Easy French Dip Pinwheels

These Easy French Dip Pinwheels are made of layers of deli roast beef, melty provolone cheese, and sweet caramelized onions rolled in buttery dough and baked to crisp, golden goodness! It comes with homemade au jus, a French savory beef gravy to dip the yummy pinwheels into.  These easy and delicious morsels make the perfect party appetizers or all-day snacks for the family. 

You may think you are all done with all the kitchen madness due to Thanksgiving and Christmas, but do not forget that we still have the final hurrah of the year to celebrate! Did you enjoy all the festivities, so far? I hope your YES is as big as mine! And was all the work worth it? I can say it was indeed. And for the upcoming new year celebration, I wanted to make something fit to welcome the upcoming festivities but without all the long prep and hassle. If you are looking for the same- then write down this  French Dip Pinwheels recipe to your New Year’s menu! 

Quick and Easy French Dip Pinwheels

These meaty and cheesy rolled pastries are easy to prepare using store-bought crescent can dough and deli-sliced roast beef. You can always make those from scratch, of course, but with all the frenetic holiday happenings, I like keeping things simple. And these are really good too! Especially with the au jus dip that gives it that authentic French flair. It pairs so well with the sweetened onions and cheesy roasted beef! Again, I used ready-to-use beef stock so I can have it ready in less than 10 minutes, but if you have some leftover homemade Turkey Stock from Thanksgiving, or have time to make it from scratch- feel free to do so! 

What is an “Au jus” sauce? 

In English, it is translated as “with juice”. This French cooking method traditionally uses the liquids extracted from the meat of the dish being cooked as gravy or broth to make it even more flavorful. In the US, this sauce is mainly used as a light sauce or dip for beef dishes. 

The Ingredients Easy French Dip Pinwheels

These yummy finger food are made using simple ingredients that can also be easily substituted with what you have at home. The best thing is that you can buy all of these ahead of time and keep them stored for days so you do not have to join the mad grocery holiday rush!

For the pinwheels:

• Unsalted butter- you can use oil if you prefer, however, butter gives the caramelized onions a richer flavor.
• Onions- I used 2 large ones for this recipe. Yellow or sweet onions are perfect for caramelizing.
• Fresh thyme leaves- give the onions a mildly minty, lemony, and earthy flavor. You can also use oregano or dried thyme. Just take note that dried herbs are more potent than fresh ones so use less.
• Crescent can dough- this recipe requires 2 8 oz. cans to produce 8 pieces of pinwheels. You can also use a puff pastry sheet. 
• Provolone cheese- this Italian cheese melts beautifully and has a buttery and nutty flavor, which is perfect with beef and onions. You can use other cheese though, like cheddar, Swiss, or mozzarella.
• Deli-sliced roast beef- you can also use leftover roast beef or turkey sliced into thin pieces. Or other deli meats like Pancetta, bologna, or salami. 
• Kosher salt and pepper -to taste

For the au jus:

• Unsalted butter
• Garlic
• Beef stock- use a high-quality, low-sodium brand for the best results! You can also use beef bouillons dissolved in water if that is more convenient for you. 
• Worcestershire sauce- this gives the dip a deeper flavor- with lots of umami and hints of tanginess and sweetness.
• Fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt and pepper- to taste.

How to Make French Dip Pinwheels

This recipe involves just three very easy processes- caramelizing the onions, baking the pinwheels, and making the French dip! You’ll have everything ready for baking in less than 20 minutes and you can make the dip while waiting for the pastries to bake. Just follow the photo procedures below to guide you through it. 

Preparations:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 
• Spray a 9X13 baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
• Slice the onions thinly. Use a mandolin for easier prep. (fewer tears involved too!)

Steps:

1. Caramelize the Onions. In a large skillet preheated to medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the sliced onion and fresh thyme, and cook for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat down to medium and continue to cook the onions until softened for about 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool slightly.
2. Assemble the Pinwheels. Unroll the crescent dough and separate it into two rectangles. You should have 4 large rectangles per can of dough. Pinch the middle seams together. Next, top each rectangle with 2 slices of provolone, about 4 slices of roast beef, and some of the caramelized onions.
3. Roll and Bake! Take the short side of the rectangle and roll. Pinch the seam of the roll and then cut the roll into 4 slices. Place the rolls into the baking dish and repeat until all the dough has been used. Bake the pinwheels for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until golden brown.
4. Make the Au Jus Sauce. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the garlic, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and thyme leaves. Simmer the sauce for about 10 minutes or until slightly reduced. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 
5. Serve. Remove pinwheels from the oven. Serve warm with the au jus for dipping!

Helpful Tips 

• Use a large skillet to make sure the onions are evenly spread on the surface so they brown and caramelize better.
• Cook the onions slowly on medium to medium-low heat. Let them cook undisturbed for a few minutes until they are limp and browned. Stir every now and then to prevent them from burning.
• If you want to add a touch of heat to the pinwheels, you can sprinkle a bit of chili powder, red pepper flakes, or paprika when cooking the onions. 
• Pinch the ends of the dough together to securely seal the rolls before cutting them into smaller pieces. 
• If you want to thicken the dip, cook it longer or add a bit of cornstarch. 

Make Ahead and Storing Notes

• Make-ahead Options. You can make the caramelized onions at least 5 days ahead and keep it in a covered container in the fridge. The au jus can also be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for months! That means all you have to do on party day is to assemble and bake the pinwheels! So convenient!

Storing Leftovers

These are best enjoyed fresh off the oven of course, but leftovers that are reheated in the oven are still delicious. Just wrap them in foil or plastic, then keep them in the fridge for three days.