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Flavorful Jalapeño Cheddar Smash Burger Sliders with Comeback Sauce

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Quick and easy jalapeño cheddar smash burger sliders with a tangy comeback sauce, perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. These sliders feature crispy edges, melty cheese, and a spicy kick.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 blend)
  • 4 slices (about 4 oz/115g) sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1–2 fresh jalapeños, finely diced (seeds included for extra heat)
  • 8 small slider buns, toasted
  • ½ cup (120 ml) mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) ketchup
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) hot sauce (e.g., Frank’s RedHot)
  • 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
  • ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) garlic powder
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons (30g) melted butter for brushing buns

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, combine mayonnaise, ketchup, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Whisk until smooth and refrigerate the comeback sauce.
  2. Finely dice 1 to 2 fresh jalapeños, including seeds if desired. Set aside.
  3. Divide ground beef into 8 equal balls (about 2 ounces/57g each). Lightly season each with salt and pepper, handling gently.
  4. Heat a cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until very hot, about 5 minutes.
  5. Place 2-3 beef balls in the pan without overcrowding. Using a sturdy spatula, press down firmly to smash each ball into a thin patty about ¼ inch (6mm) thick. Cook for 2-3 minutes until edges are dark and crisp.
  6. Sprinkle diced jalapeños evenly over each patty, then top with a slice or sprinkle of sharp cheddar cheese. Cover the pan with a lid or foil and melt cheese for 1-2 minutes.
  7. Carefully flip each patty and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until cooked through but still juicy.
  8. Brush slider buns with melted butter and toast them in a separate pan or under the broiler until golden brown.
  9. Assemble sliders by spreading comeback sauce on bottom buns, placing jalapeño cheddar smash burger patties on top, then adding the top buns. Serve immediately.

Notes

Handle the ground beef gently to avoid tough burgers. Use a very hot pan to get crispy edges. Smash patties firmly and quickly, then resist moving them to develop a crust. Cover pan to melt cheese perfectly. Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding. Butter buns before toasting for extra flavor and crunch. The comeback sauce tastes better if made ahead and chilled. For milder heat, remove jalapeño seeds. Use gluten-free buns or lettuce wraps for gluten-free option.

Nutrition

Keywords: jalapeño cheddar smash burger sliders, comeback sauce, quick dinner, spicy sliders, easy burger recipe, crowd-pleaser, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://elvafood.com/flavorful-jalape-n-o-cheddar-smash-burger-sliders-easy-recipe-with-comeback-sauce/