How Many Sliders Can You Make Per Pound of Ground Beef?

Ground beef is a versatile ingredient that can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes, from hamburgers and meatloaf to chili and sloppy joes One popular ground beef recipe is sliders – miniature hamburgers served on small buns But how many sliders can you realistically expect to get out of a pound of ground beef? Let’s take a closer look.

Figuring Out Slider Size

The first step in determining slider yield per pound of ground beef is deciding how big you want your sliders to be Slider sizes can range from 1 ounce patties up to hockey puck-sized 4 ounce patties.

For reference, here are some typical slider patty sizes:

• 1 ounce slider patties – These are mini slider-sized, around 2 inches across.
• 2 ounce slider patties – A bit larger, around 3 inches across.
• 3 ounce slider patties – Standard slider size, 3-4 inches across.
• 4 ounce slider patties – Larger slider or “mini burger” size.

The smaller the patties, the more you’ll get per pound. The larger the patties, the fewer total sliders but obviously more meat per slider. Think about how big you want your sliders and then you can estimate better.

Pounds of Ground Beef Per Slider Size

Here is a breakdown of approximately how many slider patties you can get per pound of ground beef depending on patty size:

• 1 ounce patties: Makes approximately 16 sliders per pound
• 2 ounce patties: Makes approximately 8 sliders per pound
• 3 ounce patties: Makes 5-6 sliders per pound
• 4 ounce patties: Makes 4 sliders per pound

So if you want bite-sized 1 ounce mini sliders for an appetizer, you’ll get around 16 per pound of beef. But if you want larger slider-sized patties, you may only get 5 or 6 per pound.

Keep in mind that these numbers are approximate. The exact yield can vary a bit depending on how tightly you pack the meat when forming patties.

Accounting for Shrinkage and Trimmings

When calculating slider yield, you also need to account for shrinkage and trimmings. Raw ground beef can lose around 20% of its weight during cooking. Plus there will be some losses from shaping patties and trimming off uneven edges.

To offset this, you may want to start with an extra 1/4 pound or so of meat. For example, if your recipe calls for 1 pound of ground beef to make 12 sliders, you might want to buy 1 1/4 pounds of meat. This ensures you’ll have plenty left after shrinkage and trimmings.

You can also save any beef scraps and trimmings to add to other ground beef dishes later on. Just refrigerate or freeze them until needed.

Tips for Maximizing Slider Yield

Here are some tips to help maximize the number of sliders you can make per pound of ground beef:

• Buy ground beef in bulk when it’s on sale. Break it into 1 pound portions and freeze for later use. Thawed ground beef keeps 3-4 days in the fridge.

• When forming patties, handle the meat gently and don’t overwork it. Overworking can cause the proteins to bind together and shrink.

• Make indentations in the center of the patties with your thumb. This helps prevent puffing up and keeps patties flat.

• Chill patties in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before cooking. Chilled patties hold their shape better on the grill.

• Grill patties over high heat for best results. The high heat helps sear the patties so they don’t lose as much juices.

• Don’t press down on patties with the spatula while they cook. Pressing squeezes out all those tasty juices!

Sample Slider Recipes

Once you know how many slider patties your pound of beef will yield, it’s time to think about recipes! Here are some fun slider ideas:

Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders – Top patties with cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and burger sauce.

Buffalo Chicken Sliders – Top cooked patties with hot sauce, blue cheese dressing and shredded carrots and celery.

Philly Cheesesteak Sliders – Sauté onions, peppers, mushrooms and top patties with cheese whiz.

Breakfast Sliders – Add a fried egg, bacon and cheddar to patties. Serve on mini biscuits for a handheld breakfast.

Italian Sliders – Sauté peppers, onions, mushrooms and garlic. Top patties with mozzarella and marinara sauce.

Southwestern Sliders – Add guacamole, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo and chipotle mayo.

Greek Sliders – Top patties with feta cheese, tzatziki sauce, tomatoes and shredded lettuce.

Hawaiian Sliders – Make these tropical by adding grilled pineapple rings and teriyaki sauce.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to slider toppings and recipes. Use your favorite burger toppings or get creative with global flavor combinations.

Ground Turkey and Other Alternatives

You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken in place of ground beef to make lighter sliders. The same slider yield estimates apply.

For vegetarian and vegan sliders, use veggie burger patties, portobello mushroom caps, or black bean patties. Check package directions for serving sizes.