Roast Beef Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls (with Blue Cheese Spread)

These roast beef sliders on Hawaiian rolls are filled with layers of meat, creamy blue cheese spread, and caramelized onions. They’re a delicious and hearty mini sandwich you’ll love to serve at appetizer parties, tailgating and picnics, or luncheons and showers. They’re a crowd favorite!

roast beef party sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls piled on a white platter.

Mini party sandwiches are one of my tried and true menu items when I host our annual Christmas cocktail party. There’s tons of flavor and they help fill you up, especially when you’re sipping on cocktails. 

Add these appetizer sandwiches to any get-together and get ready for rave reviews.

Why You’ll Love It

  • They’re easy to make and you can double or triple the recipe for a crowd, without any extra work. That’s a win-win!
  • Serve these cold appetizers at room temperature for care-free hosting. And they travel well so they’re ideal for a tailgate picnic menu.
  • They’re a great make-ahead item and fancy enough for cocktail parties and appetizer parties any time of year. 
  • They taste delicious! I find that men especially gravitate to these because of the meat.
  • These are fantastic for a ladies luncheon or shower. They’re a good addition to a soup bar, a soup and sandwich buffet, a salads and sandwiches theme, or a party platter with 3 different sliders to choose from.
roast beef party sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls piled on a white platter.

Ingredients

  • Hawaiian rolls. These come in a flat of 12 rolls attached at the sides. They’re the perfect size for party food. I love to use King’s Hawaiian brand but you can use any sweet party rolls. You can also use a more savory variety that’s usually listed as “party rolls” rather than Hawaiian rolls.
  • Deli roast beef. Use a good quality brand like Boar’s Head, with little fat. Substitute with thin slices of leftover steak or prime rib.
  • Blue cheese. Choose a mild blue cheese that’s not overpowering. My go-to choices are Danish blue, Maytag, or gorgonzola. I suggest you stay away from Stilton or Roquefort as they are pretty aggressive in flavor and odor.
  • Cream cheese. I love to use the 8-ounce tubs for this because they seem to be a little softer and easier to work with than the blocks. Do not, however, use whipped cream cheese, which is too light and soft.
  • Onions. Using sweet onions is my first choice but you can also use yellow or white. Slice them thin so you can caramelize them.

PARTY TIP: Make lunch or dinner sandwiches using regular size buns or ciabatta rolls.

How to Make It

There are three basic steps which include the cheese layer, onion layer and assembly. See full details in recipe card below.

skillet with cooked onions.
cream cheese spread in white bowl with spoon.
  1. Cook the onions.
  2. Combine the blue cheese spread.
how to make roast beef party sandwiches in layers.
  1. Assemble the sandwiches on a sheet pan layering the spread, the meat, and the onions, then replacing the top of the rolls.
  2. Heat for about 5 minutes just so everything melds together. Let them cool and refrigerate until ready to serve. 

NOTE: No need to serve these warm, they’re terrific at room temperature!

PARTY TIP: Caramelize the onions up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate until ready to assemble the sliders.

Expert Tips

The rolls come as an attached unit, so keep them attached and slice off the top half in one sweep using a serrated knife. Then assemble the layers and add the top back on. When ready, you can cut individual sliders following the natural sections.

Cook the sandwiches for a quick 5 minutes just to soften the cheese and onions. This will help them adhere to the bread inside and holds them together as they cool.

Insert toothpicks or party picks into the center of each mini sandwich before cutting them apart to make sure they don’t move and separate.

Make-Ahead

You have a couple of options. You can prepare the blue cheese spread, and the caramelized onions a couple of days ahead and refrigerate until ready to assemble.

Or, you can completely assemble the sandwiches and keep covered in the fridge for up to a day ahead. They hold up perfectly!

Leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

PARTY TIP: Assemble the sliders and store them in the same container and bag that the rolls came in. Wrap the end tightly to keep air out, and refrigerate.

roast beef party sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls piled on a white platter in party setting.

FAQ’s

What cheese goes with roast beef?

Beef is a versatile meat and pairs well with blue cheese, cheddar, pepper jack, provolone, gruyere, Swiss and gouda.

What goes well with mini sliders?

Round out a menu with dips, chips, and finger food for an appetizer party, or salads and soups for a luncheon or dinner. Provide tasty mustards on the side such as dijon, course grain, or spicy.

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roast beef party sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls piled on a white platter.

Roast Beef & Blue Cheese Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls

Yield: 24 sliders
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Premium deli sliced roast beef and creamy blue cheese spread are paired with caramelized onions and sweet Hawaiian rolls for a delecious and hearty party sandwich everyone will love!

Ingredients

  • 24 Hawaiian party rolls
  • 1 to 1 ½ pounds premium sliced deli roast beef (I use Boar’s Head)

Blue Cheese Spread

  • 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 (8-oz) container sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon hot sauce (Tabasco)
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt, according to taste
  • 6 ounces blue cheese

Caramelized Onions

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 medium onions (yellow, white or sweet onions), sliced
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

Instructions

  1. Heat oil in a large skillet, over medium heat and add the onions. Cook, stirring often. Reduce heat to low when onions begin to get soft and brown, and cook for about 30 minutes or until caramelized. Stir in balsamic vinegar and pepper and let heat through until liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat and let cool.
  2. Use a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese, and then add sour cream. Mix to combine and then add Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce and salt. Stir in blue cheese.
  3. Slice the tops off the rolls while still keeping them attached at the sides.
  4. Spread the blue cheese mixture on the bottom halves of the rolls. Lay the roast beef evenly over the top, then add the caramelized onions.
  5. Replace the tops of the rolls and heat for about 5 minutes at 350º F just so the ingredients can blend.
  6. Remove and let cool; cut the sandwiches apart using a serrated knife, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

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