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Home / Main Dishes

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders

3.75
/5
50 minutes
44 Comments
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By: The Chunky Chefpublished: 08/19/2015

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

It seems like over the last 5 years or so, sliders are popping up on the menu in every restaurant!  Who can blame them, sliders are delicious!  Ground beef is spiced up, smashed on a griddle (for that crispy outer edge), topped with some gruyere cheese, caramelized onions, spicy arugula lettuce, peppered bacon strips and a super flavorful cracked black pepper A1 mayo.

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve had these sliders… they. are. so. good!  I got the idea for them from the ohhhh so talented Karly from Buns in My Oven.  Her version is pretty amazing too, and man, she has some great recipes on her site… definitely check it out!

But you know me, and how I have a pretty impossible time actually following a recipe, so over time, they developed into these sliders, and I knew I had to share them with you all!

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

Making them is easy, there’s just several components… and the best part is that you can do several of the components ahead of time.  The cracked black pepper A1 mayo can be made a day or so ahead of time, you can caramelize the onions earlier in the day, or even the night before, and you can get your bacon crisped up ahead of time too!  Don’t you just love meals like that?  I sure do.

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

Just mix up the burger mixture and roll them into balls (12 of them).  Butter your griddle or big skillet, (cast iron works amazingly for this) and heat it over high or medium high heat.  You want a really good sear on these burgers!

Place the balls a few inches apart and let them sit there for about 2 minutes or so.  Roll them over and immediately take a large spatula or grill press and smash the burgers down and flatten them out.  Let them cook another few minutes then flip them over and top with grated gruyere cheese.  Cook until the cheese has melted.

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

Ohhhh that melted cheese!!  You can pair these burgers with any lettuce you’d like… but arugula is definitely my favorite.  It’s so peppery and flavorful.

Now it’s time to top those sliders with my favorite part… the caramelized onions!

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

Is there anything better than caramelized onions?  They take some time to do them correctly, but it’s so worth it!

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

What goes great with burgers?  Bacon!  Not just any bacon… spiced peppered bacon!  Bake it up before hand so you can save some time.

Now just slather on your flavored mayo.  I went with a cracked black pepper A1 mayo, but you can add any flavors you’d like… balsamic, herb, horseradish, etc.

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

Top your sliders and you’re ready to eat!

These burgers go so well with some Parmesan and Garlic Wedge Fries or some Slow Cooker Ranch Mushrooms!

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @the_chunky_chef on Facebook and Instagram!

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders | The Chunky Chef | Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

Caramelized Onion Beef Sliders

3.75 from 4 votes
Author: The Chunky Chef
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 sliders
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Ground beef sliders smothered in melted gruyere cheese, topped with caramelized onions and thyme, peppered bacon and a flavorful A1 mayo!

Ingredients

  • ONIONS:
  • 2 yellow onions
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 3 Tbsp butter
  • BURGERS:
  • 2 lbs ground beef or brisket
  • 2 cubes of beef bouillon
  • 1 tsp dried minced onion
  • 1/2 tsp celery seed
  • 1/2 tsp dried parsley
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
  • 2 Tbsp butter
  • 8 oz Gruyere cheese grated/shredded
  • BACON:
  • 1 lb bacon
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper
  • A1 MAYO:
  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1 tsp A1 steak sauce (or more to taste)
  • Pinch of cracked black pepper to taste
  • SLIDERS:
  • 12 toasted slider buns
  • Handful arugula lettuce

