Beef Sliders Caramelized Onions Cheese (Printable version)
Mini beef burgers topped with caramelized onions and melted cheese on soft slider buns.
# What You'll Need:
→ Sliders
01 - 1.1 lb 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 clove garlic, minced
→ Caramelized Onions
06 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
→ Assembly
10 - 8 slider buns
11 - 8 slices cheddar cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise (optional)
13 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
14 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (for toasting buns)
15 - Lettuce, tomato slices, or pickles (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add thinly sliced onions, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 to 25 minutes until onions are deeply golden and caramelized. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - In a mixing bowl, gently combine ground beef, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic. Divide into 8 equal portions and shape each into a patty slightly larger than the slider buns.
03 - Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until they reach desired doneness.
04 - Place one slice of cheddar cheese on each patty during the final minute of cooking. Cover briefly to assist melting.
05 - Spread unsalted butter on the cut sides of slider buns. Toast them in a skillet or under the broiler until golden brown.
06 - If desired, spread mayonnaise and/or Dijon mustard on the bottom buns. Add lettuce or tomato slices if using, then place the cheesy beef patty on top. Spoon a generous amount of caramelized onions over the patty and crown with the top bun.
07 - Serve sliders immediately while warm.
# Expert advice:
01 -
- They come together in under an hour, making them perfect for unexpected guests or lazy dinner parties.
- The caramelized onions add a sweetness that elevates simple ground beef into something restaurant-worthy.
- Eight sliders mean everyone gets their own little masterpiece, and there's something fun about customizing toppings at the table.
02 -
- Don't skip the low-and-slow caramelization of the onions—rushing this on high heat gives you browned onions, not caramelized ones, and they taste completely different.
- Resist the urge to press down on your patties while they cook; you'll squeeze out all those delicious juices that keep the sliders tender.
- The cheese needs to melt slightly into the hot beef rather than just sitting on top, so timing that final minute matters more than you'd expect.
03 -
- Make your caramelized onions ahead of time—they actually taste better after sitting for a day and can be gently warmed before serving.
- If you're cooking for a crowd, brown the patties ahead, top with cheese, and finish them under the broiler just before serving so you can focus on toasting buns and assembling rather than babysitting the skillet.