Southern Tailgating with a Twist

Name: Steak Sliders with Caramelized Onions & Horseradish Crema
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 package (12-count) Hawaiian rolls; 1½ lbs steak (ribeye, sirloin, or flank), thinly sliced or cooked medium-rare and sliced against the grain; 2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced; 2 Tbsp unsalted butter; 1 Tbsp olive oil; ½ tsp kosher salt; Cheese Blend as topping; ½ cup sour cream; 2–3 Tbsp prepared horseradish (adjust to taste); ½ tsp lemon juice; ¼ tsp kosher salt; ⅛ tsp black pepper

Who doesn’t love a good Saturday tailgate?
It’s all about gathering with friends, diving into great food, and shouting at the TV like the players can actually hear you. Whether you're in the parking lot or hosting from your living room, the vibe is the same: food, fun, and football.

Now, take your watch party to the next level with three crowd-pleasing recipes guaranteed to impress your crew. Let’s cook up some game-day greatness!

Steak Sliders with Caramelized Onions & Horseradish Crema

Chef Wes Kent

Servings

Cuisine

American

Elevated version of the classic slider.

Ingredients

For the Sliders

1 package (12-count) Hawaiian rolls
1½ lbs steak (ribeye, sirloin, or flank), thinly sliced or cooked medium-rare and sliced against the grain
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 Tbsp olive oil
½ tsp kosher salt
Cheese Blend as topping

For the Horseradish Crema

½ cup sour cream
2–3 Tbsp prepared horseradish (adjust to taste)
½ tsp lemon juice
¼ tsp kosher salt
⅛ tsp black pepper

Directions

Caramelize the Onions

Heat a skillet over medium-low heat. Add butter and olive oil.
Add sliced onions, salt, and sugar (if using). Cook slowly, stirring often, for 25–30 minutes until deep golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.

Cook the Steak

Season steak lightly with salt and pepper.
Heat a skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Sear steak slices 1–2 minutes per side (thin cuts) or cook whole steak to medium-rare and slice thinly against the grain.
If using cheese, layer slices over warm steak and let melt.

Make the Horseradish Crema

Whisk sour cream, mayonnaise, horseradish, Dijon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
Taste and adjust horseradish level for desired heat. Chill until ready to use.

Assemble the Sliders

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Without separating, slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Place the bottom half in a baking dish.
Spread a light layer of horseradish crema on the bottom rolls.
Layer on steak, caramelized onions, and optional cheese.
Place the top half of the rolls over the filling.

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