What to Serve With Sliders at a Party [12 Yummy Side Dishes!]
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Cheeseburger sliders are one of the best ways to spruce up your backyard barbeques or holiday get-togethers. Since they’re so tiny and delicious – experimenting with sliders is also a ton of fun!
When paired with a few choice side dishes? Sliders are the perfect meal for a party. They’re light, juicy, tasty – and everyone loves them.
But – what can you serve with sliders at a party for the best meal (and the best time) possible?
Here are 12 delicious side dishes to serve with sliders – for parties – or any occasion!
What’s Inside:
Different Types of Sliders
Sliders are the smaller, hipper version of hamburgers – and cheeseburgers! You can make sliders in the oven, the BBQ, or the stovetop.
Sliders are also perfect if you want something other than hamburger – or beef.
You’ll find all sorts of combinations, including the following:
- Fish
- Chicken
- Ham and Swiss
- Pulled Pork
- Crab Cakes
- Meatball
- And more!
You can turn any sandwich into a slider with the correctly-sized bun! You can find tiny slider buns at your local grocery store. (Or, buy fresh at your favorite bakery. Even better!)
Whether or not you toast your slider bun is the million-dollar question.
But, that’s a debate for another time. For now – let’s talk side dishes!
Classic Side Dishes to Go With Sliders
Depending on the type of sliders you choose to have at your party, the slides you choose might vary.
Luckily – sliders are one of the most versatile foods! That’s why I love them.
You also have tons of side dish options.
Here are some of my favorite sides to go with sliders:
1. The Baked Potato
Comforting and delicious, they’re so simple – and hardy! When properly seasoned and dressed – eating them feels like cheating.
Baked potatoes are affordable, hands-off, healthier than fries, and in my opinion, the variety of toppings makes them more fun.
Also – don’t forget the sour cream and diced onions. They make baked potatoes 1,000 more delicious – and savory!
For my friends who like a sweeter twist? I invite you to try the baked sweet potato! So delicious topped with some sour cream, garlic butter, and bacon.
2. Fresh Garden Salads
Fresh garden salad and cheeseburger sliders go beautifully together.
So – you can’t go wrong with a salad. And there are so many kinds worth trying!
Here are some of my favorite salads to add to a BBQ buffet:
But the options don’t stop there.
If you have fermented tomatoes, pickled veggies – or fresh vegetables and fruits from your garden – then add those to your salad!
The more fresh and local ingredients – the better.
3. Baked Beans
The slow cooker is such a powerful kitchen tool. Load it in advance, and then serve the food when it’s ready.
Slow-cooked baked beans are particularly divine. I start mine in the evening – and then, we’re ready to dine (and feast) the next day.
You can also add tons of ingredients to your baked beans to make things more exciting!
Best baked bean upgrades:
- Brown rice
- Brown sugar
- Crushed seeds
- Diced garlic cloves
- Chopped onions, peppers, or tomatoes
- Fresh ground pepper and salt
- Ketchup
- Minced bacon (major bonus points for meat lovers!)
- Red pepper flakes
- Spicy peppers (my favorite!)
- Spicy stone mustard
- Worcestershire sauce
You can also add cheese to your baked beans – or sour cream.
Read More – Delicious and Savory BBQ Grilling Recipes and Ideas!
4. Veggie Platters
Veggie platters tend to be a good fit for almost every dietary restriction. Use veggies you already have in the kitchen or garden, or you can even scoop up a premade platter from the grocery store.
I like to serve my veg with homemade Caesar salad dressing and hummus.
5. Zucchini Sticks
For my friends who find themselves inundated by zucchini every summer, take this opportunity to share those prolific squash with your friends by making zucchini sticks.
Here’s the best breading tip!
Use one hand for dredging the zucchini strips through the wet mixture. Use the other hand for tossing in the dry mix.
The two hands should never meet. If they do, you have breaded fingers, which is the worst!
Read More – 7 Delicious Fermented Tomatoes Recipes! Homemade and DIY!
6. Corn on the Cob
Did you know that the second a cob of corn gets picked, the sugar in the kernels starts to degrade? That means that the older the corn is, the less sweet it is.
