Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions (Print)
Juicy mini beef burgers topped with sweet, golden caramelized onions, served on soft slider buns for any occasion.
# Ingredient list:
→ For the Sliders
01 - 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
05 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
→ For the Caramelized Onions
06 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
07 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
08 - 1 tbsp olive oil
09 - ½ tsp salt
10 - 1 tsp sugar (optional, for extra sweetness)
→ Assembly
11 - 8 slider buns
12 - 4 oz (115 g) sliced cheddar or Swiss cheese (optional)
13 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise or aioli (optional)
14 - Leaf lettuce or baby arugula (optional)
15 - Sliced pickles (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt the butter with olive oil. Add sliced onions and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 15–20 minutes until soft and golden. Add sugar if desired to enhance sweetness. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
02 - Preheat a grill or skillet to medium-high heat.
03 - In a bowl, gently mix ground beef with salt, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard. Form into 8 equal small patties, slightly larger than the buns (they will shrink during cooking).
04 - Cook the patties for 2–3 minutes per side for medium, or until desired doneness. If using cheese, add a slice to each patty in the last minute of cooking and cover to melt.
05 - Lightly toast the slider buns on the grill or in a skillet if desired.
06 - Spread mayonnaise or aioli on the bottom half of each bun. Top with lettuce (if using), a beef patty, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, and pickles. Place on the bun tops and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- These sliders have this magical balance where the sweet caramelized onions cut through the richness of the beef in a way that makes you close your eyes with each bite.
- You can prep the onions and patties ahead of time, which means youll actually enjoy your own party instead of being stuck at the grill all night.
02 -
- Never press down on the patties while cooking, I made this mistake countless times before realizing I was literally squeezing all the juicy goodness onto the grill instead of into my mouth.
- Those onions need patience, trying to rush them on high heat results in bitter, burnt onions instead of the sweet, jammy gold that makes these sliders special.
03 -
- Adding a splash of balsamic vinegar to the onions in the last few minutes of caramelizing adds a complex sweetness and beautiful mahogany color that elevates the entire slider experience.
- Chill the shaped patties for 15 minutes before cooking to help them hold together better on the grill and retain their juices during cooking.