Savor the Charm: Ina Garten’s Sliders Recipe for Tiny Flavor Bombs

Sliding into deliciousness, Ina Garten sliders recipe brings a perfect blend of flavor and comfort to your table.

These miniature burgers pack a serious punch of taste in every bite.

Ina culinary expertise shines through in this simple yet elegant dish.

Compact and crowd-pleasing, these sliders promise to be the star of any gathering.

The recipe balances classic ingredients with Garten’s touch of sophistication.

Each slider offers a mouthwatering combination of juicy meat and perfectly seasoned elements.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to impress everyone with these irresistible little sandwiches.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 12 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 12

What’s in Ina Garten Sliders Recipe

• Ground Beef: Rich protein source with ideal fat content for juicy sliders, choose 80/20 blend for best texture and flavor.
• Olive Oil: Adds moisture and helps bind ingredients, select extra virgin for enhanced taste.
• Dijon Mustard: Provides tangy depth and helps tenderize meat, opt for smooth, high-quality French-style mustard.
• Garlic: Introduces robust aromatic flavor, use fresh cloves for most intense taste.
• Thyme: Contributes earthy herbal notes, select fresh sprigs for maximum fragrance.
• Salt: Enhances natural meat flavors, use kosher or sea salt for balanced seasoning.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity, freshly ground offers superior taste.

• Gruyère Cheese: Delivers nutty, melty richness, select aged variety for deeper flavor profile.
• Tomato: Provides fresh, juicy contrast, choose ripe, firm heirloom or vine-ripened varieties.
• Arugula: Introduces peppery, crisp element, select fresh, bright green leaves.

• Slider Buns: Creates perfect handheld package, seek soft, slightly sweet brioche-style buns.

Tools That Make Ina Garten Sliders Recipe Easy

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining ground beef and seasonings gently.
• Fork: Perfect for mixing ingredients without overworking the meat.
• Charcoal or gas grill: Key for achieving that delicious grilled flavor.
• Cheese grater: Needed to prepare the Gruyère cheese.
• Foil: Helps keep burgers warm and juicy after cooking.
• Tongs: Great for flipping and moving sliders on the grill.
• Sharp knife: Useful for slicing tomatoes and preparing ingredients.
• Cutting board: Provides a clean surface for ingredient preparation.

How to Make Ina Garten Sliders Recipe Step-by-Step

Gourmet Backyard Sliders

• Flavor Fusion A quick blend of ground beef with zesty seasonings creates a mouthwatering base for these irresistible mini burgers.
• Patty Formation Gently shape small, uniform burger bites that will cook evenly and stay tender on the grill.
• Grill Magic Position the delicate patties over sizzling hot coals, allowing each side to develop a perfect golden-brown crust.
• Cheese Moment Sprinkle rich, melty Gruyère over the burgers during final cooking for an extra layer of indulgence.
• Bun Transformation Quickly warm the bread halves to create a crisp, golden surface that complements the juicy meat.
• Finishing Touches Layer fresh arugula and ripe tomato slices to add brightness and color to these delectable mini burgers.
• Serving Celebration Present the sliders hot, with a side of classic ketchup for guests to customize their mini feast.

Flavor Variations for Ina Garten Sliders Recipe

• Choose ground beef with 80/20 fat content for juicier, more flavorful sliders that won't dry out during grilling.
• Replace Gruyère with sharp cheddar, blue cheese, or smoky gouda for exciting flavor transformations that keep guests guessing.
• Experiment with fresh rosemary, basil, or oregano instead of thyme to create unique aromatic profiles that elevate the burger's taste.
• Substitute ground beef with plant-based alternatives like black bean patties or portobello mushroom caps for a delicious meatless version that doesn't compromise on texture.
• Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes to the meat mixture for those who enjoy a subtle kick of heat in their sliders.

Serving Up Ina Garten Sliders Recipe Creatively

• Pair with Crisp Side Salad: Toss together a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to complement the rich, cheesy sliders and add a fresh contrast.
• Craft Beer Companion: Select a hoppy IPA or amber ale that matches the robust beef flavor and cuts through the melted Gruyère's creaminess.
• Quick Pickle Accent: Quickly pickle red onions or cucumber slices in apple cider vinegar to provide a tangy, crunchy element that brightens the slider's deep flavors.
• Create Dipping Sauce Station: Set out small bowls with homemade garlic aioli, spicy mustard, and classic ketchup to let guests customize their slider experience.

Best Storage for Ina Garten Sliders Recipe Leftovers

• Refrigerate Smart: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping them fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap uncooked patties individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Frozen burger patties stay good for up to 3 months, allowing quick meal preparation.
• Reheat Carefully: Warm refrigerated sliders in a skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes per side, ensuring they stay juicy and maintain their original flavor profile.
• Pack for Lunch: Use small meal prep containers to pack individual sliders, keeping buns and patties separate to prevent sogginess and maintain optimal texture during transport.

Gourmet Ina Garten Sliders Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s classic sliders bring delightful miniature cheeseburgers to elegant cocktail parties. Small beef patties deliver rich flavor with simple ingredients and expert culinary technique that will delight guests.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 pounds (907 grams) ground Niman Ranch beef or other premium beef (80% lean and 20% fat)
• 6 ounces (170 grams) grated Gruyère cheese
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) good olive oil
• 12 mini brioche, onion, or hamburger buns, split
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 3 small red tomatoes, sliced
• 4 ounces (113 grams) baby arugula
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) chopped fresh thyme leaves
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Good ketchup, for serving

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Instructions

1. Grill Preparation: Configure charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat, ensuring even and intense cooking surface.
2. Meat Composition: In a large mixing bowl, blend ground beef with olive oil, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Blend gently using a fork to preserve meat’s delicate structure.
3. Patty Formation and Grilling: Divide meat mixture into 12 uniform mini patties. Grill for 4-6 minutes per side, aiming for desired doneness. During final cooking moments, top each patty with Gruyère cheese and close grill lid to facilitate smooth melting.
4. Resting and Bread Treatment: Remove patties from grill, tent with foil for 5 minutes to redistribute internal juices. Simultaneously, toast bun halves on grill’s surface for approximately 15 seconds until edges turn golden.
5. Final Assembly: Layer toasted bun bottoms with cheese-covered patties. Garnish with tomato slices and arugula, seasoning with additional salt and pepper. Crown with bun tops and serve immediately alongside ketchup.

Notes

• Meat Handling Tip: Avoid overworking ground beef when mixing to prevent tough, dense sliders with compressed texture.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Close grill lid during final cheese-topping stage to create perfect, even melt and enhance flavor infusion.
• Temperature Control: Use instant-read thermometer to check internal burger temperature (medium-rare: 135°F, medium: 145°F) for precise doneness.
• Resting Importance: Allow cooked sliders to rest under foil for 5 minutes, ensuring juices redistribute and maintain maximum tenderness and flavor.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Grilling
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 27 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg