Welcome to the world of culinary perfection, where juicy, tender burger sliders are not just a dream but an easily achievable reality! Using the innovative sous vide method, you can transform ordinary ground beef into incredibly flavorful, melt-in-your-mouth mini burgers with minimal prep. Prepare to experience the most delectable sliders you’ve ever had, perfect for any occasion from a casual weeknight dinner to a lively game day gathering.
Recently, I had the pleasure of joining my friends at Cox Communications in Baton Rouge for another engaging “Cox Smart Home” event. My day was spent in the kitchen, demonstrating various tips and tricks on how to effortlessly integrate WiFi-enabled devices and smart appliances into your daily cooking routine, making your kitchen not just functional, but truly “smart.”
Among the array of clever gadgets featured in the smart home kitchen was the remarkable Anova WiFi-enabled sous vide precision cooker. In previous events, I’ve used this fantastic device to prepare Steak Crostinis, which were always a huge hit with guests. However, this time, I was ready for a delightful change!
Given that it was football season in lively Baton Rouge, the atmosphere practically demanded celebratory game day recipes. So, I decided to whip up some crowd-pleasers like my creamy Slow Cooker Green Chili Queso Dip and whimsical Football Shaped Nutella Rice Krispie Treats. For the main event, I settled on sous vide sliders, realizing they are absolutely ideal for tailgating. The brilliance of this method is in its simplicity and portability: you can prepare the sliders, cook them sous vide, then transport them to the tailgate. A quick sear on the grill upon arrival, and you’re serving the most incredibly tender and juicy sliders imaginable – a guaranteed touchdown with your guests!
Why Sous Vide is a Game-Changer for Burgers
The first time a friend mentioned making a burger using a sous vide machine, I admit I was skeptical. How could cooking a burger in a water bath possibly lead to anything superior? My doubts were quickly dispelled after my first bite. I am here to enthusiastically tell you: a sous vide burger is nothing short of amazing!
Traditional burger cooking methods, such as grilling or pan-frying, often lead to uneven cooking, with the exterior overcooked by the time the center reaches your desired doneness. The sous vide technique eliminates this problem entirely. By cooking the burger patties in a precisely temperature-controlled water bath, they achieve perfect edge-to-edge doneness. This means no more dry, gray edges, and a consistently juicy, perfectly cooked interior every single time. The low and slow cooking process also allows the meat to retain all its natural moisture and flavors, resulting in a burger that’s incredibly tender and succulent.
Furthermore, sous vide cooking offers unparalleled convenience for meal prepping and entertaining. You can cook a batch of sliders ahead of time, chill them, and then simply sear them just before serving. This makes it a fantastic option for parties, barbecues, or tailgates, freeing you up to enjoy the event rather than being stuck over a hot grill for extended periods. It truly takes the guesswork out of achieving burger perfection.
Ingredients for Ultimate Sous Vide Sliders
Crafting these irresistible sous vide sliders requires just a few simple, quality ingredients. The magic happens through the cooking method, allowing the natural flavors to shine. Here’s what you’ll need to make approximately 12 delightful sliders:
- 2 pounds ground beef (preferably 80/20 for optimal juiciness)
- 2 tablespoons Montreal steak seasoning or your favorite burger seasoning blend
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for searing)
- 12 small slices cheddar cheese (or your preferred cheese)
- 12 Hawaiian rolls (or other slider buns)
Step-by-Step Guide to Sous Vide Burger Sliders
Follow these straightforward steps to create perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful sous vide burger sliders:
Step 1: Prepare the Patties
In a large bowl, gently combine the ground beef with the steak seasoning. Be careful not to overmix the meat, as this can lead to tough burgers. Once combined, divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and form them into small, uniform slider patties, about ½ inch thick. Place these formed patties on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper, and transfer them to the freezer for one hour. This brief freezing step helps the patties hold their shape during the sous vide process and prevents them from falling apart in the water bath.
Step 2: Bag the Sliders for Sous Vide
After an hour, remove the chilled slider patties from the freezer. Carefully place 4 sliders into each of three durable plastic zipper-top bags. If you have a vacuum sealer, now is the time to use it to create an airtight seal. However, if you, like me, don’t have a fancy vacuum sealer, the “water displacement method” works perfectly.
To use the water displacement method, simply place the bag with the sliders into a large pot or container of water, leaving about an inch of the top of the bag open. The water pressure will naturally push all the air out from around the food in the bag. Once most of the air has been expelled, carefully seal the bag closed while it’s still submerged. This creates a near-vacuum seal, ensuring efficient and even cooking.
Step 3: Sous Vide Cooking
Set up your sous vide precision cooker in a large pot or water bath, and set the temperature. For juicy medium-rare to medium sliders, a temperature of 130°F (54.5°C) is ideal. If you prefer your burgers cooked to medium to medium-well, set your sous vide to 138°F (59°C). Once the water reaches the desired temperature, carefully submerge the bags of sliders into the water bath.
