Caprese Slider – inspired by the classic salad. Mini grilled burgers with fresh mozzarella, tomato + balsamic glaze on a toasted bun
A Caprese Slider blends two favorite summer dishes ~ Caprese salad and grilled burgers – and since we still have a few more days of summer, I’m sneaking this Caprese Slider recipe in under the wire.
You don’t want to let the summer season or the amazing tomatoes that are still everywhere pass without trying it. Imagine a juicy burger and a Caprese salad had a baby. The result would be a Caprese Slider ~ seasoned, grilled ground beef mini burger topped with fresh mozzarella, garden tomatoes and a light chiffonade of basil and if you’d like a drizzle of balsamic glaze, all between a grilled bun. So delicious. So . . . taste of summer.
Sadly, the supply of fresh, locally grown tomatoes will end soon, so a Caprese Slider is the perfect way to close out summer. If you haven’t had a chance to try the Grilled Peach Caprese or Caprese Skewers I urge you to give them a shot before summer ends. There’s just something about combining fresh tomatoes, mozzarella and basil, along with a drizzle of balsamic glaze ~ it’s almost magic.
Caprese Slider Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground chuck
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 6 slices tomato 1/4″ thick
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 slices fresh mozzarella sliced 1/4″ thick
- 8-10 basil leaves sliced chiffonade
- 6 slider or mini brioche buns
Slice the tomatoes, season them with salt and pepper and set them aside on the counter for now.
Slice the mozzarella and chiffonade the basil. You’ll want to have an assembly line ready because the burgers cook quickly. This process of assembling and having everything in place before you start cooking is always helpful, called mise en place.
Combine the beef, tomato paste, balsamic vinegar and garlic powder. Divide into 6 equal portions, form into patties slightly larger than the buns, then gently press your thumb into the center of each one and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Preheat the grill to medium and cook the burgers 8-10 minutes flipping once. When you flip the burgers to the other side, add the mozzarella to the top of each patty, close the lid and let the cheese soften.
While the burgers are grilling, add a light layer of butter to the buns and toast them alongside the burgers.
Assemble the burgers on the toasted bun, topping with a slice of tomato, a sprinkle of basil and if you’d like (I like!) a drizzle of balsamic glaze.
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Enjoy!
Caprese Sliders
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 pounds ground chuck
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 6 slices fresh mozzarella 1/4" thick
- 6 slices tomato 1/4" thick
- 8-10 fresh basil leaves sliced chiffonade
- salt and pepper to taste
- 6 slider or mini brioche buns
- Optional: balsamic glaze
Instructions
- Combine the beef, balsamic vinegar, garlic powder and tomato paste.
- Divide into 6 equal portions and form into patties then press your thumb into the center of each patty.
- Preheat the grill to medium and cook the burgers 8-10 minutes flipping once.
- When you flip the burgers to the other side, add the mozzarella to the top of each patty, close the lid and let the cheese soften.
- While the burgers are grilling, add a light layer of butter to the buns and toast them alongside the burgers.
- Assemble the burgers on the toasted bun, topping with the tomato, a sprinkle of basil and if you'd like some balsamic glaze.
Bernie, my friend……these burgers are outa the park!!!!! We love a good burger and this is definitely a must make. Love that they are sliders….portion control! The gorgeous tomato splashed with balsamic and fresh mozzarella are genius! Pinned. Thanks for a superlicious recipe.
Oh Mary, you just made my day! Such kind words – so glad you like the recipe. Please enjoy and thank YOU for all your support. Enjoy the weekend my friend. 🙂