Tri-Tip Sliders

Name: Tri Tip Sliders
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 40 min
Ingredients: 6 oz yellow onion (recommend making extra for other dishes); 1/2 tbsp butter; 1/4 tsp salt; 6 ea hawaiian rolls; 6 oz leftover tri tip; 2 ea slices white cheddar; 2 tbsp butter; 1/8 tsp garlic powder

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Are you wondering what to make with leftover tri tip? Try these Tri-Tip Sliders! Made with Hawaiian rolls, melted white cheddar, garlic butter, and chopped leftover tri-tip meat, these tasty melty mini sandwiches are simple enough for busy weeknights while also being great for game day.

Two plates with two sliders each on them filled with cheese, steak, and caramelized onions.

Why You’ll Love This Tri Tip Sliders Recipe:

Use up Leftovers: Give last night’s dinner a delicious second life tonight. These sliders are one of my favorite leftover tri-tip recipes; the tender and juicy meat is the perfect complement to the melty cheese and sweet rolls.
Simple Prep: With a short ingredient list and a few beginner-friendly cooking techniques, nearly anyone can make these handheld sandwiches.
Versatile: Serve up these mini tri-tip sandwiches for a mid-week family meal or a weekend game day get-together. They’re always welcome (and disappear so quickly)!

For more easy leftover tri tip recipes, check out my Tri-Tip Steak Nachos, Tri-Tip Pasta, and Tri-Tip Sandwich.

Let’s Get Started! Here’s What You’ll Need:

Ingredients

Hawaiian Rolls - You can find these tender and lightly sweet rolls in the baking aisle of most major grocery stores. If needed, swap butter or brioche slider buns.

Leftover Tri-Tip - Whether you are looking to use up grilled or smoked tri-tip, it’s sure to shine in these sliders. You will need 6 ounces of the steak cut into bite-sized pieces.

Sliced White Cheddar Cheese - This sharp cheese is pungent without overwhelming the steak. It also melts well, making it perfect for toasting. Sliced sharp cheddar or Monterey Jack can be substituted if needed.

Yellow Onion - The natural sugars in the onions caramelize as they cook, adding sweetness and texture to the sandwiches. You will need a 6-ounce (or 1 small to medium) onion cut into ¼-inch thick slices.

Salt - Just ¼ teaspoon of sea salt helps to express the moisture from the onion slices, supporting the caramelization process. If you don’t have sea salt, you can also use Kosher salt.

Butter - Makes the base of the garlic butter, adding richness. You can use salted or unsalted butter; if using unsalted, you can add a pinch of salt to enhance its flavor.

Garlic Powder - This dried spice is my (not so) secret way to create garlic butter in a snap! Always use spices with a good expiration date for the best flavor. If needed, you can substitute ½ of a grated fresh garlic clove for an extra garlic kick!

Equipment:

Cutting Board and Knife - For slicing the onions, dicing the tri-tip, and cutting the rolls.

Large Skillet with Lid - A lid helps to trap the water as the onions cook, helping them to tenderize quickly without burning.

Heat-Safe Spatula - Use this to turn the onions as they cook and to serve the sliders.

Toaster Oven (Optional) - Single slider batches can be toasted in the toaster oven; no preheating needed! Use the oven for larger batches or if you don’t have a toaster oven.

How to Make Tri-Tip Sliders

Prepare Onions.

Slice the onions into ¼-inch thick rings and add them to a pan with 1 tablespoon of butter and a ¼ teaspoon of salt.

Sliced onions with salt and butter in a stainless skillet on a stove.

Sauté Onions.

Cook the onions over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring them frequently. Add ½ cup of water, cover the pan, and cook for 5-10 minutes until the water evaporates.

Caramelize Onions.

Reduce the heat to medium-low. Remove the lid and stir the onions, adding a bit of water to deglaze the pan if needed. Cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions are golden brown and tender. If you made extra onions, set them aside for another use. I set aside half of the ones pictured here, having started with a large onion.

A four image collage showing the caramelization process of onions, adding water in the first, the skillet being covered and cooked dry in the second, deglazed with the lid off in the third, and fully caramelized in the last.

Prepare Sliders.

If toasting the sliders in the oven, preheat it to 350°F. Slice the rolls lengthwise and place them open-face on a baking sheet. Melt the butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and stir in the garlic powder. Using a pastry brush or knife, brush the garlic butter on the bottom half of the rolls. Place the cheddar cheese slices evenly on the top half of the rolls.

A four image collage the first of which is slicing hawaiian rolls lengthwise, the second adding garlic powder to melted butter, the third brushing the butter onto one half of the rolls, and the last adding cheese to the other half.

Reheat Tri-Tip and Toast Rolls.

Dice the leftover tri-tip into bite-sized pieces. Add them to the pan with the caramelized onions and heat over low for 3-5 minutes until hot. While the steak heats, toast the rolls: add them to a toaster oven or oven preheated to 350°F and toast for 3-5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the bread is just browned.

Skillet with caramelized onions and bites of cooked tri tip in it.

Assemble.

Spread the onion and steak mixture on the bottom half of the toasted rolls. Then, add the top half of the rolls and cut them into individual sliders. Enjoy!

Toasted slider rolls with cheese melted on one half and a mixture of caramelized onions and tri tip on the other half.

Recipe Success Tips

Caramelize extra onions. This recipe calls for one small onion, the one photographed in the pan was a large one to make extra. If desired, you can make use extra onions to use in other recipes, such as on flatbread pizzas, focaccia, or burgers or tucked into grilled cheese sandwiches. If you don’t care for or need extra onions, use only 1 small onion.
Slice with a bread knife. Keep the rolls light and bouncy while slicing by using a serrated knife. A non-serrated knife can smash the bread.
Deglaze the onions if needed. If the onions stick to the pan after removing the lid, add an additional tablespoon or two of water and gently stir to release them.
Toast in a toaster oven or oven. Choose the method that is available to you and works best for the amount of sliders you are preparing. Most toaster ovens can accommodate one batch of sliders, but an oven will likely be needed for a double or triple batch. If toasting in the oven, preheat it to 350°F ahead of time.

Two tri tip sliders on a white plate on a blue and white kitchen towel.

Serving Suggestions

Make a complete meal out of this leftover trip tip idea by serving it with baked potatoes, Crock Pot Dill Potatoes, or potato chips and any of the below easy vegetable recipes.

Or, serve a tray of the sliders on game day with your favorite appetizers and finger foods for a delicious celebratory spread:

Storage Directions

Refrigeration: Keep leftover sliders covered in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. They do not freeze well.
Reheating: Warm the sandwiches in aluminum foil and heat in a 300°F oven for 5-10 minutes or until hot.

FAQs

Can I double or triple the recipe?

Yes, it’s simple to make multiple batches of these sliders. Multiply the ingredients by your desired amount and follow the directions as listed, using a baking sheet large enough to accommodate the additional sliders.

Can I make these ahead of time?

Yes, you can prep the sandwiches ahead of time with a few minor adjustments: make the caramelized onions and slice the rolls as directed. Brush a metal 8x13-inch baking pan with butter or spray it with non-stick cooking spray. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the pan and brush them with the garlic butter. Layer on the onions, tri-tip pieces, and cheese slices. Top with the remaining half of the rolls and cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil. Refrigerate the pan for up to 24 hours. Before serving, heat the sliders in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and heat for another 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy hot!

Do I have to use tri-tip leftovers?

Though I highly recommend tri-tip for its tenderness and flavor, you can use any cut of leftover steak – such as sirloin, New York Strip, or skirt steak – in these mini sandwiches.

Two plates of two sliders on brown and white kitchen towels with text above reading "Tri Tip Sliders with caramelized onions" and the website domain below.

Enjoy!

I hope your family loves these! Be sure to come back to leave a rating and let me know what you had with them!

📖 Recipe

Tri Tip Sliders

Anne Aslanides

These Tri-Tip Sliders are a delicious and easy way to give leftover tri-tip a second life! These mini melty sandwiches are made with Hawaiian rolls, melted white cheddar, garlic butter, and chopped leftover tri-tip meat. They are simple enough for busy weeknights while also being great for game day!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 40

Course Appetizer, Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings

Calories 229 kcal