Description
These Labor Day smash burger sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleasing party appetizer, featuring crispy beef patties, melted cheese, and sweet caramelized onions on soft Hawaiian rolls. Ready in about 30 minutes with minimal effort, they deliver maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs (680g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 600g)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- Coarse kosher salt
- Freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup (100g) shredded cheese (American, cheddar, pepper jack, or Swiss)
- 12–15 Hawaiian sweet rolls
- Slider sauce (ketchup, mayo, and pickle juice or relish)
- Pickle chips
- Optional: Fried onions, bacon bits, or sautéed mushrooms
Instructions
- Caramelize the onions: Slice onions into thin half-moons. Heat butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onions, a pinch of salt, and sugar. Cook slowly for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown and sweet. Set aside.
- Prep the beef and rolls: While onions cook, portion ground beef into 1.5-ounce balls. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Separate Hawaiian rolls and mix the slider sauce in a small bowl.
- Heat the skillet: Place a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat for about 2 minutes until very hot. Do not add oil.
- Smash the patties: Place 4-5 beef balls in the hot skillet. Immediately press down hard with a meat mallet or heavy skillet to flatten to about ¼ inch thick. Season generously with salt and pepper. Cook for 2 minutes until a dark crust forms.
- Flip and add cheese: Scrape patties up, keeping the crust intact. Flip quickly. Top each patty with shredded cheese. Cook for 30-60 seconds until cheese is melted. Remove from heat.
- Toast the buns: Cut Hawaiian rolls in half. Place cut-side down in the hot skillet for 30 seconds until golden. This prevents sogginess.
- Assemble and serve: Spread sauce on the bottom bun. Add the cheesy patty. Top with a generous pile of caramelized onions and pickle chips. Close with the top bun and serve immediately.
Notes
Keep beef cold until cooking to ensure better texture. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches to maintain high heat. Toasting buns is crucial to prevent sogginess. Caramelized onions can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to a week. For gluten-free options, use gluten-free rolls. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cheese and oil instead of butter.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 14
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 14
Keywords: smash burger sliders, labor day appetizer, party food, caramelized onions, beef sliders, quick party appetizer, 15 minute recipe, crowd pleaser