Grilled Philly Cheesesteak Sliders on Hawaiian Rolls: The Ultimate Smoky Roast Beef Party Sandwich
Elevate your party snack game with these incredible Grilled Philly Cheesesteak Sliders! Imagine gooey, melted cheese, thinly sliced roast beef, caramelized peppers and onions, and a tangy Dijon mayonnaise, all nestled in buttery Hawaiian sweet rolls. But here’s the secret: these aren’t just any sliders. By cooking them on the grill, especially a charcoal grill or a Big Green Egg, you infuse every bite with an irresistible smoky flavor that takes them from delicious to absolutely legendary. Get ready to transform your ordinary Hawaiian roll sliders into an extraordinary culinary experience.
Why Grilling Philly Cheesesteak Sliders Is a Game Changer
If you’ve spent any time browsing party food ideas online, you’ve undoubtedly encountered the widespread popularity of sliders made with Hawaiian sweet rolls. These delightful mini sandwiches have earned their reputation as crowd-pleasers, consistently disappearing from platters in record time. They’re undeniably tasty and incredibly easy to prepare, making them a go-to for gatherings.
However, what many people don’t realize is the transformative power of the grill, particularly for dishes you might typically cook indoors. Since acquiring our Big Green Egg, we’ve discovered that almost anything, even seemingly unconventional items like these party sandwiches, achieves a whole new level of flavor and texture when cooked over an open flame or indirect heat. The grill isn’t just for steaks and burgers; it’s a versatile tool that can infuse a unique depth into your favorite recipes, turning familiar flavors into something truly exceptional.
The magic of grilling lies in the nuanced smoky notes it imparts, especially when using charcoal or a kamado-style cooker like the Big Green Egg. This distinctive flavor profile is absorbed wonderfully by various ingredients, but it truly shines with the tender bread of Hawaiian rolls and the savory roast beef in these sliders. The bread acts like a sponge, soaking up every wisp of smoky goodness, while the roast beef marries perfectly with the char, creating an unbelievably rich and complex taste. The result? Grilled Philly Cheesesteak Sliders that are not just delicious, but astonishingly flavorful, boasting a depth that oven-baked versions simply can’t replicate. Each bite offers a satisfying crunch from the toasted exterior and a warm, savory, and subtly smoky interior.
More Delicious Recipes for Your Big Green Egg or Grill
Once you discover the joy of grilling, you’ll want to try everything. Here are some other fantastic recipes perfect for your Big Green Egg or any grill, offering a taste of the versatility and incredible flavors you can achieve:
Essential Ingredients for Your Grilled Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
Crafting these delectable grilled party sandwiches requires a selection of straightforward, easily accessible ingredients. Each component plays a vital role in achieving that perfect balance of savory, sweet, and smoky flavors, resulting in a truly irresistible treat. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll need, grouped by their function in the assembly process:
- For the Zesty Dijon Mayonnaise: This creamy, tangy spread adds a crucial layer of flavor and moisture. You’ll need high-quality mayonnaise as your base, combined with pungent Dijon mustard for a sharp kick, savory Worcestershire sauce (also known as English sauce) for umami depth, a few pinches of kosher salt to enhance flavors, and fragrant garlic powder for aromatic richness.
- Hawaiian Original Sweet Rolls: These are the foundation of our sliders. Opt specifically for the “original sweet” variety, not the “buttery” ones, as their slight sweetness perfectly complements the savory fillings and they have a better structural integrity for grilling. You’ll typically need two packages, as they usually come with 12 rolls each.
- Classic Slider Fixings: For the iconic Philly Cheesesteak experience, you’ll need high-quality shaved rare roast beef deli meat. Choosing rare roast beef is key, as it will continue to cook slightly on the grill, ensuring it remains tender and juicy. Complementing the beef are thinly sliced green bell pepper (seeded and ribs removed for a milder flavor) and finely sliced white onion, which caramelize beautifully when grilled. A couple of pinches of fresh cracked pepper will add a subtle spicy note.
- The Perfect Cheese Blend: A true Philly Cheesesteak needs that unmistakable melty goodness. We combine 12 slices of classic white American cheese with 12 slices of flavorful provolone. While American cheese might not be everyone’s go-to, its exceptional melting properties are precisely what create that luscious, “cheesesteak whiz” like texture when paired with the provolone. If you absolutely prefer not to use American cheese, Swiss cheese can be an acceptable substitute, offering a similar melty quality and a slightly nutty flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: This is a non-negotiable ingredient for achieving the signature crispy, golden-brown crust and infusing rich flavor into the rolls. Similar to other popular slider recipes, we generously pour melted unsalted butter over the assembled sliders. This allows the delicious butter to soak deep into the bread, contributing significantly to both flavor and texture.
I typically steer clear of American cheese in most contexts, but in these sliders, its incredible melt factor is absolutely essential. It perfectly emulates the classic “whiz” experience, blending seamlessly with the provolone to create an irresistible, gooey topping. However, if it’s genuinely not to your taste, a good quality Swiss cheese will offer a comparable melt and a pleasant flavor profile.
