Mini Cheeseburgers Recipe
Charbroiled with American Cheese, Grilled Onions and Special Sauce on Toasted Sesame Seed Buns
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Mini Cheeseburgers
Grilled Onions
Special Sauce
Assembly & Finishing
Method
Special Sauce
- 1
Make sauce
In a small bowl, stir together mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, sweet pickle relish, apple cider vinegar, onion powder, paprika, and salt until smooth. Taste and adjust salt or vinegar if desired. Cover and chill while preparing other components (at least 15 minutes).
Grilled Onions
- 2
Slice onions
Peel the yellow onion and cut into 1/4-inch thick rings. Separate rings into halves if too large for buns.
- 3
Caramelize
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add butter and oil. When butter is foaming, add onion rings in an even layer. Sprinkle with 1/4 tsp kosher salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Cook, stirring and turning occasionally, for about 12–15 minutes until onions are deeply golden and softened. If onions begin to stick, add a splash of water and scrape up browned bits. Reduce heat to low to keep warm while cooking burgers.
Mini Cheeseburgers
- 4
Form patties
Divide the ground beef into 6 equal portions (about 3 oz / 85 g each). Gently form each portion into a 2.5–3 inch diameter patty, about 1/2 inch thick. Make a slight indentation in the center of each patty with your thumb to prevent doming during cooking. Season both sides lightly with remaining 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper, and brush or sprinkle each patty with a little Worcestershire sauce.
- 5
Charbroil or pan-sear patties
Preheat a cast-iron skillet, griddle, or outdoor grill to medium-high (about 400°F / 200°C). If using a skillet or griddle, add a thin film of oil and heat until shimmering. Place patties on the hot surface, leaving space between them. Cook 2–3 minutes without moving until a crust forms and juices rise to the surface. Flip and cook another 1.5–2 minutes for medium (adjust time ±30–60 seconds for doneness preference). In the last 30–45 seconds of cooking, place a half slice of American cheese on each patty, cover loosely with a lid or tent with foil to melt cheese.
- 6
Assembly & Serving
- 7
Assemble burgers
Spread about 1 tablespoon of special sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place the cheeseburger patty on top, then add a heaping tablespoon of grilled onions, a dill pickle slice, and a small lettuce leaf if using. Top with the bun crown.
- 8
Serve
Arrange mini cheeseburgers on a platter and serve immediately while hot. Offer extra special sauce on the side.
