If there is one recipe I make when I want guaranteed silence at the table, this is it. These cheesy pulled beef sliders are rich, melty, savory, a little tangy, and deeply comforting in that messy, irresistible way that only sliders can be. They are the kind of food that makes people hover around the kitchen, sneak one before dinner is officially served, and then go back for seconds without apology.

This recipe started as a slow cooked pulled beef situation I made for sandwiches, but once I added cheese, banana peppers, pickles, and garlic aioli, it quickly turned into a slider recipe that now gets requested constantly. It is perfect for game days, family gatherings, casual entertaining, or honestly just a cozy night where you want something indulgent and satisfying.

What really makes these sliders special is the balance. The beef is rich and tender. The cheese is gooey and comforting. The banana peppers bring heat and acidity. The pickles add crunch and brightness. And then there are the buns. Soft, buttery, brushed with garlic butter, parsley, and sesame seeds, and baked until golden. Everything works together so nothing feels heavy or flat.

This is the kind of recipe that feels restaurant worthy but is very doable at home. You can prep parts of it ahead of time, assemble when ready, and bake everything together for that perfect pull apart moment.

Let’s get into it.

Why You’ll Love These Sliders:

These sliders check every box.

They are incredibly flavorful without being complicated.
They are easy to scale up for a crowd.
They are make ahead friendly.
They reheat beautifully.
They hit that perfect balance of rich, tangy, cheesy, and savory.

They also feel flexible. You can adjust the heat, change the cheese, or even serve them open faced if you want. But this version, exactly as written, is the one I keep coming back to.

Ingredients You Will Need:

For the Pulled Beef:

Beef chuck roast
Olive oil
Onion, sliced
Garlic
Beef broth
Tomato paste
Worcestershire sauce
Smoked paprika
Salt and black pepper

For the Sliders:

Slider buns
Shredded cheese such as provolone, mozzarella, or a mild cheddar
Hot banana peppers, sliced
Dill pickles, sliced
Fresh parsley

For the Garlic Aioli:

Mayonnaise
Garlic, finely grated
Lemon juice
Salt

For the Garlic Butter Topping:

Butter, melted
Garlic, minced
Fresh parsley, finely chopped
Sesame seeds

How to Make the Pulled Beef:

This beef is the foundation of the recipe, so taking your time here really pays off.

Step 1: Sear the Beef
Start by heating olive oil in a heavy pot or Dutch oven over medium high heat. Season the beef generously with salt and pepper on all sides. Sear the beef until deeply browned on all sides. This step adds a huge amount of flavor and is worth the extra few minutes.

Remove the beef and set it aside.

Step 2: Build the Flavor
In the same pot, add sliced onion and cook until softened and lightly caramelized. Add garlic and cook just until fragrant. Stir in tomato paste and let it cook for a minute to deepen the flavor.

Step 3: Braise
Return the beef to the pot. Add beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, and a little more salt and pepper. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook on low heat for about 3 hours, or until the beef is fork tender and shreds easily.

You can also do this in the oven at 325°F or in a slow cooker if you prefer.

Step 4: Shred
Once the beef is tender, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the cooking liquid and stir so it stays juicy and flavorful.

At this point, the beef can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to three days.

Make the Garlic Aioli:

Once the beef is tender, remove it from the pot and shred it using two forks. Return the shredded beef to the cooking liquid and stir so it stays juicy and flavorful.

At this point, the beef can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to three days.

Assemble the Sliders:

This is where everything comes together.

Step 1: Prep the Buns

Slice the slider buns in half horizontally, keeping them connected if possible. Place the bottom half of the buns in a baking dish lined with parchment.

Step 2: Layer the Beef

Spread the pulled beef evenly over the buns. Make sure it reaches the edges so every slider gets a good amount.

Step 3: Add Cheese

Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese over the beef. This helps hold everything together once baked.

Step 4: Add Pickles and Banana Peppers

Layer sliced pickles and hot banana peppers evenly over the cheese. Adjust the amount depending on how much heat and tang you like.

Step 5: Drizzle with Garlic Aioli

Spoon or drizzle garlic aioli over the top. You do not need to drown it, just enough to add richness and flavor.

Step 6: Top with Buns

Place the top half of the buns over everything, pressing gently.

Garlic Butter Topping:

This step makes the sliders feel extra special.

In a small bowl, mix melted butter with minced garlic, chopped parsley, and sesame seeds. Brush this mixture generously over the tops of the buns.

The butter seeps into the bread as it bakes, while the garlic and parsley add flavor and aroma, and the sesame seeds give a subtle crunch.

Bake the Sliders:

Cover the baking dish loosely with foil and bake at 350°F for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and everything is heated through.

Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the tops are golden and slightly crisp.

Let the sliders rest for a few minutes before cutting. This helps everything set up so they are easier to serve.

Serving Suggestions:

These sliders are rich, so I like to serve them with something simple on the side.

A crisp green salad
Roasted potatoes or fries
Coleslaw or vinegar based slaw
Extra pickles and banana peppers

They are also great served with extra garlic aioli or a little hot sauce on the side.

Tips for Success:

Use a good melting cheese. Provolone and mozzarella work especially well.
Do not skip the searing step for the beef. It adds so much depth.
Let the sliders rest before slicing so they hold together better.
If making ahead, assemble everything except the garlic butter topping, then add that right before baking.

Make Ahead and Storage:

The pulled beef can be made up to three days ahead. Store it in its cooking liquid in the fridge.

The assembled sliders can be prepped a few hours ahead and stored covered in the fridge. Brush with garlic butter right before baking.

Leftover sliders keep well in the fridge for up to three days and reheat nicely in the oven.

Final Thoughts:

These cheesy pulled beef sliders are everything I want in comfort food. They are indulgent but balanced, cozy but exciting, and perfect for sharing. The combination of tender beef, melted cheese, tangy pickles, spicy banana peppers, and buttery garlic buns is hard to beat.

This is one of those recipes that people remember. It is the one that gets requested again and again, and once you make it, you will understand why.

If you make these, do not be surprised if they disappear faster than you expected!

Cheesy Pulled Beef Sliders