Mastering the Steps to Perfectly Grilled Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
The preparation for these grilled Philly cheesesteak sliders largely mirrors that of their oven-baked counterparts, making them familiar and approachable. The primary distinction lies in a slight adjustment to the cooking times, allowing the sliders to cook unwrapped for a longer duration. This crucial modification ensures maximum exposure to the grill’s smoky essence, while also achieving that desirable toasted, crispy exterior that sets grilled sliders apart.
Setting Up Your Grill for Success
Achieving the perfect grilled slider starts with proper grill setup. We aim for indirect heat to prevent the delicate Hawaiian rolls from burning, while still allowing them to toast and absorb that incredible smoky flavor. Set your grill to a steady temperature of 350°F (175°C).
- For the Big Green Egg: Fill the firebox with charcoal and light it. Once the coals are hot and the temperature is stabilizing, add the convEGGtor with its legs pointing upwards, or place bake stones beneath the grill grate. This diffuser is essential for creating an indirect heat zone, preventing direct exposure of the sliders to the intense heat below. Allow the grill to heat up to a stable 350°F (175°C).
- For a Charcoal Grill: Once your charcoal has fully ignited and reached the target temperature of 350°F (175°C), carefully push the hot coals to one side of the grill. This creates a cooler zone on the opposite side where your sliders will cook without direct flame contact.
- For a Gas Grill: Preheat your gas grill to 350°F (175°C). Once the temperature is reached, turn off two of the burners, leaving the remaining burners active to maintain the heat. Place the sliders over the inactive burners to cook indirectly. The active burners will be sufficient to keep the internal temperature consistent.
Remember, every grill has its unique characteristics, so rely on your personal expertise and experience with your specific model. If you’re new to grilling, always consult your manufacturer’s instructions for safe and effective operation.
Assembling Your Irresistible Sliders
The assembly process for these sliders is straightforward, but a few key steps ensure a perfect outcome. First, let’s prepare our signature Dijon mayonnaise by simply stirring together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and garlic powder in a small bowl until well combined.
For efficient assembly and grilling, it’s crucial to build your Philly cheesesteak sliders directly on a double layer of aluminum foil. Make sure the foil pieces are generous enough to completely wrap the entire batch of sliders afterward. This preemptive step is essential, as you’ll soon discover, once the butter is applied, it becomes nearly impossible to wrap them neatly.
Hawaiian sweet rolls typically come in a single, connected block, so you’ll need to slice them horizontally. The easiest and cleanest way to do this is with a large serrated knife. Gently saw through the middle, creating a single bottom bread layer and a single top bread layer, keeping all the individual rolls connected. This maintains the integrity of the slider block.
Now, let’s build! Spread half of your prepared Dijon mayonnaise evenly over the cut side of the bottom bread layer. Next, arrange your delicious fillings: layer half of the shaved roast beef, followed by half of the thinly sliced green bell pepper, then half of the white onion. Sprinkle generously with fresh cracked pepper. Finally, top these savory layers with half of the white American cheese and half of the provolone slices, ensuring good coverage. Carefully place the top bread layer back over the fillings.
This is where the magic truly happens: the butter. Melt a full stick of unsalted butter. Generously brush about half of the melted butter over the tops and around the sides of your assembled sliders. Then, pour any remaining melted butter evenly over the top. This golden cascade of butter will seep down into the bread, infusing it with incredible flavor and, most importantly, ensuring that the bottom bread layer becomes wonderfully crispy and golden brown during grilling. This is precisely why assembling directly on the foil is paramount; trying to wrap butter-soaked sliders in foil after the fact would be an incredibly messy endeavor.
Once your sliders are fully assembled and wrapped snugly in the foil, you can pause here if needed. While not strictly required, allowing the bread a little time to absorb that delicious butter prior to grilling is preferable, as it enhances both the flavor and texture of the finished product.
Grill, Toast, and Savor Every Bite
With your sliders expertly assembled and your grill preheated, it’s time to cook these beauties. The process is quick and yields incredible results. Carefully place your foil-wrapped sliders on the preheated Big Green Egg or grill, ensuring they are over the indirect heat zone. Cook them fully wrapped in foil for the initial 10 minutes. This crucial step allows the sliders to heat through evenly, melting the cheeses and warming the fillings without burning the exterior.
After 10 minutes, it’s time for the next stage. Open your grill, and carefully open the foil packet. Don’t worry about burning your fingers; aluminum foil doesn’t conduct heat readily. You can gently peel back the foil with your hands, or use tongs if you prefer. Now, with the sliders exposed in their makeshift foil pan, continue cooking them. This unwrapped phase is essential for allowing the bread to absorb more of that desirable smoky grill flavor and to achieve a beautifully golden, toasty finish. Continue cooking for approximately 15 to 20 minutes, or until the sliders are thoroughly heated through, the cheese is bubbling, and the edges of the rolls are wonderfully crispy. Once done, carefully remove them from the grill and get ready to enjoy!
Expert Tips and Frequently Asked Questions for Perfect Sliders
To ensure your grilled Philly cheesesteak sliders are an absolute triumph every time, keep these valuable tips and answers to common questions in mind:
- Advance Preparation is Key: These sliders are fantastic for entertaining because they can be assembled hours in advance. Simply follow all the assembly steps, wrap them tightly in foil, and refrigerate until you’re ready to grill. In fact, allowing the bread some extra time to soak up the melted butter before cooking can actually enhance the flavor and texture.
