My Grandson’s Favorite Mini Burgers
My grandson Leo asked for Big Macs every Friday. I wanted to make them at home. So I created these little sliders.
They are so much fun to share. Everyone gets their own perfect mini burger. The whole family gathers around the pan. Doesn’t that sound nice?
The Secret is in the Sauce
Let’s make the special sauce first. It is what makes these sliders taste so good. Just mix everything in a small bowl.
I use my favorite yellow mustard. The sweet pickle relish makes it perfect. I always sneak a little taste. Doesn’t that smell amazing?
Cooking the Good Stuff
Now, we cook the beef with onion. I like to add a pinch of salt and pepper. You will hear a happy sizzle in the pan.
This matters because cooking together makes memories. The smell fills the whole house. It tells everyone that a good meal is coming.
What is your favorite smell from the kitchen? Is it onions cooking or cookies baking?
Building Your Sliders
Place the bottom buns in your greased pan. Spread that yummy sauce we made. Then add the warm beef and onions.
Next comes the cheese and pickles. One time, Leo put the pickles under the cheese. He said it was better that way. I still laugh at that.
*Fun fact*: The classic Big Mac sauce was created by an Ohio franchise owner in 1967.
The Big Finish
We bake them to melt the cheese. Then we add the lettuce. Do you like your lettuce warm and soft or cold and crunchy?
The last step is my favorite. We brush the top buns with butter. Then we sprinkle on sesame seeds and toast them. They come out golden and perfect.
This matters because the little details make a meal special. That buttery, toasty bun makes everyone smile.
What little detail makes your favorite meal extra special for you?
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Slider buns | 12 | Hawaiian rolls or other slider rolls |
| Lean ground beef | 1 lb | |
| Salt | ½ tsp | |
| Black pepper | ¼ tsp | |
| White onion, finely chopped | ¼ cup | |
| American cheese | 9 slices | |
| Dill pickle slices | 24–30 | |
| Shredded lettuce | 2 cups | |
| Melted butter | 2 Tbsp | |
| Sesame seeds | 2 Tbsp | |
| Mayonnaise | â…” cup | For the Big Mac Sauce |
| Sweet pickle relish | 2 ½ Tbsp | For the Big Mac Sauce |
| Sugar | 2 tsp | For the Big Mac Sauce |
| Yellow mustard | 1 ½ Tbsp | For the Big Mac Sauce |
| Paprika | ½ tsp | For the Big Mac Sauce |
| Onion powder | ½ tsp | For the Big Mac Sauce |
| Garlic powder | ¼ tsp | For the Big Mac Sauce |
Big Mac Sliders: A Bite-Sized Memory
My grandson Leo calls these his favorite kitchen magic. I love making them for his friends. They disappear from the pan so fast. It always makes me smile. These sliders are like a big party in a tiny bun. They have all the good stuff from that famous burger. Let’s make some together.
Step 1
First, let’s get our oven warm and ready. Set it to 350°F. Grease up a 9×13 baking dish. This reminds me of getting my old cake pans ready. A little spray now saves a big sticky mess later. Doesn’t that smell amazing already?
Step 2
Now for the secret sauce. It’s what makes these special. Just mix everything in a small bowl. The pickle relish is my favorite part. I still laugh at how my sister hated pickles but loved this sauce. (A hard-learned tip: mix the sauce first so the flavors can get to know each other.)
Step 3
Time to cook our beef. Toss it in a pan with the onion, salt, and pepper. Cook until it’s all brown and the onion is soft. Make sure to drain the extra grease. What’s your favorite smell from the kitchen? Share below!
Step 4
Let’s build our little towers of joy. Place the bottom buns in the dish. Spread on that yummy sauce. Then add the beef and a slice of cheese. Don’t forget the pickle on top. I like to make sure every single one gets a pickle.
Step 5
Pop the dish in the oven, covered with foil. Bake for about 10 minutes. You just want that cheese to get all melty and happy. It’s like tucking them in for a warm nap.
Step 6
Now for the lettuce. Do you like it warm or cold? For cold and crisp, add it after baking. I add mine at the end for a nice little crunch. It feels fresher that way.
Step 7
The final touch. Brush the top buns with melted butter. Sprinkle on the sesame seeds. This makes them look so pretty. Bake them for a few more minutes until they’re golden. The smell will make your whole house hungry.
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders
Category: Dinner, Appetizer
Three Fun Twists to Try
You can change up this recipe so easily. It’s fun to play with your food sometimes. Here are a few ideas I’ve tried for my family.
