Cheeseburger sliders come together so easily. Packed with rich, beefy flavor and cheese, these little burgers disappear quicker than it takes to make them.
What Are Grilled Cheeseburger Sliders?
Grilled cheeseburger sliders are simply smaller versions of a regular cheeseburger. Sliders are the perfect appetizer or party snack since it’s so easy to make them and they’re basically finger-foods. Whether you make philly cheesesteak sliders or these cheeseburgers ones, they’re a must-have for a game day party!
The name “slider” is thought to have come from U.S. Navy sailors in the 1940s. They coined the term “slider” because of the greasiness of burgers and how easily they “slide” down the throat. In only one or two bites, a person could eat the entire burger. Later, a popular American fast food chain, White Castle, adopted the burger and made it increase in popularity.
Grilled Cheeseburger Sliders Video
How To Make Burger Sliders
If you know how to make regular burgers, you won’t need any instructions on how to make burger sliders. And if you don’t know how to make regular burgers, that’s no problem — this cheeseburger slider recipe is crazy easy!
- Make the ground beef mixture: In a medium bowl, combine ground beef, worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
- Divide into beef patties: Divide the mixture into eight equal-sized balls and form them into 1/2 inch thick patties.
- Grill the patties: Place patties onto the grill and cook about five minutes each side, or until the internal temperature (at the center of the patty) reaches 160°F. In the last minute, top the patties with slices of cheddar cheese.
- Serve: Serve on slider buns with your favorite toppings and condiments. For a crispier bun, toast it on the grill for a minute.
Best Bread for the Sliders
While the star of the sliders is beef, it’s important to get good quality buns to take the show all the way home. Mini-cheeseburger buns are found in most grocery stores. However, if you can’t find them, King’s Hawaiian rolls or homemade mini brioche buns are a great choice.
Hot tip: Make your sliders low-carb or gluten-free by wrapping them with lettuce leaves instead. Grab a head of iceberg and use the thickest leaves.
Slider Additions & Substitutions
These cheeseburger sliders are delicious without any extra toppings or condiments — but why not make it your own with a few ingredient additions or substitution?
- Protein: For more protein, saltiness, and to satisfy bacon-lovers, chop up small strips of bacon and layer them on the cooked patties. Or, substitute the ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner slider.
- Condiments: Make sure to offer all the favorite burger condiments for your guests to personalize their sliders. Mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard are popular choices. Homemade BBQ sauce is also a delightful option.
- Cheese: Add more cheese, or swap out the cheddar cheese with your favorite cheese. American cheese, Swiss cheese, and pepperjack are frequent favorites. Or, omit the cheese and make plain hamburger sliders instead!
- Veggies: Bust out all the common veggie toppings like pickles, pickled onions, lettuce, and tomatoes for an even more perfect slider.
Tips for The Best Cheeseburger Sliders
Sliders are a great option for a large gathering or tailgate when you need something small and savory to eat. Follow these tips to have the most coveted dish of the party.
- Use lean ground beef: Use your 93% lean ground beef. The leaner the meat, the less greasy the burger.
- Check the internal temperature: Ground beef needs to be cooked to 160°F. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature and take the guesswork out of the equation.
- Use a jar lid to shape the sliders: Make perfectly round and uniform sliders with a jar lid about the same size as your burger buns. This also helps the patties cook evenly.
- Toast your bread on the grill: For a crispier bun, toast the bread towards the end of your burger grilling or immediately after. Optionally, brush the bread with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds or everything bagel seasoning for even more crisp and visual appeal!
- Change up the seasoning: Make the burger patties even more flavorful by adding more of your favorite seasonings. Garlic powder, onion powder, and Montreal steak seasoning are great flavor-boosters.
- Keep the cooked patties in a baking dish: If you are not assembling the sliders right away, keep the patties warm by immediately placing them into a baking dish or a container that retains heat well.
- Assemble the sliders right before eating: To prevent the sliders from getting too soggy, assemble the slider right before eating. This also allows each person to customize their own sliders to their tastes.
Make Sliders in Advance
If you’re planning on having a lot of guests over, you’ll want to do as much prep ahead of time as possible. Prepare and shape your patties, cover, and refrigerate. Chop up all the toppings and store separately to keep them fresh. Once your guests arrive, cook the patties to order so they are fresh and hot.
Serving
These cheeseburger sliders are the perfect appetizer and finger food to serve during a game day watch party, holiday party, or any party in general. They’re even great for a quick dinner! Pair the sliders with homemade fries including air fryer zucchini fries or air fryer french fries. Or make a bowl of air fryer parmesan zucchini chips and air fryer kale chips. For a classic BBQ side, pair with corn on the cob. For a refreshing and light salad side, make corn tomato avocado salad or mexican street corn salad.
Storage Tips + Reheating
Cheeseburger sliders are best enjoyed right away, but in case you make a huge batch for a party and have leftovers, we’ve got you covered.
- Refrigerator: To store for up to 2-3 days, place sliders in an airtight container into the fridge.
- Freezer: To store for up to two months, tightly wrap the sliders individually in plastic wrap, then place into an airtight container. Freeze until ready to enjoy.
- Reheating: For best results, reheat the sliders in the oven at 350°F until warmed through. Or, microwave the slider on a plate. Keep in mind, the bread will not be as crispy after being stored and reheated.
FAQ
What is the difference between a slider and a sandwich?
A slider is similar to a sandwich in that it is made of a protein encased between two pieces of bread. However, a sandwich is usually made with deli meat, whereas a slider is made with ground beef and a burger bun.
How do I prevent my sliders from getting soggy?
To keep sliders from getting soggy, assemble them right before serving. If assembling ahead of time, keep the fresh veggies and other toppings, buns, and meat patties separate.
How do I keep the sliders warm?
Keep the sliders warm by storing the cooked meat patties in a container that retains heat well. Assemble the sliders right before serving.
More Beefy Recipes
- Carne Asada Street Tacos – Top these juicy, steak tacos with pickled onions, cheese, cilantro, and fresh salsa.
- Braised Beef Short Ribs – Tender short ribs made in a delectable broth.
- Shish Kabobs – These healthy skewers are perfect for a light summertime veggie-filled dinner.
- Baked Steak And Vegetables – Popping everything in one pan and shoving it into the oven has never tasted so good.
- Beef & Broccoli – Perhaps the most beloved Chinese takeout dish. Tender beef and broccoli never gets old.
- Beef Galbi – Grilled Korean short ribs that are utterly addicting!
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean Ground Beef (93% or leaner)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
- 8 slider buns
- 2 slices cheddar cheese cut into quarters
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine Ground Beef with Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
- Break beef into 8 equal-sized pieces and form them into 1/2 inch thick patties.
- Place patties on the grill and cook for about 5 minutes on each side or to 160°F when a thermometer is placed in the center of the patty. During the last minute of grilling, top off each patty with cheddar cheese for easy melting.
- Serve on your favorite slider buns. If you like, toast the buns right on the grill for a minute or so while you are finishing off the patties.
Do the nutrition facts include the bun?
Hi Lisa, Yes, the bun is included. However, the nutrition can vary depending on the type of bun used. Hope this helps.
That little bit of worcestershire sauce really deepens the flavor in these sliders. So delicious!
Jen, yes, it does make a difference. Thank you!
Served these for dinner last night and they were a hit all around the table! Easily, my kids new favorite meal!
Sara I am glad you enjoyed the recipe. It is always the best compliment when kids love a recipe!
Good call on the Hawaiian bread. The sliders were fantastic!
Right?! Gotta love Hawaiian rolls they add a delicious sweet note. I'm glad you enjoyed the sliders.