Best Mini Cheeseburger Sliders: Easy Game-Day Appetizer
These mini cheeseburger sliders are the ultimate game-day appetizer, featuring juicy seasoned beef, melty cheese, soft sweet buns, and a tangy special sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, they’re a crowd-pleaser that disappears fast.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 12 slider buns (Hawaiian sweet rolls recommended)
- 6 slices cheddar cheese, cut in half
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional)
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 teaspoon pickle relish (sweet or dill)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pickle slices (optional)
- Shredded lettuce (optional)
- Thinly sliced red onion (optional)
- Tomato slices (optional)
Instructions
- Make the special sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, pickle relish, garlic powder, and smoked paprika. Stir until smooth. Set aside.
- Season the beef: In a large bowl, combine ground beef with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix gently with your hands until just combined. Divide into 12 equal portions (about 2 ounces each).
- Form the patties: Shape each portion into a thin patty, about ¼-inch thick and slightly larger than the slider buns. Press a small indent in the center of each patty with your thumb.
- Cook the patties: Heat olive oil in a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook patties in batches for 2-3 minutes per side for medium doneness. During the last minute, place a half-slice of cheese on each patty and cover briefly to melt.
- Toast the buns: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice slider buns in half horizontally. Place bottom halves on a baking sheet. Spread a thin layer of special sauce on the bottom buns.
- Assemble the sliders: Place each cheesy patty on the sauced bottom buns. Add pickle slices, lettuce, onion, and tomato if using. Place top buns on. Brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Bake: Bake assembled sliders for 5-7 minutes, until buns are golden and cheese is fully melted.
- Serve: Remove from oven, let rest for 2 minutes, then separate and serve warm.
Notes
Use 80/20 ground beef for juiciness. Don’t skip the indent in the patties to prevent puffing. Toast the buns to avoid sogginess. Let sliders rest after baking for easier handling. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns and check Worcestershire sauce. For dairy-free, use vegan mayo and dairy-free cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 480
- Fat: 16
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 18
Keywords: mini cheeseburger sliders, game-day appetizer, slider recipe, cheeseburger sliders, party food, easy appetizer