This corn-Sweeting phenomenon is one great reason to buy your corn locally, or if you’re up for the challenge, grow it yourself!
Corn can be boiled on the stovetop or grilled on the BBQ. If you choose to BBQ your corn, you must soak it beforehand.
I usually grill my corn with the husk on, but some recipes remove the husk first.
Either way, you’ll want to remove the silk before tossing it on the grill.
I can tell you from experience that the corn silk (and husks) are quite flammable – they go up quickly!
Now you can make homemade cheeseburger sliders! You can add unique ingredients. You can also make big burgers or medium-sized burgers. BPA-free plastic - nonstick.
Extreme Sides to Go With Sliders
When it comes to toppings, sliders often deviate from the traditional toppings. Let your culinary sense of adventure go wild!
It’s more common to find toppings like pineapple, garlic, salsa, chili, or poutine.
And that’s part of the fun: The ability to mix and match.
With that in mind? Some of my favorite sides for a slider party are toppings that bring your slider to the next level. Toppings are everything!
7. Chili – or Spicy Chili
I love a good chili dog in the fall. My belief that chili dogs are perfection also leads me to believe that a scoop of chili on a burger is also darn fine.
If you have a vegetarian guest – you can also do a vegetarian chili.
Here are some of our favorite Chili recipes to try:
- Vegetable chili with wild mushrooms and winter squash!
- Beef chili
- Pumpkin chili
- Seafood chili (so good!)
- Crispy fish chili
- Chili bean, black bean, and kidney bean chili
- Vegetarian chili
Chili makes for the perfect sidekick for sliders – especially if you have a vegetarian in the group!
(Try adding some fresh garden tomatoes, herbs, garlic, and peppers to your chili. Everyone will love the flavors!)
8. Salsa
Salsa is a particularly delicious topping on a fish or chicken burger. I love the freshness of the tomato, and a little bit of heat is a nice touch too.
Just like with chili – the fresher ingredients for your salsa, the better!
Add freshly chopped peppers, onions, cilantro, and lime.
Don’t forget a heaping mound of tortilla chips!
Read More – How to Stock Your Pantry on a Budget – The Ideal
9. Onion Rings – or French Fries
Homemade onion rings are the best sidekick for juicy cheeseburger sliders! Topping a slider with an onion ring is greasy, crispy, and oh-so-delicious.
If you don’t have an outdoor fryer? No problem!
Make your own or take a shortcut and buy oven-ready onion rings.
I’m also just going to take a minute to point out that an onion ring is a perfect shape to contain messier toppings like chili.
Want to avoid deep fry? You can make caramelized onions or onion jam.
10. Homemade Slaw
Coleslaw is the perfect match for a pork slider, but some fabulous Asian slaws pair just about perfectly with a fish slider.
The best part about coleslaw is that it’s easy to make.
Simple coleslaw ingredients:
- Green cabbage
- Carrots
- Onions
- Iceberg lettuce
- Mayonnaise
You can also chuck other garden veggies into your coleslaw if you want! (I’ve diced and tossed a few cucumbers in my coleslaw. They tasted great and added good texture!)
Don’t forget the fresh ground pepper after mixing in a dash of oil or mayonnaise.
This mini slider tray helps shape six 2-ounce slider mini patties! You can make turkey, pork, veggie, or beef burgers. Made using nonstick aluminum and it also has a wood handle.
11. Grilled Pineapple
People think I’m crazy for loading my homemade pizza with freshly sliced pineapple.
It’s so delicious!
Are you with me?
If you belong to the portion of the population that likes pineapple on your pizza, I think you’ll also like pineapple on your burger. It’s just as good as on pizza!
Particularly good on a ham and Swiss slider, grilled pineapple is also a tasty topping for a chicken or beef burger.
Read More – Best Meat Grinder for Hamburgers, Deer, Wild Game, and More!
12. Dill Pickle Chips
Yes, you read that right! Dill pickle chips are insanely delicious on a burger – especially sliders!
They have all the flavor of a dill pickle.
