Juicy Bratwurst Sliders with Beer Cheese (Print Version)

Bratwurst patties topped with beer cheese sauce, caramelized onions, and pickles on soft slider buns for ultimate game day entertaining.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Bratwurst Patties

01 - 1 pound uncooked bratwurst sausages, casings removed
02 - 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
03 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

→ Beer Cheese Sauce

04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
06 - 1 cup lager beer
07 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
08 - 2 ounces cream cheese
09 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - Salt to taste

→ Caramelized Onions

11 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
12 - 1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
13 - Pinch of salt

→ Assembly

14 - 12 slider buns
15 - 1/3 cup sliced dill pickles
16 - 2 tablespoons melted butter for brushing buns
17 - 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onions with a pinch of salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until deeply caramelized and golden brown, approximately 12 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - In a mixing bowl, combine bratwurst meat with black pepper and smoked paprika. Mix gently to avoid overworking. Divide mixture into 12 equal portions and shape each into a compact patty.
04 - Arrange patties on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until cooked through with light browning on the exterior.
05 - In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add lager beer while whisking to achieve a smooth consistency. Reduce heat to low and add shredded cheddar and cream cheese, stirring until completely melted. Incorporate Dijon mustard and adjust seasoning with salt. Maintain warm on low heat.
06 - Split slider buns horizontally. Place bottom halves in a baking dish. Top each with one bratwurst patty, a generous spoonful of caramelized onions, pickles, and abundant beer cheese sauce. Cover with bun tops.
07 - Brush bun tops with melted butter. Sprinkle sesame seeds over buttered tops if desired.
08 - Bake assembled sliders for 7 to 8 minutes until buns achieve a light toast and cheese sauce bubbles at the edges. Serve immediately while hot.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The bratwurst patties stay juicy and pack way more flavor than regular ground beef.
  • Beer cheese sauce is ridiculously easy and tastes like you ordered it from a pub.
  • Sliders bake all together in one pan, so you can actually watch the game instead of flipping burgers.
  • Caramelized onions and tangy pickles cut through the richness perfectly.
02 -
  • Don't skip caramelizing the onions, they add a sweet depth that balances the richness.
  • Whisk the beer into the roux slowly or you'll get lumps in your cheese sauce.
  • Let the patties rest on the sheet for a minute before assembling so they hold together better.
03 -
  • Use a kitchen scale to divide the bratwurst into equal portions so all the patties cook evenly.
  • If the beer cheese gets too thick, whisk in a splash more beer or a little milk to loosen it up.
  • Brush the bun tops with butter right before the final bake for that golden, glossy finish.
Go Back