Sliders are perfect for game day, tailgating, or any casual gathering. These chow chow sliders take a basic mini-burger and top it with a tangy pickled vegetable relish that cuts through the richness of the meat.
Chow chow is a traditional North American condiment, made from cabbage, green tomatoes, and peppers cooked in vinegar with mustard seeds and turmeric. My recipe below was inspired by Hubert Keller’s version that I tried on a visit to the Burger Bar in Las Vegas.
Quick Summary: Mini burgers topped with homemade chow chow relish—a tangy pickled mix of cabbage, green tomatoes, and peppers. The relish cooks in 10 minutes and adds bright, acidic flavor that pairs perfectly with rich beef. Prep: 30 min | Cook: 20 min | Serves: 20 sliders
Jump to: RECIPE | What Is Chow Chow Relish? | Substitutions | Using an Indoor Grill | Serving Suggestions | FAQ
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What Is Chow Chow Relish?
I’m a huge fan of Hubert Keller’s Burger Bar in Las Vegas (and Hubert Keller in general), and was inspired by his Chow Chow Mini-burgers (aka sliders).
Chow Chow is a North American pickled relish, sometimes referred to as piccalilli. Originally, it was made with cucumbers, onions, cauliflower and green peppers left overnight in brine, boiled in (cider) vinegar with whole mustard seed and celery seeds, then mashed into a paste with mustard, flour and turmeric.
Over time, there has been regional variations. The “Northern“ variation is made from vegetables that might include red and green pickled tomatoes, onions, carrots, beans, asparagus, cauliflower and peas.
The “Southern” version is primarily focused on green tomatoes or cabbage. Both are pickled with varying degrees of sugar and pickling spices.
Chow Chow is eaten either by itself or more typically as a condiment on fish cakes, mashed potatoes, beans, hot dogs and hamburgers.
The recipe below uses this awesome relish on sliders, which is perfect for game day.
Ingredients and Substitutions for Chow Chow Relish
You can use store-bought chow chow relish, but homemade is easy and better. As I mentioned, there are many different versions, and you can be very flexible and creative with it.
After all, it was originally simply a way to use up underdeveloped veggies at the end of the season!
Classic ingredients for the chow chow relish include:
- Shredded green cabbage.
- Green tomatoes. You can also use normal ones if you can’t find green tomatoes. These pickled green tomatoes are a nice addition or substitution
- Red bell pepper. Green or orange will also work fine, but I prefer red myself.
- Onion. I love the flavor it adds and it is considered an essential ingredient, but you can leave it out if you’re really not a fan.
- Cider vinegar. Or use normal white vinegar in a pinch, that works too.
- Sugar. Or your favorite heat-resistant sugar alternative.
- Spices. Mustard seeds, celery seeds, turmeric, and cayenne powder are all considered essential.
How to Make Sliders with Chow Chow Relish
For full instructions, see the recipe card below. In short, shred and chop all of the vegetables for the chow chow and mix together with vinegar, sugar and spices in a bowl and set aside.
For the sliders themselves, keep it simple. Make the burgers on an indoor grill or in a skillet with ground chuck and some diced green onion. Use store-bought buns, and top burgers with generous amounts of the relish.
How to Grill Burgers Indoors
If you don’t want to fire up the outside grill or if the weather is acting up, the mini-burgers can easily be made with an indoor grill or a plain cast iron skillet. The Griddler (below) is my favorite indoor grill.
What to Serve with Sliders
Drinks:
Beer is a classic drink to serve with burgers, whether they be sliders or full scale burgers.
One easy way to spice up your beer is to make it into a “Michalada”, by adding some hot sauce, lime and a dash of Worcestershire sauce. Rim the glass with some lime zest or powdered chile powder and you’ve got a super-refreshing drink that pairs perfectly with burgers!
Spice up your drink even further by turning your Michalada into a Clamato Michalada, or go all in and make an apple shrub for a signature Apple Shrub Beer Cocktail.
If you’re not a big beer drinker, a big pitcher of sangría makes for an excellent fruity alternative.
Slow Carb Sauces:
There are many dipping sauces that are popular to serve with sliders, but beware of the fruity sauces and BBQ sauces if you are practicing a slow carb or low carb lifestyle.
I find creamy mashed avocado can take the place of a sugary BBQ-type dipping sauce. However, if you want to add a great dipping sauce without any added sugar, try this Blueberry Bourbon BBQ sauce.
FAQ
A tangy pickled condiment made from cabbage, green tomatoes, and peppers cooked in vinegar with mustard seeds, celery seeds, and turmeric. It’s a traditional North American relish with regional variations—Northern versions include more vegetables; Southern versions focus on green tomatoes or cabbage.
Yes. The relish keeps refrigerated for 2-3 weeks and the flavor improves after a day or two. Make it ahead for easy game day prep.
Regular ripe tomatoes work, though the texture will be softer. Tomatillos are another option for similar tartness.
Hot dogs, fish cakes, mashed potatoes, beans, pulled pork, or any grilled meat. It’s also good on crackers with cream cheese.
80/20 (80% lean, 20% fat). Leaner beef dries out quickly in small patties.
Game Day is known for specific celebratory food. For classic pairings of food and drink around other popular celebrations check out this category of 20+ recipes for holidays and celebrations.
Chow Chow Sliders
Equipment
- 1 grill or skillet
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded green cabbage
- ½ lb green tomatoes optional, depending on availability
- 1 cup red bell peppers chopped (I used jarred roasted red peppers)
- 1 small onion chopped
- ½ cup cider vinegar
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ Tablespoon mustard seeds
- 1 ½ tsp celery seeds
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- ¼ cup green onion sliced
- 2 lbs. ground chuck 20 % fat
- mini-buns
- ¼ cup BBQ sauce your preferred brand
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- Combine the cabbage, tomatoes, peppers, onion, vinegar, sugar, mustard seeds, celery seeds,turmeric, cayenne and 1 1/2 tsp salt in a heavy saute pan and cook over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes.4 cups shredded green cabbage, 1/2 lb green tomatoes, 1 cup red bell peppers, 1 small onion, 1/2 cup cider vinegar, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 Tablespoon mustard seeds, 1 1/2 tsp celery seeds, 1/2 tsp turmeric, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, salt
- Preheat a grill or a skillet to medium high, wiping down the grate or skillet with olive oil before heating. I have a Cuisinart Griddler and I love it for indoor grilling. Turn the top and bottom plates both on sear if you have one of these.
- In a bowl, use your hands to gently mix together ground beef, green onions, and 1/2 tsp pepper (more to taste). Do not add salt, as this will cause the meat to start to cure and give it a different texture.1/4 cup green onion, 2 lbs. ground chuck, pepper
- Use a 1/2 cup dry measuring cup to form the mini-burgers. Pack the measuring cup with the burger mixture and level it off. Turn the measuring cup over onto a plate and tap the bottom until the burger patty drops out. Don't handle the meat too much, as it is better texture and taste if it is light and airy. Salt the burger patties right before grilling.salt
- Grill the burgers until charred on the outside and cooked inside until no longer pink (160 degrees), turning once. It takes about 3-5 minutes per side (if desired, add cheese on top of the patties for the last couple of minutes to melt). Remove the burgers and allow them to rest on a paper towel for a couple of minutes. While the patties are resting, grill the buns, cut side down, until toasted.mini-buns
- Spread the bottom buns with your favorite BBQ sauce. Place the burger patty on the sauce and top with a generous portion of chow chow mix. Serve with your favorite beer or non-alcoholic drink.1/4 cup BBQ sauce
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