Crispy Smashed Burger Sliders with Secret Sauce on Brioche
These crispy smashed burger sliders feature juicy patties with a perfect crust, topped with a tangy secret sauce and served on buttery brioche buns. Quick and easy to make, they are perfect for casual gatherings and crowd-pleasing meals.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 8 sliders 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (80/20)
- 8 brioche slider buns
- 4 slices cheddar cheese (optional)
- 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
- ½ cup sliced pickles
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Pinch of garlic powder
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil or butter for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the secret sauce by combining mayonnaise, ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl or jar. Stir or shake well until smooth and refrigerate.
- Thinly slice the yellow onion and pickles; set aside.
- Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces or 57 g each) and loosely roll each into a ball without overworking the meat.
- Preheat a cast iron skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add a small amount of vegetable oil or butter to coat the surface.
- Place 2-3 beef balls on the skillet without crowding. Using a sturdy metal spatula, firmly press down on each ball to flatten into a thin patty about ¼ inch thick. Hold pressure for 10 seconds to create crispy edges.
- Season the patties with salt and pepper. Cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes until edges are deeply browned and crispy.
- Flip each patty carefully and immediately place a slice of cheddar cheese on top, if using. Cook for another 1-2 minutes until cheese melts and patties are cooked through.
- Slice brioche buns in half and toast them on a separate pan or on the edges of the skillet until golden and slightly crisp.
- Assemble sliders by spreading secret sauce on the bottom bun, adding the smashed patty, topping with sliced onions and pickles, then placing the top bun.
- Serve immediately for best crispy texture.
Notes
Do not overwork the meat to keep patties tender. Hold spatula pressure for 10 seconds to achieve crispy edges. Use medium-high heat to avoid burning. Add cheese immediately after flipping to melt perfectly. Toast buns in skillet with leftover fat for extra flavor. For gluten-free, use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese and mayonnaise.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 18
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 15
Keywords: smashed burger sliders, crispy burgers, secret sauce, brioche buns, easy sliders, quick dinner, crowd-pleaser