Description
These Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger Sliders are a delightful blend of sweet and savory flavors. Juicy seasoned ground beef baked to perfection is layered on soft, toasted Hawaiian rolls with melted Colby Jack cheese, caramelized onions, and tangy pickles, all brought together with a flavorful homemade sauce. Perfect for parties, game days, or a fun family dinner, these sliders combine comfort food with a tropical twist.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Seasoning
- 2 lbs 80/20 ground beef
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cracked pepper
Buns and Toppings
- 12 pack Hawaiian rolls
- 24 dill pickles
- 11 slices Colby jack cheese (or American cheese)
- 1 large sweet onion, diced
- Sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
Butter and Sauces
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1.5 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 2 teaspoons pickled juice
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Buns: Preheat your oven’s broiler. Slice the Hawaiian rolls horizontally and place them cut side up, side-by-side, on a lined baking sheet. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter and brush the inside of the rolls. Broil for 3-4 minutes until golden brown, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- Cook Ground Beef: Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix ground beef with salt and cracked pepper until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into a 9×13 inch casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes.
- Caramelize Onions: While the beef bakes, heat 1 tablespoon of butter in a pan over low heat. Add diced onions and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for about 15 minutes or until browned and caramelized.
- Drain Beef: Once the beef is cooked, remove it from the oven and drain off any excess juices from the pan.
- Assemble Sliders: On the toasted bottom buns, layer the dill pickles evenly. Carefully transfer the cooked beef slab onto the bottom buns using two spatulas. Add a double layer of cheese slices on top of the beef, then spread the caramelized onions evenly over the cheese. Place the top buns back on.
- Finish and Melt Cheese: Melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter and brush over the top buns. Optionally, sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Return the assembled sliders to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and the tops are golden.
Notes
- Keep a close eye on the buns while broiling to prevent burning as oven temperatures can vary.
- Caramelizing onions slowly over low heat develops a deep, sweet flavor that’s key to this recipe.
- You can swap Colby Jack cheese with American cheese for a milder taste or cheddar for a sharper flavor.
- The homemade sauce (mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, pickled juice, cayenne pepper) can be mixed and served on the side or spread on the buns for extra tanginess.
- These sliders are best served warm but can be refrigerated and reheated gently to keep the cheese melted.
- For a spicier kick, increase the cayenne pepper slightly.