The Breakfast Slider
Use a cooked sausage patty and a fried egg inside. A little maple syrup on the bun is a sweet surprise.
The BBQ Bacon Swap
Mix some barbecue sauce into the beef. Then add crispy crumbled bacon on top of the cheese. It’s messy and wonderful.
The No-Meat Marvel
Use a plant-based ground beef instead. All the same great flavors, but a little lighter on your tummy.
Which one would you try first? Comment below!
What to Serve With Your Sliders
These sliders are the star of the show. But every star needs a good supporting cast. I like to keep my sides simple and fun.
A big bowl of crispy potato wedges is perfect. Or some sweet potato fries for a change. A simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette is also nice. It cuts through the richness of the burgers.
For drinks, a cold glass of milk is a classic pairing. For the grown-ups, a chilled lager beer is very refreshing. Which would you choose tonight?
Keeping Your Sliders Tasty Later
Let’s talk about storing these little burgers. They are best eaten right away. But you can save them for later. Just let them cool down first. Then put them in a sealed container in the fridge. They will be good for two days.
You can freeze them too. Wrap each slider tightly in plastic wrap. I once forgot to wrap one properly. It got freezer burn and tasted funny. Now I am very careful. This matters because good food is a precious thing. We should not let it go to waste.
To reheat, use your oven. It keeps the buns from getting soggy. Warm them at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. You can also batch cook the beef filling. Make a big batch and freeze it for a quick meal later. Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!
Easy Fixes for Common Slider Problems
Sometimes cooking does not go as planned. Do not worry. I have some easy fixes. Is your beef filling too greasy? Just drain it well in a colander. This makes your sliders less messy to eat. It also makes them healthier for your family.
Are your buns getting too soft? I remember when my buns were like mush. The trick is to toast the tops separately. This gives a nice crunch. It matters because texture is just as important as taste. A little crunch makes the meal more fun.
Is your special sauce too runny? Add a little more mayonnaise. This will thicken it right up. Getting the sauce right builds your cooking confidence. You learn to trust your own taste. Which of these problems have you run into before?
Your Slider Questions Answered
Q: Can I make these gluten-free?
A: Yes! Just use your favorite gluten-free slider buns from the store.
Q: Can I make them ahead of time?
A: You can prepare the beef and sauce a day early. Assemble and bake right before serving.
Q: What if I do not have an ingredient?
A: No sweet relish? Use chopped-up dill pickles with a pinch of sugar. Fun fact: The special sauce was originally made with similar simple swaps!
Q: Can I make a smaller batch?
A: Of course. Just cut all the ingredients in half. It is that easy.
Q: Is the lettuce step important?
A: It is optional. But it adds a fresh, crisp bite that I really love. Which tip will you try first?
Sharing the Kitchen Love
I hope you love making these mini burgers. Cooking is about sharing joy with others. It is one of my favorite things to do. I would be so happy to see your creations.
Please share a picture of your sliders. Show me how they turned out. Your kitchen stories make my day. Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!
Happy cooking!
—Olivia Hartwell.
Big Mac Sliders The Ultimate Mini Burger
Description
Experience the iconic taste of a Big Mac in a fun, shareable mini burger form. These sliders are perfect for parties, game day, or a family dinner.
Ingredients
Big Mac Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray.
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, sugar, yellow mustard, paprika, onion powder, and garlic powder in a small bowl until the mixture is fully combined and smooth. Set this sauce aside for later.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef with the finely chopped onion, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat is fully browned and the onions have softened. Drain any excess grease from the skillet.
- Place the bottom halves of the slider buns in your prepared baking dish. Spread a thin layer of the prepared sauce over the buns. Distribute the cooked beef and onion mixture evenly over the sauce. Arrange the slices of American cheese on top of the beef, followed by a layer of dill pickle slices, ensuring each future slider will get a pickle.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese has fully melted.
- You have two options for the shredded lettuce: For warm lettuce, add it on top before the baking step. For cold, crisp lettuce, remove the pan from the oven after the cheese has melted, carefully lift the top bun halves, and add the lettuce along with an extra drizzle of sauce.
- Brush the top halves of the buns with melted butter and sprinkle them with sesame seeds. Place them on the sliders and return the dish to the oven, uncovered, for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the tops are lightly toasted.
- Once assembled, slice the large sheet into individual sliders. Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
- For the crispiest lettuce, use the cold lettuce method by adding it after the cheese has melted. You can also add a second drizzle of the special sauce at the end for extra flavor.
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