Cheeseburger Sliders

Rachel Perlmutter
Rachel PerlmutterCulinary Producer
Rachel Perlmutter is a recipe developer, food stylist, and culinary producer at The Kitchn. Originally from Houston, Texas, she spends her free time trying to perfect kolaches and breakfast tacos that taste like home. Rachel currently lives in Brooklyn with her partner, dog, cat and rabbit, where they all share a love of seasonal local produce.
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published Feb 5, 2024
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Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe

Sautéed beef and onions, gooey cheese, and the perfect dipping sauce make these the most delicious appetizer.

MakesMakes 12 sliders

Prep15 minutes

Cook35 minutes to 40 minutes

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close up shot of a tray of cheeseburger sliders in a white pan, with one slider being dipped into the side of sauce on the pan.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park

I love cheeseburgers. But maybe even more than that, I like tiny cute things. These cheeseburger sliders accomplish both in one delicious, easy recipe. Here, the browned ground beef and onions are fully cooked and then layered on Hawaiian rolls with both American and cheddar cheese. In my opinion, the combo gives the sliders the best cheesy flavor and texture. Plus, the layer of American cheese on the bottom acts like a barrier for the other toppings while baking (no soggy buns here!). 

I also added a layer of sliced dill pickles. Their bright, briny flavor and crunch are the perfect complement to the sautéed beef and onions. I like to serve these cheeseburger sliders with a burger sauce made with mayo, ketchup, mustard, and relish. But if it’s not your thing, feel free to serve them with your favorite dipping sauce instead. They’ll be delicious no matter what. 

Key Ingredients in Cheeseburger Sliders

  • Hawaiian rolls. These go great with savory beef and cheese. Plus, they come connected, so all you have to do is slice the loaf in half horizontally, layer on your fixings, and bake.
  • Ground beef. Use lean ground beef for the filling of the burger.
  • Seasonings. Garlic powder and yellow mustard give the beef a boost of flavor, while the Worcestershire sauce mimics the grilled burger flavor.
  • Cheese. A combination of American cheese and cheddar creates the best classic cheeseburger flavor and gooey cheese moment.
  • Pickles. Sliced dill pickles add a delicious, briny crunch. You could also try bread-and-butter pickles for extra sweetness (or skip them altogether if you aren’t into pickles).
  • Sesame seeds. Brush the buns with butter or oil and sprinkle with sesame seeds to give them that extra-special burger touch.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: James Park

Additional Toppings for Cheeseburger Sliders

These cheeseburger sliders are delicious as-is, but you can also customize them with extra toppings and dipping sauces. Here are a few of my favorites as a jumping-off point.

  • Bacon. Sprinkle coarsely chopped crispy bacon on top of the beef for an extra layer of flavor.
  • Mushrooms. Sautéed mushrooms will add an extra boost of umami.
  • Pineapple. Roasted or grilled pineapple would be a delicious surprise topping.
  • Condiments. You can squeeze ketchup, mustard, or mayo directly on the burgers if you prefer!
  • Crispy fried onions. Sprinkle store-bought fried onions (like French’s) over the cheese before adding the top layer of bread. Crushed potato chips would also do the trick.
  • Dipping sauces. Serve other sauces instead of (or in addition to) the burger sauce. Ranch dressing, barbecue sauce, and homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce are just a jumping-off point.

What to Serve with Cheeseburger Sliders

Comments

Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe

Sautéed beef and onions, gooey cheese, and the perfect dipping sauce make these the most delicious appetizer.

Prep time 15 minutes

Cook time 35 minutes to 40 minutes

Makes Makes 12 sliders

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

For the cheeseburger sliders:

  • 1

    medium yellow or red onion

  • 6 ounces

    medium cheddar cheese (about 1 1/2 cups shredded)

  • 3 teaspoons

    neutral oil, such as canola or vegetable, divided

  • 1 pound

    lean ground beef

  • 2 tablespoons

    prepared yellow mustard

  • 2 teaspoons

    Worcestershire sauce

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    freshly ground black pepper

  • 1

    (12-ounce) package Hawaiian sweet rolls, such as King’s

  • 8

    slices American cheese

  • 1/2 cup

    sliced dill pickles

  • 1 tablespoon

    melted butter or olive oil

  • 2 teaspoons

    white sesame seeds

For the burger sauce:

  • 1/2 cup

    mayonnaise

  • 1/4 cup

    ketchup

  • 2 tablespoons

    sweet pickle relish

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons

    prepared yellow mustard

  • Kosher salt

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Make the cheeseburger sliders:

  1. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F.

  2. Halve and thinly slice 1 medium yellow or red onion (about 2 cups). Grate 6 ounces medium cheddar cheese on the large holes of a box grater if needed (about 1 1/2 cups).

  3. Heat 2 teaspoons of the neutral oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering. Add the onion and cook until charred in spots, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

  4. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon neutral oil and 1 pound ground beef to the pan. Cook, breaking the beef up with a wooden spoon into small pieces, until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until deeply browned in spots, about 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat.

  5. Without separating the rolls, cut 1 package Hawaiian sweet dinner rolls in half horizontally with a serrated knife. Place the bottom half of the rolls cut-side up in a small rimmed baking sheet, 11x7-inch, or 9x13-inch baking dish.

  6. Arrange 8 American cheese slices on the bottom half of the rolls in an even layer, overlapping the slices as needed to fit. Top with the onions in an even layer. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the beef mixture evenly over the onions. Sprinkle with the shredded cheese and top with 1/2 cup sliced dill pickles. Place the top half of the rolls cut-side down over the pickles.

  7. Brush 1 tablespoon melted butter or olive oil over the top of the rolls, then sprinkle with 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds. Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 10 minutes. Uncover and bake until the cheese is melted and bun tops are toasted, 12 to 15 minutes. Meanwhile, make the burger sauce.

Make the burger sauce:

  1. Place 1/2 cup mayonnaise, 1/4 cup ketchup, 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish, and 1 tablespoon prepared yellow mustard in a small bowl and stir to combine. Taste and stir in up to 1 more tablespoon mustard, kosher salt, and black pepper as needed. Serve with the sliders for dipping.

Recipe Notes

Make ahead: The onions and beef can be cooked up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated in separate airtight containers; reheat before assembling the sliders. The burger sauce can be made up to 4 days ahead and refrigerated in an airtight container.

Storage: Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Filed in:
Beef
Cheese
Meat
dairy
winter
appetizer