Tailgate Burger Sliders Pickles (Printable Version)

Juicy mini beef sliders with melted cheddar and tangy pickles, perfect for game day and outdoor meals.

# What You Need:

→ Meat

01 - 1 ½ lbs ground beef (80/20)
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1 tsp onion powder

→ Buns & Toppings

06 - 12 slider buns
07 - 12 slices cheddar cheese
08 - ½ cup sliced dill pickles
09 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
10 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
11 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds (optional)

→ Condiments

12 - ¼ cup ketchup
13 - ¼ cup yellow mustard
14 - ¼ cup mayonnaise

# Directions:

01 - Preheat grill or large skillet to medium-high heat.
02 - Combine ground beef, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder in a mixing bowl. Mix gently until just incorporated.
03 - Divide beef mixture into 12 equal portions and shape into small patties, making them slightly larger than the buns to account for shrinkage during cooking.
04 - Grill or cook patties for 2-3 minutes per side until browned and cooked to desired doneness.
05 - During the final minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty and cover the grill or skillet until melted.
06 - Slice slider buns in half, brush cut sides with melted butter, and toast on grill or skillet until golden brown.
07 - Spread ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise on bottom buns. Place cheeseburger patties on top, add pickles and red onion slices, and finish with top bun. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
08 - Serve sliders immediately while hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They disappear faster than you can grill them, so make double
  • The pickle to beef ratio creates this perfect tangy savory bite
  • People literally hover around the platter waiting for seconds
02 -
  • Press a tiny thumb dent in each patty before cooking or they puff into balls
  • Let them rest one minute after cooking or all the juice runs onto your plate
  • Room temperature beef cooks more evenly than cold from the fridge
03 -
  • Buy pickles sliced, hand cutting twenty perfect slices is nobody's idea of fun
  • The butter on buns works on the grill too, just watch closely they burn fast

Go Back