Difficulty: Easy
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 60 minutes
Total: 1 hour 15 minutes
Serves: 12
INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon butter
1 large yellow onion, thinly sliced
1 pound ground beef
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, plus more to taste
1 package (12-count) Hawaiian sweet rolls
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 cups shredded Gruyère or Swiss cheese (8 ounces)
3 tablespoons butter, melted
INSTRUCTIONS
While the bacon bakes, melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring every few minutes, until soft and deep golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in the saved bacon drippings.
Move the onions to a bowl. Add the chopped bacon and toss to combine.
In the same skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into small crumbles, 7 to 8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Drain the grease.
Lower the oven to 350 degrees. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.
Keep the rolls connected. Slice the whole slab in half horizontally. Place the bottom half on the sheet pan. Spread mayonnaise over the cut sides of both halves.
Spread the beef evenly over the bottom rolls. Top with the cheese, then the bacon and onion mixture.
Place the top half of the rolls on. Brush the tops with melted butter.
Cover loosely with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 5 to 8 minutes more, until the cheese is melted and the tops are golden.
Cut into 12 sliders and serve warm.
Description
Bacon cheeseburger sliders are the easiest way to feed a crowd without babysitting a grill. You get 12 warm, cheesy sliders from one pan. Every bite has seasoned ground beef, melted Gruyère, sweet caramelized onions and crispy Kountry Boys Thick-Sliced Double Smoked Applewood Bacon.
This recipe uses a full pound of bacon. That’s not a typo. When bacon is the reason people come back for seconds, you don’t hold back. Grab a 36-ounce pack of Kountry Boys Thick-Sliced Double Smoked Applewood Bacon and you’ll have enough for these bacon cheeseburger sliders plus breakfast tomorrow.
Why Hawaiian Roll Sliders Work So Well
Sweet Hawaiian rolls are a perfect match for salty, smoky bacon. You slice the whole pack in half at once, so the rolls stay connected. That means you build one big sandwich, bake it and cut it apart. No flipping 12 tiny patties. No burgers falling through the grill grates.
A thin layer of mayo on the cut sides of the rolls keeps the bread from getting soggy. A brush of melted butter on top turns the rolls golden and glossy in the oven. Those two small steps are what make these sliders taste like they came from a restaurant kitchen.
Caramelized Onions: The Flavor Upgrade
Most slider recipes skip the onions or toss them in raw. This one takes the time to caramelize them. Cook the sliced onion low and slow in butter until it turns soft and deep golden. Then stir in a spoonful of bacon drippings for an extra layer of smoky flavor.
Don’t rush this step. Onions need 20 to 25 minutes to caramelize. Turn up the heat and they’ll burn before they get sweet. The good news is you can cook them while the bacon is in the oven, so it doesn’t add time to your day.
Once the onions are done, mix them with the chopped bacon. That way every slider gets the same amount of both.
The Best Bacon for Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
Thick-sliced bacon is the right call here. Thin bacon gets lost under a layer of beef and cheese. Kountry Boys Thick-Sliced Double Smoked Applewood Bacon holds its own. It’s smoked twice, so its sweet applewood flavor comes through even under nutty Gruyère and soft rolls. A full pound makes sure every slider gets plenty.
Cook the bacon until it’s truly crisp. Bacon that’s still soft going into the oven turns chewy after baking. Crisp bacon keeps its crunch, even under melted cheese. It’s the difference between good bacon cheeseburger sliders and great ones.
Our tip: bake the bacon instead of frying it. Lay the strips on foil-lined sheet pans and bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Thick slices need a few extra minutes to crisp. A full pound cooks at once, there’s no grease splatter and your stovetop stays free for the onions and beef.
Which Cheese Is Best for Sliders?
Gruyère melts smooth and adds a nutty, slightly sweet flavor. Swiss is milder and costs less. Either one works. If you can, shred the cheese yourself from a block. Bagged shredded cheese has a coating that keeps it from melting as smoothly.
The cheese goes right on top of the beef. As it melts, it works like glue. It holds the beef in place and keeps the bacon and onions from sliding off when you pull the sliders apart.
How to Make Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
Here’s the game plan:
- Bake the bacon while the onions caramelize on the stove.
- Brown the ground beef in the same skillet.
- Slice the rolls, then layer beef, cheese and the bacon-onion mix.
- Brush the tops with butter, cover with foil and bake.
Full measurements and step-by-step directions for these bacon cheeseburger sliders are in the recipe card below.
Make-Ahead Tips for Game Day
Bacon cheeseburger sliders are easy to prep ahead. Cook the bacon, onions and beef up to two days early. Store them in separate containers in the fridge. On game day, build the sliders and bake. Add about 5 minutes to the covered bake time since the fillings start cold.
Hold off on slicing the rolls until you’re ready to build. Cut rolls dry out fast.
What to Serve With Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
Round out the spread with more Kountry Boys favorites. Loaded Up Potato Salad makes a hearty side. For more finger food, try Bacon Potato Au Gratin or Pinto Beans with Sausage. Want the full-size version? Our Smokehouse Bacon Cheeseburger is built for the grill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store leftover sliders?
Let them cool, then wrap them tightly or place them in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to three days.
What’s the best way to reheat bacon cheeseburger sliders?
Use the oven. Cover the sliders with foil and heat at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes. The microwave works in a pinch, but it makes the rolls chewy.
Can I freeze them?
Yes. Wrap baked, cooled sliders tightly in foil and freeze for up to one month. Reheat from frozen at 350 degrees, covered, for 25 to 30 minutes.
Can I use a different cheese?
Sure. Cheddar gives you a classic cheeseburger taste. Pepper jack adds heat. American melts the smoothest of all. Just keep the amount at 2 cups.
How many sliders does one batch make?
One 12-count pack of Hawaiian rolls makes 12 sliders. Plan on two or three per person as an appetizer, or four as a meal.
This recipe was adapted from Western Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders by Little Bits Of.