Memorial Day Smash Burger Sliders (Printable version)

Juicy smash burger sliders with crispy edges, melted cheese and tangy secret sauce—ready in about 35 minutes.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)

→ Buns & Toppings

02 - 8 slider brioche buns
03 - 8 slices American cheese (or cheddar)
04 - 16 dill pickle chips
05 - ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce

→ Secret Sauce

07 - ⅓ cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tbsp ketchup
09 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
10 - 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
11 - 1 tsp white vinegar
12 - ½ tsp garlic powder
13 - ½ tsp paprika
14 - Salt & black pepper, to taste

→ Additional

15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for toasting buns)
16 - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
17 - Cooking oil (for griddle or skillet)

# How to Make It:

01 - In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickle relish, vinegar, garlic powder, and paprika. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Mix well, cover, and refrigerate until ready to use.
02 - Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces each). Gently roll each into a loose ball; do not overwork the meat.
03 - Brush cut sides of slider buns with melted butter. Toast buns, cut side down, on a skillet or grill over medium heat until golden brown. Set aside.
04 - Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Lightly oil the surface. Place 2–4 meat balls on the hot surface (work in batches if needed). Immediately smash each ball firmly with a spatula or burger press to about ¼-inch thick. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 1–1½ minutes until edges are crispy and juices appear on top. Flip burgers, top each with a cheese slice, and cook for another 1 minute until cheese is melted.
05 - Spread secret sauce generously on both toasted bun halves. Layer bottom buns with shredded lettuce, smashed burger patty with cheese, pickle chips, and sliced onion. Cap with the top buns.
06 - Serve immediately while hot, accompanied by classic BBQ sides.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The secret sauce is so good, people will sneak into the kitchen for extra spoonfuls when you aren’t looking.
  • Mini burgers mean everyone gets their own (or three), making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser with zero leftovers to worry about.
02 -
  • If you don’t preheat the pan until it’s practically shimmering, you’ll miss out on those crispy lacy burger edges.
  • I used to skip the bun toasting step—now I know it makes the whole slider taste like it came from a roadside diner.
03 -
  • Always use freshly ground black pepper right on the patties before searing—pre-ground just isn’t the same.
  • For extra indulgence, add a swipe of butter to the cooked patties right before assembly; it’s a tiny step that makes a big, rich difference.
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