Big Mac Sliders

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons French dressing
• 1 tablespoon dill pickle relish
• 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon white vinegar
• 1 clove garlic finely minced OR 1/4 teaspoon dried garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• 1 pound lean ground beef (85 to 95% lean)
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 9 Hawaiian slider rolls
• 4 slices American cheese
• 18 pickle chips
• Ketchup (optional if desired)
• Yellow mustard (optional if desired)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Instructions

1. 1

   Special Sauce - Preheat oven to 350F and in a medium bowl, add all the ingredients, whisk to combine, cover, and refrigerate until needed. Tip - Consider making a double batch by doubling all ingredients if you love sauce. Extra sauce will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 1 week and most anything is great dipped into it.

2. 2

   Big Mac Sliders - To a large bowl, add the ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and using either clean hands or a wooden spoon, mix to combine. Tip - Don't overmix or the sliders will be tough.

3. 3

   Form 9 equally-sized portions of meat and roll them into balls between your hands.

4. 4

   Place the balls of meat onto a baking sheet lined with plastic wrap (for both easier cleanup and so nothing sticks; you can spray it with cooking spray to be sure if desired).

5. 5

   Cover the balls of meat with another sheet of plastic wrap and using a flat-bottomed drinking glass (or your palm), flatten each ball to approximately a 3/4-inch patty.

6. 6

   To a large skillet, sear the patties over medium-high heat for 3 minutes on each side. Notes - They don't need to be cooked through because they will finish cooking in the oven, you're just searing them to lock in the juices and for flavor. You also don't need to add any oil to your skillet because the natural oil from the beef itself is enough.

7. 7

   Spray a 9x9-inch baking pan with cooking spray, place the bottom parts of the buns from a 9-count package of Hawaiian slider rolls into the pan.

8. 8

   Place a burger patty in the center of each bun.

9. 9

   Top each with the cheese* (it won't be "lined up" one-to-one with each patty but will cover all 9 buns as shown in the photo).

10. 10

    Add 2 pickle chips to the center of each, evenly drizzle with the optional ketchup and mustard, and add the special sauce, as desired.

11. 11

    Top with the top half of the slider buns.

12. 12

    Cover the pan tightly with a sheet of foil and bake covered for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, melt the butter.

13. 13

    After 15 minutes, remove the pan from the oven, remove the foil, evenly brush the butter over the top of the buns making sure to use it all, evenly sprinkle with sesame seeds, and baked uncovered for 5 minutes to toast the buns lightly.

14. 14

    Serve immediately by either pulling apart or slicing apart. I like to serve them with extra Special Sauce on the side. Sliders are best warm and fresh. Leftovers will keep airtight in the fridge for up to 3 days, however admittedly sliders aren't great keepers. Freezing is not recommended.