Beef Sliders with Cheese (Printable)

Juicy beef mini burgers with caramelized onions and melted cheese on soft buns, ideal for casual get-togethers.

# What You'll Need:

→ Sliders

01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
05 - ½ tsp garlic powder

→ Caramelized Onions

06 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
08 - 1 tbsp olive oil
09 - ½ tsp sugar
10 - ¼ tsp salt

→ Assembly

11 - 8 small slider buns
12 - 8 slices cheddar or Swiss cheese
13 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)
14 - 2 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
15 - Butter for toasting buns (optional)
16 - Lettuce, tomato slices, or pickles (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions and salt, stirring to coat. Cook for 5 minutes, then sprinkle sugar evenly. Continue cooking, stirring frequently, for approximately 20 minutes until onions are deep golden and soft. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Combine ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Mix gently until just combined. Divide mixture into 8 equal portions and shape into patties slightly larger than the buns.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties 2 to 3 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. In the last minute of cooking, place one cheese slice on each patty and cover to melt.
04 - Slice slider buns in half. Optional: butter cut sides and toast them in a skillet or grill until golden brown.
05 - Spread mayonnaise and/or Dijon mustard on the bottom half of each bun if desired. Add a lettuce leaf and tomato slice (optional). Place cheesy patty on top, add a spoonful of caramelized onions, and optionally pickles. Cap with the top bun.
06 - Serve sliders hot immediately for best flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're small enough to eat with your hands but satisfying enough to feel like a real meal.
  • The caramelized onions are the secret weapon—sweet, silky, and they make even simple beef taste restaurant-quality.
  • You can prep the onions hours ahead and just cook the patties when your guests arrive.
02 -
  • The onions need at least 20 minutes over medium heat—there's no real shortcut, but you can make them a full day ahead and reheat gently.
  • Don't press the patties with your spatula while they cook; it squeezes out all the juices and leaves you with hockey pucks instead of juicy burgers.
03 -
  • Use an 80/20 beef blend instead of leaner cuts—the fat is what keeps these little burgers juicy and flavorful.
  • If you want extra richness, add a slice of crispy bacon under the cheese, or swap cheddar for pepper jack or Swiss depending on your mood.

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