There’s something undeniably comforting about biting into a juicy, cheesy slider with crispy bacon layered inside. These bacon cheeseburger sliders are designed to satisfy cravings and delight guests, making them the perfect choice for game days, casual dinners, or any time you want a crowd-pleaser on the table fast. The blend of seasoned ground beef with melted cheddar and the buttery topping creates layers of irresistible flavor and texture.
From the soft King’s Hawaiian rolls to the smoky bacon, every bite delivers a perfectly balanced combination of savory, sweet, and tangy notes. Plus, the secret sauce and spice blend infuse the meat with depth, ensuring these sliders are anything but ordinary.
- Juicy, seasoned beef mixture keeps sliders moist and flavorful.
- Buttery, sweet-savory topping adds an irresistible golden crust on the buns.
- Quick to assemble and bake, perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
- Layered with crisp bacon and melted cheddar for classic comfort flavor.
Ingredients
- Lean Ground Beef (1.5 lbs, 85/15): Provides a juicy, well-balanced texture with enough fat for flavor and moisture.
- ½ Large Onion, diced: Adds natural sweetness and a subtle bite that complements the beef.
- 2 Cloves Garlic, finely minced: Infuses savory depth and aromatic flavor to the meat mixture.
- ⅓ Cup Secret Sauce or Burger Sauce: Enhances the beef with a tangy, creamy kick to keep the sliders moist.
- 1 Teaspoon Salt: Brings out all the natural flavors in the beef and other ingredients.
- ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and complexity to season the meat.
- ½ Teaspoon Smoked Paprika: Imparts a smoky, slightly sweet undertone enhancing the bacon’s flavor.
- ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder: Provides an extra layer of garlicky aroma and taste.
- 8 Slices Bacon, cooked and crumbled: Contributes crisp texture and smoky saltiness to the sliders.
- 12 King’s Hawaiian Dinner Rolls: Soft, sweet buns that hold all the flavors and soak up the juices.
- 12 Slices Cheddar Cheese, divided: Melts beautifully for gooey, rich cheeseburger goodness.
- 3 Tablespoons Butter: Used in the topping for a golden, savory glaze on the buns.
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon Mustard: Adds tanginess and a subtle bite to the butter glaze.
- 1 Tablespoon Brown Sugar: Balances the topping with sweet caramel notes.
- 1 ½ Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce: Deepens the savoriness of the butter mixture coating the buns.
- Sesame Seeds: For a visually appealing, slight nutty crunch on top of the buns.
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet
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Set your oven to 350°F to warm up while prepping the sliders. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking of the slider base.
- Cook Beef with Onion and Garlic
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In a large skillet on medium-high heat, cook the ground beef along with diced onion and minced garlic. Break the beef apart with a spatula so it cooks evenly and browns well, developing rich flavor. Once browned and no longer pink, drain any excess grease to prevent soggy sliders.
- Season the Beef Mixture
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Transfer the cooked meat to a bowl and stir in secret sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. This seasoning blend adds layers of flavor that turn simple ground beef into a savory slider filling.
- Cook and Crumble Bacon
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Using the same skillet, crisp the bacon slices until golden and crunchy. Cool slightly before crumbling into bite-sized pieces. The smoky bacon bits enhance texture and flavor through every slider bite.
- Slice the Rolls Horizontally
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Carefully slice the King’s Hawaiian dinner rolls in half horizontally without separating the top completely. Leave the rolls hinged so they stay together when assembling and baking all sliders at once.
- Assemble the Sliders
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Place the bottom half of the rolls on the prepared sheet. Layer half the cheddar slices evenly across the buns, spread the beef mixture on top, then add the remaining cheese slices. Sprinkle crumbled bacon evenly before capping with the top half of the buns.
- Prepare and Brush Butter Mixture
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In a small bowl, mix melted butter with Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Warm briefly if needed to fully melt the butter, then brush this glossy glaze evenly over the slider tops. