Spicy Jalapeno Beef Sliders (Printable)
Juicy mini beef burgers with fresh jalapeños and melted cheese. Ideal for gatherings and casual meals. Takes just 35 minutes.
# What you'll need:
→ Beef & Seasonings
01 - 1.1 lbs ground beef (80/20 blend)
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 - 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
→ Toppings
09 - 8 slices pepper jack cheese
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 without overworking the meat.
02 - Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a small patty, slightly larger than your buns to account for shrinkage 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 final 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 fresh or pickled jalapeño slices. Cap with the top bun.
07 - Serve immediately with potato chips or fries on the side.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The combination of fresh jalapeños mixed right into the meat creates pockets of juicy heat that commercial spicy burgers can never match.
- These sliders hit that perfect sweet spot between impressive enough for guests but simple enough for a Tuesday night when youre craving something with a kick.
02 -
- The patties continue cooking for about a minute after removal from heat, so take them off when theyre just shy of your desired doneness.
- Letting the mixed meat rest in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before forming patties helps the flavors meld and makes the mixture easier to handle.
03 -
- Chill the formed patties for 15 minutes before cooking to help them hold their shape and prevent them from shrinking too much on the grill.
- Save time by preparing the jalapeño-beef mixture the night before and storing it covered in the refrigerator, which actually improves the flavor as the ingredients meld overnight.