From the American South and beyond, here's a delicious collection of 25+ Savory, Slow-food Slider Recipes that you can really sink your teeth into!
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What is a slider and where did they come from?
White Castle, generally credited as the country's first fast-food chain, also gets credit for inventing the original slider - a little two-inch square burger with a ridiculously thin meat patty - and introducing it to the world.
Over the last decade, sliders have been popping up like daisies on menus all across the US, from greasy spoon drive-ins to upscale gastropubs. In no place are they more ubiquitous than in the American South, home to both White Castle and its tiny-burger rival, Krystal.
Depending on who you ask, a slider is either (a) a mini-hamburger, or (b) a mini-sandwich. Unless you ask Adam Kuban, [Editor Emeritus, Serious Eats], who unequivocally defines and defends the original slider recipe:
A slider is something very specific. It is not just a mini hamburger. It’s a thin, thin slip of beef, cooked on a griddle with onions and pickles piled atop patty. The steam from the onions does as much cooking as the griddle. The buns are placed atop the onions, absorbing the pungent aroma and flavor.
Personally, I prefer to use the broadest interpretation possible – a slider is a little bun with a yummy, mostly protein-based filling. However, while I may not agree with Mr Kuban on the defining points, I do have to give him some serious props: he has constructed what is probably the best copycat recipe around for traditional beef-n-onion sliders.
The Great Slider Debate
White Castle first opened its doors in Wichita, Kansas in 1921. Eleven years later, Krystal was founded in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In a modern-day Mason-Dixon fast food standoff, Tennessee and Kentucky are the only two US states in which the two chains cross paths.
Since Mr. B and I had to grab a couple of quick meals on our last trip to Tennessee, we decided to seize the opportunity to weigh in on The Great Slider Debate.
Whose slider recipe is better - White Castle or Krystal?
White Castle vs. Krystal
We tried to be as objective as possible in our review. It had been more than 15 years since either Mr B or I had eaten a White Castle slider, and neither one of us had ever tried a Krystals slider before. In both cases, we sampled the basic Cheese Slider (or Cheese Krystal, as the case may be).
- Appearance: The sliders look basically exactly the same. The White Castle slider seemed a bit loftier; it was almost as tall as it was wide. By comparison, the Krystal slider was a bit flatter and had more the appearance of a miniature burger.
- Size: I didn't get out a caliper gauge or anything, but by all appearances, they seemed to be exactly the same size.
- Buns: White Castle buns seemed much lighter and airier than Krystal buns. More importantly, they had a very slight, yet distinct sweetness that I missed in the Krystal bun. The Krystal bun felt a little more dense, and would probably hold up a bit better if you had to take it home before eating it. [Point: White Castle]
- Cheese: Standard fast food yellow processed cheese. Nothing distinctive in either case.
- Meat: The meat in both sliders was the same size and thickness (just under ¼' high). White Castle's slider meat seemed to be slightly seasoned, whereas Krystal's tasted a little flat to us.[Point: White Castle]
- Onions: In both cases, the onions used were reconstituted from dried onion bits, or at least they tasted like they were. The onions were better on the White Castle sliders; they tasted like maybe they put a little Worcestershire sauce or beef stock or something on them to season them, or perhaps it was just "flavor crystals" from the grill. In any case, the Krystal onions were just not as flavorful. [Point: White Castle]
- Other Condiments: White Castle sliders come with a pickle. Period. Krystal sliders come with a pickle and mustard, which Mr B and I both liked, so...[Point: Krystal]
WINNER: White Castle
Summary: If you want a sweeter, lighter slider, White Castle is the place to go. If you like a more tangy slider with a denser bun, go with Krystal. In any event, if you've never even once sunk your teeth into one of these little east-of-the-Mississippi coronary cloggers, it's an experience you might want to try. At least once.
Even if you never set foot in the South, you can still enjoy a savory little slider anytime! Get started with one of these delicious slider recipes!
25+ Savory, Slow-food Slider Recipes
Sliders are just plain fun! These hearty, palm-size wonders of the sandwich world make a perfect party food; with limitless filling options, you'll be sure to have something to fit everyone's tastes, and you can easily make enough for a few or for a crowd.
From the American South and beyond, here's a delicious collection of savory, slow-food slider recipes that you can really sink your teeth into!
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders with Vinegar Slaw
Quick & easy sliders made with slow cooker pulled pork, sweet & smoky BBQ sauce, and crunchy vinegar slaw. This is excellent for using up leftover shredded pork & it's a good excuse to make a big batch.
Kentucky Hot Brown Slider Sandwiches
Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders from Buy This Cook That give a whole new face to the legendary Kentucky Hot Brown.
Carolina Pork Sliders and Sweet Coleslaw
These Carolina Pork Sliders with Sweet Coleslaw, filled with pork barbecue topped with a spicy vinegar based sauce, are a bite-sized version of traditional Carolina barbecue.