Cook the sliders for a duration of 45 minutes to 3 hours. The beauty of sous vide is its flexibility; within this window, your burgers will remain perfectly cooked without fear of overcooking. This extended cooking window makes sous vide an excellent option for entertaining, as you can hold the sliders at temperature until you’re ready to sear and serve.
Step 4: Rest and Sear for the Perfect Finish
Once the sous vide cooking time is complete, carefully remove the bags of sliders from the water bath. Take the patties out of their plastic bags and place them on a cutting board lined with paper towels. Allow them to rest for 10-15 minutes. This resting period is crucial for allowing any excess moisture to drain and helps prepare the surface for an excellent sear.
Before serving, it’s time to achieve that irresistible crispy exterior. Heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until it’s shimmering and just about smoking. A cast iron skillet is highly recommended for its ability to retain and distribute heat evenly, creating a superior crust. Add the sliders to the hot skillet and sear for just 20-30 seconds per side. This rapid, high-heat sear develops a beautiful, flavorful crust (the Maillard reaction) without cooking the interior further.
Alternatively, for a smoky flavor and classic grill marks, you can grill the sliders over high heat for 20-30 seconds per side. Whichever method you choose, the goal is a quick, intense sear to add texture and flavor.
Step 5: Assemble and Serve
Immediately after searing, top each slider with a small slice of cheddar cheese, allowing it to melt slightly from the residual heat. Serve these magnificent sliders on soft Hawaiian rolls. The sweet and fluffy rolls perfectly complement the rich, savory burgers.
Toppings and Enhancements
You can certainly add your favorite burger toppings, such as a dollop of ketchup, a squeeze of mustard, a drizzle of special burger sauce, crisp pickles, fresh tomato slices, or thinly sliced onions. However, I often find that these sous vide burgers are so inherently delicious and flavorful that they require very little else. I typically serve them as is, allowing the incredible taste of the perfectly cooked patty to be the star.
A sous vide burger transcends the ordinary; it’s a burger of monumental flavor proportions. The texture is so tender and juicy, reminiscent of a perfectly cooked steak. It’s the first burger I’ve ever tasted that literally rivals the experience of eating a fine cut of steak. This level of tenderness, juiciness, and sheer deliciousness truly needs no additional embellishments to be absolutely magnificent.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Sous Vide
The versatility of the sous vide precision cooker extends far beyond just burgers. It’s an indispensable tool for achieving consistent, restaurant-quality results with a wide array of ingredients. Whether you’re looking to cook meats, fish, eggs, or even vegetables, sous vide ensures perfect doneness and incredible flavor every time. Put your sous vide to use every day of the week with these other delicious and easy-to-follow recipes:
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Sous Vide Sliders
Sous vide burger sliders are easy to make, with very little prep, and will result in the most flavorful, juicy burgers you’ve ever had!
12
sliders
20
45
1
1
5
Whitney Bond
Main Course
American
Ingredients
-
2
lbs
ground beef -
2
tbsp
Montreal steak seasoning -
1
tbsp
olive oil -
12
small slices cheddar cheese -
12
Hawaiian rolls
Instructions
-
Combine the ground beef and steak seasoning.
-
Form into 12 sliders.
-
Place on a foil lined baking sheet and into the freezer for one hour.
-
Remove from the freezer and place 4 sliders each in 3 plastic zipper bags.
-
Since a vacuum sealer is not always available, simply use the “water displacement method” by placing the airtight bag with the sliders into a large pot of water. Leave about an inch of the top of the bag open, allowing the water to press out all the air around the food. Once the air is expelled, carefully seal the bag closed.
-
Place the bags of sliders in a sous vide set to 130°F (54.5°C) for medium rare to medium doneness, or 138°F (59°C) for medium to medium-well, and cook for 45 minutes to 3 hours.
-
Remove the sliders from the sous vide bath and their plastic bags, then let them rest on a paper towel-lined cutting board for 10-15 minutes to absorb excess moisture.
-
Before serving, heat the olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until shimmering.
-
Add the sliders to the hot skillet and sear for 20-30 seconds per side, creating a delicious crust.
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Alternatively, for a grilled finish, cook the sliders on a preheated grill over high heat for 20-30 seconds per side.
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Top each slider with a slice of cheddar cheese and serve immediately on Hawaiian rolls.
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving (1 slider):
- Calories: 297 kcal (15% DV)
- Carbohydrates: 15g (5% DV)
- Protein: 16g (32% DV)
- Fat: 19g (29% DV)
- Saturated Fat: 7g (35% DV)
- Cholesterol: 65mg (22% DV)
- Sodium: 141mg (6% DV)
- Potassium: 209mg (6% DV)
- Fiber: 1g (4% DV)
- Sugar: 4g (4% DV)
- Vitamin A: 28mg (1% DV)
- Vitamin C: 1mg (1% DV)
- Calcium: 27mg (3% DV)
- Iron: 2mg (11% DV)
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