GRILLED BEEF SLIDERS

Grilled Beef Sliders from Traeger Grills

Give kids a lesson in that grilling classic — burgers, but start them with a kid-size version. Don’t let the size of these sliders fool you, they are big on flavor. High-quality 80/20 ground chuck and caramelized onions make this simple recipe a tasty intro to Burgers 101. Younger cooks can focus on the condiments while beginning grillers have a low-stress entry point to cooking with fire. The burger patties are thin so they'll cook fast, meaning you shouldn't need to worry about undercooking.
-- BIG THANKS to Traeger Grills for sharing this recipe! 

TASKS FOR CHILDREN
Ages 3 to 5: Shred lettuce Split slider buns for toasting
Ages 5 to 7: All tasks above Measure salt and pepper for burgers Brush burgers with oil
Ages 8 to 12: All tasks above Shape mixed beef into burgers (supervised) Garnish burgers with cooked onions, other condiments
Ages 13+: All tasks above Mix ground beef Turn on grill, set temp, monitor Cook burgers, toast buns

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pounds ground chuck, preferably at least 20% fat
• kosher salt to taste
• freshly ground pepper to taste
• slices of cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Muenster cheese
• 12 to 16 slider rolls
• lettuce, shredded
• ketchup (optional)
• yellow mustard (optional)
• mayonnaise (optional)
• caramelized onions
• 3 tablespoons canola or olive oil
• pinch kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. To make the burger patties: Add 2 teaspoons of kosher salt per pound of meat, and 1/2 teaspoons of ground pepper per pound (if you prefer less salty food, reduce to 1 teaspoon per pound).
2. Using your hands, gently mix the ground beef to incorporate the salt, making sure not to overwork it.
3. Shape the beef into 2- to 3-ounce, thin burgers. Brush on both sides with a small amount of the remaining oil.
4. When ready to cook, set your grill to high (450°F).
5. Place the burgers on the grill, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes, then flipping and cooking an additional 2 to 3 minutes until you reach the desired doneness. If using cheese, add the cheese when the burgers are flipped.
6. Take the sliders off the grill and allow them to rest for a few minutes to ensure the juices are evenly distributed.
7. While burgers rest, add the buns to the grill and cook with the split side down for 1 to 2 minutes to toast them.
8. Garnish burgers with the shredded lettuce, and other condiments.

​See here for the overall Kids in the Kitchen cooking guide from Traeger Grills. 

Recipe adapted from our Beef Sliders recipe.