Easy Party Cuban Sliders
Easy Party Cuban Sliders loaded with ham, pork, Swiss cheese, and pickles; topped with a tangy Dijon mustard poppy seed spread.
Slow Cooker Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders
Slow Cooker Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sliders made with fork tender pulled pork with rich spices. Perfectly paired with sweet and crisp coleslaw and slider buns buns.
Blackened Salmon Sliders
When it's time to up your game with a delicious new treat to serve your friends and family, my Blackened Salmon Sliders with an Asian Slaw are sure to please even the pickiest eater!
Ham and Gruyere Sliders with Raspberry Mayo
These Ham and Gruyere Sliders are a quick and easy party appetizer with meat and meted cheese topped with a homemade raspberry mayo between moist, toasted slider buns.
Quick and Easy Baked Pizza Sliders
These Quick and Easy Baked Pizza Sliders are tasty and can feed your whole pack with not very much time. Such a tasty meal to be made any night of the week.
Easy Pull Apart Italian Sliders Recipe
Packed with salami, pepperoni, prosciutto, mozzarella, tomato sauce, these tasty Italian sliders are perfect for to serve as a meal or a tasty appetizer!
Tandoori Chicken Sliders
Tandoori Chicken Sliders are mini-burgers made with marinated & grilled chicken, buttery-soft slider buns and dressed with a tart & spicy cilantro-chutney spread.
Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Apples & Onions
These Pork Tenderloin Sliders with Apples & Onions are sure to be a new favorite! With tender pieces of pork and chunks of caramelized apples & onions. Delish!
Hamburger Sliders
These hamburger sliders are easy to make and super delicious! Using a sweet Hawaiian roll or a mini bun you can’t go wrong with these! They are a hit every time!
Turkey Sliders
Warm and cheesy turkey sliders made from leftover turkey meat. They’re bursting with flavor and feed a crowd!
Ham and Cheese Sliders with Garlic Butter Sauce
These easy freezer-friendly sliders are so good, you’ll need to hide a pan for yourself. The garlic butter sauce brushed over the sliders is out of this world!
Philly Cheese Steak Sliders
Messy little Philly cheese steak sliders are irresistibly cheesy and flavorful, perfect for your game day menu!
Chicken and Waffle Sliders
These Chicken and Waffle Sliders are the easiest game day, Super Bowl, or party food recipe that you will make! They’re quick & easy to make and they’re always a crowd pleaser.
Spicy Pulled Pork Sliders
There’s nothing quite like tender, juicy, sweet and spicy slow cooked pulled pork sliders. These are a copycat recipe of my favorite sliders, which I discovered at a Texas country road bbq joint!
Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich Sliders
Banh mi is a scrumptious Vietnamese sandwich that hits ALL flavors of the palate. This slider recipe piles grilled chicken, fresh veggies, and quick pickled veggies on slider rolls. The mayo, sriracha, cilantro, and jalapeño give it classic Asian food vibes!
Turkey, Cheddar and Bacon Sliders
Smoky bacon bits sprinkled on sharp white cheddar cheese are the perfect complement to sliced or shredded turkey. Mix up a sweet poppy seed glaze and pour over sweet Hawaiian rolls for baked turkey sliders that will be gone as soon as they come out of the oven!
Slow Cooker Beef & Beer Sliders
Slow cooker beef and beer sliders are the perfect party or game day food. It’s super easy to make and great for feeding a crowd but my family asks for them as weeknight dinner too!
Maple Bacon Turkey Sliders
Hawaiian Roll Turkey Sliders with Maple and Bacon are salty, sweet, cheesy baked turkey sliders on Hawaiian rolls perfect for your party crowd. Easy to assemble, these sliders with Hawaiian rolls are ready in minutes and can be assembled in advance.
Sweet Potato Sliders
These Sweet Potato Sliders are healthier burger option. Made with sweet potato buns and a beef patty covered in guacamole and ranch dressing, they’re a simple and super tasty (paleo) party food.
Crispy Chicken Sliders
Crispy Chicken Sliders are the perfect appetizer, snack, or even dinner. Thick slices of breast meat is soaked in a buttermilk, coated and fried to perfection, then served on a slider bun with all the fixings.
Pineapple Pulled Pork Sliders & Slaw
Comfort food meets party food in these yummy open-faced pulled pork sliders with pineapple slaw. Served on rounds of toasted sweet Hawaiian bread, these modern sliders are perfect for your next party!
French Onion Roast Beef Sliders Recipe
French Onion Roast Beef Sliders, an easy roast beef slider recipe with caramelized onions. Perfect for dinner or snacking!
Quick and Easy Reuben Sliders
This delicious Reuben Slider recipe will be a huge hit at any gathering or party. Best of all it’s so easy to make you’ll wonder why you never tried it before!
Slow Cooker Korean Pulled Pork Sliders
Sweet, salty and slightly spicy Slow Cooker Korean Pulled Pork Sliders with quick pickle vegetables.
