It was game night at our house, and I struggled with what to serve to please adults and kids. That’s when I remembered those fantastic sliders from Chili’s – perfectly sized, incredibly juicy, and topped with that unforgettable jalapeño ranch sauce. After countless attempts to recreate that magic at home, I’ve finally cracked the code. These copycat Big Mouth Bites aren’t just good; they’re irresistible!
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Table of Contents
Why you’ll love these sliders
Sliders are the perfect mini burgers that pack all the flavor of their full-sized cousins into a few perfect bites. What makes these Chili’s-inspired sliders special is their perfect balance of flavors and textures – from the juicy beef patty to the crispy bacon and that signature jalapeño ranch sauce that ties everything together.
Ingredients
For the Patties:
- Ground chuck (80/20 fat content) – Provides the perfect fat ratio for juicy, flavorful burgers
- White onion, finely chopped – Adds moisture, sweetness, and depth of flavor to the meat, we prefer white onion for flavor over yellow onion
- Salt – Enhances overall flavor and helps retain moisture
- Ground black pepper – Adds classic burger seasoning and slight heat
For the Toppings:
- Bacon – Adds crispy texture and smoky flavor
- American cheese slices – Creates the perfect melt and classic burger taste
- Butter – Used for toasting buns and adding richness
- Slider buns – Provide the ideal vessel for your burgers
For the Jalapeño Ranch Sauce:
- Ranch dressing – Creates the creamy base
- Pickled jalape̱o slices РAdds heat and tangy flavor
- Jalape̱o pickling liquid РEnhances the spicy tang
Step-by-step instructions for making copycat Chilis Big Mouth Bites
Even if you aren’t an experienced cook, you can make these just as well as you would get in the restaurant. You will need to:
Prepare the Jalapeño Ranch Sauce
- Combine ranch dressing, jalapeños, and pickling liquid in a blender
- Blend until smooth
- Refrigerate until ready to use
Cook the Bacon
- Place a large skillet over medium heat
- Arrange bacon slices in a single layer in the cold skillet (work in batches if needed)
- Cook for 8-10 minutes, flipping occasionally, until bacon is golden brown and crispy
- Remove to paper towels to drain excess grease
- Once cool, break each slice in half to fit the sliders
Prepare and Cook the Patties
- Mix ground chuck, half of the chopped onion, salt, and pepper
- Divide into eight equal small patties (about 2 oz each)
- Form into patties slightly more significant than buns
- Create a small dimple in the center of each patty
- Heat skillet over medium-high heat
- Cook the slider patties 2-3 minutes per side
- Add cheese in the final minute
Assembly
- Butter and toast buns
- Spread jalapeño ranch on both bun halves
- Place patty on the bottom bun
- Top with bacon, remaining chopped onion
- Add top bun
Storage & Reheating
Storage:
- Assembled sliders: Wrap in foil, and refrigerate for up to 2 days
- Sauce: Airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days
- Cooked bacon: Refrigerate for up to 3 days
Reheating:
- Avoid microwave to prevent soggy buns
- Sliders: Wrap in foil, heat in 350°F oven for 10 minutes
Love burgers? Try these recipes
- Best Way to Season Burgers
- Burger King Whopper
- Culver’s Butter Burgers
- Homemade White Castle Hamburgers
- Quesadilla Cheese Burger
- Coney Island Hamburgers Recipe
- McDonalds Hamburger Meat
- Steakburger Recipe
- Pimento Cheese Burger Recipe
- Truffle Mushroom Swiss Smashburger
Popular Copycat Chili’s Recipes
Be sure to check out more easy beef recipes and summertime favorites.
Chilis Big Mouth Bites
Chilis Big Mouth Bites are tasty little cheeseburgers also known as sliders. Get the easy copycat recipe to make best homemade mini burgers for an appetizer or dinner. Seasoned ground beef patties are cooked in a skillet then placed in toasted brioche buns with cheese, bacon, sautéed onions, and jalapeno ranch sauce.
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Servings: 4
Calories: 1045kcal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds ground chuck
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1 tablespoon butter for sauteing onions
- 1/4 pound bacon
- 2 slices American cheese
- 1 cup Ranch dressing
- 1 teaspoon chopped pickled jalapeno peppers
- 1 tablespoon butter for sliders
- 8 brioche buns or other slider buns
Instructions
Crispy Bacon
- Cook bacon in a large skillet and drain bacon on a wire rack. Â Wipe out the skillet, you may want to save the bacon grease for cooking. When the bacon has cooled, break the bacon into 2 to 3 inch pieces.
Jalapeno Ranch Sauce
- Place the ranch dressing, and pickled jalapenos into a blender.
- Â Puree until the dressing is smooth. This will taste better the longer it sits.
Sauteed Onions
- Add butter to a large skillet. When the butter has melted, add diced onion. Cook the onion until the onion until has become translucent. Remove the onions and set aside.
Hamburger Slider Directions
- Prepare the burgers by placing ground chuck into a bowl. Add the salt and freshly ground black pepper, mix well.
- Divide the seasoned ground beef into 8 portions. Place as many of the burger patties into the skillet without over crowding them.
- Cook the ground beef patties on each side for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until the patty has browned. When the burger has browned add a ¼ of a slice of American cheese to each patty.
- Build the burger by placing cooked chopped onions and bacon on the bottom bun. Top with the burger patty, and drizzle some of the spicy ranch sauce on top of the meat. Add the top bun.
Notes
Pro tips for perfect sliders
Patty Preparation
- Keep your meat cold until ready to form patties – this helps maintain the fat structure
- Don’t overwork the meat when mixing and forming patties – gentle handling keeps them tender
- Make your patties about 1/2 inch wider than the buns – they’ll shrink while cooking
- Press a dimple in the center of each patty with your thumb – this prevents them from puffing up
Cooking Tips
- Start with a hot skillet – you should hear a sizzle when the patty hits the surface
- Never press down on your burgers while cooking – this releases their flavorful juices
- Flip only once during cooking for the best crust development
- Add cheese while the burgers are still in the pan and cover briefly to help it melt perfectly
- Let the burgers rest for 2-3 minutes before assembling
Nutrition
Calories: 1045kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 45g | Fat: 77g | Saturated Fat: 34g | Cholesterol: 311mg | Sodium: 1575mg | Potassium: 558mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 994IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 4mg
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
Why are my burgers shrinking?
Make patties slightly more significant than buns and create a dimple in center to prevent shrinking.
Can I make these ahead?
Prepare sauce and cook bacon up to 24 hours ahead. Form patties up to 4 hours before cooking.
How do I know when the burgers are done?
Internal temperature should reach 160°F for food safety.
Scaling the Recipe
To Double:
- Double all ingredients
- Cook in batches to avoid overcrowding
- Keep finished sliders warm in a 200°F oven
To Halve:
- Halve all ingredients
- Store extra buns in the freezer
- Use leftover ranch dressing for salads
Dietary Modifications
Gluten-Free:
- Use gluten-free slider buns
- Verify ranch dressing is gluten-free
Dairy-Free:
- Skip cheese or use dairy-free alternative
- Use dairy-free ranch dressing
- Replace butter with olive oil for toasting
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