Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions (Printable View)
Mini beef burgers with sweet onions and melted cheddar on soft buns.
# Ingredient List:
→ Sliders
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
02 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
05 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
→ Caramelized Onions
06 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
09 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
10 - 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
→ Assembly
11 - 8 slider buns
12 - 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
13 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
14 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
15 - 1 cup baby arugula or lettuce leaves
# How to Prepare:
01 - Melt unsalted butter with olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and salt, cooking and stirring frequently for 15 to 20 minutes until the onions are deeply golden and soft. Stir in sugar during the last 5 minutes if using for extra sweetness. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - Combine ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix gently just until the ingredients are incorporated. Divide the mixture into 8 equal balls and flatten them into patties slightly larger than the slider buns to account for shrinkage during cooking.
03 - Preheat a grill, grill pan, or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side for medium doneness. During the final minute of cooking, place a slice of sharp cheddar cheese on each patty and cover with a lid to melt the cheese.
04 - Split the slider buns in half and place them cut-side down on the grill or skillet. Toast for 1 to 2 minutes until they are lightly golden brown and crisp.
05 - Spread mayonnaise and Dijon mustard on the bottom buns as desired. Layer with baby arugula or lettuce leaves, followed by the beef patties with melted cheddar. Top with a generous spoonful of caramelized onions and finish with the top buns.
06 - Arrange the sliders on a serving platter and serve immediately while warm to ensure optimal flavor and texture.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- They disappear faster than you can cook them, which feels like the highest compliment a dish can get.
- The caramelized onions do all the heavy lifting—minimal seasoning needed because sweetness and depth do the talking.
- Built for feeding a crowd without spending hours at the grill or worrying about timing.
02 -
- Don't flatten your patties too thin or press them while they cook—they'll turn into hockey pucks instead of juicy burgers.
- Caramelizing onions actually takes time; there's no shortcut that delivers the same depth and sweetness without going low and slow.
03 -
- Prep your caramelized onions earlier in the day or even the day before—they taste even better after sitting overnight and reheat beautifully.
- If you're cooking for a crowd, set up an assembly line with all your toppings ready so people can build their own if they prefer different variations.