Diner Pickle Cheeseburger Skewers
All the best cheeseburger counter flavors, beef, cheddar, pickles, and special sauce, stacked into party-ready skewers.
Prep: 12 · Cook: 13 · Total: 25 · Serves: 6 · Difficulty: Easy · Rating: 4.9/5 (241 reviews)
INSPIRED BY
Inspired by classic diner cheeseburgers and the fun of assembling a bite-sized road-trip snack.
Story
I wanted the flavor of a late-night burger run without needing a stack of plates. These little skewers bring the whole diner order together, right down to the pickle and special sauce. They disappear fast, so make extra sauce and do not blink when the platter hits the table. This is finger food with a napkin-worthy amount of confidence.
By Theo
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp grated onion
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 4 slices American or cheddar cheese, quartered
- 16 dill pickle chips
- 16 cherry tomatoes
- 12 small slider buns or toasted bread cubes
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp ketchup
- 1 tbsp pickle relish
- 1 tsp yellow mustard
Instructions
- Stir mayonnaise, ketchup, relish, and mustard in a small bowl, then refrigerate while the beef cooks.
- Mix beef with grated onion, ketchup, mustard, salt, and pepper. Shape into 12 small thin patties.
- Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high and cook patties 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Top each patty with a cheese quarter, cover the skillet, and cook 30 seconds until melted.
- Thread each skewer with a bun piece, cheeseburger patty, pickle chip, and cherry tomato.
- Serve immediately with special sauce for dipping and extra pickles on the side.
Chef Tips
- Keep the patties thin so they cook quickly and fit the skewers.
- Use bamboo picks, soak them in water for 10 minutes if finishing on a grill.
- For a spicier sauce, add a few drops of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne.
- Assemble just before serving so the bread stays springy.
Cook's Notes
- Press the patties thinner than you think, they puff slightly as they cook.
- Melt cheese under a lid for just 30 seconds.
- Keep sauce chilled until the final minute for the best contrast.