Big Mac Sliders Recipe hits all the notes you crave: juicy beef, melty American cheese, tangy pickles, shredded lettuce, and a zippy special sauce on pillowy slider buns. It works for weeknight cravings, game day, or a backyard hang, and you can serve a hot tray in about 30 minutes total. I tested this batch during a football watch and had to hide two for myself before my neighbor claimed the last one.
Why Big Mac Sliders Recipe Is Worth It
You get classic drive-thru flavor in a party-friendly size without a fryer. Baking the beef as one slab keeps the sliders juicy and makes slicing clean and easy. A quick house sauce pulls everything together with that familiar zip.
You can use pantry shortcuts and still get bold flavor. Thousand Island with a hit of mustard stands in for the special sauce when the clock runs tight. Soft slider rolls keep things simple and crowd-pleasing.
“Five stars, no notes. My kids inhaled these Big Mac sliders, and my spouse asked for a double batch next time. The sauce tasted spot-on, and the leftovers disappeared by breakfast.”
Ingredients You Need
- Ground beef, 80/20, 1.5 pounds (juicier results; lean works but runs drier)
- Kosher salt, 1 teaspoon
- Black pepper, 1/2 teaspoon
- Onion powder, 1 teaspoon
- Garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon
- Slider rolls, 12 count, kept attached as a slab (King’s Hawaiian or brioche both work)
- American cheese slices, 8
- White onion, 1 small, finely minced (shortcut: 2 tablespoons dried minced onion soaked in warm water 5 minutes)
- Dill pickle chips, 12 to 16
- Shredded iceberg lettuce, 1 cup
- Unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons, melted
- Sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon, for the tops
Special sauce
- Mayonnaise, 1/2 cup
- Dill pickle relish, 2 tablespoons
- Yellow mustard, 1 tablespoon
- White vinegar, 1 teaspoon
- Sugar, 1 teaspoon
- Paprika, 1/2 teaspoon
- Onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon
- Garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon
Pantry shortcut
- Use 1/2 cup Thousand Island plus 1 to 2 teaspoons yellow mustard for a speedy sauce.
Equipment you need
- Rimmed sheet pan and parchment
- 9×13 baking dish or another sheet pan
- Small bowl and whisk
- Sharp knife, basting brush, and spatula
Quick Tips & substitutions
This section saves you time and keeps the Big Mac Sliders Recipe weeknight-friendly.
- Press the beef into an even 9×13 slab so it cooks uniformly and fits the rolls.
- Score the beef lightly with a knife to reduce shrinkage.
- Use dried minced onion rehydrated in warm water to mimic that classic diced-onion bite.
- Swap American cheese with cheddar if you prefer a sharper flavor, but slice it thin so it melts fast.
- Brush the tops with melted butter and sesame seeds for that signature look and gentle crunch.
- Use dill pickle chips for tang; swap in bread-and-butter pickles if you like sweet.
- Short on time? Mix the sauce early and chill it; flavors improve while you prep.
- Scale up easily by baking two beef slabs side by side and using two packages of rolls.
How to Make Big Mac Sliders
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 15 minutes
- Total: 30 minutes
- Heat the oven to 375°F and line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment.
- Whisk the special sauce ingredients in a small bowl, then refrigerate it.
- Split the slider rolls horizontally as one slab. Place the bottoms in a 9×13 dish or on a second parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Press the ground beef into an even 9×13 slab on the lined sheet pan. Season it with salt, pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
- Score the beef surface with shallow crosshatch lines. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until the juices run clear and the edges brown.
- Cook the minced onion in a small skillet with a teaspoon of oil and a pinch of salt for 2 to 3 minutes, or drain rehydrated dried onion.
- Brush the top roll slab with melted butter and sprinkle on sesame seeds. Set aside.
- Spread a generous layer of special sauce on the bottom rolls. Place the hot beef slab on top, then scatter cooked onion and add pickle chips.
- Lay on the cheese slices to cover the beef. Cap with the sesame-topped rolls.
- Return the assembled sliders to the oven for 3 to 5 minutes until the cheese melts and the tops toast.
- Lift the slab with a spatula, add shredded iceberg to the sides if you prefer more crunch, and slice into 12 sliders. Serve with extra sauce for dipping.
Recipe Variations
You can tailor this Big Mac Sliders Recipe to fit your needs without losing the fun.
- Gluten-free: Use gluten-free slider buns or lettuce wraps. Check labels on mustard and relish.
- Vegan: Use plant-based ground, vegan American-style slices, vegan mayo, and plant-based butter or oil.
- Low carb: Swap buns for lettuce wraps or serve beef, cheese, onion, and pickles as bowls. Skip the sugar in the sauce and use sugar-free relish.
- Add-ins: Crumbled bacon, sliced jalapeños, caramelized onions, or double cheese for extra richness.
Ways to Serve Big Mac Sliders
These serving ideas turn a simple tray into a full meal.
- Pair with oven fries or tater tots and extra special sauce for dipping.
- Serve with a crisp coleslaw or chopped salad for balance.
- Add kettle chips and sliced fresh veggies for an easy party spread.
- Set out a toppings bar with extra pickles, onions, shredded lettuce, and sliced tomatoes.
Storage Options
Chill leftover sliders in an airtight container for up to 3 days. For best texture, store lettuce and sauce separately and add them after reheating. Reheat sliders wrapped in foil at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes or warm them in a covered skillet over medium heat. Freeze the baked beef slab and sauce separately for up to 2 months, then assemble fresh with new rolls when you reheat.
Ingredients
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, white vinegar, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder until well combined. Set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, season ground beef with salt and pepper. Press the meat evenly into a baking dish or sheet pan to about 1/2-inch thick.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through.
- Cut the cooked beef into 6 equal squares.
- To assemble, place bottom halves of slider buns on a platter. Add beef squares, then a generous dollop of Big Mac sauce, followed by a slice of cheese, shredded lettuce, chopped onion, and dill pickles.
- Top with the other half of the slider buns. If desired, lightly brush tops with melted butter and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Serve warm and enjoy your homemade Big Mac Sliders.