Description

These flavorful beef sliders are perfect for game nights, potlucks, and gatherings. Featuring juicy ground beef or shredded slow-cooked beef loaded onto soft rolls with melted cheese and a variety of savory toppings, these sliders combine ease and deliciousness. Baked to golden perfection with a garlicky herb butter glaze, these crowd-pleasers are customizable with your preferred cheeses, sauces, and toppings.

Ingredients

Scale

Slider Bases

12-count package of Hawaiian sweet rolls, potato rolls, or classic dinner rolls

Proteins

1 lb lean ground beef
Optional: Slow-cooked shredded beef (from a chuck roast), deli meats (roast beef, ham, turkey breast), shredded chicken (or rotisserie chicken), grilled chicken breast slices, ground chicken patties, plant-based ground ‘meat’ alternatives, hearty mushroom and black bean patties

Seasonings for Beef

1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

Cheeses (choose any or a combination)

Provolone cheese
Cheddar cheese
Swiss cheese
Pepper jack cheese
American cheese
Smoked gouda
Havarti cheese
Dairy-free cheese alternative

Sauces and Spreads (choose any)

BBQ sauce (sweet, smoky, or spicy)
Honey mustard
Creamy garlic aioli
Marinara sauce
Zesty pesto
Ranch dressing
Sriracha mayo
Homemade relish

Toppings and Add-ins

Butter (about 1/2 cup unsalted, for glaze)
1–2 tsp Worcestershire sauce (for glaze)
1 tsp garlic powder (for glaze)
1 tsp dried parsley (for glaze)
Pinch of salt (for glaze)
Onion flakes
Dried parsley
Poppy seeds
Sesame seeds
Pickles
Caramelized onions
Pickled jalapeños
Crispy fried onions
Thinly sliced bell peppers

Instructions

Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once no longer pink, drain any excess fat and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Prepare Proteins: If using pre-cooked shredded beef, deli meats, or rotisserie chicken, shred or slice them as needed and set aside. Warm or sauce them if necessary.
Prep Vegetables: Slice any onions, pickles, or peppers you plan to include. Caramelize onions ahead of time if desired for extra sweetness.
Slice Slider Buns: Carefully slice the entire slab of slider buns horizontally through the middle, keeping them connected to create a top and bottom layer.
Arrange Bottom Buns: Place the bottom slab of buns into a 9×13-inch baking dish or onto a foil-lined baking sheet to create the base layer.
Add Sauces: Spread any chosen sauce or spread evenly over the bottom buns to infuse flavor into the sliders.
Add Protein Layer: Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef, shredded beef, or deli meats over the sauced bottom buns.
Layer Cheese: Place slices of your selected cheeses over the protein layer, using about 6-8 slices for 12 sliders to ensure good coverage.
Add Toppings: Add any additional toppings such as caramelized onions, pickles, jalapeños, or crispy fried onions for added texture and flavor.
Top with Buns: Carefully place the top slab of buns over all the fillings, aligning with the bottoms.
Prepare Butter Glaze: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt about 1/2 cup of unsalted butter. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, a teaspoon of garlic powder, a teaspoon of dried parsley, and a pinch of salt until combined.
Brush Buns: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the melted butter mixture over the tops and sides of the assembled slider buns to ensure a golden, flavorful crust.
Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish or sheet loosely with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes to warm through and melt the cheese.
Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the tops of the buns are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Rest and Slice: Let the sliders rest for a few minutes after baking, then cut along the lines of the individual buns to separate them cleanly.
Serve: Arrange the sliders on a platter and serve immediately while warm and melty for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Notes

You can customize sliders with any combination of proteins, cheeses, sauces, and toppings to suit your crowd’s preferences.
Caramelize onions in advance to save time on assembly day.
Using Hawaiian rolls adds a sweet contrast, but potato or classic dinner rolls work well too.
The butter glaze ensures the sliders are golden and flavorful—don’t skip it!
Covering with foil while baking prevents the buns from drying out during melting.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated wrapped in foil to preserve moisture.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: beef sliders, game night food, potluck recipe, party appetizers, slider sandwiches, slow-cooked beef sliders, easy sliders, cheesy sliders, crowd-pleaser recipes