Ground beef is a versatile and affordable staple ingredient for many home cooks. It can be used to make burgers, meatballs, meatloaf, tacos, chili, and so much more. When planning recipes, it’s helpful to know how many servings you can expect to yield from a package of ground beef. So how many sliders can you make from a pound of ground beef? Let’s take a closer look.
What is Considered a “Slider”?
Before we can determine how many sliders come from a pound of ground beef, we need to define what constitutes a slider. Sliders are mini burgers made with a small bun or roll. There are some key features of a classic slider:
- Patties are 2-3 ounces each
- Served on a small roll or bun, around 2-3 inches across
- Typically topped simply with things like cheese, onions, pickles, ketchup, mustard, etc.
- Easy to pick up and eat in 1-2 bites
So when calculating how many sliders per pound of beef, we are assuming 2-3 ounce patties on petite buns. The size of the patty and bun are what distinguish sliders from a regular hamburger.
How Many Ounces in a Pound of Ground Beef?
To determine how many sliders can be made from a pound of beef, we first need to know how many ounces are in a pound. Here is a breakdown:
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
Knowing there are 16 ounces in a pound of ground beef will allow us to calculate how many slider patties can be made.
How Big are Slider Patties?
A typical slider patty weighs 2-3 ounces. When making mini burgers, you’ll want to form the patties thinner and smaller than a regular burger patty. To get the right slider patty size:
- Form patties into rounds approximately 2-3 inches across
- Press patties about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick
- Cook patties for just a minute or two per side, to prevent overcooking the small amount of beef
Shooting for 2-3 ounce patties will give you the perfect little slider-sized cooked burger.
How Many 3 Ounce Slider Patties Per Pound of Beef?
If making 3 ounce slider patties, here is how many you can get from 1 pound of ground beef:
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
- 3 ounce patties
- 16 ounces / 3 ounces = 5 patties
So if forming slider patties using 3 ounces of beef each, 1 pound of ground beef will yield 5 sliders.
How Many 2 Ounce Slider Patties Per Pound of Beef?
If you want to make your slider patties a bit smaller at 2 ounces each, you can stretch 1 pound of ground beef into even more mini burgers:
- 1 pound = 16 ounces
- 2 ounce patties
- 16 ounces / 2 ounces = 8 patties
Making 2 ounce slider patties, 1 pound of beef will yield 8 sliders.
Slider Patty Weight and Yield Table
Here is a summary of how many slider patties can be formed per pound of ground beef based on different patty weights:
| Patty Weight | Patties Per Pound |
|---|---|
| 2 ounces | 8 patties |
| 2.5 ounces | 6 patties |
| 3 ounces | 5 patties |
Tips for Stretching Ground Beef for Sliders
To maximize the number of sliders you can make per pound of ground beef, keep these tips in mind:
- Form thinner patties around 2 ounces each rather than 3 ounces.
- Choose slider rolls or buns on the smaller side, 2-3 inches across.
- Use just 1 patty per slider rather than stacking multiple patties.
- Add breadcrumbs, oats, or other binders to help stretch the beef further.
- Consider mixing the beef with mushrooms, beans, or veggies to add more volume.
Buying Ground Beef for Sliders
When purchasing ground beef with sliders in mind, opt for:
- 80/20 or 85/15 lean/fat ratio: The higher fat content will keep the sliders juicy.
- 1-1.5 pounds: This will yield 8-12 two ounce patties, perfect for a slider party.
- Freshly ground: For best texture and flavor.
Serving Suggestions for Sliders
Sliders make great appetizers, lunch items, or even light dinner entrees. Here are some serving suggestions depending on how you want to enjoy your tiny burgers:
- Appetizer: Provide 2-3 sliders per person for a starter course.
- Lunch or dinner: Offer 4-6 sliders per person for a satisfying meal.
- Party food: Calculate ~8-10 sliders per guest if also serving sides and other snacks.
- Kids meal: 1-2 sliders hits the spot for little appetites.
