( Make your own: In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 1 clove of garlic (grated), ½ tablespoon lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper to taste. Then, stir in about ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves) OR you can buy it ready!
How to make Roast Beef Sliders
1. Heat a griddle or a large cast iron pan over medium heat until very hot. Spread unsalted butter on the inside of the buns and place them onto the griddle or skillet. Let the bread toast for 1-2 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Reserve!
2. Place the slices of roast beef leftovers on the hot griddle and then stack about 2 folded slices of the roast beef onto the bottom bun of each slider. Overlap 2 squares of cheese on top of the hot roast beef and then one or two slices of roast beef on top of the cheese (so the cheese melts).
3. Top with a mound (several slices) of pickled red onions and gently press bun tops onto each slider.
4. Insert a bamboo knot party pick on each slider and serve immediately. Serve them with a small bowl of aioli on the side arranged in a tray so the aioli can be spooned on top of the pickled red onions.
TIP: If you prefer to serve them already topped with the aioli, make sure the sliders don't sit for a long time; otherwise, the aioli can make the buns soggy. In addition, if you prefer you can assemble the sliders with the meat and cheese and then heat them in the air fryer or in the oven (just until hot) and add the pickles and aioli right before serving.
Variations for Better than Arby's Roast Beef Sliders
- BURGER BUNS: Like Arby's, you can use King's Hawaiian rolls for our slider recipe, but you can go fancier and use brioche burger buns like we did.
- ADD-ONS: If you'd like to add something fresh to your hot roast beef sandwich, lettuce, sliced red onions from a small onion, and sliced Roma tomato, among other slider fixings, would make great options.
-
CHEESE: We used a spicy cheese such as Pepper Jack, but you may prefer smoked cheddar, provolone, Havarti, smoked gouda, mozzarella cheese, or Swiss cheese like Arby's. Any melty cheese of your choice would go well in these hot sliders!
- TOPPINGS: We went with homemade garlic aioli and pickled red onions, but if you love Arby's roast beef sliders for their tasty simplicity, use only thinly sliced roast beef with melty Swiss cheese in King Hawaiian dinner rolls. There are no toppings in theirs!
- MEAT: Arby's roast beef cut, cooking process, and seasonings are different from our recipe. What both have in common is they are cooked to medium-rare and are quite yummy. Also, both are thinly sliced and stacked hot between toasted slider bread. However, if you prefer a cold or much faster version, buy a good-quality deli roast beef.
What to serve with roast beef sliders
For a complete party meal, pair your roast beef sliders with sides like these:
- Potato chips
- Dipping sauces such as marinara sauce or chimichurri sauce
- You may replace the aioli with horseradish sauce
- Au jus
Frequently Asked Questions
Are roast beef sliders served hot or cold?
Roast beef sliders can be served either hot or cold depending on your preference. Because we are using homemade roast beef that is thinly sliced, we serve our sliders hot. But you can buy deli roast beef and serve yours cold if you prefer or are pressed in time.
What kind of bread should I use in this recipe for roast beef sliders?
Unlike Arby's, we used brioche slider buns but you can use sweet rolls for making Hawaiian roll roast beef sliders, dinner rolls, oat rolls, and especially pretzel slider rolls that are sturdy and can hold a stack of roast beef slices with some creamy toppings without becoming soggy.
What condiments can I use on a cold roast beef slider?
Almost any condiment goes well with it. Here are a few options: Creamy horseradish sauce, mayonnaise, aioli, a zesty red ranch, chipotle ketchup, hot sauce, blue cheese dressing, Dijon mustard, BBQ sauce, or any other. All it comes down to what pairing flavor (sweet and sour, tangy, garlicky, spicy, etc.) you would like to add to your sliders.
What Toppings Should I Add To Roast Beef Sliders?
Lettuce, tomato, sliced red onions, and pickles are some common toppings. But you may add some more unique ones such as fried onions, hummus, a different type of cheese, caramelized onions, or pickled peppers.
Can I Make Roast Beef Sliders Ahead Of Time?
