Copycat Recipe for White Castle Burgers

Somewhere hidden between the bun, the beef, and the American cheese is a secret flavor that makes White Castle sliders irresistible. But while we might want to, most of us don’t run to White Castle every time we have a craving. (Surprise! Fast-food isn't too healthy!) Thankfully, we have tricks up our sleeves for recreating childhood classics at home with fresh ingredients without sacrificing any flavor. Whether you’d just like to make the classic slider, or want to turn it into an edible, you’re in the right place. Keep reading for our recipe for White Castle burgers to satisfy your nostalgic taste buds. 

Key Takeaways

• White Castle’s sliders’ distinctive flavor can be recreated at home with a few secrets like thin patties, cooking over onions, square shapes, steamed buns, and optional peanut butter.

• The official ingredients for White Castle burgers include 100% beef patties, diced onions, onion soup mix, American cheese, and dill pickles, all contributing to their unique savory taste.

• For an enhanced at-home slider experience, consider infusing milk with flower or trying out other copycat recipes to bring your favorite fast-food flavors to your kitchen.

Why White Castle Sliders Taste So Good 

White Castle, America’s first fast-food burger chain, has been serving up their iconic sliders since 1921. With nearly a century of experience under their belt, they’ve mastered the art of creating quick, reliably delicious sliders that have us all hooked. What’s their secret? Is it possible to recreate that wonderful flavor at home? There are numerous secrets that can be done from your kitchen. Many of them can easily be accomplished with ingredients at hand. Rejoice!

Secret #1: The Patty

The White Castle patty isn’t your average burger patty. It’s crazy thin and seared on both sides, keeping the beef tender and moist. The recipe calls for using a rolling pin to flatten the beef before baking it in the oven. This method is used to replicate the cooking process. Sounds odd? Don’t be skeptical, embrace the process.

After all, copying White Castle is all about the details!

Secret #2: The Onions

Ah, the onions, the humble ingredient that transforms a good burger into a great one. White Castle cooks their burgers over a bed of onions, creating a flavorful steam that infuses every bite with the delicious taste of onions. Surrounding the beef with onions on the cooking sheet helps us replicate the process every time we cook. This method ensures that the flavors meld together perfectly. And believe us, it’s pretty darn good.

Secret #3: The Square Shape

Ever wondered why White Castle burgers are square? Well, it’s not just for aesthetics. The square shape ensures that every bite contains both patty and bun (which are also square), enhancing the overall eating experience. Plus, it looks cool, right?

In this recipe, we’ve maintained the square shape of the patties to evoke a sense of nostalgia. This helps to capture the traditional charm of this classic dish.

Secret #4: Steaming The Buns

White Castle sliders bear a slight resemblance to pork buns, and it’s not a coincidence—they’re both steamed. White Castle ensures that the flavorful onion goodness permeates throughout the slider by steaming the buns on top of the burgers. This method helps to enhance the overall taste and texture of the slider..

We’ve replicated this by popping the buns in the oven with the beef in the final five minutes of baking.

Secret #5: Peanut Butter

Peanut butter in a burger? Yes, you read that right. It might sound like an odd ingredient, but it plays a crucial role in our copycat slider recipe. The peanut butter unites all the flavors in the slider, creating a perfect consistency as it bakes. It ensures that every bite is filled with a delicious blend of flavors. We’ve tried it, and it works! Of course, if you have an allergy, you can skip it.

If you’re worried about nut allergies, rest assured, White Castle burgers do not contain peanut butter. So, if you’re recreating the authentic White Castle sliders at home, you can safely leave out the peanut butter without deviating from the original recipe.

How To Elevate Your Slider

If you’re pumped to get started with your classic White Castle slider, scroll down to the recipe! But, if you’re looking for instructions on how to turn your slider into an edible, you’re in the right place. 

At LĒVO, we’re all about simplifying the herbal infusion process, so you can make your meals more flavorful and your edibles more fun. Who wants to buy a brownie edible made in a factory, when you could make your own? The same goes with other creative edible ideas. Why not turn your White Castle slider into an edible? 

The basic idea here is to infuse flower (*wink* you know what we mean, right?) with a liquid base, and then add the infusion to your recipe. In this case, we infuse flower directly into the milk that the recipe calls for! If you’re sitting there, scratching your head, thinking, “How in the world am I going to infuse flower into milk?” we gotchu. 

Infusing Flower Into Milk

While it’s entirely possible to do this on your own with a cooking sheet, a cooking pot, and a cheese cloth, there’s always the risk of burning the house down. Plus, it’s super messy. LĒVO, the innovative kitchen device, simplifies this infusion process. All you need to do is pour your milk directly into the machine with your flower, and press a button. For more detailed info on how to infuse milk with LĒVO, click here. 

To learn more about LĒVO and how it works, check out our Beginner’s Guide to Making Your Own Edibles. And if you’re really excited about all this, get yourself a LĒVO, some Herb Blocks for easy storage, Gummy & Candy Molds, and other accessories for all of your easy homemade edibles escapades.

Without further ado, let’s get cooking! Quick reminder, if you don’t want to make edibles, just skip the Infusion steps. Enjoy our recipe for White Castle burgers—we promise your sliders won’t last long!