Cheeseburger Sliders: Bite-Sized Bliss!

Introduction & Inspiration

As someone who loves a good burger, I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to enjoy this classic dish. These Cheeseburger Sliders are a fun and convenient twist on traditional burgers, perfect for feeding a crowd or enjoying a casual meal with family and friends. The inspiration for this recipe came from my desire to create a bite-sized burger that was packed with flavor and easy to customize with everyone’s favorite toppings.

Homemade Focus

While you can certainly use store-bought slider buns and pre-shredded cheese, I encourage you to explore the option of using freshly baked slider rolls and freshly grated cheese for an even more delicious experience. This recipe is simple enough that there’s no need for shortcuts, and using quality ingredients will elevate the taste of your sliders.

Flavor Goal

The goal here is to create sliders that are bursting with juicy, cheesy, and savory flavors. We’re talking tender ground beef, tangy sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and soft slider buns all in one perfect bite. The combination of Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, and mayonnaise creates a flavor-packed sauce that complements the beef beautifully, while the optional dill pickles add a touch of tanginess and crunch.

Ingredient Insights

Let’s explore the key players in these delicious cheeseburger sliders:

• Avocado Oil: Avocado oil is a healthy and flavorful oil with a high smoke point, making it ideal for cooking ground beef.
• Ground Beef: I recommend using 80/20 ground beef for these sliders, as it has a good balance of lean meat and fat, resulting in juicy and flavorful burgers.
• Yellow Onion: Yellow onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor to the beef mixture.
• Worcestershire Sauce, Ketchup, and Mayonnaise: This trio of sauces creates a tangy, savory, and slightly sweet flavor that complements the beef perfectly.
• Salt and Pepper: Salt and pepper are essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the sliders.
• Dinner Rolls: Use your favorite type of slider buns, whether they’re classic white rolls, wheat rolls, or even pretzel rolls.
• Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar cheese adds a sharp and cheesy flavor that melts beautifully over the beef. You can substitute with your favorite cheese or use a blend.
• Dill Pickle (Optional): Dill pickles add a tangy crunch and a refreshing contrast to the richness of the sliders.
• Melted Butter: Melted butter is brushed over the tops of the sliders to help them brown beautifully in the oven.

Equipment

You’ll need just a few essential tools to whip up these cheeseburger sliders:

• Large skillet
• Large baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 ½ pounds ground beef
• 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 package (12 sliders) dinner rolls
• 1 block (8 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded
• ¼ dill pickle, thinly sliced (optional)
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted (for brushing)

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Cook the Beef: Heat the avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned on all sides, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
3. Sauté the Onion: Add the sliced onion to the skillet and sauté until tender.
4. Make the Sauce: Add the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Mix well and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.
5. Assemble the Sliders: Place the dinner rolls on the lined baking sheet and slice them in half lengthwise. Spread the beef mixture evenly over the bottom half of the rolls, top with shredded cheddar cheese and sliced pickles (if using), and cover with the top half of the rolls.
6. Bake: Brush the tops of the sliders with melted butter and bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Serve: Remove from the oven, slice into individual sliders, and serve warm.

Troubleshooting

• Sliders too dry: If the sliders seem dry, you can add a small amount of butter or mayonnaise to the inside of the rolls before adding the beef mixture.
• Cheese not melted: Make sure the sliders are baked until the cheese is melted and bubbly. You can also increase the baking time by a few minutes if needed.
• Sliders burning: If the sliders are browning too quickly, you can cover them loosely with aluminum foil during the last few minutes of baking.

Tips and Variations

• For a spicier kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
• Feel free to add other toppings to your sliders, such as sliced tomatoes, lettuce, or caramelized onions.
• You can also use different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or a blend.
• If you don’t have avocado oil, you can substitute it with another type of oil, such as vegetable oil or canola oil.

Serving and Pairing Suggestions

These Cheeseburger Sliders are a versatile dish that can be enjoyed on their own or with a variety of sides. They pair well with French fries, onion rings, potato salad, or a simple green salad. You can also serve them with your favorite dipping sauces, such as ketchup, mustard, or BBQ sauce.

Nutritional Information

(Per serving, approximate)

• Calories: ~400
• Fat: ~25g
• Cholesterol: ~70mg
• Sodium: ~800mg
• Carbohydrates: ~30g
• Protein: ~20g

Print

Recipe Summary and Q&A

Recipe Name: Cheeseburger Sliders

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Yields: 12 sliders

Q: Can I use a different type of ground meat?

A: Yes, you can use ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat substitute.

Q: Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can assemble the sliders ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Bake them just before serving.

Q: Can I freeze these sliders?

A: Yes, you can freeze the baked sliders. Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. Reheat them in the oven or toaster before serving.