Introduction

These beef sliders are perfect for game nights and potlucks, offering easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing snacks that everyone will love. Packed with flavorful beef, melty cheese, and tasty toppings, they’re a guaranteed hit at any gathering.

Beef Slider Recipes for a Crowd: Game Night & Potluck Winners Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

12-count package of Hawaiian sweet rolls, potato rolls, or classic dinner rolls
Lean ground beef
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Salt
Pepper
Slow-cooked shredded beef (from a chuck roast)
BBQ sauce or savory gravy
Sliced deli meats (roast beef, ham, turkey breast)
Shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken
Grilled chicken breast slices
Ground chicken patties
Plant-based ground ‘meat’ alternatives
Hearty mushroom and black bean patty
Provolone cheese
Cheddar cheese
Swiss cheese
Pepper jack cheese
American cheese
Smoked gouda
Havarti cheese
Dairy-free cheese alternative
BBQ sauce (sweet, smoky, or spicy)
Honey mustard
Creamy garlic aioli
Marinara sauce
Zesty pesto
Ranch dressing
Sriracha mayo
Homemade relish
Butter
Garlic powder (for glaze)
Onion flakes
Dried parsley
Poppy seeds
Sesame seeds
Pickles
Caramelized onions
Pickled jalapeños
Crispy fried onions
Thinly sliced bell peppers
Worcestershire sauce

Instructions

Step 1: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef, breaking it up as it cooks. Once no longer pink, drain any excess fat and season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Step 2: If using pre-cooked shredded beef, deli meats, or rotisserie chicken, shred or slice them as needed and set aside. Warm or sauce them if necessary.
Step 3: Slice any onions, pickles, or peppers you plan to include. Caramelize onions ahead of time if desired.
Step 4: Carefully slice the entire slab of slider buns horizontally through the middle, keeping them connected.
Step 5: Place the bottom slab of buns into a 9×13-inch baking dish or onto a foil-lined baking sheet.
Step 6: Spread any sauce or spread evenly over the bottom buns.
Step 7: Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef, shredded beef, or deli meats over the bottom buns.
Step 8: Layer slices of cheese over the protein, using 6-8 slices for 12 sliders.
Step 9: Add any additional toppings like caramelized onions, jalapeños, or pickles.
Step 10: Carefully place the top slab of buns over all the fillings.
Step 11: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt about 1/2 cup of unsalted butter. Stir in 1-2 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce, a teaspoon of garlic powder, a teaspoon of dried parsley, and a pinch of salt.
Step 12: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the melted butter mixture over the tops and sides of the assembled slider buns.
Step 13: Cover the baking dish or sheet loosely with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes.
Step 14: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the tops of the buns are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Step 15: Let the sliders rest for a few minutes, then cut along the lines of the individual buns to separate them.
Step 16: Arrange the sliders on a platter and serve.

Tips & Variations

Try different types of cheese to vary the flavor, such as smoked gouda for a smoky taste or pepper jack for a spicy kick.
Use plant-based ground meat or mushroom and black bean patties for vegetarian options.
Caramelize onions ahead of time to add a rich, sweet flavor to your sliders.
Experiment with different sauces like honey mustard or sriracha mayo to customize each slider.
For extra texture, top with crispy fried onions or pickled jalapeños.

Storage

Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to keep the buns soft and the cheese melted. Avoid microwaving if possible, as it can make the bread soggy.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these sliders ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the sliders a few hours in advance and keep them covered in the fridge. Just add the buttery glaze before baking to ensure the tops brown nicely.

What if I don’t have Hawaiian rolls?

Any soft dinner rolls or small sandwich buns will work well. Potato rolls or classic slider buns are great alternatives that hold up to the fillings and baking process.

Beef Slider Recipes for a Crowd: Game Night & Potluck Winners Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 128 reviews

These easy-to-make beef sliders are perfect for game nights, potlucks, or any crowd-pleasing event. Juicy seasoned ground beef, tender slow-cooked shredded beef, or savory deli meats layered with melted cheese and flavorful toppings are sandwiched between soft Hawaiian sweet rolls and baked to golden perfection. The buttery garlic herb glaze on top adds a delicious finishing touch that brings all the flavors together in every bite.

