The cheeseburger just got a makeover! The new look is one that puts less strain on your belt and your budget. Mini burgers and sliders are becoming the next fad in the food world. These teeny burgers are full of taste and pack a punch for those that prefer a bold and spicy taste. They are as versatile as the hamburger, just smaller.

Whether you are having a backyard barbecue or a glamorous cocktail party, these tasty and stylish treats can go on any menu. These teeny pockets of beef that used to be seen as greasy and cheap are now sleek and glam! They have made appearances on magazine covers, in restaurants, and everyone loves them.

Sliders for All Ages

Sliders for Small Kids: For younger kids, make fun minis. Have a little slider buffet for them. Buffets for small children can add an entirely new eating experience. More often than not, children eat what their mom or another adult puts on their plate. Let them be creative this summer and try something new.

Let them help! They can assist with everything from the preparation (be sure to have them wash their hands after handling raw meat) to gobbling them up! Set out ketchup, mustard, and pickles. Also have relish, cheese, and lots of napkins on hand! Set them up and watch them go. Being able to create their own special burger will be a learning experience and give them a sense of accomplishment and pride. Be prepared to sample from many creative creations.

Sliders for Teens: Tweens and teens also love to have different parties. Make the next one a mini party. Everything is going to be mini for them. Have mini cups, mini napkins, and mini burgers!

Be a little more creative with foods for teens and tweens. Have them already prepared with different cheeses, and some without. Other toppings and condiments like mushrooms, onions, ketchup, mustard, relish, and all of the other traditional fixings should be readily available. Encourage them to create different types of slider and try new things. Teens are often the pickiest eaters and will stick to the same foods in lieu of trying new ones.

Add a little glam. Provide some sliced avocado, tomato, cucumber, and squash for a little veggie touch. Have some dipping sauces available for them as well. Set out barbecue sauce, some different salad dressings, and honey mustard. You can also have some sweet and sour sauce available and even some marinara sauce! The kids will love it and they will have a great time sampling and sharing their ideas. It is a great way for them to mingle without the pressure of finding topics to talk about.

Sliders for Adults: Adults are also going to love slider parties and barbecues. You can serve sliders and mini burgers at sports gatherings, poker parties, and game nights. Make minis that have a spicy buffalo taste as a substitute for wings. Here’s a great recipe to follow:

1 rotisserie chicken, boned and chopped                                                                       
2 stalks of celery, finely chopped
1/2 Cup chopped carrots
2 cups of crumbled blue cheese
2/3 of a cup of buffalo wing sauce
12 split dinner rolls

Mix everything (but the rolls) together and bake in a 400 degree oven in a 9” X 13” baking dish for twenty minutes. Spoon the mixture onto the dinner rolls and there you have it! The guys will love it and it is healthier than beef.

The Glamorous Mini

You can also serve these at cocktail parties. Talk about versatile! You can make a version that is yummy and not at all messy. People will eat them as hors d’eouvres as they sip their drinks. Make a few different recipes if you like. The options are completely unlimited! Here’s a great recipe for wild mushroom beef sliders.
                                                                                                                                               
Wild Mushroom Beef Sliders

2 pounds of ground sirloin
1 package of dried wild mushrooms
¼ cup of parsley (finely chopped in a spice mill)
2 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
6 medium shallots thinly sliced
¼ cup of sherry
16-20 miniature buns

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground dried mushrooms, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, some salt and freshly ground black pepper. Mix well and then shape into patties. Place one medium and one large skillet over medium-high heat with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in each pan. When the oil is hot, place the sliders into the large pan (as many as will fit comfortably, don’t crowd the party!). Cook until golden brown on the outside and cooked through inside, usually 3-4 minutes per side. Remove the cooked sliders from the pan to a dinner plate and cover them with foil to keep warm while the others cook.

In the smaller pan, caramelize the shallots, eight to ten minutes. Season the shallots with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then remove the pan from the heat and add in the sherry. Return the pan to the heat and cook away the liquid, scraping the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon or spatula to free up all those tasty bits that are stuck to the bottom. Return the shallots to the pan and cook down. Serve atop the sliders for a gourmet look and taste!

Vegetarian Sliders

Alternatives to beef and other meat-based sliders include veggie sliders. Any veggie that can be grilled can also be made into a slider! You can season them how you like to fit every occasion and holiday. You can have a slider bar for those that want to create their own, or set out a few platters full of the tasty mini burgers. No matter your lifestyle, budget, or occasion sliders and mini burgers are versatile enough to suit your needs.