1. White Castle Classic Beef Sliders (Copycat)
Ingredients
For the Beef Sliders
- 1 1/2 pounds 80/20 ground beef – The higher fat content helps keep the thin beef layer flavorful and juicy. You can substitute 85/15 ground beef, but the sliders may be slightly less rich.
- 1/2 cup finely minced yellow onion – Fresh onion adds a stronger homemade flavor.
- 1/3 cup water – Helps soften the onions and creates steam during cooking.
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt – Use about 3/4 teaspoon if substituting fine table salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder – Boosts the signature onion-forward flavor.
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder – Optional for a slightly deeper savory taste.
- 12 soft slider buns – Small, soft dinner rolls work best. Avoid dense artisan rolls.
- 12 dill pickle chips – Use thin hamburger-style dill pickle slices.
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted – For lightly brushing the buns, if desired.
Optional Ingredients
- 6 slices American cheese, halved – For cheeseburger-style sliders.
- Yellow mustard – For serving.
- Ketchup – Not essential for the classic flavor, but popular for serving.
- Extra finely diced onions – For a stronger onion bite.
- Additional dill pickle chips – For pickle lovers.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground beef: Substitute 85/15 ground beef for a slightly leaner option.
- Yellow onion: White onion works well and has a sharper flavor.
- Slider buns: Soft dinner rolls or small potato rolls can be used.
- American cheese: Mild cheddar may be substituted, although it will not melt quite the same way.
- Fresh onion: In a pinch, rehydrated dried minced onion can work. Soak it in warm water before cooking.
Equipment Needed
- Large rimmed baking sheet, approximately 13 x 18 inches.
- Parchment paper.
- Rolling pin.
- Large skillet or flat-top griddle.
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter.
- Cutting board.
- Measuring cups.
- Measuring spoons.
- Small mixing bowl.
- Spatula, preferably a wide metal spatula.
- Pastry brush for melted butter, optional.
- Instant-read meat thermometer.
- Aluminum foil.
- Oven mitts.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Make sure you use a rimmed sheet pan. Ground beef releases fat as it cooks, and a flat cookie sheet can allow grease to spill into the oven.
Have all your buns, pickles, and onions ready before cooking. These sliders are best assembled while the beef is hot.
2. Roll the Ground Beef Very Thin
Place the ground beef in the center of the prepared baking sheet. Put a second sheet of parchment paper over the beef.
Using a rolling pin, press and roll the beef into a very thin, even rectangle, roughly 1/4 inch thick or slightly thinner. Try to keep the thickness consistent from the center to the edges.
Remove the top parchment sheet.
The beef should look much thinner than a standard hamburger patty.
Do not leave the beef thick. Thick patties will taste like ordinary mini burgers rather than soft, thin copycat sliders.
3. Season the Beef
1 teaspoon kosher salt.
1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
1/2 teaspoon onion powder.
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, if using.
Season from a little height above the pan so the spices distribute more evenly.
Avoid aggressively pressing the seasoning into the meat. Overworking ground beef can create a firmer texture.
4. Score the Beef Into 12 Portions
Use a sharp knife or pizza cutter to lightly score the beef into 12 equal rectangles.
For a more recognizable slider appearance, use the handle end of a wooden spoon or a clean fingertip to make several small holes in each portion.
These holes can help steam move through the thin beef while cooking.
Do not cut through the parchment paper underneath the meat.
5. Bake the Thin Beef Layer
Place the baking sheet in the preheated 400°F oven and bake for approximately 8 to 12 minutes.
The exact cooking time depends on the thickness of your beef layer and your oven.
The beef should be browned, cooked through, and no longer pink in the center. The edges may shrink slightly.
For food safety, ground beef should reach an internal temperature of 160°F.
Start checking early. Thin beef cooks fast, and overcooking can make the sliders dry.
6. Cook the Onions
While the beef cooks, add the finely minced onion and 1/3 cup water to a large skillet or flat-top griddle over medium heat.
Cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The onions should become soft, translucent, and fragrant. Most of the water should evaporate, but the pan should still have enough moisture to create a little steam.
The onions are ready when they look tender and glossy, not deeply browned.
Do not heavily caramelize the onions. Dark, sweet onions change the flavor profile significantly.
7. Cut the Cooked Beef
Carefully remove the beef from the oven. Let it rest for about 1 to 2 minutes, then cut along the scored lines to create 12 thin rectangular patties.
If there is excessive grease, carefully drain some of it before transferring the patties.
Do not press down on the cooked beef with a spatula. That squeezes out flavorful juices.
