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What I love most about Hamburger Sliders is making them all at once in the oven instead of flipping individual patties on the stovetop. Ground beef and onions cook with melted cheddar and tangy sauce in soft Hawaiian rolls that get golden and buttery on top. They’re cheesy, juicy, and disappear fast. You’ll be making them constantly.
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I make these juicy, crowd-pleasing sliders for Super Bowl parties, game day, potlucks, and casual get-togethers because they’re fun, kid-friendly, and easy to share. They also travel well and can be prepped ahead, making them a perfect appetizer for any gathering. Store them at room temperature for a few hours or in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll need all the ingredients shown in the photograph below.
How to Make Hamburger Sliders with Step-By-Step Instructions
Scroll down for the full recipe card containing a full printable recipe and measurements in both US customary and metric units.
Here’s how to make these easy hamburger sliders from start to finish.
Cook the Beef and Onions
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. I like using this meat chopper to break up the meat as it browns, so you get nice, even crumbles instead of big chunks.
Once it’s browned, throw in the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3 to 4 minutes. A mandoline slicer makes quick work of dicing the onion into uniform pieces.
Season everything with salt and pepper, then remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly while you prep the rolls.
Prep the Hawaiian Rolls
Grab a serrated knife and slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally, keeping them connected as one big slab. I always grab my serrated bread knife as it cuts through the soft rolls without squishing them.
Don’t separate the individual sweet Hawaiian rolls yet. Place the bottom buns in a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the Sauce
In a small bowl, combine mayo, ketchup, mustard, and garlic powder. Mix everything together until it’s smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Sliders
Spread the sauce over both the top and bottom halves of the rolls using a spoon or spatula. Spoon the beef mixture and onion mixture across the bottom half, spreading it out so every slider gets an equal amount.
Lay the cheddar cheese slices over the beef, covering the entire surface. You might need to slightly overlap or tear the slices to achieve full coverage.
Add the Butter and Seasoning
Place the top half of the rolls back onto the slab to complete the sandwich. Brush the tops generously with melted butter so the rolls get golden and crispy in the oven. This silicone pastry brush makes it easy to spread the butter evenly across the entire surface without tearing the soft rolls.
Sprinkle Everything But the Bagel seasoning over the buttered tops for that savory, garlicky crunch.
Bake Until Golden
Preheat your oven to 350°F and bake the sliders for 10 to 15 minutes. I always place an oven thermometer on the middle rack to help ensure my oven is at the right temperature.
You’ll know they’re ready when the cheese is fully melted and the tops are golden brown.
Serve and Transport
Let the sliders cool for a couple of minutes so the cheese sets slightly, then use a sharp knife to slice along the seams and separate them into individual sliders. Serve while they’re still warm. Enjoy!
If you’re transporting these to a party or potluck, keep them in the baking dish covered with foil so they stay warm for about an hour. For longer travel, I use an insulated casserole carrier to maintain the temperature.
You can also let them cool completely, wrap the whole pan in foil, and reheat them at your destination in a 300°F oven for 10 minutes.
Hamburger Sliders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup white onion finely diced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 12 Hawaiian rolls
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 1 tablespoon Everything But the Bagel seasoning
- 8 slices cheddar cheese
For the Sauce:
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spatula. Add the diced onion and cook until soft and translucent. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.1 pound ground beef, 1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup white onion, Salt and black pepper
- Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally as a single slab—do not separate the individual rolls. Place the bottom half in a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking dish.12 Hawaiian rolls
- In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, and garlic powder. Mix until smooth.¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons ketchup, 1 tablespoon mustard, ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- Spread the sauce evenly over both the top and bottom halves of the rolls. Spoon the beef and onion mixture evenly across the bottom half. Lay the cheddar cheese slices over the beef, covering the surface.8 slices cheddar cheese
- Place the top half of the rolls back on. Brush the tops with melted butter and sprinkle with Everything But the Bagel seasoning.2 tablespoons butter, 1 tablespoon Everything But the Bagel seasoning
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the sliders for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden brown.
- Let cool slightly, then slice along the seams of the rolls to separate into individual sliders. Serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Don’t skip browning the beef properly: Let the meat cook undisturbed for a minute or two before breaking it up so you get some caramelized bits that add flavor.
- Keep the rolls connected: Slicing them as a single slab and assembling everything together makes the process much faster than building individual sliders.
- Boost the flavor: Stir 1 to 2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce into the ground beef while it cooks for a savory, umami-rich flavor that makes it taste more like classic burgers. You can also swap olive oil for vegetable oil if that’s what you have on hand.
- Brush butter all the way to the edges: Make sure every part of the top gets buttered so the entire surface turns golden and crispy in the oven.
- Let them rest before slicing: Give the sliders a couple of minutes to cool after baking so the cheese sets slightly and they’re easier to cut into clean portions.
- Flash freeze for meal prep: If you’re freezing sliders, place them on a baking sheet and freeze for 1 hour before transferring to containers so they don’t stick together.
Nutrition
How to Store Leftovers
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. I like to wrap them individually in this airtight glass container and foil so they’re easy to grab and reheat.
You can reheat them in a 300°F oven for about 10 minutes until warmed through, or microwave individual sliders for 30 to 45 seconds. The rolls might lose some of their crispness in the fridge, but a quick reheat in the oven brings back that golden texture on top.
For longer storage, freeze the baked sliders in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. They’ll keep for up to 2 months.
Thaw them in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the oven at 300°F for 15 to 20 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melty again.
What to Serve With Hamburger Sliders
I serve these sliders with classic cookout sides like potato salad, coleslaw, or baked beans. Crispy French fries or sweet potato fries are always a hit and perfect for dipping into any extra sauce. A simple green salad with ranch dressing balances out the richness of the beef and cheese.
For drinks, I go with lemonade, iced tea, or beer, depending on the crowd. If you’re making these for a party, set out pickles, jalapeños, and extra condiments so people can customize their sliders however they want.
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