Chinese Five Spice Sliders
Easy Chinese Five Spice sliders with pork, beef, chicken, or vegan meat. Mix, form patties, grill or pan-fry. Serving tips, swaps, and storage.
These little sliders are addictive. You can use your favorite type of ground meat, or vegan meat alternative.
Submitted by: kate stearns from milwaukee, wi
Yield: 4-6 patties
- Mix ground meat or a vegan alternative with Chinese five spice, soy sauce, sugar, and garlic, then form into patties and cook.
- Grill or pan-fry sliders to taste; adjust patty size and cooking time for mini or larger sliders and check internal temperature for safety.
- Swap ingredients to fit diets: use tamari for gluten free, plant-based ground for vegan, and freeze patties raw or cooked for make-ahead meals.
Spices
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Preparation Instructions:
thespicehouse.com
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Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of meat or meat alternatives work best?
You can use pork, beef, chicken, or a plant-based ground meat. For juicier sliders choose fattier cuts like 80/20 beef or pork. Lean chicken benefits from added fat or a binder. Packaged vegan grounds work well and cook the same way as meat.
How big should I make the patties and how long to cook them?
For mini sliders make 2 to 3 ounce patties about 2 to 3 inches wide. For larger sliders use 3 to 4 ounces. Cook over medium heat: about 3 to 4 minutes per side for small patties, 4 to 5 minutes per side for larger ones. Aim for 160°F internal for beef or pork and 165°F for chicken.
Can I make these sliders gluten free?
Yes. Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and check that your Chinese five spice and any buns are labeled gluten free. Serve in lettuce wraps to avoid buns altogether.
How do I make these ahead or freeze them?
Form patties and freeze them in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Cook from thawed or add a few extra minutes if cooking from frozen. Cooked sliders keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
How can I change the spice or heat level?
Chinese five spice gives warm aromatic flavor not heat. Reduce the amount to mellow it. To add heat, mix in red pepper flakes, fresh chopped chiles, or a little Sriracha. To balance heat, add a touch more sugar or a drizzle of honey.
What are good substitutions for granulated garlic and sugar?
Use one small minced garlic clove or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder instead of granulated garlic. Swap the granulated sugar for the same amount of brown sugar or about 3/4 to 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup for a softer sweetness.
What should I serve with these sliders?
Try spicy mayo, hoisin sauce, pickled cucumbers, or quick Asian slaw. Fresh spring greens or a crunchy slaw add brightness. You can also serve them on steamed buns for an Asian twist.
How do I make a vegan version?
Use a plant-based ground meat or combine mashed beans with breadcrumbs and a binder like flax egg. Keep the same seasoning, then pan-fry or bake. Adjust cook time so the vegan base is heated through and holds together.
What kinds of meat or meat alternatives work best?
You can use pork, beef, chicken, or a plant-based ground meat. For juicier sliders choose fattier cuts like 80/20 beef or pork. Lean chicken benefits from added fat or a binder. Packaged vegan grounds work well and cook the same way as meat.
How big should I make the patties and how long to cook them?
For mini sliders make 2 to 3 ounce patties about 2 to 3 inches wide. For larger sliders use 3 to 4 ounces. Cook over medium heat: about 3 to 4 minutes per side for small patties, 4 to 5 minutes per side for larger ones. Aim for 160°F internal for beef or pork and 165°F for chicken.
Can I make these sliders gluten free?
Yes. Use tamari or coconut aminos instead of soy sauce and check that your Chinese five spice and any buns are labeled gluten free. Serve in lettuce wraps to avoid buns altogether.
How do I make these ahead or freeze them?
Form patties and freeze them in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to a sealed bag for up to 3 months. Cook from thawed or add a few extra minutes if cooking from frozen. Cooked sliders keep 3 to 4 days in the fridge and can be frozen for up to 2 months.
How can I change the spice or heat level?
Chinese five spice gives warm aromatic flavor not heat. Reduce the amount to mellow it. To add heat, mix in red pepper flakes, fresh chopped chiles, or a little Sriracha. To balance heat, add a touch more sugar or a drizzle of honey.
What are good substitutions for granulated garlic and sugar?
Use one small minced garlic clove or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder instead of granulated garlic. Swap the granulated sugar for the same amount of brown sugar or about 3/4 to 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup for a softer sweetness.
What should I serve with these sliders?
Try spicy mayo, hoisin sauce, pickled cucumbers, or quick Asian slaw. Fresh spring greens or a crunchy slaw add brightness. You can also serve them on steamed buns for an Asian twist.
How do I make a vegan version?
Use a plant-based ground meat or combine mashed beans with breadcrumbs and a binder like flax egg. Keep the same seasoning, then pan-fry or bake. Adjust cook time so the vegan base is heated through and holds together.
These had a yummy flavor, but were too salty for our taste. Am going to try this again with a little less soy.