If you are searching for a crowd-pleasing party appetizer or a cozy dinner that’s full of flavor, the Roast Beef Sliders with Poppy Seed Butter Sauce Recipe is exactly what you need. These little sandwiches combine tender deli-sliced roast beef, melty provolone, and the most addictive poppy seed butter sauce nestled inside soft, sweet King’s Hawaiian rolls. Every bite delivers a perfect harmony of savory, tangy, and buttery elements, making these sliders an irresistible treat any time of year. The recipe is straightforward but yields a dish that tastes like you spent hours perfecting it.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It’s amazing how such simple ingredients work together to create a complex and delightful flavor experience. Each one plays a vital role in the texture, flavor contrast, and overall appeal of the sliders.
- King’s Hawaiian sweet rolls: The soft, slightly sweet rolls add a wonderful texture and balance out the savory filling.
- Mayonnaise: Provides moisture and a subtle creaminess to the bottom of the roll, helping to marry the flavors.
- Deli sliced roast beef: Choose thinly sliced to ensure easy folding and a tender bite that fills the sliders.
- Provolone cheese: Melts beautifully over the roast beef creating that gooey, savory layer everyone loves.
- Salted butter: The base of the poppy seed sauce, adding richness and depth.
- Dijon mustard: Gives a slight tang that brightens the buttery sauce perfectly.
- Barbecue sauce: Adds a smoky sweetness that complements the roast beef wonderfully.
- Poppy seeds: Bring texture and a hint of nutty flavor, plus that classic poppy seed appearance.
- Worcestershire sauce: Enhances the umami notes and ties the sauce flavor together beautifully.
How to Make Roast Beef Sliders with Poppy Seed Butter Sauce Recipe
Step 1: Prep the Rolls and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s ready when you put the sliders in. Slice the King’s Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, separating the tops from the bottoms. Press all the bottoms close together in a 9×13-inch baking pan so they form a neat base for the sliders while placing the tops aside for later.
Step 2: Add Mayonnaise and Roast Beef
Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over each bottom roll in the pan. This not only adds flavor but also helps keep the sandwich juicy. Fold the roast beef slices to fit snugly on each bottom roll—aim for 1 to 2 slices per slider to keep the meat layer hearty but manageable.
Step 3: Layer Cheese and Replace Roll Tops
Next, distribute the provolone slices evenly over the roast beef. This cheese melts into an irresistible gooey layer. Then place each roll top back onto the sliders and gently press down to hold everything in place and ensure the slider heats evenly.
Step 4: Make the Signature Poppy Seed Butter Sauce
Melt the salted butter over medium heat in a small saucepan. Stir in the dijon mustard, barbecue sauce, poppy seeds, and Worcestershire sauce. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes until it just begins to boil, then remove it from heat.
Step 5: Pour Sauce and Bake
Carefully pour the warm poppy seed butter sauce evenly over the assembled sliders. If you want, use a pastry brush to spread extra sauce featuring poppy seeds on the tops for more flavor and visual appeal. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the tops turn a beautiful golden brown and the cheese has melted perfectly.
How to Serve Roast Beef Sliders with Poppy Seed Butter Sauce Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or chives adds a pop of color and freshness that lightens the rich flavors. If you like a little crunch, add thinly sliced pickles on the side or inside each slider for a delightful tang.
Side Dishes
These sliders pair wonderfully with classic sides like crispy fries, coleslaw, or a refreshing green salad to balance the richness. For a cozy meal, serve alongside baked beans or roasted vegetables for a complete spread.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving the sliders on a wooden platter garnished with rosemary sprigs or cherry tomatoes makes for an inviting presentation. You could also set up a slider bar with different toppings and sauces, allowing guests to customize their own versions of the Roast Beef Sliders with Poppy Seed Butter Sauce Recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, place leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They keep well for up to 3 days and taste great reheated when you still crave that delicious sandwich!
