Crispy Smash Burger Sliders
These crispy smash burger sliders deliver a perfect game day indulgence with a lacy, caramelized crust and juicy center, made quickly and easily with simple ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20)
- 8 slider buns
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 8 slices American cheese (or cheddar, pepper jack as alternatives)
- Butter, softened (for toasting buns)
- Optional toppings: sliced pickles, diced or caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato slices, ketchup, mustard, or favorite burger sauce
Instructions
- Preheat a cast iron skillet or flat griddle on medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until nearly smoking.
- Divide ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces or 55g each) and loosely form into balls without overworking.
- Spread softened butter on the cut side of each slider bun and toast butter-side down on a separate skillet or griddle over medium heat until golden, about 1-2 minutes. Set aside.
- Place 2-3 beef balls on the hot griddle spaced apart. Using a metal spatula, press firmly down on each ball to flatten into thin patties about 1/4 inch (6mm) thick. Hold pressure for 10-15 seconds.
- Season each patty generously with salt and black pepper. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until edges are deeply browned and crispy.
- Flip patties carefully and immediately place a slice of cheese on each. Cook another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and patties are cooked through but still juicy.
- Assemble sliders by placing each cheesy patty on the toasted bun bottom, adding desired toppings, then topping with the bun crown.
- Serve immediately while hot and crispy.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan to maintain high heat and crispy crust. Press patties firmly only once before cooking. Toast buns while patties cook to save time. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free, omit cheese or use plant-based cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 180220
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 300400
- Fat: 1215
- Saturated Fat: 57
- Carbohydrates: 1012
- Fiber: 0.51
- Protein: 1215
Keywords: smash burger, sliders, game day recipe, crispy burger, easy burger recipe, American cheese burger, cast iron skillet burger