- Ensuring Indirect Heat: If your grill setup doesn’t easily allow for an indirect heat zone (perhaps due to a smaller grill size or if you’re cooking other items simultaneously), a great workaround is to place the foil-wrapped sliders on a raised rack. This elevates them further away from the direct flames, significantly reducing the risk of burning the bottom of the rolls while still allowing them to cook evenly and absorb smoky flavors. Direct flame will almost certainly lead to a burnt bottom.
- Scaling the Recipe: This recipe is designed to serve a crowd, yielding 24 sliders (from two packages of rolls). If you’re hosting a smaller gathering or simply want fewer servings, it’s incredibly easy to cut all the ingredients in half to make 12 sliders. Conversely, for larger parties, feel free to scale up the ingredients accordingly. The ability to assemble these party sandwiches in advance makes them perfect for any size event.
- The Art of Separation: Once cooked, resist the urge to simply pull the individual sliders apart. This often results in a messy, torn sandwich. Instead, use a super sharp knife to carefully cut along the natural lines where the rolls meet. This ensures clean, neatly separated sliders that are easy to pick up and enjoy.
- Ingredient Substitutions: While these are classic Hawaiian roll sliders with beef, the recipe is versatile. If you prefer a different protein or want to offer variety, you can easily substitute the roast beef deli meat with shaved deli chicken or turkey. Adjust seasoning as needed based on your chosen protein.
- Oven Alternative: No grill? No problem! This recipe can still be prepared in a conventional oven with excellent results. Follow all assembly directions as written. Instead of grilling, bake the foil-wrapped sliders in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, open the foil packet and continue baking for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the bread is nicely toasted and the cheese is bubbly.
Discover More Delicious Slider and Party Sandwich Recipes
If you’ve fallen in love with the convenience and deliciousness of sliders and party sandwiches, you’re in luck! This versatile format offers endless possibilities for flavor combinations and occasions. Explore these other fantastic recipes to expand your repertoire and delight your guests:
- Pumpkin Beer BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders
- Cajun Salmon Sliders with Remoulade
- Port Cheddar Stuffed BBQ Sliders
- Cheesy Chipotle Party Sliders {Vegetarian}
- Maple Bacon Hawaiian Roll Turkey Sliders
- Thai Chili Meatball Sliders with Peanut Slaw
- Chinese BBQ Pulled Chicken Sliders with Red Cabbage Slaw
- Barbecue Meatball Waffle Sliders
For my absolute best steak recipe, which includes all the essential tips for achieving a perfectly grilled steak every time, be sure to check out our guide on Grilled Steak with Horseradish Dijon Sauce.
Mouthwatering Grilled Philly Cheesesteak Sliders
Print
Pin
Rate
Ingredients
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- couple pinches kosher salt
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 2 pkgs Hawaiian original sweet rolls 12 rolls each
- 1 lb shaved rare roast beef deli meat
- 1 small green bell pepper seeded, ribs removed, and sliced thin
- ½ white onion sliced thin
- couple pinches fresh cracked pepper
- 12 slices white American cheese
- 12 slices provolone
- 1 stick unsalted butter melted
Instructions
-
Set up your Big Green Egg or chosen grill for indirect heat, aiming for a steady temperature of 350°F (175°C).
-
In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and garlic powder to create your flavorful spread.
-
To assemble the sliders, carefully slice the entire block of Hawaiian rolls horizontally with a large serrated knife, separating the top from the bottom. Place one bottom layer of rolls onto a double layer of large aluminum foil sheets. Spread half of the Dijon-mayonnaise mixture evenly over the cut surface. Layer half of the roast beef, bell pepper, onion, and fresh cracked pepper. Top with half of the white American cheese and half of the provolone slices. Finally, place the corresponding top layer of bread over the fillings. Gently brush the tops and sides of this assembled block with half of the melted unsalted butter.
-
Repeat the assembly process with the remaining ingredients for the second block of sliders. Pour any leftover melted butter generously over the tops of both assembled batches – this step is crucial for flavor and crispiness, and it highlights why assembling directly on foil is important for easy wrapping.
-
Carefully wrap each prepared batch of sliders securely in its foil, folding the edges tightly around the bottom to contain the butter. Place the wrapped slider packets on the preheated grill over indirect heat and cook for 10 minutes at 350°F (175°C). This allows them to heat through and the cheese to begin melting.
-
After 10 minutes, open the grill and carefully unwrap the foil from the top of each slider packet, leaving the sides to act as a pan. Continue grilling for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the sliders are thoroughly hot, the cheese is bubbly and gooey, and the tops and edges of the bread are beautifully golden and toasty. Remove from grill, slice carefully, and serve immediately.
Notes
This recipe is written to serve a larger group (24 sliders). If you’re cooking for fewer people, simply halve all the ingredient quantities to make 12 sliders.
Refer to the main article body for extra tips, detailed explanations, and frequently asked questions that complement this recipe card.