Estate Dinners
Turkey Burger Sliders with Pimento Cheese and Crispy Fried Onions
The Strategy:
Craft these flavorful turkey sliders ahead of time, forming them petite for seamless entertaining. Season the ground turkey generously as you would beef, then fold in a touch of olive oil; this clever trick perfectly balances the lean meat, ensuring a wonderfully rich and juicy patty. Present these irresistible sliders warm, each crowned with a generous dollop of creamy pimento cheese and a scattering of crispy fried onions for an unforgettable pop of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated, about 1 cup
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature, about ½ cup
- 2 green onions, thinly sliced, about 2 tablespoons
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- 1 (4-ounce) jar chopped pimentos, drained
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
- 1 large onion, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
- vegetable oil for frying
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 6 slider rolls (about 2-inches in diameter), sliced open horizontally and warmed
Instructions
- Place the cheddar cheese, cream cheese, green onions, mayo, onion powder, garlic powder, and paprika in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse to combine.
- Add the pimentos and season with salt and pepper. Pulse a few more times. Set aside.
- Place the sliced onions into a bowl and pour the buttermilk over the top.
- In a second bowl, season the flour with salt and pepper. Pour vegetable oil into a deep pot. The vegetable oil should come no higher than one third up the side of the pot. The oil will bubble when you add the onion, so you don’t want to overfill your pot. Heat the oil to about 375°. You can use a candy thermometer to figure out when the oil is hot enough.
- Shake a few of the onion slices over the bowl to remove excess buttermilk. Place them into the flour to coat. Shake off excess flour and place into the hot oil. These will fry up to golden in just a minute or two. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried onions to paper towels to drain. Repeat with the remaining onion slices. Keep warm in the oven set on 250°.
- Place the ground turkey into a large bowl. Add olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Use your hands to gently mix everything together. Form into 6 slider-size patties. Season the patties with salt and pepper.
- Coat a grill pan with vegetable oil spray and heat on medium-high. Place the burgers onto the grill pan and sear on one side, about 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip the burgers and cook until seared on the second side, about 3 minutes more. Top each burger with a slathering of pimento cheese. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes more so that the cheese begins to melt over the burgers.
- To assemble the sliders, place the warmed rolls onto a platter. Open the rolls and place a burger patty with the melted cheese onto the bottom half of the roll. Cover the burger with crispy onions. Put the two halves together and dig in!
Thing to Note:
You can purchase pimento cheese in the grocery store \u2026 or better yet, let\u2019s make it from scratch!
The full recipe lives in the Vault
Ingredients, step-by-step method, and every chef-tested detail are reserved for members of the Estate Registry.
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The Heart of the Table
There is something inherently playful and joyous about serving sliders. Their miniature size strips away any lingering formality at the table, inviting guests to eat with their hands and truly relax into the moment. When you take the extra step to craft a homemade pimento cheese and fry up delicate, crispy onion strings, you are offering a level of care and attention that instantly makes people feel cherished. It is in these thoughtful, delicious details that true hospitality lives, fostering an environment where conversations flow easily and laughter comes naturally.
Neighborly Grace
- THE PRESENTATION: Arrange the sliders on a large, rustic wooden board, allowing the vibrant orange pimento cheese to slowly drip down the sides of the patties. Pile any extra crispy fried onions in the center of the board for guests to snack on. Provide plenty of high-quality cloth napkins, as these are delightfully messy to eat.
- THE POUR: A dry, sparkling rosé or a bright, acidic Sauvignon Blanc. The bubbles or sharp acidity will beautifully cut through the rich, creamy pimento cheese and the savory fried onions, perfectly balancing the bite.
- THE VIBE: Lively, incredibly fun, and generously indulgent. This is the ultimate menu for a warm summer evening gathering on the patio, where the focus is on robust flavor and completely unpretentious enjoyment.
