How To Make French Dip Sliders Ahead Of Time For Game Day Parties
Game day is all about fun, friends, and grab-and-go food. While wings and nachos might get the limelight, French Dip Sliders are a hidden gem that's sure to wow the crowd. Stacked with juicy roast beef, gooey melted cheese, and sweet caramelized onions all wrapped up in soft slider buns with savory au jus dipping sauce - they're irresistible.
But here's the thing: you don't want to be stuck in the kitchen while everyone else is having fun with the game. The solution? Make your French Dip Sliders in advance.
In this guide, we'll show you how to prepare, store, and serve them with ease so you can enjoy the party as well.
Why French Dip Sliders Are the Best Game Day Food
Whether you're ordering from a tailgate food truck or throwing a party, French Dip Sliders have you covered:
- Perfect party size: Easy to grab and eat while you watch the game.
- Friendly for make-ahead: assemble the night before, then bake as needed.
- Crowd-pleasing flavors: Juicy roast beef, melted cheese, and caramelized onions.
Whether you're organizing a game day party menu or searching for tailgate food ideas, sliders are an easy-to-prepare way to satisfy hungry fans.
Ingredients for Make Ahead French Dip Sliders
Here’s what you’ll need to create these oven-baked sliders for a crowd:
- Slider buns – Hawaiian rolls or soft dinner rolls work best
- Thinly sliced roast beef – deli-style or leftover roast
- Caramelized onions - sweet, rich, and indispensable flavor
- Butter + garlic – for brushing the tops of the buns
- Au jus dip – store-bought packet or homemade beef broth blend
Step-by-Step: How to Make French Dip Sliders Ahead of Time
1. Caramelize the Onions (2-3 days before)
Sauté onions slowly until they're caramelized and sweet. Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge.
2. Make Sliders (Night Before)
- Cut the slider buns in half vertically as a sheet.
- Layer caramelized onions, cheese, and roast beef.
- Place the bun tops back on.
- Rub with garlic butter, and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds if you like.
- Place in the refrigerator overnight, covered with foil.
3. Bake on Game Day
- Preheat oven to 350degF (175degC).
- Bake, covered with foil, for 15 minutes.
- Let it melt and top with the cheese and bake another 5-7 minutes until golden on top.
4. Serve With Warm Au Jus
Bring to the boil and then let simmer for a little while, and serve in small bowls to dip. These French dip sandwich sliders are totally obliterated by the flavorful dip.
Freezer-Friendly French Dip Sliders
Want to prep even earlier? These sliders are freezer-friendly:
- Assemble sliders (unbaked), wrap in foil + plastic wrap.
- Freeze for up to 1 month.
- Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed.
This method makes them the best make-ahead sliders for parties.
Game Day Hosting Tips
- Make extra au jus in a slow cooker and serve from there so guests can help themselves.
- Slice sliders and serve for easy grab and go.
- Serve with chips, coleslaw, or pickles as the complete game day appetizer spread.
Final Thoughts
Make-ahead French Dip Sliders are the ultimate game day sliders-warm, cheesy, beefy, and au jus dipped. By prepping them in advance, you'll save time in the kitchen and more time cheering for friends and family.
So whether it's a tailgate, Super Bowl party, or a casual movie night, these roast beef sliders with caramelized onions are sure to be a hit.
