SMASHBURGER SLIDERS

I love, love, love a good smashburger. There is just something about a thin burger with crispy edges, melted cheese, and plenty of sauce that always hits the spot.

I’ve always loved onions on my burgers—especially the tiny diced onions you get on a McDonald’s burger. For this version, I sauté the onions until browned and add mushrooms too. The mushrooms make the sliders feel a little fancier while still keeping everything simple and familiar.

I also season the burgers with Freddy’s Seasoning. Freddy’s is my favorite burger spot in Jersey, and they sell their seasoning salt—it’s the perfect addition to these sliders and gives them that extra burger-joint flavor.

And I really think a slider is the perfect size. You get the toasted bun, juicy burger, melted cheddar, onions, mushrooms, lettuce, tomato, and sauce all in one bite. My Burger Sauce adds that perfect little pickle-and-spice flavor that brings everything together.

These Smashburger Sliders have become a favorite in our house. They’re easy to make, even easier to eat, and the kind of dinner everyone is happy to see on the table. Because really—who doesn’t love a burger? ♥

Smashburger Sliders

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1½ lbs 80/20 ground beef
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup breadcrumbs
• 2 garlic cloves, finely grated
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp Montreal steak seasoning
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1–2 tsp Freddy’s Seasoning Salt
• ¼ red onion, finely diced
• 3 medium baby portabella mushrooms, finely diced
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• Olive oil, for cooking
• 8 slices thinly sliced cheddar cheese
• 8 Martin’s potato slider buns

    Toppings

• Finely shredded lettuce
• Thinly sliced tomato
• Burger Sauce (see recipe)

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, breadcrumbs, Parmigiano Reggiano, garlic, lemon zest, egg, Worcestershire sauce, Montreal steak seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Gently mix with your hands just until combined. Do not overmix, as this can make the burgers tough. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball, then flatten it into a thin, slider-size patty. Set aside.
2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until softened and lightly browned. Transfer to a bowl and set aside. In the same skillet, sauté the mushrooms separately until tender and browned. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
3. Lightly coat a cast-iron skillet with olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the patties and sprinkle the tops with Freddy’s Seasoning Salt. Cook until browned, then flip and brown the other side. Flip once more, then top each patty with sautéed onion, mushrooms, and cheddar cheese. Cover the skillet and cook just until the cheese has melted and the burgers reach an internal temperature of 160°F. The patties are thin, so they will cook quickly.
4. Toast the slider buns. Spread Burger Sauce over each bottom bun, then layer with shredded lettuce, a burger patty, and sliced tomato. Spread additional Burger Sauce over the top bun and place it over the slider.
5. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Jesse’s Kitchen Tip

Do not overmix the beef. Mix only until the ingredients are combined to keep the sliders tender and juicy. Make the patties slightly wider than the slider buns, as they will shrink while cooking.

Serving Suggestions

♥ Parmesan-Crusted Potatoes or Sweet Potatoes (see recipe)
♥ Crispy onion rings
♥ Potato salad or coleslaw
♥ Corn on the cob
♥ A classic vanilla milkshake

Storage

Refrigerator: Store cooked burger patties separately from the buns and toppings in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze cooled patties in an airtight container with parchment paper between each layer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheating

For best results, reheat the patties in a covered skillet over medium-low heat until warmed through. Add a splash of water to the pan to help keep them moist. Toast the buns separately, then add fresh toppings and Burger Sauce before serving.

Variations

♥ Add crispy bacon for bacon cheeseburger sliders.
♥ Swap the cheddar for American, pepper Jack, or provolone.
♥ Add sliced jalapeños for a spicy kick.
♥ Skip the mushrooms or onions, or add extra of your favorite.
♥ Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.

Baby Friendly?

• Prepare a separate patty without sauces, seasonings, or added salt.
• Cook thoroughly, then crumble or cut into age-appropriate pieces.
• Serve with soft, fully cooked onion and mushrooms.
• Omit the raw lettuce and Burger Sauce.

RDH Tip

Soft slider buns can stick to the grooves of teeth. Rinse with water after eating, and brush thoroughly to remove trapped food and help prevent cavities.

- A little McDonald’s onion inspiration, a sprinkle of my favorite Jersey burger seasoning, and plenty of sauce—these sliders are everything I love about a burger in one perfect bite. ♥