Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe

Form patties

Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 oz / 56 g each). Gently form each portion into a round, flat patty slightly larger than your buns (they will shrink when cooking). Do not overwork the meat to keep patties tender.

Season patties

Place patties on a plate and season both sides with a light sprinkle of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Brush or lightly rub 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce evenly across the tops of the patties.

Cook patties

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon neutral oil. When the oil shimmers, add patties in a single layer without crowding (cook in batches if needed). Cook for 2 to 2½ minutes on the first side until a brown crust forms. Flip and cook 1½ to 2 minutes more for medium; cook an additional minute for medium-well. In the last 30–45 seconds of cooking, place one slice of American cheese on each patty, cover the pan with a lid to melt the cheese quickly, then remove from heat and keep warm.

Prepare buns

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Split the slider buns and place them cut-side up on a baking sheet. Brush the cut sides lightly with melted butter (reserve a little butter if toasting whole tops). Sprinkle sesame seeds on tops if using.

Toast buns

Place the baking sheet in the oven and toast for 4–6 minutes until the cut sides are lightly golden and just crisp. If you prefer both sides toasted, flip the buns after 3 minutes and toast an additional 2–3 minutes. Remove from oven and keep warm.

Prepare condiments

Mix ketchup and optional sweet pickle relish in a small bowl if using. Spread about ½ teaspoon yellow mustard on the bottom half of each bun and about ¾ teaspoon ketchup (or ketchup-relish mix) on the top half, or adjust to taste.

Assemble sliders

Place a lettuce leaf or a trimmed piece on each bottom bun, add a cheese-topped patty, then top with 1–2 thin onion slices and 1–2 pickle slices. Close with the top bun. Secure each slider with a toothpick or small skewer if desired to hold them together.

Finish & serve

Arrange sliders on a platter and serve immediately while hot with extra ketchup and pickles on the side. For a party presentation, keep cooked patties warm on a low oven (200°F / 95°C) until ready to assemble.

If serving as a tray of sliders, optionally brush the outside of the bun tops with remaining melted butter and briefly return to the oven (1–2 minutes) to warm and glaze the tops. Add extra toothpicks and a small bowl of ketchup for dipping.