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Funeral Sandwiches (Roast Beef Sliders)


Roast Beef Sliders
, also known as Funeral Sandwiches, are baked roast beef and cheese sandwiches that feed a crowd at every occasion!

Coated with melted butter, stringed with melted cheese, and prepared in a casserole dish to feed a crowd. This easy appetizer recipe is suited for any celebration!

sliders being pulled out of a pan

Funeral Sandwiches

I know this is a strange name for a recipe, for sure, but it’s a Southern Tradition! Much like every wonderful recipe in the south, simple ingredients come together to make a delicious dish.

When I told my mother-in-law, Judy, that I was working on some new recipes for sliders, she told me about these sandwiches that she makes called “Funeral Sandwiches.”

She calls them the best sandwiches she ever tried. I don’t really think much about funeral foods in general, but I do love me some finger foods!

I don’t care what they’re called. Don’t you love something you can prep the night before?!?!

If you are looking for more crowd-pleasing recipes, check out my Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders, Club sliders, and Walking Tacos.

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ingredients for funeral sandwiches

Ingredients Needed

Roast Beef – Have the deli slice it thin so it’s easy to bite into.

Cheese – I use a trio of Mozzarella, Pepper Jack, and a Cheese Blend.

Marinade – A delicious blend of melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, dried mustard, and onion powder.

Horseradish Sauce – I like a prepared horseradish sauce you can find in the deli section of the grocery store.

Slider Buns / Rolls – Sweet rolls (like Hawaiian Dinner Rolls) are my bread of choice but a good potato roll will work just as well.

The sliders are marinated in a tangy and slightly smoky sauce overnight so I start with a bread that can hang with the marinade and not be a party pooper by getting too soggy.

For more insider tips & tricks, and a candid behind the scenes look follow me on social media! Check use out on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, & Twitter (yes, people still use Twitter, LOL!)

How to make Funeral Sandwiches

First: Cut all your rolls in half and place the bottoms in a 9X13 baking dish. Add a smear of horseradish sauce.

Second: Layer with roast beef and shredded cheese. Cover with top of bun.

Third: Mix marinade and pour evenly or brush on the tops of the sandwiches. Sprinkle with poppy seeds. Cover with plastic wrap and let sit in the fridge for at least one hour up to overnight.

Fourth: When ready to bake, pop them in your preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is nice and melty.

For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

stack of funeral sandwiches

How do you keep sliders from getting soggy?

Believe it or not, warm sandwiches absorb the marinade and when they bake, the bottom of the rolls get a nice crispy from the fat in the butter mixture.

This roast beef sliders recipe, with gobs of melted cheese is simply to die for, and an elegant makeover of your standard ham and cheese variety.

hand holding a funeral sandwich with a bite taken

Tapas Tips & Tricks

  • Don’t use the hard rolls for the funeral sandwiches as they won’t absorb the marinade and end up too tough to eat after cooking.
  • If you don’t like roast beef, you can use leftover ham!
  • Let them sit for at least 1 hour to absorb the marinade. Overnight is best!
  • I use horseradish sauce. Make your own by mixing prepared horseradish and some mayo.
  • If you are not a fan of horseradish, try a Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, or whole grain mustard instead.
  • I like Hawaiian rolls for this recipe but feel free to use your favorite buns. I like this homemade brioche bun too!
  • Don’t like poppy seeds? Try sesame seeds instead!
  • Separate the sliders with a serrated knife before baking to make it easier to pull apart after baking.

If you love this recipe as much as I do, please write a five-star review in the comment section below (or on Pinterest with the “tried it” button – you can now add pictures into reviews, too!), and be sure to help me share on facebook!

sliders with text "the best roast beef sliders around"

This Funeral Sandwich Recipe is perfect for feeding a large group of people be it friends or family members.

stacks of sandwiches

Roast Beef Sliders – Funeral Sandwiches

This easy recipe for roast beef and cheese sliders is a great way to feed a crowd!
4.45 from 29 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sliders and Small Sandwiches
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 18 sliders
Calories: 256kcal
Author: Jennifer Stewart

Ingredients

Sliders

  • 18 Sweet Dinner or Potato Rolls
  • 36 thin slices of roast beef
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese
  • 8 ounces pepper jack cheese
  • 8 ounces of Three Cheese Shredded Blend with Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Marinade

  • 1 cup butter
  • 4 tablespoons of Worchestershire Sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 2 teaspoons dried mustard
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 tablespoons poppy seeds
  • 6 ounces horseradish sauce

Instructions

  • Shred you two blocks of Kraft cheese.
  • Cut your rolls in half and lay the bottoms in a 9X13 baking dish.
  • Smear a tiny amount of horseradish sauce on each roll bottom.
  • Add 2 slices of roast beef to each roll bottom.
  • Cover the roast beef in the shredded cheese.
  • Smear the remaining horseradish sauce on the inside of the roll tops.
  • Place the roll tops on each slider.
  • Mix your marinade together (minus the poppy seeds) and pour over all the sliders, covering each one as close to equal as you can get.
  • Sprinkle with the poppy seeds.
  • Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • When ready to cook, preheat oven to 350F.
  • Bake rolls, uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until cheese is melted.
  • Serve warm!

Notes

  • Don’t use the hard rolls as they won’t absorb the marinade and end up too tough to eat after cooking.
  • If you don’t like roast beef, you can use leftover ham!
  • Let them sit for at least 1 hour to absorb the marinade. Overnight is best!
  • I use horseradish sauce. Make your own by mixing prepared horseradish and some mayo.
  • If you are not a fan of horseradish, try a Dijon mustard, yellow mustard, or whole grain mustard instead.
  • I like Hawaiian rolls for this recipe but feel free to use your favorite buns. I like this homemade brioche bun too!
  • Don’t like poppy seeds? Try sesame seeds instead!
  • Separate the sliders with a serrated knife before baking to make it easier to pull apart after baking.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 70mg | Sodium: 550mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g

More Finger Foods

{Originally Posted 09/01/15 – Recipe, notes, photos updated 12/16/20}

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Recipe Rating




Ambur

Saturday 10th of February 2024

If you do make this to sit overnight, do you like the sandwiches come to room temp before baking or just straight out of the fridge?

Jennifer Stewart

Monday 12th of February 2024

I like to bring them to room temperature first so they bake evenly.

Kim

Friday 27th of January 2023

Hi, I'm making these for game day on Sunday, but am wondering about your last ingredient listed....8 ounces of Three Cheese Shredded Blend with Philadelphia Cream Cheese...wondering what exactly you mean by cheese with cream cheese. Can't wait to try, I love these little sandwiches.

Jennifer

Friday 27th of January 2023

Sometimes you can find Kraft shredded cheese with cream cheese added to it. It's called "creamy melt" Here is a link with a picture. https://amzn.to/3j8KqF1. If you can't find it, I recommend getting a block of cheese and grating it yourself as it melts so much better. Hope you enjoy them!

Lurene

Thursday 15th of December 2022

Almost every comment are about something other than how they tasted. How did sandwich get over 4 stars?

Jennifer

Friday 16th of December 2022

You can leave a star review separate from commenting. Maybe those that have made them just left a star rating after they made them because they were busy eating them.

Kaye

Friday 1st of July 2022

Easy & great

C

Thursday 16th of December 2021

Do you separate the buns from each other before baking? Cut them apart when warm? Looks amazing!

Jennifer

Thursday 16th of December 2021

I think they are easier to serve if they are separated before baking. You might have some melty cheese that makes a great pull when you grab one but you can always cut them beforehand and then after baking do it again. I hope you love them as much as I do!