Simple dinner recipes are a total lifesaver, especially if you’re trying to save money. This year, skip the drive-thru and craft these irresistible Italian Sliders on King’s Hawaiian Rolls. This recipe features three types of meat, one of my best-selling rubs, and smoky provolone cheese. 

This is the perfect recipe to take to the big game, guys’ night, or to impress those you love. Bonus: The entire dish comes together in less than 30 minutes! Add a veggie tray or bag of chips, and you’ve got a complete meal that everyone will love. 

Italian Sliders | Heath Riles BBQ

There are many types of Italian Sliders, such as chopped sliders and those made solely with Italian beef. This recipe keeps it simple while adding a twist of BBQ flavor. Feel free to customize this recipe to fit your personal preferences. For example, you may prefer more mustard, mayo, or pepperoni than I do! 

The Ingredients

Great food doesn’t have to require fancy ingredients. In fact, you may have some of these things in your pantry! Here’s what you need to add to your shopping list. 

• Butter. Butter is the main ingredient in my Italian Slider topping. It soaks into the Hawaiian rolls, giving them that perfect crisp bottom. 
• Dijon mustard. A dash of Dijon mustard adds a hint of zest. You can use grainy Dijon or smooth, depending on your texture preference. 
• Bear & Burton’s W Sauce. This Worcestershire sauce was created by good friends of mine and is based on a family recipe. You can use it on burgers, steak, or sliders.
• Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Butter Rub. My Garlic Butter Rub was an instant best-seller, and it’s easy to see why. This rub contains multiple notes of garlic for a mind-blowing flavor!
• King’s Hawaiian Rolls. Using Hawaiian rolls for sliders is a well-known secret. Their sweet, fluffy texture complements slider fillings and holds up well.
• Provolone cheese. Provolone cheese takes on a delicious smoked flavor when cooked in the Traeger Ironwood XL. This cheese also complements Italian meat well!
• Meat. These sliders use three types of meat, making them one hearty meal! You’ll need salami, black forest ham, and pepperoni for this recipe. 

The Smoker Setup

Here’s the main equipment I used for this recipe. More of my grilling favorites are in the Equipment and Tools section. 

• Pellet grill/smoker. I cooked these Italian Sliders on the Traeger Ironwood XL. This pit is incredible because you can use it to grill or smoke. The Traeger Ironwood XL has many excellent features, like a pellet sensor, a super smoke button, and easy transportation. 

You can’t go wrong with the Traeger Ironwood XL if you cook large quantities of food. It’s roomy without taking up your entire patio. Plus, it’s ultra-durable, lasting for years!

• Pellets. I stoked the pit with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets. I love this brand because you get clean smoke with no fillers. It gives the sliders a rich, deep flavor that tastes authentic. 

How to Cook Italian Sliders

You can find a detailed demonstration of this recipe within the video and recipe card. For now, here’s a quick overview of how to make Italian sliders on King’s Hawaiian rolls.

1. Fire up the grill. I stoked the Traeger Ironwood XL with Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets and fired it up to 350℉.
2. Make the topping. To make the buttery topping, I placed my butter, Dijon mustard, Bear & Burton’s W Sauce, and Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Butter Rub in a small cast iron skillet. Then, I let the ingredients mesh on the grill while I assembled the Italian Sliders. 
3. Assemble the sliders. To assemble the Italian Sliders, I sliced the Hawaiian rolls in half, then laid the bottom portion in a large aluminum pan. I topped the rolls with mayonnaise, spreading it evenly. Then, I laid down 4 slices of provolone cheese, pepperoni, black forest ham, and salami. To finish the Italian sliders, I added the rest of the cheese and the top half of the Hawaiian rolls. 
4. Add butter. I brushed the butter topping over the rolls and garnished with a sprinkle of Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Butter Rub. This adds just the right amount of flavor!
5. Start cooking. I covered the Italian Sliders with tin foil and set them on the Traeger Ironwood XL for 10 minutes. Then, I uncovered the Italian Sliders and let them cook for another 10 minutes until the cheese was melted and the meat was warm. The only thing left is to take the sliders off the pit and let them cool. 

The Results

These Italian Sliders were better than anything from your local deli. The multiple types of meat created a well-rounded flavor profile. Heath Riles BBQ Garlic Butter Rub was the perfect finishing touch! 

Italian Sliders Variations

If you prefer Chopped Italian Sliders, you can top your meat and cheese with shredded lettuce, red onions, pepperoncini, and red wine vinegar once the sliders come off the pit. 

What to Serve With Italian Sliders

These Italian Sliders are great on their own, but you can always add a side of Mississippi Coleslaw, potato chips, and an ice-cold soda. 

Storing Leftovers

You can store leftover sliders in the fridge for up to 4 days. Note that you may have to warm them under the broiler to re-crisp. 

Equipment and Tools

Traeger Ironwood XL, Royal Oak Charcoal Hardwood Pellets, disposable cutting board, ThermoWorks Hi-Temp Silicone Brush, heavy-duty aluminum pan, cast iron pan, meat slicer.