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Beef Sliders with Chipotle Mayo and Crispy Onion Strings
I love the combination of smoky roasted corn with the spicy jalapeño and crispy onion strings on this burger.
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Beef sliders with chipotle mayo and crispy onion strings take juicy mini beef patties and layer them with smoky chipotle-spiked mayo, fresh avocado, roasted corn, jalapeño slices, and homemade crispy fried onion strings on slider buns for bite-sized flavor bombs that are perfect for game day or casual gatherings. These handheld sliders are crowd-friendly, easy to eat, and packed with bold Tex-Mex flair without a ton of fuss. If you love these savory sliders, be sure to try hatch chili and bacon smash burger sliders or garlic knot meatball sliders next.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect party bites – small sliders mean big flavor with less commitment.
- Smoky + crunchy – chipotle mayo and crispy onion strings elevate simple beef.
- Customizable toppings – roasted corn, avocado, and jalapeño bring freshness.
Key Ingredients in This Recipe
- Slider buns – Look for slider buns at your grocery store. I like using buns with sesame seeds or potato buns if you can find them.
- Ground Beef – I use a blend of 80% lean/ 20% fat ground beef. The fat adds flavor to the blended meat burger.
- Onions – Use thinly sliced yellow onions for this recipe. Dredging them in the flour mixture before frying them gives them a crispy, crunchy coating.
- Chipotle powder – Chilies are given different names once the peppers are dried and the flavor profile changes; chipotles are jalapeño peppers picked when they are fully ripe and red, then dried and smoked. Ground chipotle powder adds a smokey, sweet and slightly spicy chili flavor to the mayonnaise.
A full ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Pro Tip
Fry the onion strings in batches so the oil temperature stays consistently hot — this keeps them extra crispy without oil sogginess.
Swaps and Substitutions
- Ground beef: Swap with ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter slider.
- Chipotle powder: Use smoked paprika plus a touch of cayenne if chipotle powder isn’t available.
- Slider buns: Substitute mini brioche buns or Hawaiian rolls if preferred.
- Onion strings: Use store-bought crispy onions to save time.
- Roasted corn: Swap with charred poblano or bell pepper for variation.
How to Make Beef Sliders with Chipotle Mayo and Crispy Shallot Strings (Step-by-Step)
In a large sauté pan over medium heat, heat enough vegetable oil to fill about an inch up the pan. Heat the oil to 350°F (180ºC). Add the milk to a medium mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, salt and pepper in another medium bowl. Dip a handful of the onions into the milk then toss them in the flour mixture to coat. Add to the hot oil and fry until golden brown all over. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise and chipotle powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Divide the meat into 12 equal portions and gently form them into patties. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add several patties to the pan. Be careful not to over-crowd the pan. Cook until browned on the outside on both sides and cooked until just pink on the inside, about 4 minutes each side. Remove to a plate and continue to cook the remaining patties.
Spread some of the chipotle mayo on the lower half of each slider bun then add a patty and top with avocado, roasted corn, jalapeño slices and crispy onion strings. Serve immediately.
How to Serve Beef Sliders with Chipotle Mayo
- Immediately: Serve sliders hot while patties are juicy and toppings fresh.
- With sides: Pair with kettle chips, fries, or a crisp slaw.
- Game day platter: Arrange on a large board with toothpicks for easy grabbing.
- Add cheese: Melt pepper jack or cheddar on the patties for an extra layer.
How to Store Beef Sliders with Chipotle Mayo
- Refrigerate components: Store patties, mayo, and onion strings separately for up to 2 days.
- Reheat patties: Gently reheat patties in a skillet or oven to preserve juiciness.
- Avoid soggy buns: Toast buns before serving if storing assembled sliders.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Can beef sliders with chipotle mayo and crispy onion strings be made ahead?
Yes. You can prep the patties and chipotle mayo ahead, then fry and assemble just before serving.
What’s the best beef blend for beef sliders?
An 80/20 ground beef mix keeps sliders juicy without too much shrinkage.
Can beef sliders be grilled?
Yes. These sliders can be cooked on a grill for a smoky char instead of in a skillet.
Are beef sliders with chipotle mayo spicy?
The heat comes mainly from chipotle powder and fresh jalapeños; adjust quantities to taste.
Other Recipes to Try
If your whole crew couldn’t get enough of these sliders, try some of these flavorful burger recipes:
Thanks for cooking with me! If you made this recipe, leave a 🌟 rating and share your thoughts or tips below. I’d love to hear from you!
Beef Sliders with Chipotle Mayo and Crispy Onion Strings
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Ingredients:
For the crispy onion strings:
- vegetable oil, as needed, for frying
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
For the chipotle mayo:
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 2 teaspoons chipotle powder
- Kosher salt, as needed
- Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
For the burger:
- 2 pounds ground beef (80/20)
- Kosher salt, as needed
- Freshly ground black pepper, as needed
- 1 medium haas avocado, pitted, peeled and sliced
- 2 ears of corn roasted, kernels cut off the cob
- 2 jalapeños, thinly sliced
- 12 slider buns
Instructions:
For the crispy onion strings:
- In a large sauté pan over medium heat, heat enough vegetable oil to fill about an inch up the pan. Heat the oil to 350°F (180ºC).
- Add the milk to a medium mixing bowl and whisk together the flour, salt and pepper in another medium bowl.
- Dip a handful of the onions into the milk then toss them in the flour mixture to coat. Add to the hot oil and fry until golden brown all over. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
For the chipotle mayo:
- In a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise and chipotle powder. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
For the burger:
- Divide the meat into 12 equal portions and gently form them into patties. Season with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat a medium cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add several patties to the pan. Be careful not to over-crowd the pan.
- Cook until browned on the outside on both sides and cooked until just pink on the inside, about 4 minutes each side. Remove to a plate and continue to cook the remaining patties.
- Spread some of the chipotle mayo on the lower half of each slider bun then add a patty and top with avocado slices, roasted corn, jalapeño slices and crispy onion strings. Serve immediately.
Notes:
Fry the onion strings in batches so the oil temperature stays consistently hot — this keeps them extra crispy without oil sogginess.
Nutrition:
Calories: 434kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 852mg | Potassium: 330mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 192IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 3mg
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