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders
Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Sliders are the perfect comfort food, without all of the work! Pork is dry rubbed with spicy, smoky flavors, then cooked and topped with homemade BBQ sauce and creamy coleslaw. Yum!
Looking to get your Southern cooking on? Try our Naked Colonel's KFC Original Recipe Copycat; or, if you like things a little hotter, take a bit of our crazy-delicious Nashville Hot Chicken! Then finish things off with a slice of this amazing Southern-style Triple-layer Strawberry Cake.
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I'm from Chattanooga, original home of the Krystal (the company was bought out a few years ago by an Atlanta-based corporation) so I am 100% on the Krystal bandwagon. We LOVE Krystals! I can't complain about White Castle, though. We don't have them here but there are some in Nashville and we like them too!
Thanks, Mary! As I was prepping for this post, I did a little research, and it seems like people tend to prefer the one (White Castle or Krystal) that they grew up on, which makes sense.
Gosh, they all look so good, it's hard to choose! Although the chicken sliders with peach chutney are calling my name! Awesome!
I love that peach & chicken combo too!
They all look so delicious! Slider really are the perfect summer meal, I think the chicken and Peach is my fave!
I'm with you - ok I haven't even ever had Krystal, but being a Midwestern girl I have memories of White Castle from my youth, and whenever I go back to visit my family in Chicago there is always a stop at the 24 hours White Castle on the way home. There was one Christmas week where my brother picked me up from the airport and we got WC together, and then a couple hours later he picked up my sister and brother in law and stopped AGAIN at WC - and he still got sliders for himself each time. As a gag gift
for them and also for myself that same Christmas I think they were selling "slider scented candles" which I bought (and they were for charity - 100% proceeds for Autism Speak) but have never unwrapped from the plastic and tried burning...
That's a great story, Pech! You know, I'm not big on fast food in general, but since we live so far from one, those little WC sliders are a really special treat. The frozen ones? I'm not even going there.
Honestly, sliders are awesome no matter what people think they are. I think these are all lovely recipes and all are perfect for the summer especially if you're hosting a bbq or a picnic!
I haven't had sliders in ages and I like your broad description vs the kinda weird one. Definitely keeping these in mind if I ever make it to Kansas or Tennessee
I am a midwestern gal who loves sliders. I have even spent my Valentine's day at a White Castle. My definition is more like a mini sandwich.
What a great collection of slider recipes. I've always liked them for the size and how you can make so many different variations of them.
All of these look amazing! we just make BBQ pulled chicken slider with white american cheese and they were delicious! I can't wait to try some of these!
I think I might have to work my way through all of them to really decide which side of the debate I agree with! 😉
I'm going with your interpretation! I love sliders! Those Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders look awesome!
I haven't had a White Castle in years. A once and awhile treat! Never tried Krystal. Love your variety of slider recipes. I will have to try them.
What a fun idea doing the comparison. I don't think I have wither places out here in Oregon. I also like the wider interpretation of the slider.
We definitely do not have either one here. They don't go past the Mississippi.
The Great Slider debate- so funny. I have never heard of that...but the Carolina Pork sliders look so yummy! All of these do!
Loving all of these recipes! I have never made sliders myself, they aren't as well known in the UK but they do look delicious
I don't think I've ever had either brand of sliders, but fried chicken sliders are my thing and I could eat several in one sitting!
We use to always make an obligatory stop at Krystal when we would go to Tennessee for vacation! I'm much more of a fan for a big juicy slider like those Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders!
Thanks for sharing the recipes 🙂
Carolina girl here, and I know all about what you're talkin'. Sliders are the trendy snack lately, and southern sliders are really the best of the best. I'm from a town that is famous for barbecue so you can find some tasty barbecue sliders on the menu at a lot of places. These look delicious too!
We don't have a Krystal here but I have eaten at them when visiting my family in Tennessee. Your post just reminded me of them and times we have shared! 🙂 I love sliders and making them for get togethers at my house. They are always a crowd pleaser and I love the different twists these recipes provide!
Sliders can be great as you get loads of tastes of things but it always makes me want more x
I LOVE your definition of a slider... and I'm going to start using these recipes! My mouth started watering reading them. Pinning them for later!
I really like the idea of adding coleslaw to a slider. The crunchy texture and creamy flavor take the meatiness up a notch.
These all look so tasty! I think sliders are just such a fun way to eat burgers. Same ingredients, just smaller bites. Fun!
I have only tried Krystal sliders. I have not had the chance to try White Castle. There isn't one anywhere near me. I have to say that the Krystal sliders to me are no that good. I am hoping that the White Castle ones are better.
I always thought of sliders as mini burgers or sandwiches and I haven't really thought about the whole debate about it. So long as the family enjoys them, it doesn't matter what they are called.
I love how versatile these sliders are. They can be prepared so many ways and are perfect for outdoor family gatherings.