This was my first time making sliders, but these mini-burgers were a huge hit at the party I made them for.  Sliders are a great party food and are a great way to add a sort of “main dish” hors d’oeuvres to your menu.  This is great if your party coincides with a meal time but you don’t want to serve a full sit down meal.  I kept the toppings simple and just served these with ketchup and mustard.  However, if you’re feeling fancy, I think this would be awesome with a BBQ sauce or some jazzed up ketchups or fry sauce depending on your audience.

Finding the right size bun can be a challenge when making sliders, but I used Parker House Rolls from a nearby bakery that were a great size and add a wonderful buttery flavor.

Beef Sliders

Makes about 30 sliders

• 4 lbs lean ground beef
• 1 packet Ranch dressing flavoring
• 4 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 Tbsp olive oil

In a large bowl, combine beef, ranch flavoring, cream, and salt.  Mix well (using your hands is probably easiest).  Form the beef into small patties, I used a 4oz ice cream scoop to portion out the sliders.  Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of oil and a little butter to the pan.  Once the butter has melted, add a few sliders at a time and fry for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden and cooked to your desired doneness.  If you’re planning on reheating, keep them a little on the rare side so they don’t overcook in the reheating.