Freezing
You can freeze assembled but unbaked sliders by wrapping the baking pan tightly with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to a month, then bake directly from frozen, adding a little extra time to ensure thorough heating.
Reheating
To reheat, cover the sliders with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese melts and the sliders are heated through. This method keeps the rolls soft and prevents the meat from drying out.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of cheese?
Absolutely! While provolone melts nicely and complements the flavors well, you can swap in mozzarella, Swiss, or even cheddar for a different twist.
Is it necessary to use King’s Hawaiian rolls?
King’s Hawaiian rolls offer the perfect sweet contrast and soft texture, but any small, soft sandwich rolls will work if you can’t find them.
How do I make sure the sliders don’t get soggy?
Spreading a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom rolls is key to preventing sogginess, plus serving the sliders warm and fresh helps keep everything deliciously intact.
Can I make these sliders vegetarian?
You can swap the roast beef for grilled mushrooms or a plant-based deli slice and still enjoy the flavorful poppy seed butter sauce that makes this recipe so special.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover sliders without drying them out?
Reheat in a covered baking dish wrapped with foil at 350°F, which warms the sliders evenly while keeping the rolls soft and the cheese melty.
Final Thoughts
If you want a simple yet show-stopping dish worthy of any occasion, I promise you’ll adore this Roast Beef Sliders with Poppy Seed Butter Sauce Recipe. It’s easy to make, packed with flavor, and guaranteed to bring smiles at the table. Treat yourself and your loved ones to these delicious sliders soon — I can’t wait for you to taste how such a simple recipe becomes unforgettable.
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Roast Beef Sliders with Poppy Seed Butter Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 18 sliders
- Category: Sandwich
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Roast Beef Sliders are perfect for gatherings and game day snacks, featuring tender deli roast beef and melted provolone cheese nestled inside sweet King’s Hawaiian rolls. Topped with a flavorful buttery poppy seed glaze, these sliders are baked until golden and gooey for an irresistible crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
Sliders
- 18 King’s Hawaiian brand sweet rolls (from two 12-count packages)
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 to 1¼ pounds deli sliced roast beef (no more than ⅛ inch thick or sandwich sliced)
- 10 slices non-smoked provolone cheese (approximately â…› inch thick, from an 8-ounce package)
Glaze
- ½ cup salted butter
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1½ tablespoons bottled barbecue sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s Original used)
- 1 tablespoon poppy seed
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F to prepare for baking the sliders.
- Prepare Rolls: Slice the sweet rolls in half horizontally, separating the tops from the bottoms. Arrange all the bottoms closely together in a 9×13 inch baking pan so they touch. Set the tops aside.
- Apply Mayonnaise: Spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the bottom halves of the rolls in the baking dish to add moisture and flavor.
- Add Roast Beef: Layer 1 to 2 slices of deli roast beef on each bottom roll, folding slices as needed to fit. This layering makes it easy to pull apart the sliders after baking.
- Add Cheese and Reassemble: Evenly distribute the provolone cheese slices on top of the roast beef, then place the tops of the rolls onto the cheese. Gently press down on the assembled sliders to keep them snug and ensure even heating.
- Make Glaze: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in Dijon mustard, barbecue sauce, poppy seeds, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture begins to boil, then remove from heat.
- Apply Glaze: Pour the warm glaze evenly over the assembled sliders, using a pastry brush if desired to spread the poppy seeds across the tops.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes to melt cheese and warm fillings.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake an additional 5 to 10 minutes until the tops are lightly browned and cheese is thoroughly melted. Remove from oven and serve warm.
Notes
- Use thinly sliced deli roast beef for best layering and texture.
- Folding the roast beef slices helps keep the sliders neat and easy to pull apart.
- If you prefer a spicier glaze, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the butter mixture.
- The sliders are best served warm and fresh out of the oven for optimal flavor and texture.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated covered in the oven to maintain moisture.
