Go Back

Mini Philly Cheese Steak Sliders with Caramelized Onions

Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Appetizer, Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 6 (2 sliders per person)

Equipment

  • Large skillet or cast iron pan For searing the steak and caramelizing the onions. A cast iron pan gives a great crust to the meat.
  • Sharp knife or mandoline To thinly slice the onions and steak. If you're using a ribeye or sirloin, it's easier to slice if it's slightly frozen.
  • Baking dish or sheet pan To bake the assembled sliders. A 9x13-inch dish works perfectly.
  • Foil To cover the sliders while baking to keep them moist.
  • Optional slow cooker If you want to make a variation using ground beef or make it a dump and go crockpot dinner, a slow cooker is your best friend.

Ingredients
  

For the filling

  • 1.25 lbs ribeye steak thinly sliced (you can also use sirloin or flank steak)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 large yellow onions thinly sliced
  • 1 green bell pepper sliced (optional, but adds color and flavor)
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For assembly

  • 12- pack of Hawaiian rolls split horizontally, kept intact
  • 8 slices provolone cheese
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise optional
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard optional
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon dried parsley
  • Pinch of sea salt

Instructions
 

Caramelize the Onions

  1. In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil and the butter over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and a pinch of salt. Stir occasionally and cook for 15–20 minutes until the onions are golden brown and soft. Add a splash of water if they start to stick. For extra depth, toss in a few sliced bell peppers during the last 5 minutes.

Cook the Steak

  1. Push the onions to one side of the pan and add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil. Add the thinly sliced steak in a single layer (do this in batches if needed to avoid overcrowding). Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Cook for about 2–3 minutes per side until browned but still tender. Mix the steak and onions together and remove from heat.

Assemble the Sliders

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally, keeping the tops and bottoms connected. Place the bottom halves in your baking dish. Optional but recommended: spread a thin layer of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard on the rolls.
  2. Layer the steak and onion mixture evenly over the rolls. Lay slices of provolone cheese over the meat. Top with the upper half of the rolls.

Butter Glaze & Bake

  1. In a small bowl, mix melted butter with onion powder, dried parsley, and a pinch of sea salt. Brush this mixture over the tops of the rolls. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 10 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for another 5 minutes until the tops are golden and the cheese is melted.

Serve

  1. Let the sliders sit for 5 minutes before slicing into individual portions. Serve warm and watch them disappear.