Mini Smash Burger Sliders with Caramelized Onions (Printable Version)

Crispy smashed beef patties with sweet caramelized onions and melted cheese on soft slider buns.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
02 - 0.5 teaspoon kosher salt
03 - 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Onions

04 - 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
07 - 0.5 teaspoon sugar
08 - Pinch of salt

→ Cheese & Buns

09 - 8 slices American cheese
10 - 8 slider buns

→ Toppings & Condiments

11 - 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
12 - 2 teaspoons yellow mustard
13 - 8 dill pickle slices

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter with olive oil. Add sliced onions, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft and golden brown, approximately 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside.
02 - In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and mustard. Set aside.
03 - Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions of approximately 2 ounces each. Handle gently to avoid overworking the meat.
04 - Preheat a large cast-iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat until very hot.
05 - Place beef portions in the hot skillet, leaving space between each. Immediately smash each portion flat with a sturdy spatula. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until edges are crispy.
06 - Flip patties, top each with a slice of American cheese, and cook for 1 additional minute until cheese is melted and patties are cooked through.
07 - Split buns and toast, cut side down, in a dry skillet or under a broiler until golden brown.
08 - Spread slider sauce on bottom buns. Layer with cheese-topped patties, generous spoonfuls of caramelized onions, and pickle slices if desired. Crown with bun tops. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They cook in under 30 minutes total, which means you can actually pull off feeding people without stress.
  • The smash technique creates those crispy, lacy edges that make thin patties taste way better than thick ones ever could.
  • Caramelized onions do the heavy lifting flavor-wise, so you don't need fancy beef or complicated toppings.
02 -
  • The meat needs to stay cold until it hits the griddle, so don't form your balls too far in advance or they'll start breaking down and won't smash properly.
  • Don't flip your burgers more than once—every time you flip, you lose those crispy edges that make smash burgers special in the first place.
03 -
  • Keep a damp kitchen towel nearby to wipe down your spatula between burgers so you're not dragging cooked bits onto fresh patties.
  • If your cheese isn't melting fast enough, cover the skillet with a lid or even a baking sheet for 30 seconds to trap the heat.
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