What's The Difference Between Sliders And Burgers?

Nothing is quite as delicious as a mouth-watering burger. Layers of lettuce, onions, and tomatoes on a juicy patty on top of toasted burger buns (Guy Fieri's trick). But sometimes, you want something smaller — cuter. In come sliders! The bite-sized cousin of burgers that give you the taste you love in a smaller package. We sat down with expert Marissa Stevens, founder and recipe developer, Pinch and Swirl, to talk to us about all the ways sliders differ from burgers.

Stevens informed us that the differences between sliders and burgers are beyond the size discrepancy. One big divergence between sliders and burgers is the way sliders are cooked. "Because sliders are smaller, they cook quickly and usually have a higher bun-to-patty ratio." If you want to get the bun-to-burger ratio right, try Alton Brown's pizza cutter hack for better sliders.

The smaller size of sliders, Stevens told us, not just leads to different cook times, but also different cooking methods. "Sliders are often cooked differently—many traditional versions are steamed over a bed of onions or griddled on a flat top, while full-sized burgers are more commonly grilled or pan-seared," she said. Burgers need a good crust and are full of big beefy flavor that you don't necessarily want overshadowed. Sliders, however, are a different story.

Although sliders mean less meat, it doesn't necessarily have to mean less flavor. Marissa Stevens even confirmed that the absence of a thick burger patty means "seasoning and toppings need to work in a tighter balance." And this balance, Stevens suggested, can be found through experimenting with flavors in ways you couldn't with a traditional burger. "They're low-commitment for the diner, which gives the cook room to play."

One way to play with sliders is by swapping slider buns for Red Lobster cheddar bay biscuits. If one were to try this combination on a regular-sized burger, it could end up being too rich and heavy for one person to finish, but Stevens explained why things like this are perfect to try with sliders. "The smaller size makes them perfect for testing bold or unusual flavor combos — think kimchi and gochujang mayo, or apple and cheddar."

Sliders are a fun way to try seasonings and combinations from all over the world. You could top your slider with pineapple and Teriyaki for a Hawaiian vibe, or top it with caramelized onions and some Brie cheese for a French taste. Whatever you decide to do, Stevens just wants you to have fun. "One bite can be all it takes to make something memorable."