Hot Honey Cowboy Butter Steak Smash Sliders with Melted Pepper Jack
Crispy-Edged Steak Smash Sliders Brushed in Sweet Heat Cowboy Butter, Loaded with Juicy Beef, and Finished with a Gooey Melted Pepper Jack Blanket
Time + Nutrition: Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 670 kcal | Servings: 4
Ingredients:
For the Steak Smash Patties
- 1 lb ground steak (or 80/20 ground beef)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
For the Cowboy Butter (Hot Honey Style)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- 3 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp hot honey
For the Slider Assembly
- 8 small slider buns
- 8 slices pepper jack cheese
- Thinly sliced onions (optional)
For Any Sauce or Drizzle
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp hot sauce
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- Pinch of salt and black pepper
- Optional Add-Ons
- Pickles
- Crispy fried onions
- Shredded lettuce
- Extra jalapeño slices
Directions:
Prepare the Steak Smash Patties
Divide ground steak into 8 portions. Gently roll into balls and season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.
Make the Hot Honey Cowboy Butter
In a bowl, whisk together melted butter, garlic, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, smoked paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, parsley, salt, and hot honey until glossy, rich, and infused with sweet heat.
Smash and Cook
Heat a griddle or skillet over medium-high heat. Place steak balls onto the hot surface and immediately smash firmly into thin patties. Cook until deeply golden and crispy on the edges, then flip.
Melt the Pepper Jack
Top each patty with a slice of pepper jack cheese and cover briefly to melt into a gooey, spicy layer.
Toast the Buns
Brush slider buns with cowboy butter and toast until golden, glossy, and lightly crisp.
Assemble the Sliders
Spread sauce onto buns, add cheesy steak patties, and layer with optional onions or toppings. Close with top buns and brush lightly with more cowboy butter for extra richness.
Serve
Serve hot and fresh with crispy edges, juicy steak, and a bold pepper jack melt. The sweet heat of the hot honey cowboy butter ties everything together in every irresistible bite.