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Beef Slider Recipes for a Crowd: Game Night & Potluck Winners Recipe

4.9 from 55 reviews

This savory beef slider recipe is perfect for feeding a crowd at game nights or potlucks. Featuring juicy, seasoned ground beef combined with layers of cheese, caramelized onions, pickles, and a flavorful buttery glaze on soft Hawaiian or potato rolls, these sliders bake to golden perfection with melted, bubbly cheese and a deliciously toasted top. Customize with additional meats, sauces, and toppings to suit any palate.

Ingredients

Scale

Slider Buns

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

Meat and Protein Options

  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • Slow-cooked shredded beef (from a chuck roast), quantity as desired
  • Sliced deli meats (roast beef, ham, turkey breast), quantity as desired
  • Shredded chicken (or rotisserie chicken), quantity as desired
  • Grilled chicken breast slices, quantity as desired
  • Ground chicken patties, quantity as desired
  • Plant-based ground ‘meat’ alternatives, quantity as desired
  • Hearty mushroom and black bean patty, quantity as desired

Seasonings

  • Garlic powder, 2 teaspoons (divided)
  • Onion powder, 2 teaspoons (divided)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Onion flakes, 1 teaspoon (optional, for glaze)
  • Dried parsley, 1 teaspoon

Cheeses

  • Provolone cheese slices
  • Cheddar cheese slices
  • Swiss cheese slices
  • Pepper jack cheese slices
  • American cheese slices
  • Smoked gouda slices
  • Havarti cheese slices
  • Dairy-free cheese alternative (optional)
  • Use 68 slices for 12 sliders, mix or match as preferred

Sauces and Spreads

  • BBQ sauce (sweet, smoky, or spicy), about 1/4 cup
  • Honey mustard, optional, as desired
  • Creamy garlic aioli, optional, as desired
  • Marinara sauce, optional, as desired
  • Zesty pesto, optional, as desired
  • Ranch dressing, optional, as desired
  • Sriracha mayo, optional, as desired
  • Homemade relish, optional, as desired
  • Worcestershire sauce, 1-2 teaspoons (for butter glaze)

Toppings

  • Butter, 1/2 cup unsalted (for glaze)
  • Pickles, thinly sliced
  • Caramelized onions, about 1 cup
  • Pickled jalapeños, as desired
  • Crispy fried onions, optional, as desired
  • Thinly sliced bell peppers, optional, as desired

Instructions

  1. Brown the Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and brown the lean ground beef until it is no longer pink. Drain off any excess fat, then season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Stir well to combine the spices evenly through the meat.
  2. Prepare Additional Proteins: If using pre-cooked shredded beef, sliced deli meats, or rotisserie chicken, shred or slice these as needed. Warm them gently and toss with any sauces such as BBQ sauce or gravy to add flavor. Set aside.
  3. Prepare Vegetables and Toppings: Slice any onions, pickles, or bell peppers that you plan to use on your sliders. If you like, caramelize onions ahead of time by sautéing them slowly on the stovetop until golden and soft for extra sweetness and depth.
  4. Slice the Slider Buns: Carefully slice the entire package of slider buns horizontally through the middle, keeping all buns connected in one slab for easy assembly.
  5. Arrange and Sauce the Bottom Buns: Place the bottom slab of buns in a 9×13-inch baking dish or on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spread an even layer of your chosen sauce or spread over the bottom buns to add moisture and flavor.
  6. Add Protein Layer: Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef or your selected proteins (shredded beef, deli meats, etc.) over the sauced bottom buns.
  7. Add Cheese: Layer 6-8 slices of your preferred cheeses evenly over the meat layer, ensuring good coverage for creamy, melted cheese in every slider.
  8. Add Toppings: Add any additional toppings such as caramelized onions, pickled jalapeños, pickles, crispy fried onions, or sliced bell peppers. Be careful not to overload to keep assembly neat.
  9. Top with the Upper Bun Slab: Place the top slab of slider buns carefully over all the fillings to complete the sandwich build.
  10. Prepare Butter Glaze: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt 1/2 cup of unsalted butter. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, a pinch of salt, and optional onion flakes to create a savory butter glaze.
  11. Brush the Buns: Generously brush the tops and sides of the assembled slider buns with the butter glaze using a pastry brush. This step adds flavor and creates a golden, shiny crust when baked.
  12. Cover and Bake: Loosely cover the baking dish or sheet with aluminum foil to prevent drying out, and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and flavors to meld.
  13. Uncover and Brown: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes until the bun tops turn golden brown and crisp while the cheese bubbles beautifully.
  14. Rest and Slice: Let the assembled sliders rest for a few minutes to set the fillings. Then slice along the lines of the individual buns to separate the sliders for serving.
  15. Serve: Arrange the sliders neatly on a large platter and serve warm for an irresistible crowd-pleasing appetizer or meal.

Notes

  • Use Hawaiian sweet rolls for a slightly sweet and soft slider base, or substitute potato rolls or classic dinner rolls.
  • Customize protein layers with a variety of meats or plant-based alternatives to accommodate different dietary preferences.
  • Caramelizing onions ahead of time adds rich sweetness but is optional.
  • Brush the top buns generously with the butter glaze to achieve a golden, flavorful crust.
  • For easiest serving, keep the slider buns connected while baking and slice only before serving.
  • Add veggies and pickled toppings for extra texture and tanginess.
  • These sliders can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving to save time.
  • Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently in the oven.

Keywords: beef sliders, game night recipes, potluck appetizers, slider recipe, party food, easy sliders, crowd-pleaser, baked sliders