Cowboy Sliders Recipe
Introduction
Cowboy Sliders are bite-sized burgers packed with big, bold flavors perfect for any casual gathering or game day. Featuring juicy beef patties, smoky barbecue sauce, and melted cheese on soft slider buns, these mini sandwiches will be a crowd favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce, divided
- 4 slices cheddar cheese, cut in halves
- 12 slider buns
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Pickle slices (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your grill or skillet over medium-high heat. In a bowl, season the ground beef with salt and pepper and gently mix.
- Step 2: Form the beef into 12 small patties, slightly larger than the slider buns to allow for shrinkage during cooking.
- Step 3: Brush the patties with half of the barbecue sauce. Grill or cook patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side until nicely browned and cooked through.
- Step 4: During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with a half slice of cheddar cheese and allow it to melt.
- Step 5: Lightly toast the slider buns on the grill or skillet until golden brown.
- Step 6: Assemble the sliders by spreading a little of the remaining barbecue sauce on the bottom bun, adding the cheeseburger patty, a few slices of red onion, and a pickle if desired. Top with the bun and serve immediately.
Tips & Variations
- For extra smoky flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika to the beef before forming patties.
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese for a mild kick.
- Include crispy bacon slices on top for added crunch and taste.
- Serve with coleslaw on the side or inside the sliders for freshness.
Storage
Store any leftover cooked patties and buns separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm patties gently in a skillet or microwave until heated through and toast buns again before assembling.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make the patties ahead of time?
Yes, you can shape the patties a few hours ahead and keep them refrigerated until ready to cook.
What type of barbecue sauce works best?
A smoky, slightly sweet barbecue sauce complements these sliders well, but feel free to use your favorite brand or homemade sauce.
PrintCowboy Sliders Recipe
These Cowboy Sliders are a delicious blend of savory ground beef patties topped with smoky barbecue sauce, melted cheddar cheese, crispy onion rings, and pickles, all nestled inside soft slider buns. Perfect for parties, game days, or a casual dinner, these sliders bring the bold flavors of the Western frontier straight to your plate with an easy stovetop cooking method.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 4 sliders 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
For the Sliders
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 4 slider buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
- 10 small onion rings, cooked and crispy
- 8 pickle slices
- 2 tablespoons butter (to toast buns)
Instructions
- Prepare the patties: In a bowl, combine the ground beef with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix gently to combine without overworking the meat. Divide the mixture into four equal portions and shape each into small, flat patties slightly larger than the slider buns, as they will shrink while cooking.
- Cook the patties: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place the patties in the skillet and cook for about 3-4 minutes on the first side until browned and seared. Flip the patties, baste with barbecue sauce, then quickly place a slice of cheddar cheese on each patty. Cover the skillet loosely and cook an additional 2-3 minutes until the cheese melts and the patties reach desired doneness.
- Toast the buns: Spread butter on the insides of the slider buns. In a separate skillet or using the same pan after removing patties, toast buns over medium heat until golden brown and slightly crisp on the cut sides, about 1-2 minutes.
- Assemble the sliders: Place each cooked patty with melted cheese on the bottom half of a toasted bun. Top with crispy onion rings and pickle slices. Spread additional barbecue sauce on the top bun if desired, then close the slider.
- Serve immediately: Serve the cowboy sliders hot as an appetizer or main dish alongside your favorite sides like fries, coleslaw, or baked beans.
Notes
- For extra smoky flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the beef mixture.
- Use freshly made or good-quality store-bought onion rings for crunch.
- Adjust barbecue sauce amount to taste; opt for spicy or sweet varieties based on preference.
- Sliders are best served fresh but can be prepped up to cooking patties a few hours in advance and refrigerated.
- To keep sliders warm before serving, cover loosely with foil in a warm oven set around 200°F (90°C).
Keywords: cowboy sliders, BBQ sliders, mini burgers, appetizer sliders, ground beef sliders
