Description

Smoky BBQ Cowboy Sliders with Crispy Onions and Tangy Pickles are juicy mini burgers seasoned with smoked paprika, garlic, and onion powder, grilled to perfection, and topped with melted sharp cheddar cheese. These sliders are complemented by crunchy, spicy fried onions soaked in buttermilk and tangy pickles for a perfect balance of flavors and textures, ideal for casual gatherings or game day snacks.

Ingredients

Scale

Slider 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

Sliced pickles for topping (dill or bread & butter, as preferred)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Mix the Patty Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overwork the meat to keep the patties tender.
Shape the 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 help prevent puffing during cooking.
Cook the Patties: Preheat a grill or skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 4-5 minutes on one side until browned. Flip them over, brush generously with BBQ sauce, and continue cooking for another 4-5 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 160°F and they are cooked through.
Melt the Cheese: During the last minute of cooking, top each patty with shredded sharp cheddar cheese. Cover with a lid to allow the cheese to melt evenly.
Prepare the Crispy Onions: While the patties cook, soak the thinly sliced onions in buttermilk for about 15 minutes to tenderize and add moisture.
Coat the Onions: In a separate bowl, mix the all-purpose flour and cayenne pepper. Dredge the soaked onions in this seasoned flour mixture until fully coated.
Fry the Onions: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot. Fry the coated onions in batches for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Drain them on paper towels and season immediately with salt.
Assemble the Sliders: Place each cheese-melted patty on the bottom half of a slider bun. Top with a generous amount of crispy onions and a few pickle slices. Add the top bun half and garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Serve: Serve the sliders immediately while warm, with extra BBQ sauce on the side for dipping.

Notes

Use an 80/20 blend ground beef to ensure the sliders are juicy and flavorful.
Do not overmix the meat to keep patties tender and avoid toughness.
The small indentation in each patty prevents it from puffing up while cooking.
If a grill isn’t available, a skillet works just as well for cooking the patties.
Make sure the oil is hot enough before frying onions to achieve a crisp texture.
You can swap pickles for your preferred variety of pickles – dill or bread & butter all work well.
Fresh parsley garnish is optional but adds a nice color contrast and subtle freshness.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Category: Lunch
Method: Frying
Cuisine: American

Keywords: BBQ sliders, cowboy sliders, crispy onions, slider recipe, BBQ beef sliders, party snacks, grilled sliders