8. Steam the Patties With the Onions
Arrange the cooked beef portions over the softened onions in the skillet.
If making cheeseburger-style sliders, place half a slice of American cheese over each beef portion now.
Reduce the heat to medium-low.
Place the bottom halves of the slider buns over the beef, then position the top buns above them. Cover the skillet loosely with a lid or aluminum foil.
Steam for approximately 2 to 4 minutes.
The buns should feel warm, soft, and slightly steamy. The cheese, if used, should be melted.
Do not steam too long. Excess moisture can turn the buns soggy instead of soft.
9. Add the Pickles
Remove the buns and beef carefully from the skillet.
Place one dill pickle chip on each slider. Add mustard or other optional condiments if desired.
For the closest classic-style result, keep the toppings simple. Too many sauces can overpower the beef, onion, and pickle combination.
10. Assemble and Serve Immediately
Place each beef and onion portion onto its bun and close the slider.
If desired, lightly brush the tops with melted unsalted butter.
Serve the White Castle Classic Beef Sliders (Copycat) immediately while the buns are warm and the beef is hot.
For a full meal, pair them with.
French fries.
Onion rings.
Tater tots.
Coleslaw.
Potato salad.
Extra dill pickles.
Nutrition Facts
Cost To Make This Recipe
Item – Estimated Cost (USD).
1 1/2 lb ground beef – $7.50.
Yellow onion – $0.50.
Slider buns – $3.50.
Dill pickle chips – $1.00.
Butter – $0.20.
Salt and seasonings – $0.30.
Estimated Total Recipe Cost
Approximately $13.00 USD.
Estimated Cost Per Serving
Approximately $2.17 USD per serving.
2. Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger Sliders (King’s Hawaiian Style)
Ingredients
For the Cheeseburger Filling
- 1 pound ground beef, preferably 80/20 or 85/15.
- 1 small yellow onion, finely diced, about 1/2 cup.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced.
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce.
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, optional for extra savory flavor.
For the Sliders
- 1 package (12-count) King’s Hawaiian Original Hawaiian Sweet Rolls.
- 8 ounces sliced American cheese, about 8 slices.
- 1/3 cup sliced dill pickles, patted dry.
- 2 tablespoons ketchup.
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise.
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard.
For the Buttery Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds.
- 1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion, optional.
Optional Ingredients
- 4 slices cooked bacon, crumbled.
- 1/4 cup sliced pickled jalapenos.
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh onion.
- 2 tablespoons burger sauce.
- 1/4 cup shredded lettuce, added only after baking.
- 2 tablespoons diced tomatoes, drained well and added after baking.
- 1 to 2 teaspoons hot sauce.
- Extra dill pickles for serving.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground beef: Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken. Lean poultry may need 1 tablespoon of olive oil during cooking.
- American cheese: Use cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper Jack, or provolone.
- King’s Hawaiian rolls: Other soft 12-count slider rolls will work, although the flavor will be less sweet.
- Yellow mustard: Dijon mustard is a good substitute for a slightly sharper flavor.
- Mayonnaise: Use plain Greek yogurt if you want a lighter, tangier sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce: Substitute soy sauce in a pinch, but start with a smaller amount because soy sauce can be saltier.
- Dill pickles: Bread-and-butter pickles work if you prefer a sweeter cheeseburger flavor.
Equipment Needed
- 9 x 13-inch baking dish or rimmed baking pan.
- Large skillet.
- Wooden spoon or sturdy spatula.
- Chef’s knife.
- Cutting board.
- Measuring cups.
- Measuring spoons.
- Small mixing bowl.
- Pastry brush or spoon.
- Serrated bread knife.
- Fine-mesh strainer or slotted spoon for draining beef, if needed.
- Aluminum foil.
- Oven mitts.
- Instant-read meat thermometer, optional but helpful.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9 x 13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or a thin layer of butter.
Give the oven enough time to fully preheat. Putting the sliders into a cool oven can make the rolls dry out before the cheese melts properly.
The oven should indicate that it has reached 350°F before the assembled sliders go in.
Do not increase the temperature to 400°F just to cook the sliders faster. The sweet rolls can brown or burn before the center becomes hot.
Step 2: Cook the Onion
Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion.
Break the beef into small crumbles with a wooden spoon or spatula. Small, even pieces make the sliders easier to cut and eat.
Cook for about 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
The onion should look soft and translucent, and the beef should lose its raw pink appearance.
Avoid leaving large chunks of beef. A finely crumbled filling spreads more evenly across all 12 rolls.
Step 3: Season and Finish the Beef
Add the minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, yellow mustard, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.
Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring well.
