Get ready to meet your new party-pleasing obsession: these incredible Cheeseburger Sliders. Imagine all the savory, cheesy goodness of a classic cheeseburger packed into a soft, pull-apart slider, complete with a secret sauce and a golden-brown, buttery topping. This recipe is unbelievably easy to make, ridiculously delicious, and guaranteed to disappear in minutes at any gathering. Whether you need a game-day showstopper, a quick weeknight dinner, or the perfect potluck contribution, these sliders are the answer.
We’re taking simple ingredients like ground beef, cheddar cheese, and soft slider buns and turning them into something truly special. The magic is in the details—a perfectly seasoned beef mixture, a tangy and creamy special sauce, and a garlic butter glaze that takes them over the top. Let’s get cooking!
Why This Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe Works
You’re going to absolutely love this recipe, and here’s why it will become your new go-to:
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: They taste just like your favorite cheeseburger, making them an instant hit with both kids and adults.
- Perfect for Parties: This recipe is easy to scale up and serves a crowd, making it the ultimate appetizer for game days, holidays, and parties.
- Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and a short bake time, you can have these sliders ready in under 45 minutes from start to finish.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can assemble them ahead of time, which is a lifesaver when you’re entertaining. Just pop them in the oven when you’re ready to serve!
Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create maximum flavor. Here’s what you’ll need to grab from the store:
- Ground Beef: I recommend using 80/20 ground chuck for the best flavor and juiciness.
- Slider Buns: A 12-pack of sweet Hawaiian rolls or any soft brioche slider buns works perfectly. Don’t separate them!
- Cheddar Cheese: Sliced cheddar cheese melts beautifully and provides that classic cheeseburger taste. Provolone or American cheese are great substitutes.
- Onion & Garlic: Finely diced yellow onion and minced garlic build the savory flavor base for the beef.
- Dill Pickles: Finely chopped dill pickles add a tangy crunch that cuts through the richness.
- For the Secret Sauce: A simple mix of mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish creates a classic, creamy burger sauce.
- For the Topping: Melted butter, garlic powder, and a sprinkle of sesame seeds create a gloriously golden and savory crust.
How to Make Cheeseburger Sliders Step-by-Step
Making these sliders is incredibly simple. Just follow these easy steps for perfect results every time.
- Preheat and Prep: First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take your slab of 12 slider buns and, without pulling them apart, use a large serrated knife to slice them in half horizontally. Place the bottom half of the buns in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Cook the Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef with the diced onion until the beef is no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease. Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and pepper, and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- Make the Secret Sauce: While the beef is cooking, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish in a small bowl until smooth.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread a thin layer of the secret sauce on the bottom half of the buns. Top with the cooked ground beef mixture, spreading it into an even layer. Add the chopped dill pickles over the beef, then lay the cheddar cheese slices on top. Place the top half of the buns over the cheese.
- Add the Buttery Topping: In another small bowl, melt the butter and stir in the garlic powder. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the slider buns. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for that classic burger bun look.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
Tips for the Best Sliders
Want to ensure your sliders are absolutely perfect? Here are a few expert tips:
- Don’t Separate the Buns: Slicing the entire slab of buns in half at once is the key to easy assembly and creating that fun pull-apart effect.
- Drain the Grease Well: To prevent soggy bottom buns, make sure to drain the ground beef thoroughly after cooking.
- Cover with Foil First: Baking the sliders covered in foil for the first 15 minutes allows them to heat through and the cheese to melt without the tops getting too brown. Removing it at the end creates that perfect golden crust.
- Serve Immediately: These cheeseburger sliders are best enjoyed fresh out of the oven while they’re warm and the cheese is gooey.
Variations and Customizations
One of the best things about this recipe is how easy it is to customize. Try one of these delicious variations:
- Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders: Add cooked, crumbled bacon to the ground beef mixture for a smoky, salty kick.
- Spicy Sliders: Mix in some chopped jalapeños with the onion or add a slice of pepper jack cheese for some heat.
- Different Cheeses: Swap the cheddar for Swiss, provolone, or even a spicy pepper jack. If you love cheese sauces, you could even try it with a drizzle of delicious beer cheese sauce.
- Philly Cheesesteak Style: For a fun twist, try making our Ground Beef Philly Cheesesteaks in slider form!
What to Serve with Your Sliders
These sliders are a fantastic meal on their own, but they also pair wonderfully with classic sides. Complete your meal with a refreshing cucumber salad, crispy french fries, tater tots, or a simple macaroni salad.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
Planning for a party? These sliders are perfect for making ahead of time.
- To Make Ahead: You can fully assemble the sliders (without the butter topping) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, add the butter topping and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the initial covered baking time.
- To Store: Store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To Reheat: The best way to reheat sliders is in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also microwave them, but the buns will be softer.
FAQs About Cheeseburger Sliders
Yes, absolutely! You can assemble the sliders without the melted butter topping up to 24 hours in advance. Cover them tightly and store in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, add the topping and bake, adding a few extra minutes since they’ll be cold.
The key to preventing soggy sliders is to drain the ground beef thoroughly after cooking. Patting the bottom buns with a bit of butter before adding toppings can also create a moisture barrier. Serving them immediately after baking is best!
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best results, reheat them in an oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, which helps the buns crisp up again.
Soft, sweet rolls like King’s Hawaiian are the classic choice because their sweetness complements the savory filling. Any soft brioche or potato slider buns will also work wonderfully. The most important thing is that they come in a connected sheet for easy slicing.
These sliders pair perfectly with classic cookout sides like french fries, tater tots, coleslaw, macaroni salad, or a simple green salad. For a lighter option, serve them with a fresh cucumber and tomato salad.
The Perfect Party Food
These Cheeseburger Sliders are more than just a recipe; they’re a guaranteed good time. They bring people together and always deliver on flavor and fun. So next time you need a dish that’s sure to impress, give these a try. If you make them, I’d love to see! Share a photo and tag us on Pinterest!
Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe
Cheeseburger Sliders: The Ultimate Party Appetizer
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Without separating the rolls, slice the slab of 12 buns in half horizontally. Place the bottom section in a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef and diced onion until the beef is browned. Drain all excess grease from the pan.
- Stir in the minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook for one more minute until fragrant.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and sweet pickle relish to create the secret sauce.
- Spread a thin layer of sauce on the cut side of the bottom buns. Top with the beef mixture in an even layer. Sprinkle the chopped pickles over the beef, then arrange the cheddar cheese slices on top.
- Place the top half of the buns over the cheese.
- In another small bowl, mix the melted butter and garlic powder. Brush this mixture over the tops of the buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Serve immediately.
Notes
Tip 2: These sliders can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance. Cover and refrigerate before baking. Just add the butter topping right before they go in the oven.
