These easy (and fun!) Pull-Apart Cheeseburger Sliders are just the thing for laid-back nights with family and friends, from summer straight through fall! Soft dinner rolls get stuffed with zesty seasoned hamburger meat, my go-to creamy special sauce, and a combo of cheddar and spicy cheddar cheese. Every handheld slider is ooey-gooey inside, crispy and golden outside, and topped with a mouthwatering garlic sesame butter. Serve them warm for a super simple appetizer or meal that’s guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.
It’s July, the 4th is just around the corner, and chances are, everyone’s already mentally clocking out for the long weekend. Besides planning your summer fun, you’re probably figuring out what to make for Thursday.
ME TOO! With so many family and friends in town for my brother’s wedding this week, you know they’ll be expecting some seriously tasty summer eats. Our 4th is packed with celebrations, and you bet I’m bringing these sliders—they’re always a hit!
Growing up in Cleveland, summers meant family get-togethers and burgers on the grill. Dad would fire up the grill a few times a month—nothing fancy, just classic cheeseburgers, but so darn good.
Now that the 4th’s here, I wanted to share something burger-inspired that works as both an appetizer or a full meal: cheeseburger sliders!
But mine aren’t your average sliders—I kick them up with extra flavor that takes them to the next level. Lately, they’ve been a huge favorite in my family, especially with my brothers!
Here’s the Breakdown:
Step 1: Make the Special Sauce
Most special sauces are pretty basic—mayo, hot sauce, maybe a little pickle juice.
For mine, I go for spicy, sweet, and salty by mixing sweet Thai chili sauce, ketchup, garlic, and a good glug of tamari. It’s kinda like my bang bang sauce but with ketchup added in.
It’s ridiculously good on any burger!
Step 2: Make the Burger Patties
Think of this like a hamburger helper situation. Brown the meat—you can use beef, chicken, or turkey, but we usually go for beef.
Once it’s cooked, stir in some gochujang, onion powder, garlic powder, and a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce. Then, season with salt and pepper.
The gochujang is the secret here—you won’t notice it outright, but you’ll definitely taste that hint of spice. Paired with the salty tamari, it’s next-level delicious.
Step 3: Layer the Sliders
I’m a big fan of using King’s Hawaiian Rolls for these.
Slice the rolls in half and layer on cheddar cheese slices. Pile on the meat and drizzle generously with that special sauce—trust me, it’s the best part.
Top it off with shredded spicy cheddar or pepper jack cheese and some pickles. Then, pop the top half of the buns back on!
Step 4: The Garlic Butter
Next up, the garlic butter topping. Mix softened butter with garlic, herbs, and Parmesan, then slather it all over the rolls. Finish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds!
Step 5: Bake
Alright, time to bake! I like covering the rolls with foil first, then removing it at the end to get them nice and toasty.
They’ll come out of the oven with cheese melting everywhere and smelling absolutely incredible!
These sliders taste just like a grilled burger but with extra sauce and flavor—plus, that garlic butter in every bite is everything.
I can’t wait for you all to try these this summer! They’re such a fun, easy way to feed a crowd. Pro tip: Make a double batch if you’ve got lots of guests—they disappear fast!
