Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions and Cheese (Print Version)

Mini beef burgers topped with sweet golden onions and melted cheese on soft toasted buns.

# Recipe Ingredients:

→ Beef Patties

01 - 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
02 - 1 tsp kosher salt
03 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder

→ Caramelized Onions

05 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - 1 tbsp olive oil
08 - 1/2 tsp sugar
09 - 1/4 tsp salt

→ Cheese

10 - 8 slices cheddar cheese (or Swiss, provolone, or American cheese)

→ Slider Assembly

11 - 8 slider buns
12 - 2 tbsp mayonnaise (optional)
13 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional)
14 - Lettuce leaves, tomato slices, or pickles (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions, salt, and sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes until onions are deep golden brown and fully caramelized, lowering heat as needed to prevent burning. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - In a mixing bowl, gently combine ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Divide meat into 8 equal portions and shape into small patties, making them slightly larger than the slider buns to account for shrinkage during cooking.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties for 2-3 minutes per side for medium doneness, adjusting time for preferred doneness level.
04 - During the final minute of cooking, place a cheese slice on each patty. Cover the pan with a lid to allow cheese to melt completely.
05 - Lightly butter cut sides of slider buns and toast in a skillet or on a griddle until golden brown and crispy.
06 - Spread mayonnaise and/or Dijon mustard on bottom buns if desired. Place cheese-topped patties on buns, top generously with caramelized onions, and add lettuce, tomato, or pickles if using. Cover with top buns and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The caramelized onions create this incredible sweetness that balances perfectly with salty beef and melted cheese
  • These cook faster than regular burgers but somehow feel more special, making them perfect for feeding a crowd without spending hours at the grill
02 -
  • Make the patties slightly larger than your buns because they will shrink during cooking and you want full coverage
  • Do not rush the caramelized onions because that deep brown color and sweet flavor is what makes these special
03 -
  • Do not press down on the patties while they cook or you will lose all those precious juices
  • Let the sliders rest for about two minutes after assembling so the cheese sets slightly and does not slide right off when you take that first bite

Go Back