Memorial Day Smash Burger Sliders (Printable View)

Crispy-edged smash sliders with melted cheese and tangy secret sauce — ideal for Memorial Day BBQs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground beef, 80/20 blend

→ Buns & Toppings

02 - 8 brioche slider buns
03 - 8 slices American cheese
04 - 16 dill pickle chips
05 - 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
06 - 1 cup shredded iceberg lettuce, packed

→ Secret Sauce

07 - 1/3 cup mayonnaise
08 - 2 tbsp ketchup
09 - 1 tbsp yellow mustard
10 - 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
11 - 1 tsp white vinegar
12 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
13 - 1/2 tsp paprika
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Additional

15 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted (for toasting buns)
16 - Neutral cooking oil, for griddle or skillet
17 - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, sweet pickle relish, white vinegar, garlic powder and paprika in a small bowl; season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, taste and adjust. Cover and refrigerate until assembly.
02 - Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions (about 2 ounces each) and gently form loose balls without compacting the meat.
03 - Brush the cut sides of the brioche buns with melted butter. Toast cut side down on a preheated skillet or grill over medium heat until golden brown; transfer to a plate and keep warm.
04 - Heat a griddle or large cast-iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Lightly oil the surface just before adding the meat to prevent sticking.
05 - Place 2 to 4 meat balls on the hot surface (work in batches). Immediately press each ball firmly with a spatula or burger press to ~1/4-inch thickness. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cook 1 to 1 1/2 minutes until edges are deeply browned and juices appear on top, flip, top each patty with a slice of cheese and cook another 1 minute until cheese melts.
06 - Spread secret sauce on both bun halves. On each bottom bun layer shredded lettuce, a cheesy smashed patty, two pickle chips and a few rings of sliced red onion. Cap with top buns.
07 - Serve immediately while hot alongside preferred sides. Keep any extra patties warm in a low oven until ready to assemble.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce is so simple that it feels like you’re getting away with something deliciously sneaky.
  • There’s a special kind of joy in serving up sliders that get devoured before you can even put the platter down.
02 -
  • If the griddle isn’t truly hot, you’ll miss out on those signature crispy edges and flavor.
  • Brushing each bun with melted butter, not margarine, makes the toast extra fragrant and just the right level of rich.
03 -
  • Don’t skip the preheat: the hotter the pan, the crispier the burger.
  • A sturdy, flat spatula makes all the difference for pressing perfectly thin patties without tearing.
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