An American diner staple, this easy cheeseburger sliders recipe keeps things simple in homage to a classic.
There’s so much to love about the simplicity of a good burger. The combination of bread, meat and cheese is hard to beat. When it comes to sliders, things are kept ridiculously simple, with spectacular results. In slider form, the burgers themselves may be smaller in size, but there are more of them, and these little 2-3 bite beauties are very moreish.
Typically sliders refers to burgers, but it has become a catch-all term for a variety of smaller sandwiches served in slider style buns / potato buns. The term ‘sliders’ is presumed to originate from the White Castle burger chain, either because of the ease with which these little burgers go down, or perhaps because of the way the wrapped burgers were slid across the counter for serving.
Ingredients For Cheeseburger Sliders
This easy fast food style sliders recipe uses simple ingredients. As with any good burger, using minced beef with a high fat content (20%) will ensure that the finished burgers remain juicy after cooking. As well as traditional seasonings and condiments, we’ll need some buns. Sliders are typically made with small burger buns or potato buns that aren’t commonly available in the UK. So, my favourite workaround is to use hot dog rolls cut into smaller sized buns. This is a quick and easy way to make simple ‘slider’ sized buns! You can turn one hot dog bun into two slider sized buns, or even three if your hot dog buns are big.
- Minced Beef: Look for meat with a high fat content (20% fat).
- Seasoning: Sea Salt, Black Pepper
- Toppings: Thinly Sliced Onions, Cheese Slices, Gherkins, Ketchup, Yellow Mustard
- Buns: Small burger buns / potato buns or hot dog rolls (see FAQ below).
How To Make Cheeseburger Sliders
These slider burgers are cooked ‘smash style’, which essentially means forming meatballs and pressing them down into a hot pan to create thin patties. As the seasoned patties cook, very thinly sliced onion is added over the top to add both flavour and moisture. The sizzling patties are flipped, topped with cheese and buns, and delicious American fast food style sliders are ready to serve with salty French fries and sugary soda.
Step 1: Prepare Burgers & Buns
Cut a small piece from the middle of 2 hot dog buns to create 3 small slider buns (see picture). Set aside. Divide 120 grams minced beef into three roughly equal small meatballs.



Step 2: Smash Sliders
Heat a large heavy frying pan or griddle over a medium-high heat (or use more than one pan if necessary). Reduce the heat to medium and add the meatballs. Smash the meatballs down into thin patties, season very generously with sea salt and black pepper. Divide 1 small onion, very finely sliced, placing some over the top of each sizzling burger patty. Fry the burger patties for 90 seconds. Meanwhile, toast the prepared bun halves face down in a dry pan for 20-30 seconds.

Step 3: Finish Cheeseburger Sliders
Scrape each onion topped burger patty from the pan and flip. Divide 1 cheese slice between three flipped burgers. Top with top half of toasted buns and cook for another 90 seconds. Use spatula again to scrape each burger patty and place on top of the remaining bun halves.

Step 4: Serve
Serve cheeseburger sliders with sliced gherkins and your choice of ketchup, mustard and other condiments.

Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe Tips
I hope you’ll try this American fast food style cheeseburger sliders recipe. If you do, let me know in the comments how it went!

Cheeseburger Sliders (American Fast Food Style)
Equipment
- 1 Frying Pan or Griddle Pan
- 1 Burger Press, or Flat Spatula Wrapped in Lightly Oiled Greaseproof Paper
Ingredients
- 2 hot dog buns
- 120 grams minced beef 20% fat
- sea salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 1 small onion, very finely sliced
- 1 cheese slice
- sliced gherkins to serve
Instructions
- Cut a small piece from the middle of 2 hot dog buns to create 3 small slider buns (see picture). Set aside. Divide 120 grams minced beef into three roughly equal small meatballs.
- Heat a heavy frying pan or griddle over a medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to medium and add the meatballs. Smash the meatballs down into thin patties, season very generously with sea salt and black pepper. Divide 1 small onion, very finely sliced, placing some over the top of each sizzling burger patty. Fry the burger patties for 90 seconds. Meanwhile, toast the prepared bun halves face down in a dry pan for 20-30 seconds.
- Scrape each onion topped burger patty from the pan and flip. Divide 1 cheese slice between three flipped burgers. Top with top half of toasted buns and cook for another 90 seconds. Use spatula again to scrape each burger patty and place on top of the remaining bun halves.
- Serve cheeseburger sliders with sliced gherkins and your choice of ketchup, mustard and other condiments.
Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe FAQ
What are sliders?
Sliders are small sandwiches served in casual spots such as diners or cafes. Typically the term ‘sliders’ refers to burgers served in small burger buns / potato buns, but the term has come to be used as a catch-all for a variety of smaller sandwiches served in the same buns.
What kind of buns can I use to make cheeseburger sliders?
Slider style burgers are typically made with small burger buns or potato buns. Potato buns aren’t really a thing in the UK, so a good alternative is hot dog buns, cut in half or into thirds. These make ideal small size buns for sliders.
Is a slider a smash burger?
These slider burgers are made ‘smash style’ in the same way a bigger smash burger would be prepared. But, in true slider style, these cute little burgers are smaller in size and served larger in number.
What toppings can I put on American cheeseburger sliders?
Anything that can go on your favourite quarter pounder burger can go on sliders! Just go a little smaller to match the cute little slider you’re topping. Ketchup, Mayonnaise, American Mustard, Burger Sauce, Onions, Bacon, Cheese and more will all be delicious!
Do you like this American fast food style cheeseburger sliders recipe? If so, buying a copy of my book might appeal to you! In The American Diner Secret you can find a host of cafe and diner style recipes that you can make at home. You’ll learn how to make pancakes, smash burgers, fried chicken, milkshakes and more! You can buy The American Diner Secret in paperback or kindle form here.
- McGovern, Kenny (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 304 Pages – 03/07/2019 (Publication Date) – Robinson (Publisher)