Seattle Dog Sliders

Mini hot dog sliders featuring grilled sausages, a generous smear of cream cheese, and sweet caramelized onions, a classic Seattle street food reimagined for parties.

Instructions

1. 1.

   Prepare the Caramelized Onions: Peel and thinly slice the yellow onions. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, melt the butter over medium-low heat. Add the sliced onions, salt, and optional sugar. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes, or until the onions are deeply golden brown, soft, and sweet. If they start to stick, add a tablespoon of water or broth to deglaze the pan. Set aside.

2. 2.

   Cook the Sausages: While the onions are caramelizing, heat a separate skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Add the mini smoked sausages or cocktail franks and cook for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until heated through and slightly browned or charred on all sides. Alternatively, you can grill them directly on a barbecue.

3. 3.

   Prepare the Buns: Slice the slider buns in half horizontally. You can lightly toast the cut sides of the buns in a dry skillet or under a broiler for 1-2 minutes until golden, if desired. This adds a nice texture and prevents them from getting soggy.

4. 4.

   Assemble the Sliders: Spread a generous layer of softened cream cheese on the bottom half of each slider bun. Place one cooked mini sausage on top of the cream cheese.

5. 5.

   Finish and Serve: Spoon a good amount of the warm caramelized onions over each sausage. Place the top half of the slider bun over the onions. Arrange the Seattle Dog Sliders on a serving platter and serve immediately.