Spicy Jalapeno Beef Sliders (Printable)
Mini beef burgers with fresh jalapeños and melted cheese. Ideal for entertaining or weeknight meals. Serves 8.
# What You'll Need:
→ Beef & Seasonings
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend preferred)
02 - 2 fresh jalapeños, finely diced with seeds removed
03 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Toppings
09 - 8 slices pepper jack cheese or cheddar
10 - 8 slider buns
11 - 1 large tomato, thinly sliced
12 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
13 - 8 leaves crisp lettuce
14 - 8 teaspoons mayonnaise or spicy aioli
15 - 1 fresh jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
16 - Pickled jalapeños (optional)
→ For Serving
17 - Potato chips or fries (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a large bowl, combine ground beef, diced jalapeños, chopped onion, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until just combined—do not overwork the mixture.
02 - Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a small patty, slightly larger than your buns as they will shrink during cooking.
03 - Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat and lightly oil the surface.
04 - Cook the patties for 3 to 4 minutes per side until browned and cooked to desired doneness. In the last minute of cooking, place a slice of cheese on each patty and cover to melt.
05 - Toast the slider buns cut side down in a dry pan or under a broiler until golden brown.
06 - Spread mayonnaise or spicy aioli on the bottom half of each bun. Layer with lettuce, cheesy beef patty, tomato slice, onion ring, and additional jalapeño slices or pickled jalapeños if desired. Cap with the top bun.
07 - Serve immediately with your choice of potato chips or fries.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- These sliders have this magical quality of being fancy enough for company but simple enough that I make them on random Tuesdays when I need comfort food with a kick.
- The patties stay incredibly juicy because the diced jalapeños release moisture while cooking, solving that dry burger problem Ive battled for years.
02 -
- Letting the mixed patties rest in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before cooking helps them hold together better, a lesson I learned after watching three sliders disintegrate on the grill during a particularly embarrassing dinner party.
- The patties will continue cooking after you remove them from heat, so taking them off just slightly before your desired doneness prevents that disappointing overcooked result.
03 -
- Handle the meat mixture with cold hands under cold running water for a few seconds before mixing to prevent the fat from melting prematurely, keeping your finished sliders juicier.
- If youre cooking for a crowd, you can keep the first batches warm in a 200°F oven while finishing the rest, but never cover them tightly or theyll steam and lose that perfect exterior texture.