Nothing satisfies quite like roast beef and cheddar when we’re in the mood for a meaty sandwich. There’s a time and a place for ham and cheese or turkey subs, but savory roast beef just hits different (especially if the sandwich involves leftover shredded roast beef). Miniature roast beef sliders are easy to make as party snacks or an easy dinner.
There’s a lot between the buns of these roast beef sliders: fiery horseradish, sweet onions, tender beef and melty cheese. A buttery topping with everything seasoning brings it all together: It has a light crunch, and its oniony, garlicky, nutty goodness rounds out all the flavors inside the slider.
Ingredients for Roast Beef Sliders
- Roast beef: Shredded roast beef has a more interesting texture, so we recommend using leftover roast or a precooked, refrigerated pot roast from the grocery store. In a pinch, you can substitute sliced deli roast beef.
- Cheese: Use cheddar cheese for a classic roast beef sandwich vibe, or opt for mozzarella to give the sliders a mild creaminess.
- Horseradish spread: The mustard-like pungency of horseradish cuts through the beef’s fattiness, leaving your palate feeling clean. Use prepared horseradish instead of horseradish sauce or cream-style horseradish, which contain added ingredients.
- Hawaiian rolls: These soft, pillowy rolls give the sliders the ideal balance of sweet and savory flavors. If you love Hawaiian rolls as much as we do, make homemade Hawaiian dinner rolls to take your sandwich to the next level.
- Everything seasoning blend: Everything bagel seasoning isn’t just for bagels! You can pick up a store-bought blend or make your own by combining equal parts dried minced onion, dried minced garlic, poppy seeds, white sesame seeds, black sesame seeds and flaky sea salt.
Directions
Step 1: Cook the onion
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the onion. Cook and stir until it’s tender, five to seven minutes.
Step 2: Make the horseradish spread
In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise and horseradish. Set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Hawaiian rolls
Without separating the individual rolls, cut the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, creating one single top half and one single bottom half. Arrange the bottom half in a greased 13×9-inch baking dish.
Step 4: Layer the sliders
Spread the horseradish mixture over the bottom roll. Top with roast beef, cooked onion and cheese. Then, replace the top halves of the rolls.
Step 5: Add the buttery topping
Brush the rolls with melted butter and sprinkle with everything seasoning blend.
Step 6: Bake roast beef sliders
Cover the baking dish with foil. Bake until the cheese is melted, 20 to 22 minutes. Remove the foil, and bake until the tops are golden brown, five to seven minutes.
Recipe Variations
- Caramelize the onion: For softer, sweeter onions, continue cooking the onions until they’re fully caramelized—like we do when we make brisket sliders with caramelized onions.
- Substitute barbecue sauce: If horseradish isn’t your thing, use your favorite barbecue sauce instead. (These are our Test Kitchen’s picks for best barbecue sauce.)
- Use another cheese: Roast beef pairs well with most cheeses. Change the flavor profile of the sliders by using provolone, Swiss or smoked cheese.
- Skip the baking dish: You don’t have to make these sliders in a baking dish. Instead, heat the roast beef on the stovetop until warmed through. Then, pile the toppings onto any small bun, like mini hamburger buns, brioche or potato rolls.
Can you make roast beef sliders ahead of time?
You can assemble the roast beef sliders up to 24 hours ahead. Bread will dry out when stored in the refrigerator, but between the juice from the roast beef and the oven’s effect on the starch in the buns, the sliders will turn out OK. Just make sure your shredded roast beef isn’t too juicy, or it will make the rolls soggy. Cover the dish and store it in the refrigerator. The next day, remove the pan from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking to take the chill off. Bake as directed.
How to Store Roast Beef Sliders
Store leftover roast beef sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The rolls will get a little soggy as they sit in the refrigerator, so reheat the sliders in a 350° oven to revive their texture.
Roast Beef Sliders Tips
Can you use another type of meat to make roast beef sliders?
This slider recipe is a great way to use up any leftover beef, so don’t limit yourself to roast beef or leftover pot roast. Feel free to swap in the leftovers from your favorite brisket recipe, or substitute another beefy cut like pastrami, thinly sliced ribeye steak, grilled sirloin tip roast or ground beef formed into patties (like we make in cheeseburger sliders).
What is the best cut of beef for roast beef?
Chuck roast is our favorite cut of beef for roast beef. This meaty cut comes from the front shoulder and contains collagen-rich connective tissue, which keeps the meat tender as it cooks. You could use bottom round or rump roast, but they won’t be quite as tender as chuck.
What do you serve with roast beef sliders?
Serve roast beef sliders as an appetizer with other party dishes like spinach artichoke dip, mini meatballs or chips and guacamole. To turn the sliders into a meal, serve the mini sandwiches with a side salad, french fries or pasta salad.
