there are nights when i want a cheeseburger, but i don’t want to stand outside tending the grill. i want something quick, homemade, and easy to clean up.

that’s exactly why i started making these cheeseburger sliders.

instead of shaping individual burger patties, i brown seasoned ground beef, layer it between toasted homemade slider buns with plenty of american cheese, brush the tops with a buttery mustard topping, and bake everything together until it’s hot, melty, and ready to pull apart.

these sliders became one of our favorite camping meals almost by accident. we wanted cheeseburgers on our camping trip, but we couldn’t fit our flat-top grill in the vehicle, and the campground only had charcoal grills. i made these at home once and realized they were even easier than traditional burgers. now i prep almost everything ahead of time so dinner comes together in just a few minutes, leaving more time around the campfire and less time cooking.

whether you’re feeding your family on a busy weeknight or packing meals for your next camping trip, these easy cheeseburger sliders are one recipe you’ll find yourself making again and again.

why you’ll love these cheeseburger sliders

• ready in about 30 minutes
• much easier than grilling individual burgers
• perfect for camping or busy weeknights
• customizable with everyone’s favorite toppings
• pairs perfectly with my homemade slider buns
• kid-friendly and easy to pull apart

ingredients

for the beef

• 1 pound ground beef (i use 88/12)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

for the sliders

• 12 homemade slider buns or store bought
• 12 slices deli american cheese
• sliced pickles (optional)

butter topping

• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• 2 teaspoons stone ground mustard
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• pinch of kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

how to make cheeseburger sliders

1. toast the buns

slice the slider buns in half and lightly butter the cut sides. toast them in a skillet until they’re golden.

don’t skip this step. toasted buns hold up much better and keep the bottoms from becoming soggy once everything is baked together.

2. cook the beef

brown the ground beef over medium heat.

add the kosher salt, onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, smoked paprika, and Worcestershire sauce while the beef cooks.

because i use 88/12 ground beef, i usually don’t drain it.

3. assemble the sliders

place the bottom buns into a greased 9×13 baking dish.

layer on:

• 6 slices of american cheese
• the seasoned ground beef
• the remaining 6 slices of cheese
• sliced pickles, if using
• the top buns

4. brush with butter topping

mix together the melted butter, ground mustard, garlic powder, salt, and worcestershire sauce.

brush generously over the tops of the buns.

5. bake

cover tightly with heavy-duty foil.

bake at 350°f for about 25 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted.

if you’d like the tops a little more toasted, remove the foil and bake another 5 minutes.

products i use

aluminum pan (if camping)
9×13 baking pan
meat chopper
basting brush

camping instructions

because the beef is already fully cooked, you’re really just warming everything through and melting the cheese.

when we made these camping, i wrapped the pan in foil and placed it beside the campfire until everything was hot and gooey. it made dinner incredibly easy, and cleanup was almost nonexistent.

topping ideas

once they’re baked, simply pull apart each slider and let everyone add their own favorites.

try:

• ketchup
• mustard
• mayonnaise
• pickles
• lettuce
• tomatoes
• sautéed onions
• jalapeños

easy variations

• swap american cheese for pepper jack, cheddar, provolone, or swiss.
• use Hawaiian rolls for a sweeter flavor.
• add cooked bacon.
• mix diced jalapeños into the beef.
• drizzle barbecue sauce over the meat before baking.

storage

store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

reheat individual sliders in the microwave until warmed through.

i’m planning to test freezing these fully assembled before baking, and i’ll update this post once i’ve perfected that method.

what to serve with cheeseburger sliders

these sliders pair perfectly with:

• southern baked mac and cheese
• pasta salad
• baked beans
• fresh fruit
• potato chips
• coleslaw

they’re just as at home around the dinner table as they are at the campground.

if you’ve been looking for an easier way to enjoy cheeseburgers without standing over the grill, give these cheeseburger sliders a try. they’re simple enough for a busy weeknight, easy enough for camping, and always disappear fast at our house.