Mini Smash Burger Sliders (Printable View)

Juicy smashed beef patties with caramelized onions, melted cheese, and soft slider buns for an irresistible bite.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Onions

04 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 1/2 teaspoon sugar
08 - Pinch of salt

→ Cheese & Buns

09 - 8 slices American cheese or cheddar
10 - 8 slider buns (mini brioche or potato rolls)

→ Toppings & Condiments

11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
13 - 8 dill pickle slices (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add sliced onions, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and mustard together. Set aside.
03 - Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces each). Handle the meat gently to avoid overworking it.
04 - Heat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot.
05 - Place beef portions in the hot skillet, spacing them evenly. Immediately smash each portion flat with a sturdy spatula. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until edges develop a crispy crust.
06 - Flip the patties, top each with a slice of cheese, and cook for 1 additional minute until the cheese is melted and the burgers are cooked through.
07 - Split the slider buns and toast them cut side down in a dry skillet or under a broiler until golden brown.
08 - Spread slider sauce on the bottom buns. Layer with patties topped with melted cheese, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, and a pickle slice if desired. Crown with the bun tops. Serve immediately.

# Best Practices:

01 -
  • The beef gets impossibly crispy edges in minutes because you smash it flat on a screaming hot griddle.
  • Those caramelized onions are sweet, jammy, and worth the 25-minute wait—they transform everything they touch.
  • Eight sliders means you can eat three without guilt and still have leftovers, or share them guilt-free at a party.
02 -
  • Don't skip the preheat on your griddle—a lukewarm pan gives you steamed burgers instead of the crispy-edged magic you're after.
  • Handle the beef as little as possible; once you overwork ground beef, it becomes dense and loses that juicy texture that makes these sliders special.
03 -
  • If you're cooking for multiple people, set up an assembly line with all your components prepped and your griddle ready so you can make patties in batches without losing heat.
  • American cheese really does melt better than almost anything else, but if you want something with more flavor, a thin slice of aged cheddar or Swiss will surprise you in the best way.
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