But they also have an epic crunch. I also bet that your kids will love them.
(Adults love them too. Me included!)
If you don’t want to use dill pickle chips – you can also slice (and dice) a big bowl of pickles.
Diced pickles add excellent flavor to your sliders – but not everyone likes them. So, make them optional!
(Relish is also an option. But I prefer sliced pickles or dill chips for the added crunch and texture.)
Do you want cheeseburger sliders that make your mouth water? Consider mixing this gourmet seasoning with your slider patties. The reviews are excellent, and I also approve of this miraculous stuff!
Serving Sliders and Mini Cheeseburgers FAQs
Still, have some questions about your upcoming hamburger slider party? Maybe you’re not sure which condiments work best?
No worries!
Here are some FAQs people have about what to serve with sliders.
We also share some of our best cheeseburger and sandwich slider preparation tips.
We hope these answers help!
Sandwiches are versatile. They go great with veggie platters, salads, potato dishes, fries, chips and dips, and soups. A tray of chicken wings, pasta, chicken fingers, or freshly chopped vegetables also makes excellent compliments to your sandwich or slider platter.
Also, consider that some guests may prefer low-carb or vegetarian substitutions. That’s why we recommend erring on the side of fresh garden salads or vegetable soups during formal situations – for those who eat whole foods and natural foods.
For a party of eight to ten people – it’s recommended to serve four sides with your main course. For larger parties with a dozen guests or more, offer five sides alongside your main course. Dietary restrictions are common, so including some vegetarian and gluten-free options will help make everyone feel welcome.
Consider adding a mixture of soups, salad, or deli meats to compliment your cheeseburger platters. That way – you serve everyone – whether they want fresh garden veggies or a savory cheeseburger slider!
Prepare two or three cheeseburger sliders (or sandwich sliders) per person. If you have lots of sides, anticipate two sliders per person. If you have fewer side dishes? Or, if some big eaters are showing up, three or four sliders per person are more reasonable. If you want to be extra safe – add a tray of chicken wings, French fries, or baked potato skins!
The first topping you need is sliced cheese. I recommend American cheese or cheddar cheese. But there are other options! (The more Monterey Jack cheese, the better!) I would also recommend thinly sliced tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are my favorite for burgers, sliders, and sandwiches. Also, add a thick layer of lettuce. If you enjoy hots, you should add diced onions and spicy peppers.
For condiments, sliders are best with ketchup, mustard, and relish. If you add sliced pickles – then you don’t need relish! (I prefer sliced pickles anyhow.) Thousand island sauce is also heavenly on cheeseburger sliders.
Place your pre-cooked patties in the oven at 170°F (76°C) and cover with foil. If the burgers are at risk of drying out, a few tablespoons of broth will keep the meat moist. Alternatively, most slow cookers have a Keep Warm function. To avoid soggy buns, guests can assemble their sliders when they’re ready to eat them.
There are tons of alternatives to potato chips! Try French fries, baked potatoes, sweet potato fries, diced cucumbers, chopped tomatoes, fresh garden salad, chicken wings, or a Greek salad. Soup also makes for an excellent supplement to your sliders or sandwiches. Chicken soup, clam chowder, or French onion soup are popular favorites!
A slider bar should have everything guests need to create the perfect slider! Your condiment bar will likely include buns, patties, diced onions, chopped pickles, sliced tomatoes, condiments, plates, cutlery, and napkins. If you have a lot of toppings but don’t have many serving bowls, you can use a muffin tin, small mason jars, or even plastic cups to contain toppings and condiments.
Serving Sandwich Sliders at Parties Made Easy!
We know that holiday feasts are stressful – especially when trying to make all of your guests happy!
That’s why we recommend sliders. They’re fast, easy, delicious, and versatile.
Sliders are also a fun addition to any party, and a solid selection of slides will elevate your party to the next level. Just between you and me, the great joy of a slider is that it leaves you with more space to heap your plate with sides!
Who says that sliders must contain meat? These chicken-flavored sliders are 100% meat-free! The sliders are Non-GMO, vegan, and dairy-free.
I don’t like Chili, I love Corn on the Cob