You can also let guests assemble their own customized sliders with a variety of buns, patties, cheeses, sauces, and toppings set up as a DIY slider bar!
Different Types of Sliders
While classic beef sliders are always a hit, you can also get creative with different proteins and flavor combinations. Some slider varieties to try:
- Cheeseburger sliders – Top patties with melted cheese like cheddar, Swiss, American, or bleu cheese.
- Bacon cheeseburger sliders – Add crispy cooked bacon bits too.
- Jalapeño popper sliders – Mix Monterey jack and cream cheese into the patties and top with jalapeños.
- Italian sliders – Use Italian seasoned patties and top with mozzarella and marinara sauce.
- BBQ sliders – Brush cooked patties with your favorite bbq sauce before serving.
- Buffalo chicken sliders – Replace beef patties with shredded chicken mixed with Buffalo hot sauce.
Slider Bun Options
Sliders can be served on small sandwich rolls, dinner rolls, or even slices of bread. Some buns to consider:
- Hawaiian rolls
- Mini brioche buns
- Yeast dinner rolls
- Petite ciabatta rolls
- Slider buns
- Mini bagels
- Bread slices
Look for rolls around 2-3 inches wide to match the petite slider patties. Brushing the inside of the buns with butter or oil helps them get nicely toasted on the griddle or pan.
Cooking Sliders
The best way to cook slider patties is either by pan-frying on the stovetop or grilling them outdoors. To pan-fry:
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat. Brush with oil or butter.
- Cook patties 2-4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
- Toast slider buns on the pan alongside the patties.
For outdoor grilling:
- Preheat a grill to medium-high heat.
- Oil the grates then cook patties 2-4 minutes per side.
- Toast buns on the grill alongside the patties.
Because the patties are thin, they cook up very quickly. Be sure not to overcook them or the sliders may end up dry.
Storing and Freezing Leftover Sliders
Cooked slider patties hold well in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or a low oven. The cooked patties can also be frozen:
- Allow patties to cool completely after cooking.
- Layer between wax or parchment paper and place in a freezer bag.
- Remove as many patties as needed while frozen.
- Reheat frozen patties in the microwave, toaster oven, or oven at 300°F until hot, about 5 minutes.
Uncooked slider patties can be frozen as well. Form patties and place on a lined sheet pan. Freeze until solid then transfer to freezer bags. Cook frozen patties for an extra 1-2 minutes per side.
Toppings and Condiments
Sliders are all about easy, customizable eating. Offer a DIY topping bar with various cheeses, vegetables, sauces, and condiments so guests can build their perfect mini burgers. Ideas include:
- Sliced cheese: cheddar, Swiss, pepper jack, provolone, etc.
- Sautéed onions or onions rings
- Sliced tomatoes
- Lettuce or spinach leaves
- Dill pickles or pickle relish
- Bacon pieces
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Ketchup, mustard, mayo
- BBQ sauce, ranch dressing
- Jalapeños, banana peppers
- Avocado slices
Provide a selection of toppings in small bowls for guests to customize their sliders.
Sides for Serving Sliders
While sliders make a tasty meal or snack on their own, sides are always a welcome addition. Some pairing ideas include:
- French fries
- Onion rings
- Potato chips
- Potato salad
- Pasta salad
- Coleslaw
- Baked beans
- Macaroni and cheese
- Corn on the cob
- Watermelon slices
Sides like fries, slaw, and salad round out a slider meal nicely. Serve in single-size portions or allow guests to take their desired amount.
Conclusion
Sliders are a fun and scrumptious way to enjoy all the flavor of a burger in a hand-held, bite-sized package. Depending on the size of the patties, 1 pound of ground beef yields 5-8 sliders. Form 2-3 ounce patties and serve them on petite buns along with desired cheeses, vegetables, sauces, and other condiments. Pan-fry or grill the patties for maximum flavor. Round out your slider meal with classic sides like fries, chips, slaw, or salad. Now that you know how many sliders come from a pound of ground beef, you can start planning your next slider gathering!