Name: Tailgate Sliders
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 8 sliders
Ingredients: 1 lb extra lean ground beef; 2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce; 1 tsp Garlic Powder; Salt & Pepper (to taste); 8 Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, (or other slider buns); 2 plum tomatoes; Green Leaf Lettuce; 4 Cheddar cheese slices, cut into quarters; 4 Tbsp Cream Cheese; 3 Tbsp Reduced-fat mayo or miracle whip; 3-4 roasted red peppers from 7 ½ oz jar, drained well; 1/2 tsp garlic powder; 1/4 tsp black pepper; 2 lg avocados; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1-2 Tbsp lemon juice; 1/2 tsp each - salt and pepper, (or more to taste)

These tailgate sliders with creamy red pepper sauce are the perfect finger food for football season. But let’s be honest, the creamy red pepper sauce is the real MVP, here.

Original post September 9, 2011; Updated text and photos September 21. 2019

Fall is just around the corner, I’m convinced of it. The weather has cooled slightly here in Texas – meaning it is in the 90’s in the afternoon, instead of 105. And a big part of Fall, in Texas is – FOOTBALL!! And a big part of football, is…TAILGATING! Or, if you aren’t hanging out in a parking lot pre-game, you may be pre-gaming at home, with lots of yummy food.

In either case, you need these Tailgate Sliders on your menu. The creamy roasted red pepper sauce is really what makes these spectacular, and it’s so simple to make. I mean, the entire recipe is really easy to make. Just a few standard burger ingredients, guac, and an amazing sauce and you’ll be the food MVP!

I definitely have a love for finger food, appetizers, bar food – whatever you want to call it. So any excuse to make party food, I’m all in. I first made these sliders about 8 years ago, adding the creamy red pepper sauce from my Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Creamy Red Pepper Sauce – and you guys…it is the best. thing. EVER. The sauce definitely makes these sliders. And you definitely need these sliders at your next tailgating party. But these sliders aren’t the only tailgating food you can find here today!

In the spirit of football season and all things tailgating-food-related, I’ve joined up with 15 of my blogger friends to share some amazing tailgating party recipes with you! Make sure you check out the links at the bottom of the post!

Tailgate Sliders

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

10 mins

Total Time

25 mins

These tailgate sliders with creamy red pepper sauce are the perfect finger food for football season. But let's be honest, the creamy red pepper sauce is the real MVP, here.

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Football Food, Sliders, Tailgate

Servings: 8 sliders

Author: Jaida

Ingredients

1 lb extra lean ground beef
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Garlic Powder
Salt & Pepper to taste
8 Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, or other slider buns
2 plum tomatoes
Green Leaf Lettuce
4 Cheddar cheese slices, cut into quarters

Creamy Red Pepper Sauce

4 Tbsp Cream Cheese
3 Tbsp Reduced-fat mayo or miracle whip
3-4 roasted red peppers from 7 ½ oz jar, drained well
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper

Guacamole

2 lg avocados
1 tsp garlic powder
1-2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp each – salt and pepper, or more to taste

Instructions

Place ground beef into a medium-sized bowl, and mix in Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt & pepper. Separate ground beef into 8 golf-ball sized balls and mash down to ½ thick patties.
Heat your grill, pan or griddle to a medium-high heat and lightly coat with cooking spray or olive oil. Cook patties to your desired doneness, about 3 minutes per side for medium well.
Meanwhile, prepare the red pepper sauce and guacamole, slice tomatoes, tear lettuce into smaller pieces to fit slider buns, and cut cheese slices into smaller squares.
Just before the patties are done, put the slider buns on the grill or separate skillet to toast.
To build slider, slather red pepper sauce on the bottom bun, place meat patty, 2 quartered cheese slices, tomato slice, and lettuce, then add guacamole to the top bun to complete!

For the Creamy Red Pepper Sauce:

Mix all ingredients together in food processor until well-blended. Refrigerate until ready to use.

For the Guacamole:

Remove peel and seeds from avocados and place in small bowl. Mash until mostly smooth, and then add garlic powder, lemon juice, salt & pepper. Taste, and add additional seasonings if needed.

Recipe Notes

The red pepper sauce and guacamole can be prepared ahead of time, as well as seasoning the meat and cutting your veggies in case you are traveling to tailgate or attend a watch party. These sliders are easy to assemble and packed full of flavor!! For an added kick, you can also cook bacon and mix that (and cheesinto your beef patties!