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Perfect Smash Burger Sliders with Easy Special Sauce

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These perfect smash burger sliders are quick, easy, and incredibly delicious. With a crispy, caramelized crust and a juicy center, topped with a tangy special sauce, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleaser for game day, parties, or a busy weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
  • 8 slider buns (brioche or potato rolls)
  • 4 slices American cheese (or cheddar, cut in half)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground)
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon butter (for toasting buns)
  • Pickle slices (dill pickles)
  • Thinly sliced onion (optional)
  • Lettuce leaves (optional)
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise (full-fat)
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
  • 1 tablespoon sweet pickle relish (or finely chopped dill pickles with a pinch of sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon white vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

  1. Make the special sauce: In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne if using. Whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the sliders.
  2. Prepare the beef: Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions, about 2 ounces each. Gently roll each portion into a ball. Don’t overwork the meat. Season the outside of each ball with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Set aside.
  3. Preheat your cooking surface: Place your cast iron skillet or griddle over high heat. Let it get screaming hot—you should see a wisp of smoke starting to rise. This takes about 5 minutes. While it’s heating, toast your slider buns. Spread a little butter on the cut sides and place them in a separate pan or on the griddle for about 30 seconds, until golden brown. Set aside.
  4. Smash the patties: Place a ball of beef in the hot skillet. Immediately place a square of parchment paper over it. Using your metal spatula, press down firmly and evenly to flatten the ball into a thin patty, about 1/4-inch thick. Hold the pressure for about 10 seconds. Repeat with remaining patties, working in batches if needed. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
  5. Cook the patties: Let the patties cook undisturbed for about 2 minutes. You’ll see the edges turning brown and crispy. Flip each patty carefully with your metal spatula, scraping up all those delicious crispy bits. Place a half-slice of cheese on each patty immediately after flipping. Cook for another 1-2 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the patty is cooked through.
  6. Assemble the sliders: Spread a generous spoonful of special sauce on the bottom half of each toasted bun. Place a cheesy patty on top. Add pickle slices, a few onion slices if using, and a lettuce leaf if desired. Top with the other half of the bun. Press down gently to bring everything together.
  7. Serve immediately: These sliders are best enjoyed hot, right off the griddle. Arrange them on a platter with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Don’t skip the preheat—the pan must be screaming hot for a good crust. Use the parchment trick to prevent sticking. Don’t overwork the meat. Resist moving the patties while cooking. Toast the buns to prevent sogginess. For variations, try spicy Southwest, bacon cheeseburger, mushroom Swiss, Hawaiian, or low-carb options. Store patties and buns separately; reheat in a hot skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: smash burger sliders, easy burger recipe, quick dinner, game day food, crowd-pleaser, special sauce, ground beef recipe

Find it online: https://lumalunch.com/perfect-smash-burger-sliders-with-easy-special-sauce/