Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe

Craving delicious cheeseburgers but in a mini, crowd-friendly form? Cheeseburger Sliders are the ultimate answer! These bite-sized burgers are packed with juicy ground beef, gooey melted cheese, and all your favorite burger toppings, nestled inside soft slider buns. They're perfect for parties, game day, or a quick family dinner. Plus, you can make a whole batch at once, which makes them easy to serve and share. Stick around for this easy, tasty recipe, complete with step-by-step instructions, tips for variations, and expert suggestions for serving them up perfectly.

What are Cheeseburger Sliders?

Cheeseburger sliders are smaller versions of the classic cheeseburger, making them perfect for serving at gatherings or as fun individual servings for a family meal. The patties are cooked as a large block, topped with cheese, and placed between soft slider buns, making them easy to bake in bulk. You can add traditional burger toppings like pickles, onions, and condiments to customize them to your taste. The best part? You can have them ready in under 30 minutes!

Ingredients List for Cheeseburger Sliders

Here’s everything you’ll need to make a batch of delicious cheeseburger sliders:

For the Beef Patties:

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 ground chuck for juicier sliders or lean beef for a lighter option)
• 1 small onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional for extra flavor)

For the Sliders:

• 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls or mini burger buns work great)
• 8-10 slices of cheddar cheese (or American cheese)
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted (for brushing the buns)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Optional Toppings:

• Pickles, sliced
• Ketchup and mustard
• Lettuce leaves
• Sliced tomatoes
• Sliced onions
• Bacon strips

Substitutions and Variations

Cheeseburger sliders are highly customizable, so feel free to adapt the recipe to your liking:

• Meat Substitutes: Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat crumbles for a vegetarian option.
• Cheese Options: While cheddar or American cheese is classic, you can use mozzarella, Swiss, pepper jack, or any other cheese you prefer.
• Bread Choices: Soft slider buns or Hawaiian rolls are perfect for this recipe, but you can also use small dinner rolls or even split a baguette into mini sandwich rolls.
• Seasonings: Experiment with different seasonings for the patties, like garlic powder, onion powder, or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
• Add Bacon: Crumbled or whole crispy bacon strips can take your sliders to the next level.

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

How to Make Cheeseburger Sliders: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

2. Prepare the Beef Patties:

• In a large bowl, mix the ground beef, finely diced onion, minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika (if using).
• Use your hands to combine the ingredients, being careful not to overmix, which can make the patties tough.

3. Form the Beef Patties:

• Spread the ground beef mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet, shaping it into a large, flat rectangle that’s about ¼-inch thick.
• Use a spatula or knife to score the beef mixture into 12 squares, which will become your slider patties.
• Bake the beef rectangle in the preheated oven for about 12-15 minutes, or until the beef is fully cooked through and slightly browned on top.

4. Add the Cheese:

• Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the oven. Lay slices of cheese evenly over the beef, allowing it to melt from the heat of the beef. If necessary, pop it back into the oven for an additional 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese completely.

5. Prepare the Slider Buns:

• While the beef is cooking, cut the slider buns in half, keeping the tops and bottoms intact as a sheet. Place the bottom halves of the slider buns in a baking dish or on a large baking sheet.

6. Assemble the Sliders:

• Once the cheese is melted, use a spatula to carefully lift the entire slab of beef and cheese and place it over the bottom halves of the slider buns. Align the beef with the bun squares to match the size of each slider.
• Add any desired toppings such as pickles, ketchup, mustard, or lettuce over the beef and cheese.

7. Top with Slider Buns:

• Place the top halves of the slider buns over the meat and toppings, making sure everything is aligned.

8. Brush with Butter and Bake:

• Brush the tops of the buns with melted butter and sprinkle sesame seeds on top if desired.
• Place the sliders in the oven and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, until the buns are golden brown and slightly crispy.

9. Slice and Serve:

• Once the sliders are baked and golden, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a minute. Use a knife to slice through the sliders along the pre-scored lines.
• Serve them warm with your favorite sides and condiments!

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overworking the Beef: When mixing the beef with the seasonings, be sure not to overmix, as this can make the patties tough and dry.
• Overcooking the Patties: Keep an eye on the cooking time to avoid overcooking the beef, which can result in dry patties.
• Skipping the Butter Topping: Brushing the slider buns with melted butter before baking adds a delicious golden crust and prevents the buns from drying out in the oven.

Serving and Presentation Tips

How to Serve Cheeseburger Sliders

Cheeseburger sliders are best served warm and can be paired with a variety of sides for a complete meal:

• French Fries or Tater Tots: Classic burger sides like fries, tater tots, or sweet potato fries are perfect accompaniments for sliders.
• Potato Salad or Coleslaw: These creamy, crunchy sides add a nice contrast to the cheesy, savory sliders.
• Pickle Platter: Serve a variety of pickles and relishes on the side for extra flavor.
• Dips: Offer a variety of sauces like ketchup, mustard, barbecue sauce, or aioli for dipping.

Presentation Ideas for Cheeseburger Sliders

• Party Platter: Arrange the cheeseburger sliders on a large serving platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing. Add small bowls of ketchup, mustard, and pickles around the platter for guests to customize their sliders.
• Individual Skewers: For a fun presentation, insert a toothpick or mini skewer into each slider and serve them on individual plates or in baskets with fries.

Cheeseburger Slider Recipe Tips

• Make Ahead: You can prepare the beef patties and assemble the sliders up to a day in advance. Cover and refrigerate the assembled sliders, then bake just before serving.
• Double the Recipe: This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for a crowd. Simply use a larger baking sheet and more slider buns.
• Reheating Leftovers: Leftover sliders can be reheated in a 350°F (175°C) oven for about 5-7 minutes to bring back the crispy, golden texture.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I freeze cheeseburger sliders? Yes, you can freeze the assembled sliders before baking. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to bake, thaw them in the refrigerator and follow the baking instructions.
2. Can I cook the beef patties on the stovetop instead of baking them? Yes! You can form individual patties and cook them on a stovetop griddle or skillet until browned and cooked through. Then assemble the sliders as directed.
3. What’s the best way to make sliders for a large crowd? The sheet-pan method in this recipe is ideal for making a large batch of sliders. You can easily make two or three sheet pans of sliders and bake them all at once.
4. Can I add other toppings to these sliders? Absolutely! Feel free to get creative with toppings like sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, avocado slices, or jalapeños to customize the sliders to your liking.
5. How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy? Brushing the buns with butter and baking them helps keep the buns from getting soggy. If adding lettuce or tomatoes, it’s best to place them on top of the beef and cheese just before serving to avoid excess moisture.

Conclusion

These Cheeseburger Sliders are an easy and delicious way to enjoy classic cheeseburgers in a fun, shareable form. With juicy beef patties, melted cheese, and all your favorite toppings, they’re perfect for game day, parties, or even a quick family meal. Plus, they’re incredibly customizable, so you can make them your own with different cheeses, sauces, and toppings. Give this recipe a try, and watch these mini burgers become a big hit with everyone!

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