Summer is grilling season, but what if you don’t have the appetite for a big burger? Slider recipes offer all that juicy goodness in a pint-sized package, perfect for a light snack between rounds of volleyball at the barbecue.
Guess what? There’s more to this treat than just beef. You can use various meats — or none at all — and still enjoy juicy goodness.
What should you whip up for your next cookout? Here are five sizzling slider recipes you’ll have to try out this summer.
1. Classic Cheeseburger Sliders
There’s something to be said for the tried and true. If your barbecue isn’t complete without burgers, follow these steps for classic cheeseburger sliders sure to delight kids young and old.
You can bake these in the oven or grill them. For oven preparation, combine 2 pounds of ground beef, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, and salt and pepper. Spread the mixture into a baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until roasted. Otherwise, grill 12 small patties.
Slice 12 Hawaiian rolls or dinner rolls in half, placing the bottom layer in a baking dish. Place the cooked beef on the rolls, topping with cheese and onions, then add the top half of the rolls. Brush them with butter, sprinkle with sesame seeds and bake for 20 minutes or until the tops turn golden and cheese melts.
2. Buffalo Chicken Ranch Sliders
Buffalo chicken pairs naturally with ranch. For this recipe, trim and cut 5 pounds of chicken breasts into half portions. Mix ½ teaspoon of dried parsley, 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of dried thyme and 2 packs of dried ranch dressing. Toss the chicken in the mixture to coat.
Place the chicken in a slow cooker or a baking dish and add ½ to 1 cup buffalo sauce. Heat chicken until thoroughly cooked and able to shred with a fork. Serve it on buns with a bit of blue cheese (if desired), and enjoy.
3. Mahi Mahi Pineapple Sliders
Here’s a sizzling slider recipe that’s chock full of healthy stuff. The American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish weekly for the omega-3 content. You also get plenty of colorful phytonutrients, and the bromelain in the pineapple helps reduce bloat that can arise from less healthy barbecue choices.
Brush 12 slices of fresh pineapple with cooking oil, preferably avocado oil. Coat 6 two- to three-ounce Mahi Mahi filets in oil and roll in savory seasoning like Zatarans. Heat the grill to between 450 and 550 degrees Fahrenheit, adding the fish and pineapple and cooking until well-charred. Add red cabbage to the bottom of the rolls, and layer on some sliced avocado, the Mahi Mahi, the pineapple and sour cream. You can also add corn or any other topping!
4. Vegan Portobello Mushroom and Caramelized Onion Sliders
Who said that every slider had to include animal products? Cutting down on your consumption is healthy for the planet, as meat production accounts for nearly 15% of global warming. Delight the meatless Monday crowd or make a contribution to your next vegan barbecue with this recipe.
Marinate 2 large portobellos mushrooms in ¼ cup cooking wine, 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil for at least 30 minutes.
While they marinate, caramelize 1 sliced white onion in a pan for 15 to 20 minutes, using another tablespoon of oil. Transfer the portobellos and marinade to the pan and cook until mushrooms are brown and reduced in size by 50%.
To assemble, spread each half of 4 slider buns with basil aioli and evenly distribute fresh arugula, portobellos and onions. To make the aioli, mix ¼ cup vegan mayonnaise, 2-3 minced garlic cloves and 5-6 minced basil leaves. Place in the refrigerator until ready to eat!
5. Wild Game Sliders
Wild game is among the most sustainable meats because it doesn’t rely on factory farms to produce. Did you know you can also use it for sliders? Try this recipe on your next hunting trip — a grill over a campfire makes them extra-heavenly, although they’re also good at home.
Combine 2 cups of ground antlered game (like deer, elk or moose) with 1 cup ground pork bacon, hickory or buffalo wing seasoning, ½ cup diced red onion, pepper jelly or ground pepper to taste, and ¼ cup blue cheese crumbles. Form into slider-sized patties, and grill until thoroughly cooked.
Before serving, add slider buns to the grill, brushing the sides with butter. Assemble your slider and enjoy.
Sizzling Slider Recipes for Summer
Sometimes, a big burger is too much, and you don’t always feel like red meat. Guess what? These sizzling slider recipes for summer allow you to indulge in these pint-size treats, even if you’re a pescatarian, vegetarian or vegan. Try these mixes at your next barbecue, and please everyone in the crowd.