Author: zara
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 12 sliders 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Slider Base

12-count package Hawaiian sweet rolls, potato rolls, or classic dinner rolls

Meat Options

1 lb lean ground beef
1 cup slow-cooked shredded beef (from a chuck roast), optional
Sliced deli meats (roast beef, ham, turkey breast), optional
1 cup shredded chicken or rotisserie chicken, optional

Seasonings for Ground Beef

1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste

Sauces and Spreads

BBQ sauce or savory gravy, as desired
Honey mustard, creamy garlic aioli, marinara sauce, zesty pesto, ranch dressing, sriracha mayo, or homemade relish (optional)

Cheeses

Provolone cheese slices
Cheddar cheese slices
Swiss cheese slices
Pepper jack cheese slices
American cheese slices
Smoked gouda slices
Havarti cheese slices
Dairy-free cheese alternative (optional)

Toppings and Add-ins

Pickles
Caramelized onions
Pickled jalapeños
Crispy fried onions
Thinly sliced bell peppers

Butter Glaze

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1–2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Pinch of salt
Onion flakes, poppy seeds, sesame seeds (optional, for topping)

Instructions

Brown the Ground Beef: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and break it apart with a spatula as it cooks. Cook until no longer pink, then drain any excess fat. Season generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, stirring to combine evenly.
Prepare Additional Meats: If using slow-cooked shredded beef, deli meats, or shredded chicken, shred or slice as needed. Warm or sauced if desired and set aside for assembly.
Prepare Toppings: Slice any pickles, onions, or bell peppers you plan to add. If caramelizing onions, do so ahead of time until golden brown and sweet.
Slice the Slider Buns: Carefully cut the entire package of slider rolls horizontally through the middle, keeping the top connected as one slab and the bottom as another.
Assemble the Bottom Layer: Place the bottom slab of the buns into a 9×13-inch baking dish or onto a foil-lined baking sheet.
Add Sauce: Spread your chosen sauce or spread evenly over the bottom section of the buns.
Add Meat Layer: Evenly distribute the cooked ground beef, shredded beef, or deli meats over the sauced buns.
Add Cheese: Layer 6-8 slices of your chosen cheese varieties evenly over the meat layer for 12 sliders, ensuring good coverage for melty goodness.
Add Toppings: Add any additional toppings like caramelized onions, pickled jalapeños, pickles, crispy fried onions, or bell peppers evenly over the cheese.
Cover with Top Bun: Carefully place the top slab of buns over all the fillings, aligning with the bottom slab.
Prepare Butter Glaze: In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the unsalted butter. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, dried parsley, and a pinch of salt until combined.
Brush Buns: Using a pastry brush, generously brush the melted butter mixture over the tops and sides of the assembled slider buns. Optionally sprinkle onion flakes, poppy seeds, or sesame seeds on top for extra flavor and texture.
Cover and Bake: Loosely cover the baking dish or sheet with aluminum foil. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes to warm through and meld flavors.
Remove Foil and Finish Baking: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Rest and Serve: Let the sliders rest for a few minutes to set. Cut along the individual bun lines to separate sliders, then arrange on a platter and serve warm.

Notes

Use Hawaiian sweet rolls for a classic sweet and soft slider experience, or substitute potato or classic dinner rolls if preferred.
If you want to prep ahead, caramelize onions and shred meats one day prior for convenience.
Mix and match different cheeses and sauces to customize flavors per your guests’ preferences.
For a spicy kick, add pickled jalapeños or sriracha mayo as a topping or spread.
Butter glaze not only enhances flavor but also helps the tops brown nicely during baking.
These sliders can be assembled a few hours ahead and refrigerated before baking; just increase bake time slightly to heat through completely.

Keywords: beef sliders, game night sliders, potluck recipes, party sliders, Hawaiian rolls sliders, easy beef sliders, slider sandwiches, game day food