Instructions

  • Make the onions:
  • Heat large skillet over MED heat, melt butter. Slice onions into half rings and add to the hot skillet. Reduce heat to MED-LOW, add sprigs of thyme and cook for 40 minutes, stirring often. Onions will soften and eventually turn a caramel brown color.
  • Make the bacon:
  • Sprinkle pepper and cayenne pepper over the bacon slices and cook as desired. (Baking is my preferred method).
  • Make the mayo:
  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayo, A1 steak sauce and cracked black pepper. Set aside (or refrigerate if making ahead of time).
  • Make the burgers:
  • In a large mixing bowl, add ground beef, beef bouillon, dried minced onion, celery seed, dried parsley, dried thyme, and black pepper. Using your hands (the two best kitchen tools you have!), mix together until seasonings are evenly dispersed. Using the side of your hand, draw a line dividing the mixture into 4ths. Divide each section into 3 parts of meat and roll into a ball. You'll end up with 12 evenly-sized balls.
  • Heat a griddle or large skillet over HIGH or MED-HIGH heat. Coat the surface with butter and add several balls of meat (several inches apart). Let them cook for 2 minutes, undisturbed. Carefully flip the balls over and immediately use a wide spatula or grill press to smash the burgers down and flatten them out. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip over again.
  • Sprinkle with a little shredded cheese and continue to cook until cheese is melted.
  • Remove to a plate, lightly covered with foil to keep them warm, and continue to cook remaining burgers.
  • Make the sliders:
  • Build your slider by adding a bit of arugula lettuce to the bottom of a slider bun. Add the burger on top of the lettuce. Top burgers with caramelized onions. Break a cooked bacon slice in half and place the two halves on top of the onions. Slather A1 mayo on the top slider bun and top the slider.

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Chef Tips

** Recipe adapted from Buns in my Oven

Nutrition Disclaimer

The Chunky Chef is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.

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Recipe Rating




  1. Nutmeg Nanny says

    Posted on 10/14 at 10:57 pm

    Ok these little sliders look amazing! Love all those caramelized onions…yum!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/18 at 10:12 pm

      Thank you so much!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Amy Stafford says

    Posted on 10/14 at 3:40 pm

    Love sliders, it allows me to eat more than one burger, which makes me happy. Those caramelized onions look delish! I love the way they smell while cooking as well as how sweet they are.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/18 at 10:10 pm

      Oh my gosh Amy, you’re so right… the smell of onions caramelizing is just heaven!

      Reply
  3. Lora @cakeduchess says

    Posted on 10/14 at 10:42 am

    I just love sliders! Is it too early in the morning to try one of yours? 🙂 Love the addition of caramelized onions and bacon!!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/18 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks Lora!! Nope, never too early for a slider 😉

      Reply
  4. Meg @ With Salt and Wit says

    Posted on 10/14 at 9:06 am

    Caramelized onions are definitely my weakness! And that cheese is making me swoon!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 10/18 at 10:09 pm

      Me too Meg… anything with caramelized onions on it has my immediate attention!

      Reply
  5. Ange @ Little Kitchen Blue says

    Posted on 8/28 at 5:06 am

    All I can say is YUM….YUM….YUM

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/29 at 3:48 pm

      Thank you Ange!! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says

    Posted on 8/26 at 11:52 am

    Yeeeeeah so these look amazing. I definitely need to make these for football parties – I KNOW I’d be super popular if I walked in with this amazing plate of juicy sliders!!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/27 at 3:14 pm

      Thank you Chrissa!! Ohhh yeah, you’d be the hit of the party 😉

      Reply
  7. Dini @ The Flavor Bender says

    Posted on 8/25 at 11:48 am

    This sounds SOO good Amanda!! The perfect combo of everything! 😀
    Plus I love caramelised onions on ANYTHING!!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/25 at 4:18 pm

      Thanks so much Dini!! I think caramelized onions are just the perfect topper for everything… well, maybe not pie or ice cream lol 😉

      Reply
  8. Nagi@RecipeTinEats says

    Posted on 8/24 at 5:58 pm

    Amanda, I think I love you. I lost my mind for a moment and agreed to cater a party for my mother’s tennis group. 40 seniors over 60. Fun. THIS is perfect to add to the menu! I don’t have many party foods on my site! 🙂

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/25 at 4:17 pm

      Lol thank you so much Nagi!! Ohhh man, that’s a huge undertaking there! I do that from time to time too… agree to make cupcakes for 70 people and then think later… what have I done?!?! I hope you all love these!!

