Recipes for Low-Calorie Sliders, Two Ways

Unless it's dessert, never order anything on a restaurant menu with the word "mini" in it. Sounds counterintuitive, but so-called mini bites come with maximum fat saturation. These tasty burger bites, however, are different. Because one sliders recipe wasn't enough, we give you two, so you'll be able to deliver some huge flavor for a truly mini caloric price tag. They're great for appetizers, snacks, and parties!

Nutrition: 320 calories, 18 g fat (7 g saturated), 400 mg sodium (average of both)

Serves 4

You'll Need

For Mushroom-Blue Cheese Sliders:

2 tsp olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
11⁄2 cups sliced mushrooms
Salt and black pepper to taste
1⁄2 lb ground sirloin
2 Tbsp steak sauce
1⁄4 cup crumbled blue cheese
4 small soft whole wheat rolls, about 2" in diameter (Martin's mini potato rolls are perfect for the job)

For Chipotle-Bacon Sliders:6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e

2 Tbsp mayonnaise
1 Tbsp chipotle pepper
1⁄2 lb ground sirloin
Salt and black pepper to taste
1⁄2 oz shredded sharp cheddar cheese
4 small soft rolls, about 2" in diameter
4 strips cooked bacon
Caramelized onions

How to Make It

For Mushroom-Blue Cheese Sliders:

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet or sauté pan over medium heat.
2. Add the oil and garlic and sauté for 60 seconds, until fragrant but not brown.
3. Add the mushrooms and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, until the mushrooms are nicely caramelized.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet over medium heat.
6. Season the sirloin with salt and pepper; form into 4 patties, being careful not to overwork the meat (which will create dense, chewy patties).
7. Brush each patty with steak sauce.
8. When the pan is hot, add the burgers and cook for 3 minutes on the first side, then flip.
9. Add the blue cheese crumbles to the cooked side and continue grilling for another 2 to 3 minutes, until the patties are firm and the cheese has begun to melt.
10. Remove the burgers.
11. While the pan is still hot, toast the rolls. Brush them with a bit more steak sauce if you like, then top each with a burger and mushrooms.

For Chipotle-Bacon Sliders:

1. Mix the mayo and chipotle pepper.
2. Prepare and cook the burgers as described for the mushroom-blue cheese sliders, omitting the steak sauce and subbing cheddar for the blue cheese.
3. Spread the rolls with a bit of the mayo mixture, then top with the burgers, bacon, and caramelized onions.

This recipe (and hundreds more!) came from one of our Cook This, Not That! books. For more easy cooking ideas, you can also buy the book!