These juicy beef sliders with sausage and cheddar check all the boxes. They’re small, simple, and so satisfying—whether you’re serving them as mini burgers at a party or tucking them into a lunchbox for your kids. Plus, they’re ready in no time, which means less stress and more happy faces at the table.
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Why You’ll Love This Beef Slider Recipe
- Perfect for Sharing: Sliders are fun, kid-friendly, and great for potlucks or parties.
- Packed with Flavor: The mix of ground beef, sausage, garlic, and cheddar makes every bite delicious.
- Quick & Easy: Ready in just 30 minutes!
- Versatile: Serve as an appetizer, dinner, or even meal prep for the week.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Ground beef – Choose a blend with some fat (like 80/20) to keep your sliders juicy and flavorful.
- Beef sausage – Finely chopped sausage adds smoky, savory flavor and an extra boost of richness.
- Garlic – Freshly minced garlic brings bold, aromatic flavor to the patties.
- Sharp cheddar cheese – Shredded cheddar melts right into the patties for gooey, cheesy bites. You can also try mozzarella, gouda, or pepper jack for variety.
- Montreal steak spice – A seasoning blend that adds depth and that steakhouse-style flavor. Don’t have it? Try homemade Montreal Steak Spice Recipe or mix salt, pepper, paprika, and onion powder instead.
- Cayenne pepper – Just a pinch for a little heat. Keep it mild for kids or add more if you like things spicy.
- Avocado oil – Perfect for pan-frying thanks to its high smoke point, but olive or vegetable oil works too.
- Lettuce leaves – Fresh and crisp, they balance the richness of the meat and cheese.
- Mini sourdough hamburger buns – Soft sourdough buns are perfect for bite-sized burgers, while sourdough gives them a heartier texture. Feel free to usethese quick hamburger buns, or store-bought.
- Mayonnaise and ketchup – A classic burger duo. You can also switch it up with mustard, BBQ sauce, or even spicy mayo.
See the recipe card for the full information on recipe ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Juicy Beef Sliders
Step One. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, chopped sausage, garlic, cheddar, Montreal steak spice, and cayenne. Mix gently until combined.
Step Two. Using a large ice cream scoop, portion the mixture into even slider-sized patties.
Step Three. Heat avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook patties until browned on one side, then flip and cook until fully cooked through (3–4 minutes per side).
Step Four. Lightly toast slider buns in the skillet or oven for added crunch.
Step Five. Spread mayo and ketchup on the buns. Add lettuce to the bottom bun, place a juicy beef slider patty on top, then cover with the top bun. Serve warm!
Pro Tips for the Best Beef Sliders
- Don’t Overmix the Meat: Mix just until ingredients come together for tender patties.
- Kid-Friendly Version: Skip the cayenne pepper for a milder slider.
- Extra Cheesy: Add a slice of cheddar on top for double cheese sliders.
- Grill Them: Take them outdoors and grill for a smoky charred flavor.
- Make Ahead: Shape patties in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
What to Serve with Beef Sliders
- Crispy Air Fryer French fries or crispy potato wedges
- Coleslaw or fresh cucumber salad
- Onion rings or chips
- Pickles for extra crunch
Serving Ideas for Beef Sliders
These cheesy beef sliders are so versatile—you can serve them as an appetizer, a main dish, or even a fun party snack! Here are some tasty ideas to inspire you:
- Classic with Fries
Pair sliders with crispy Air Fryer French fries, baked sweet potato wedges or crispy potato wedges for the ultimate comfort food combo. - Game Day Platter
Arrange sliders on a big tray with dipping sauces like ketchup, BBQ, chipotle mayo, or ranch. Add some pickle spears and onion rings for a fun crowd-pleaser. - School Lunchbox
Pack cooled sliders (secured with a long toothpick and wrapped with parchment paper) with apple slices, carrot sticks, and Oatmeal Banana Cookies. Kids love unwrapping their own mini burger surprise! - Party-Style Sliders
Bake a batch of sliders and serve them on a large board with a variety of toppings—lettuce, tomato slices, pickled red onions, caramelized onions, and extra cheese—so guests can customize their own. - Healthier Twist
Swap buns for lettuce wraps to make low-carb sliders. Serve with a side cucumber radish salad for a lighter but still satisfying meal. - Family Dinner Night
Serve sliders with homemade mac and cheese, instant pot corn on the cob, or a fresh veggie tray. It’s a fun, kid-friendly dinner that makes everyone happy.
👉 Pro Tip: Make a slider bar with different cheeses (cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella) and toppings. It turns dinner into a build-your-own mini burger night!
Storage
- Refrigerator: Store cooked sliders in an airtight container for 1-2 days.
- Freezer: Freeze raw or cooked patties with parchment paper between layers for up to 3 months.