      Reply
  9. Sarah | Drool-Worthy says

    Posted on 8/23 at 10:38 am

    I’ve noticed that too! Sliders are everywhere. I looooove caramelized onions. I put them on everything, but I haven’t yet tried them on sliders! These look great, really tasty! 🙂

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/25 at 4:15 pm

      Thank you Sarah!! Caramelized onions are the perfect topper for just about everything 🙂

      Reply
  10. Caroline | carolinescooking says

    Posted on 8/22 at 8:04 pm

    These sound delicious – lots of great toppings in there that are hard to go wrong with, and even better together!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/22 at 9:59 pm

      Thank you so much Caroline! 🙂

      Reply
  11. Christine says

    Posted on 8/22 at 9:00 am

    Well to answer your question, “no.” No, there is nothing better than caramelized onions. But peppering up your bacon sure comes close! Now I have a question. What makes a slider a slider? It’s size? Is there a particular kind of bun it has to be served on to be a slider and not a burger? Just curious…Thanks for linking up at #SaucySaturdays.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/22 at 9:58 pm

      Thanks Christine!! I’m always adding a bunch of spices to my bacon 🙂 Hmmm, you ask a very good question! I always thought it was based on the size of the burger (like a 2-3 bite size), but maybe there’s more to it? I’ll have to look it up 🙂

      Reply
  12. Kaila (GF Life 24/7) says

    Posted on 8/21 at 5:49 pm

    Ohhhhh, thanks for bringing these sliders to the fiesta. I’m sure they’ll be some of the first to go. Maybe we can all help cook some more too! I’m especially intrigued by the spiced pepper bacon. Happy Friday!!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/22 at 9:53 pm

      Thanks so much Kaila!! Can you imagine all of us cooking together? It would be awesome! I think I’m incapable of cooking plain bacon anymore… I’m always adding spices to it 🙂

      Reply
  13. Sarah says

    Posted on 8/21 at 12:44 pm

    Oh Amanda! Those Caramelized onion beef sliders of yours look awesome! Thank you for sharing them at the party 🙂 Happy Fiesta!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/22 at 9:47 pm

      Thank you so much Sarah!! And thank you for co-hosting Fiesta Friday this week 😀

      Reply
  14. Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed says

    Posted on 8/21 at 8:22 am

    What a fab recipe, your burgers look sooo delicious. I love the use of brisket & those onions with the cheese, yum!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/22 at 9:45 pm

      Thanks so much Sarah!! Ground brisket is my absolute favorite meat for burgers, although it can be a bit pricey 🙂

      Reply
  15. Kathryn Doherty says

    Posted on 8/20 at 9:06 pm

    Wow, layers upon layers of flavor! Love everything about these! Including the fact that I could probably put away a half-dozen of them – yum! Pinning and yumming and can’t wait to try them 🙂

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/20 at 10:09 pm

      Thank you so much Kathryn!! Lol, I’m glad I’m not the only one who can put away a good amount of sliders 😉 I hope you love them!

      Reply
  16. Corina says

    Posted on 8/20 at 3:41 pm

    They look incredible! And now I think I know what sliders are as I’ve heard of them but never had them before.

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/20 at 10:05 pm

      Thank you so much Corina! 🙂

      Reply
  17. mila furman says

    Posted on 8/20 at 11:51 am

    Amanda, #1 your pictures are just gorg! #2…These are amazing! When of the hardest things for me to give up was burgers when I went plant based. Especially loaded with these caramelized onions. Just gorgeous honey!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/20 at 10:05 pm

      Mila, thank you SO much!!! I’m pretty sure I have a burger addiction lol

      Reply
  18. Julie is Hostess At Heart says

    Posted on 8/19 at 10:59 pm

    These looks yummy! I love the punch of the Gruyere with the sweetness of the caramelized onions! Of course a bit of bacon just ups the yummy factor!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/20 at 10:04 pm

      Thank you Julie!! Oh definitely, bacon makes everything better 😉

      Reply
  19. Ali @ Home & Plate says

    Posted on 8/19 at 10:19 pm

    This is perfect tailgate sliders. Love the idea of using brisket. Looks wonderful!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/20 at 10:04 pm

      Thank you Ali!! I started using ground brisket for burgers a few months ago and just fell in love 🙂

      Reply
  20. Kathryn @ FoodieGirlChicago says

    Posted on 8/19 at 1:01 pm

    These look delicious! I want to make them for dinner tonight!!

    Reply
    • The Chunky Chef says

      Posted on 8/20 at 10:02 pm

      Thank you Kathryn!! 😀

      Reply
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