In my mind, May is the start of burger season. Getting together for Memorial Day weekend? Throw some burgers on the grill. Having friends over for a bottle of rosé? Throw some burgers on the grill. Kids getting together to swim in the neighbor’s pool? Throw some burgers on the grill! 

I personally never get sick of a good, juicy burger, but sometimes I like to switch it up a little. That’s where these delicious cheeseburger sliders come in. This recipe combines all the delicious flavors of a cheeseburger, but in slider form. And it doesn’t require any grilling (just pop them in the oven!) or fussing with forming the beef into patties.

Get the recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders

These cheeseburger sliders are so delicious. The sweetness from the bun meshes so well with the savoriness of the seasoned beef. And let’s talk about the cheese: I know that American cheese gets a bad rap, but it really does add that gooey texture that makes these sliders so irresistible. (Who doesn’t love a good cheese pull?) Sprinkling cheddar cheese on top of the beef adds an even richer, sharper cheese flavor to the mix. 

Seasoning the beef with mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder when it is browning in the pan is such a smart step. It ensures that every bite you take is packed with flavor, whether you dip your slider in the burger sauce or not. (I would definitely suggest dipping, though.)

An unexpected surprise from popping the sliders in the oven was that the bottom of my sliders got a little crispy. I know the tops of the buns are supposed to be toasted, but I really liked the crunch that the bottom of the sliders got as well. The American cheese also acts as a barrier to keep your bun from getting soggy. The next time you’re in the mood for burgers, you should definitely make these.

• Char the onions and brown the beef. Add neutral oil to a pan, followed by your thinly sliced onions. Let them cook at high heat until they are charred in spots, then remove them from the pan. Turn down the heat and add a little more oil to your pan before adding in the ground beef. 
• Season the beef. Once your ground beef is fully cooked, add in yellow mustard, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Cook for a few more minutes until the beef is deeply browned. 
• Assemble. Slice the Hawaiian sweet rolls (I used King’s Hawaiian) in half and place slices of American cheese on the bottom of the buns. Then spread your charred onions in an even layer on the American cheese, followed by the ground beef. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top of the beef and top with sliced dill pickles before adding the top layer of the Hawaiian rolls. 
• Brush with butter and bake. Once assembled, brush the buns with melted butter and then sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Cover with aluminum foil and pop in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and let the sliders continue to cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the buns are slightly toasted.
• Make the burger sauce. While the sliders are in the oven, prepare the burger sauce. Mix mayo, mustard, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, and black pepper together in a bowl and serve on the side for dipping. 

• Sprinkle in additional toppings. This recipe can serve as a base for any type of slider you want. Add in some bacon bits, mushrooms, crispy fried onions, or anything else you might like to make it your own.

Get the recipe: Cheeseburger Sliders