How to Reheat Beef Sliders
These cheesy beef sliders taste best fresh, but they reheat beautifully too! Here are a few easy methods depending on what you have at home:
- Skillet (Best for Juiciness):
Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the slider patties (you can keep them assembled or reheat just the patties). Cover with a lid and cook for 2–3 minutes on each side until warmed through. This method keeps the patties juicy. - Oven (Best for Large Batches):
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place sliders on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Cover loosely with foil to prevent the buns from drying out. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the patties are heated through. - Air Fryer (Best for Crisp Buns):
Place sliders in the air fryer basket. Heat at 350°F (175°C) for 3–5 minutes. This method gives the buns a lightly toasted texture while keeping the inside warm and cheesy. - Microwave (Quickest, but Least Crisp):
If you’re short on time, wrap a slider in a damp paper towel and heat in the microwave for 30–60 seconds. The bread will be softer, but the patties will still taste delicious.
👉 Pro Tip: If reheating sliders that have lettuce or fresh toppings, remove those first and add them back after warming.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes! You can mix and shape the patties a day in advance and keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to cook. You can also freeze the uncooked patties for up to 3 months—just thaw before cooking.
Absolutely! Sharp cheddar is classic, but you can swap it for mozzarella, gouda, pepper jack, or even a smoked cheese for a different flavor.
Definitely! Just skip or reduce the cayenne pepper if your kids prefer milder flavors. They’re perfectly sized for little hands and make a fun lunchbox treat.
Yes! Grill the patties over medium heat for a smoky, charred flavor. Toast the buns on the grill too for extra texture.
They’re versatile! Try potato wedges, French fries, sweet potato wedges, coleslaw, fresh veggies, or even a simple side salad. They’re also great for school lunches.
You can! Swap the beef and sausage for plant-based burger patties, crumbled tempeh, or lentil patties, and follow the same seasoning and cooking steps.
Don’t overmix the meat when combining ingredients. Using a blend of ground beef and sausage helps lock in moisture. For juicy, safe-to-eat sliders, aim for an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C) when using ground beef. This ensures the patties are fully cooked while still moist.
More Easy Hamburger Recipes
- Best Hamburger Recipe
- Smash Chicken Burger
- Caramelized Onions Burger with Shiitake Mushrooms
- Copycat In-N-Out Burgers
- Juicy Burger Beyond Meat Recipe
- Caramelized Onions Burger
- Burger Recipe with Pickled Red Onions
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📖 Recipe
Juicy Beef Sliders with Sausage & Cheese (Mini Hamburgers)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 smoked sausage beef sausage, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic finely diced or minced
- ½ cup sharp Cheddar cheese grated or finely diced
- 1 tablespoon Montreal Steak Spice or to taste
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper or to taste
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
For Serving
- 8 mini hamburger buns or sourdough hamburger buns
- mayo to taste
- ketchup to taste
- 8 leaves lettuce
Instructions
- Mix the Patty Base: Grab a large mixing bowl and add the ground beef, finely chopped beef sausage, garlic, shredded cheddar, Montreal steak spice, and just a pinch of cayenne for a little kick. Gently mix everything together until combined—don’t overwork the meat or the patties can turn out tough.
- Form the Patties: Scoop out the mixture with a large ice cream scoop (or just use your hands) and shape into equal-sized patties. Keeping them the same size helps them cook evenly and look extra cute slider-style.
- Cook the Patties: Heat a little avocado oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Place the patties in the hot skillet and let them sizzle until nicely browned on one side. Flip and cook the other side until they’re cooked through—about 3–4 minutes per side, depending on how thick you make them.
- Toast the Buns: Don’t skip this step! Lightly toast your slider buns either in the same skillet or in the oven. A golden, slightly crisp bun makes all the difference.
- Assemble the Sliders: Spread a little mayo and ketchup on each toasted bun. Add a lettuce leaf to the bottom bun, then place a juicy patty on top. Finish with the top bun and give it a gentle press so everything holds together.
- Serve & Enjoy: Serve your sliders with roasted potato wedges, crispy French fries, or even a fresh side salad. These little burgers are bite-sized, cheesy, and full of flavor—the perfect way to make any meal feel special!
Notes
- Don’t Over-mix: When making the patties, mix just until the ingredients come together. Over-mixing can make them dense instead of juicy.
- Even Cooking: Use an ice cream scoop or kitchen scale to portion the patties so they cook evenly.
- Juiciness Tip: Let the patties rest for a couple of minutes before assembling—this keeps the juices inside instead of soaking the buns.
- Toasting Matters: A quick toast makes the buns sturdier and keeps them from getting soggy. Buttering them before toasting adds even more flavor!
- Add Toppings: These sliders are delicious with just lettuce, but feel free to add tomato slices, pickles, caramelized onions, or extra cheese.
- Kid-Friendly Hack: For school lunches, wrap sliders in parchment paper and secure with a toothpick. Pair with apple slices or pretzels for a balanced meal.
- Make Ahead: Shape the patties ahead of time and store them in the fridge (up to 24 hours) until ready to cook. Perfect for busy nights!
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