Cheeseburger Sliders with Special Sauce

These sliders take the classic cheeseburger and shrink it down to party size, with a tangy homemade special sauce that beats anything from a bottle. Small patties cook fast on the grill or skillet, and the sauce comes together in the time it takes the beef to cook. They're an easy crowd-pleaser for game day or a backyard cookout.

Mini beef patties topped with melted cheese and a tangy homemade sauce, served on slider buns for an easy party favorite.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Fast: ready in about 30 minutes (15 min prep, 15 min cook)
• Simple: 12 everyday ingredients
• Feeds the family: 12 servings

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 12 slider buns
• 12 slices of cheese (such as cheddar or American)
• Optional toppings: lettuce (tomato slices, pickles, onions)
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat your grill or a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Season the ground beef with salt and pepper, then divide it into 12 equal portions and shape into small patties slightly larger than the slider buns.
3. Cook the patties for about 2 to 3 minutes per side, adding a slice of cheese during the last minute so it melts.
4. While the patties cook, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, vinegar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper for the special sauce.
5. Split the slider buns and toast them cut-side down on the grill or skillet until golden.
6. Spread the special sauce on the bottom bun, add a cheese-topped patty, and layer on any toppings you like.
7. Top with the other bun half and serve the sliders hot.

Cooking Tips

• Make a slight indent in the center of each patty so it stays flat instead of puffing up as it cooks.
• Toast the buns cut-side down for extra flavor and to help them hold up to the sauce.
• Add the cheese in the last minute of cooking so it melts without overcooking the patty.

Substitutions

• Ground turkey or a plant-based patty can replace the beef.
• Greek yogurt can stand in for some of the mayonnaise in the sauce for a lighter version.
• Swap cheddar or American cheese for pepper jack if you want some heat.

Storage

• Refrigerate cooked patties and sauce separately in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
• Reheat patties in a skillet or oven; assemble sliders fresh for the best texture.

Serving Suggestions

• Arrange sliders on a platter with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
• Serve with a side of fries or chips for a full meal.
• Set out extra sauce on the side for dipping.

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