Kid-Friendly Cheeseburger Sliders (Easy Weeknight Meal)

Cheeseburger sliders are a perfect weeknight solution: quick to assemble, easy to customize, and loved by kids and adults alike. Pair them with simple sides for a complete dinner — for ideas on sides and finger foods, check this roundup of kid-friendly appetizers that family members of all ages will enjoy.

These mini burgers cook fast, can be made ahead, and are forgiving if you want to swap cheeses, add veggies, or use turkey or chicken instead of beef.

Ingredients (makes about 12 sliders)

• 1 lb ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
• 12 slider buns (potato or Hawaiian work great)
• 6 slices American or cheddar cheese, halved
• 1/2 small onion, finely chopped (optional)
• 1/4 cup ketchup
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Butter or oil for the griddle
• Optional toppings: pickle slices, lettuce, tomato slices, extra ketchup or mustard

Directions

1. Preheat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Lightly oil the surface or add a small pat of butter.
2. In a bowl, combine ground beef, chopped onion (if using), ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix gently—overworking can make patties tough.
3. Divide the meat into 12 equal portions and form into small patties that are slightly larger than the buns (they’ll shrink while cooking).
4. Cook the patties 2–3 minutes per side for medium, or until cooked through to your preference. Add a half slice of cheese on top of each patty during the last 30 seconds and cover the pan to melt the cheese.
5. Lightly toast the slider buns on the griddle for about 20–30 seconds, cut-side down, until golden.
6. Assemble sliders with patties and preferred toppings. Serve warm.

Time-saving tips

• Make larger patties and freeze extras between parchment sheets for up to 3 months; thaw and reheat quickly on a skillet.
• If you prefer poultry, use a turkey or chicken blend and season the same way — you can find other family-tested poultry ideas among our kid-friendly chicken recipes.
• For faster prep, use pre-sliced onions and pre-shredded cheese; mini patties also cook more uniformly if they’re the same thickness.

Kid-friendly variations

• Mini sliders with hidden veggies: grate carrot or zucchini into the meat mixture (squeeze out excess moisture) to boost nutrition without changing flavor.
• BBQ sliders: swap ketchup and Worcestershire for your favorite BBQ sauce and top with a slice of cheddar and a pickle.
• Breakfast sliders: top with a tiny fried egg and swap ketchup for a smear of mayo and a touch of hot sauce for grown-ups.

Make-ahead & storage

• Store cooked patties in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to keep buns from getting soggy.
• Assemble just before serving if you want crisp buns; for quicker service, keep toppings prepped in small bowls.

Serving suggestions

• Serve sliders with carrot sticks, apple slices, or a simple salad for a balanced plate.
• Offer a small ketchup/mustard station so children can customize their own sliders — this often increases willingness to try new toppings.

Conclusion

For another quick, tested version of this favorite, try the Easy Cheeseburger Sliders – Weelicious for additional kid-focused tips and variations. If you like the sweeter, softer bun approach, the Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger Sliders – Cheftini recipe shows a delicious way to use Hawaiian rolls for a sticky-sweet twist.