You can prepare the roast beef and fixings ahead and then keep them in separate containers in the fridge. Before serving them, you toast the bread, heat the sliced roast beef and cheese, and then assemble the sliders with their toppings. This will prevent the bread from getting soggy and the fresh toppings you add to turn mushy while keeping the sliders warm.
Can Other Types Of Cheese Be Used?
Yes! Some of my favorites are Cheddar Cheese, Muenster, provolone, Havarti, smoked gouda, Swiss cheese, and Pepper Jack. You can use any melting cheese in these hot roast beef sliders.
How to store
Store the ingredients for your roast beef sliders as follows:
- FRIDGE: Once you prepare your roast beef and fixings (pickled onions and aioli) and let them cool, store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Of course, the cheese must be refrigerated according to the instructions in the package.
- ROOM TEMPERATURE: Store your bread at room temperature in the bag you bought it in a cool, dry place.
- REHEATING: Warm leftover roast beef slices in the oven at a low temperature or microwave until warmed throughout, or you can reheat them on a lightly greased griddle over medium heat just until hot, topped with a slice of the cheese so it can melt easily. Meanwhile, you can toast your buns!
Other party food recipes
- Baked feta cheese
- Whipped feta dip recipe
- Whipped ricotta dip recipe
- Stuffed mushrooms
- Low-carb hummus recipe
- Brie en croute recipe
- Chicken croquettes
- Mini pot pies
- Rissoles
- Easy buffalo chicken dip
- Pasta chips recipe
- Sugared cranberries recipe
- Sugared grapes
- Easy French dip sliders
PIN AND ENJOY!
Roast Beef Sliders
Equipment
- 1 griddle or cast iron skillet
- 1 Metal spatula
Ingredients
- 16 slices Roast beef thinly sliced
- 8 brioche sliders or you may replace them with oat rolls, dinner rolls, or Hawaiian sweet rolls. For making this recipe gluten-free or low-carb, use gluten-free or low-carb bread.
- 4 slices pepper Jack cheese each slice of cheese cut into 4 squares to fit the sliders (If you are not a fan of spicy foods, use provolone, Havarti, smoked gouda, cheddar, or Swiss cheese)
- Pickled red onions or store-bought pickled onions, or if you prefer, pepperoncini peppers or caramelized onions although they don't taste like the pickled onions
- ⅓ cup Aioli Make your own: In a small bowl, whisk together ⅓ cup mayonnaise, 1 clove of garlic (grated, ½ tablespoon lemon juice, salt, and ground black pepper to taste. Then, stir in about ¼ teaspoon fresh thyme leaves) OR you can buy it ready!
Instructions
- Toast the bread: Heat a griddle or a large cast iron pan over medium heat until very hot. Spread unsalted butter on the inside of the buns and place them onto the griddle or skillet. Let the bread toast for 1-2 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Reserve!
- Heat the meat and cheese: Place the slices of roast beef leftovers on the hot griddle and then fold about 1 slice of the roast beef onto the bottom bun of each slider. Overlap 2 squares of cheese on top of the hot roast beef and then 1 slice of roast beef on top of the cheese (so the cheese melts). Top with a mound (several slices) of pickled red onions and gently press bun tops onto each slider.
- Serve: Insert a bamboo knot party pick on each slider and serve immediately. Serve them with a small bowl of aioli on the side arranged in a tray so the aioli can be spooned on top of the pickled red onions.
- TIP: If you prefer to serve them already topped with the aioli, make sure the sliders don't sit for a long time; otherwise, the aioli can make the buns soggy. In addition, if you prefer you can assemble the sliders with the meat and cheese and then heat them in the air fryer or in the oven (just until hot) and add the pickles and aioli right before serving.
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- FRIDGE: Once you prepare your roast beef and fixings (pickled onions and aioli) and let them cool, store them in separate airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. Of course, the cheese must be refrigerated according to the instructions in the package.
- ROOM TEMPERATURE: Store your bread at room temperature in the bag you bought it in a cool, dry place.
- REHEATING: Warm leftover roast beef slices in the oven at a low temperature or microwave until warmed throughout, or you can reheat them on a lightly greased griddle over medium heat just until hot, topped with a slice of the cheese so it can melt easily. Meanwhile, you can toast your buns!
Nutrition
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Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.
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