For food safety, ground beef should reach 160°F in the thickest portion. If you have an instant-read thermometer, this is the most reliable way to check.
The beef should be fully browned, the garlic should smell fragrant, and there should be no visible raw meat.
Do not burn the garlic. Once added, it only needs a short cooking time.
Step 4: Drain Excess Grease
Remove the skillet from the heat. Carefully drain excess grease from the beef mixture.
This step matters more than people think. Too much grease can soak into the bottom layer of Hawaiian rolls and make the sliders heavy and soggy.
You do not need to dry the beef completely. A little moisture keeps the filling juicy.
Never pour hot beef grease directly down the kitchen sink because it can contribute to clogged pipes.
Step 5: Make the Burger Sauce
In a small bowl, mix.
2 tablespoons ketchup.
2 tablespoons mayonnaise.
1 tablespoon yellow mustard.
Stir until smooth and evenly combined.
The sauce should look creamy, pale orange, and thick enough to spread without running.
Keep the sauce layer thin. Too much sauce can make the sliders slippery and soggy.
Step 6: Slice the Hawaiian Rolls
Keep the 12 rolls connected as one slab. Using a serrated bread knife, carefully slice horizontally through the middle.
Lift off the entire top half and set it aside. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish.
Use a gentle sawing motion instead of pressing down hard. Hawaiian rolls are very soft and can easily become compressed.
Do not separate all 12 rolls before assembling. Keeping them connected makes layering much easier.
Step 7: Build the First Cheese Layer
Arrange half of the American cheese over the bottom layer of rolls.
This bottom cheese layer acts as a small barrier between the bread and beef filling, helping reduce sogginess.
Most of the bread surface should be covered with cheese.
Step 8: Add the Beef Filling
Spoon the warm cheeseburger mixture evenly over the cheese.
Spread the beef all the way to the edges so every slider gets a fair amount of filling.
Gently press the beef into an even layer, but do not compact it tightly.
Do not pile all the meat in the center. The outside sliders will end up mostly bread.
Step 9: Add Sauce, Pickles, and Remaining Cheese
Spread or drizzle the prepared burger sauce lightly over the beef.
Add the sliced dill pickles, making sure they have been patted dry with paper towels. Top with the remaining cheese.
The filling should be evenly covered, with pickles distributed across the entire surface.
Wet pickles are one of the easiest ways to accidentally create soggy sliders.
Step 10: Replace the Roll Tops
Carefully place the connected top half of the Hawaiian rolls over the filling.
Press down very gently with your hands. You only want to settle the layers, not flatten the bread.
Step 11: Make the Butter Topping
In a small bowl, combine.
3 tablespoons melted butter.
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce.
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder.
1 teaspoon sesame seeds.
1/2 teaspoon dried minced onion, if using.
Stir until combined.
Brush or spoon the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the rolls.
Every roll should have a light, glossy coating.
Do not dump all the butter in one spot. Uneven butter can leave some rolls greasy while others stay dry.
Step 12: Cover and Bake
Loosely cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes.
The foil helps warm the center and melt the cheese without letting the sweet roll tops brown too quickly.
After 15 minutes, the cheese should be soft and beginning to melt around the edges.
Step 13: Uncover and Finish Baking
Remove the foil carefully and return the sliders to the oven.
Bake uncovered for another 5 to 8 minutes.
The tops should be lightly golden and glossy, the cheese should be fully melted, and the filling should be hot.
Watch the sliders closely during the final few minutes. Hawaiian sweet rolls contain sugar and can brown faster than plain dinner rolls.
Step 14: Rest, Slice, and Serve
Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the sliders rest for 5 minutes.
Use a sharp knife to cut along the natural lines between the rolls. Serve warm.
The short resting period helps the cheese settle slightly, so the Hawaiian Roll Cheeseburger Sliders (King’s Hawaiian Style) are easier to separate without the filling sliding out.
For serving, I like adding extra pickles, burger sauce, French fries, potato wedges, coleslaw, or a simple green salad on the side.
Nutrition Facts
Cost To Make This Recipe
Item – Estimated Cost (USD).
1 lb ground beef – $5.50.
King’s Hawaiian rolls – $4.50.
American cheese – $3.00.
Yellow onion – $0.60.
Garlic – $0.25.
Dill pickles – $0.80.
Ketchup, mayonnaise, and mustard – $0.75.
Butter – $0.60.
Worcestershire sauce and seasonings – $0.50.
Sesame seeds and dried onion – $0.30.
Estimated Total Recipe Cost
Approximately $16.80 USD.
Estimated Cost Per Serving
Approximately $2.80 USD per serving.