As part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias®, I made these Sausage Sliders with Beer Braised Onions and Soda Sauce as an easy and amazingly delicious Super Bowl appetizer.
After braving subfreezing temperatures, snow and strong winds off Lake Erie to watch our Chicago Bears score an impressive win, I’m ready to host a Super Bowl party. Cold toes and all, I’m planning a spread of easy, crowd-pleasing appetizers — and these sausage sliders are at the top of the list.
Super Bowl gatherings call for handheld foods you can enjoy between plays, during commercials, or while watching the halftime show. These Sausage Sliders deliver on flavor and convenience — small enough to pop in your mouth, big enough to satisfy. I’m especially proud of how the layers of flavor come together: sweet and tangy soda sauce, savory beer-braised onions, and juicy pork sausage.
The recipe highlights three main ingredients: Cherry Coke for the soda sauce, Budweiser beer for the braised onions, and Tennessee Pride pork sausage for the patties. Each element adds a distinct layer of flavor that makes these sliders memorable.
Cherry Coke provides a sweet, slightly fruity backbone for the Soda Sauce. Combined with crushed tomatoes, apple cider vinegar and brown sugar, it reduces into a glossy, tangy-sweet sauce that complements the sausage perfectly. The beer-braised onions bring caramelized depth and a savory balance — thyme and a splash of beer enhance the natural sweetness of the onions.
One of the best things about this recipe is that you can make both the Soda Sauce and Beer Braised Onions ahead of time. They reheat easily on the stovetop, so on game day you can focus on cooking the patties, assembling the sliders and enjoying time with guests.
Sausage Sliders with Beer Braised Onions and Soda Sauce
Ingredients
- 3 onions
- 12 oz. Budweiser beer
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 24 oz. Cherry Coke
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 cups brown sugar
- 3/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 28 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 2 pounds Tennessee Pride Mild Roll Sausage
- 16 King’s Hawaiian Rolls
Instructions
Beer Braised Onions:
- Slice the onions thinly. Heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add the onions, stirring until they begin to sweat and brown.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Add the beer and thyme, reduce heat to medium and simmer.
- Cook until the liquid has mostly absorbed into the onions and they are soft and richly colored.
Soda Sauce:
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, combine Cherry Coke, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, red pepper flakes and crushed tomatoes.
- Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer gently until the mixture reduces to a thick, saucy consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Sausage Sliders:
- Divide the sausage into 16 equal portions and form into small patties that fit the rolls.
- Cook the patties in a skillet over medium heat for 3–4 minutes per side, or until browned and no longer pink inside.
Assembling Slider Sandwiches:
- Slice the rolls in half. Place a sausage patty on each bottom bun.
- Spoon a generous portion of beer-braised onions over the sausage, then drizzle with the Soda Sauce. Top with the roll lid and serve warm.
These sliders are an easy, flavor-packed appetizer that will disappear fast at any party. For make-ahead convenience, prepare the onions and sauce a day or two in advance and reheat gently before assembling. The cooked sausage patties can also be kept warm in a low oven until serving.
Tips and variations:
- If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the brown sugar slightly in the Soda Sauce or substitute a darker cola for a more caramel-forward flavor.
- Try different sausages — spicy or apple-flavored links work well — to change the flavor profile.
- For a vegetarian option, swap the sausage for seasoned plant-based patties and keep the beer-braised onions and soda sauce.
- Garnish with sliced pickles or a handful of chopped fresh herbs for brightness and texture.
Serve these sliders with simple sides like tortilla chips and salsa, a fresh slaw, or roasted potato wedges. They pair well with cold beer or your favorite game-day beverages. Three cheers to an easy, knock-your-cleats-off appetizer — and here’s hoping the Bears keep bringing the excitement!