Imagine all the smoky, tangy, and cheesy flavors of Mexican street corn wrapped up in a juicy burger and tucked neatly into a soft slider bun. Yes, that’s the magic of Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders! Every bite delivers crumbled cotija, creamy mayo, sizzling sweet corn, seasoned beef, and a gooey cheddar melt. These sliders are a total crowd-pleaser, easy to whip up for game day, backyard barbecues, or any night when comfort food with a twist is in order.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You don’t need a mile-long shopping list to pull off unforgettable Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders. Every ingredient is a flavorful building block: the spiced beef brings umami, the zesty elote topping adds punch, while soft slider buns tie everything together. Here’s how each ingredient shines in this delicious stack.
- Ground beef (1 1/2 pounds): Lean enough to stay juicy, this is the backbone of each slider.
- Garlic powder (1 teaspoon): Infuses the patties with earthy depth that lingers in every bite.
- Smoked paprika (1 teaspoon): Adds a subtle smokiness and beautiful color to the beef.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Essential for bringing out and balancing all the flavors.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Gives the patties a gentle but noticeable kick.
- Olive oil (1 tablespoon): Ensures an even, beautiful sear on your mini burgers.
- Corn kernels (1 1/2 cups): Sweet and golden, these bring that signature street corn bite. Fresh, canned, or thawed frozen all work great.
- Mayonnaise (1/4 cup): The base for that classic creamy elote flavor on top.
- Sour cream (1/4 cup): Adds tangy richness to the corn mixture.
- Chili powder (1/2 teaspoon): Brings subtle heat and color to the street corn topping.
- Lime juice (1/2 teaspoon): Lifts the flavor with acidic brightness and balances the richness.
- Cotija cheese, crumbled (1/4 cup): Salty and creamy bits that are iconic in street corn.
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (1/4 cup): Herbs that brighten and color every bite.
- Cheddar cheese slices (6): Melty, bold, and brings satisfying cheeseburger vibes to the sliders.
- Slider buns (12): Soft and squishy, they hold everything together perfectly.
- Melted butter (2 tablespoons): Brushed atop the buns for irresistible golden tops.
How to Make Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders
Step 1: Season and Shape the Beef Patties
In a big mixing bowl, combine the ground beef with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix until just combined (overmixing can make patties dense!) and shape into 12 small, evenly sized patties—about the width of your slider buns. Lining them up on a tray or parchment makes for easy grabbing as you cook.
Step 2: Sear the Patties
Heat that olive oil in a large skillet set over medium heat. Add your patties, getting a nice sizzle, and cook for about 2–3 minutes per side. Go for browned outsides, but don’t worry about cooking them through just yet; they’ll finish in the oven. Set them aside on a plate as you go.
Step 3: Char the Corn
In the same skillet (hello, flavor boost!), toss in the corn kernels. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the edges get toasty and lightly charred. This step gives your Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders that flame-grilled street corn flavor that sets them apart.
Step 4: Make the Street Corn Topping
Mix mayonnaise, sour cream, chili powder, lime juice, crumbled cotija, and chopped cilantro in a small bowl until smooth and creamy. Stir in the charred corn. It’s rich, tangy, and loaded with elote magic—exactly what you want spooned over your juicy burgers.
Step 5: Assemble the Sliders
Preheat your oven to 350°F. Slice your slider buns in half (a serrated knife works wonders) and place the bottoms in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Add a patty on each bun, top with half a slice of cheddar, and a generous spoonful of the street corn topping. Cap each one with the top bun and brush it all with melted butter for that bakery-fresh finish.
Step 6: Bake to Gooey Perfection
Pop the entire pan in the oven for 10–12 minutes. You’re looking for melty cheese, heated-through sliders, and golden, buttery buns. The scent at this point is guaranteed to bring everyone to the kitchen! Serve immediately, crowned with extra cilantro if you like.
How to Serve Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders
Garnishes
A final flourish of fresh cilantro or an extra sprinkle of cotija cheese really amps up the color and authenticity of these sliders. If you love extra heat, a tiny dash of hot sauce or finely diced jalapeños brings a playful boost to the platter.
Side Dishes
These Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders are irresistible alongside crispy seasoned fries, classic potato chips, or a zingy coleslaw. For something lighter, pile your plate with a big green salad dressed with lime vinaigrette—it keeps the meal breezy and balances all the richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, line up the sliders on a big tray and nestle extra street corn topping in a bowl nearby. Skewer each slider with a party pick for easy grabbing. To make them the centerpiece of a backyard gathering, surround with piles of chips and salsa or little cups of guacamole.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got leftovers? No problem! Tuck extra Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders into an airtight container and refrigerate. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for 2 to 3 days. Keep the corn topping separate if you want to avoid soggy buns.
Freezing
If you want to freeze, assemble the cooked patties, cheese, and buns (but leave off the corn topping), then wrap tightly. Freeze for up to a month. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm and add street corn topping fresh.
Reheating
For best results, reheat sliders in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes until heated through and the cheese gets melty again. Add the street corn topping just before serving so everything stays fresh and vibrant.
FAQs
Can I make the street corn topping ahead of time?
Absolutely! The elote-inspired topping keeps well in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just give it a good stir before assembling your Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders.
What if I don’t have cotija cheese?
No worries—crumbled feta or even parmesan works in a pinch. Cotija adds authentic flair, but any salty, crumbly cheese will do the job.
Do the sliders get soggy if made in advance?
To keep everything perfectly textured, store the corn topping separately and assemble just before baking or serving. That way, your Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders stay crisp and never soggy.
Can I grill the beef patties instead of pan-searing?
Yes! Grilling adds smoky flavor and those classic char marks. Just make sure they’re not cooked all the way through, since they’ll finish up in the oven with the buns and cheese.
How can I make them spicier?
It’s easy to boost the heat—add dashes of hot sauce to the street corn mixture, toss in minced jalapeños, or swap in pepper jack cheese for the cheddar.
Final Thoughts
Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders are that rare, showstopping crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again. The blend of bold flavors, melty cheese, and juicy patties all wrapped up in a perfect little slider is just too good to miss. Give it a try—you might just discover your new favorite way to burger!
Print
Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 sliders 1x
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
These Street Corn Cheeseburger Sliders are a delightful fusion of flavors, combining the classic American cheeseburger with the vibrant and zesty Mexican street corn. Perfect for game day or any casual gathering, these mini burgers are packed with savory goodness.
Ingredients
For the Beef Patties:
- 1 1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For the Street Corn Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups corn kernels (fresh, canned, or thawed frozen)
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Additional Ingredients:
- 6 slices cheddar cheese
- 12 slider buns
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Prepare the Beef Patties: Mix ground beef with garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Shape into 12 small patties and brown in a skillet.
- Make the Street Corn Topping: Sauté corn, then mix with mayo, sour cream, chili powder, lime juice, cotija, and cilantro.
- Assemble the Sliders: Layer buns with beef patties, cheddar cheese, and street corn mixture. Brush with melted butter.
- Bake: Bake assembled sliders until cheese is melted and heated through.
- Serve: Garnish with cilantro and enjoy!
Notes
- For extra spice, add hot sauce to the street corn mix.
- The corn topping can be prepared ahead and refrigerated.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slider
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 410mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 16g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
