Gather your friends and fire up the grill for a summer BBQ feast with these Smoky BBQ Beef Sliders with Tangy Slaw. Juicy beef patties are coated in a rich, smoky BBQ sauce, then layered with a bright, crunchy slaw for the ultimate flavor and texture contrast. These mini burgers are perfect for casual gatherings, backyard parties, or anytime you need a little BBQ comfort in your life.
Why You’ll Love This Smoky BBQ Beef Sliders with Tangy Slaw
These Smoky BBQ Beef Sliders with Tangy Slaw are the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer or main dish. The beef patties are seasoned to perfection, creating a delicious, savory base that’s coated in a smoky, tangy BBQ sauce. The tangy slaw adds a refreshing crunch and bright acidity to balance out the richness of the beef. Together, the flavors and textures create a mouthwatering, craveable slider that’s sure to satisfy. Plus, the small size makes them perfect for sharing and mixing and matching with other favorite toppings.
Ingredients
This recipe calls for ground beef, BBQ sauce, shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. The key is using high-quality, flavorful ingredients that come together to create an irresistible slider.
- 1 lb – Ground beef
- 1 cup – BBQ sauce
- 2 cups – Shredded cabbage
- 1 cup – Shredded carrots
- 4 – Green onions, sliced
- 1/2 cup – Mayonnaise
- 2 tbsp – Apple cider vinegar
- 2 tsp – Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredient Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Ground turkey or chicken (for a leaner option)
- Cabbage and Carrots: Broccoli slaw or shredded Brussels sprouts (for a dietary swap)
How to Make Smoky BBQ Beef Sliders with Tangy Slaw
Begin by forming the beef into small, equal-sized patties. Season them generously with salt and pepper. Then, make the tangy slaw by combining the shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a large bowl. Toss to coat and set aside.
Step 1: Prep Work
Begin by forming the beef into small, equal-sized patties. Season them generously with salt and pepper. Then, make the tangy slaw by combining the shredded cabbage, carrots, green onions, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, and Dijon mustard in a large bowl. Toss to coat and set aside.
Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat. Cook the beef patties for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness. During the last minute of cooking, brush the patties generously with the BBQ sauce, allowing it to caramelize and get slightly charred.
Step 3: Final Steps/Assembly
To assemble the sliders, place a BBQ beef patty on each slider bun, then top with a generous spoonful of the tangy slaw. Serve immediately, while the beef is hot and the slaw is crisp.
Step 4: Finishing Touches (if needed)
For an extra smoky flavor, you can finish the sliders by placing them back on the grill for a minute or two, lid closed, to allow the BBQ sauce to further caramelize. Garnish with additional green onions or a sprinkle of sesame seeds for a pop of color and texture.
Recipe Variations & Tips
- Different Cheeses: Try swapping in different types of cheese, such as cheddar, pepper jack, or blue cheese, for a fun twist.
- Varied BBQ Sauce Flavors: Experiment with different BBQ sauce flavors, like a sweet and tangy bourbon BBQ or a spicy chipotle version.
- Vegetarian/Vegan Option: Use grilled portobello mushrooms or plant-based patties in place of the beef.
- Slaw Customizations: Get creative with your slaw ingredients, adding in diced jalapeños, toasted nuts, or fresh herbs for even more flavor and texture.
Serving & Storage
Serve with: These Smoky BBQ Beef Sliders with Tangy Slaw pair perfectly with classic BBQ sides like creamy coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad.
Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. The slaw may soften over time, but the sliders can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
Make-Ahead: The cooked beef patties can be kept warm in a low oven or slow cooker, and the slaw can be made up to a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
Nutrition Information
These Smoky BBQ Beef Sliders with Tangy Slaw are a flavorful and satisfying meal, but they do contain some higher-calorie ingredients like the beef, BBQ sauce, and mayonnaise. Each slider clocks in at around 250 calories, with 15g of fat, 22g of carbs, and 13g of protein. The slaw adds a nutritious crunch, with the cabbage, carrots, and green onions providing a dose of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Protein: 13 g
- Carbs: 22 g
- Fat: 15 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of buns should I use for the sliders?
You can use a variety of slider buns, such as Hawaiian rolls, potato rolls, or brioche buns. Look for soft, slightly sweet buns that will complement the savory flavors of the beef and slaw.
Can I make the slaw ahead of time?
Yes, the tangy slaw can be made up to a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. The vinegar will help keep the veggies crisp, but the slaw may soften slightly over time.
Can I use a different type of meat for the patties?
Absolutely! Ground turkey or chicken would work great as a beef alternative. You can also try using plant-based burger patties for a vegetarian or vegan option.
How can I make these sliders extra smoky?
To amp up the smoky flavor, you can add a touch of smoked paprika or chipotle powder to the beef seasoning. You can also finish the sliders on the grill with the lid closed for a few minutes to let the BBQ sauce caramelize further.
What should I serve with the Smoky BBQ Beef Sliders?
These sliders pair perfectly with classic BBQ sides like creamy coleslaw, baked beans, or potato salad. They also make a great appetizer or main dish alongside grilled corn on the cob, roasted sweet potato wedges, or a fresh green salad.
Try These Next
- Smoky Maple Bbq Pork Sliders With Tangy Slaw
- Smoky Bbq Pulled Pork Nachos With Cheese Sauce
- Spicy Korean Beef Tacos With Avocado Slaw
Smoky BBQ Beef Sliders with Tangy Slaw
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 sliders
- Category: 🔥 BBQ, Grilling & Smokehouse
- Method: Grilling
- Cuisine: American
Description
Juicy beef sliders infused with smoky flavor and topped with a tangy slaw for a delightful bite. Perfect for BBQ gatherings!
Ingredients
– 1 lb ground beef (80/20)
– 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 1/2 tsp garlic powder
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 8 slider buns
– 1 cup coleslaw mix
– 1/4 cup mayonnaise
– 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
– 1 tsp sugar
– 1/4 tsp celery seed
Instructions
1.
2. 1. In a large bowl, combine ground beef, BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
3. 2. Form the mixture into small patties, about 2 inches wide.
4. 3. Preheat your grill or stovetop skillet over medium-high heat.
5. 4. Cook the patties for about 4-5 minutes on each side, or until they reach your desired level of doneness.
6. 5. While the beef is cooking, mix together coleslaw mix, mayonnaise, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and celery seed in a separate bowl. Stir until well combined.
7. 6. Once the patties are cooked, place them on the slider buns and top with the tangy slaw.
8. 7. Serve immediately and enjoy!
9.
Notes
– For extra smokiness, you can add a few drops of liquid smoke to the beef mixture.
– Feel free to customize the slaw by adding shredded carrots or chopped green onions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: BBQ, beef, sliders, grilling, quick