Description
These Smoky BBQ Cowboy Sliders feature juicy ground beef patties seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powders, grilled to perfection and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. Crispy buttermilk-fried onions add a delightful crunch, complemented by tangy pickles and a slather of rich BBQ sauce, all nestled inside soft slider buns. Perfect for game day, casual gatherings, or a flavorful weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Beef Patties
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend for best flavor)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand)
- 6 slider buns
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Crispy Onions
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
Toppings & Garnish
- Sliced pickles for topping (dill or bread & butter, as preferred)
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the Meat: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently just until combined to avoid toughening the meat.
- Form Patties: Divide the mixture into 6 equal portions and shape them into slider-sized patties. Press a small indentation in the center of each patty to keep them from puffing up during cooking.
- Cook Patties: Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the slider patties for 4-5 minutes on one side, then flip. Brush the tops generously with BBQ sauce and cook for another 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature hits 160°F and they are cooked through.
- Melt Cheese: During the last minute on the heat, top each patty with shredded cheddar cheese and cover with a lid to melt the cheese evenly.
- Soak Onions: While the patties cook, soak the thinly sliced onions in buttermilk for about 15 minutes to tenderize and flavor them.
- Prepare Coating: In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour and cayenne pepper. Remove onions from buttermilk and dredge thoroughly in the flour mixture until well coated.
- Fry Onions: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry the coated onions in batches for 2-3 minutes each until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and season with salt immediately.
- Assemble Sliders: Place a cheese-topped beef patty on the bottom half of each slider bun. Top with crispy fried onions and a few pickle slices, then cover with the bun top.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally garnish with fresh parsley. Serve the sliders immediately with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.
Notes
- Use an 80/20 ground beef blend for the best balance of flavor and juiciness.
- Maintaining the indentation in the patties helps prevent them from bulging while cooking.
- If preferred, you can bake the patties in the oven at 400°F for about 15 minutes instead of grilling.
- Adjust the cayenne pepper amount in the crispy onion coating to control spiciness.
- Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying onions to ensure they become crispy rather than greasy.
- These sliders are best enjoyed fresh but you can prepare patties ahead and reheat gently before assembling.
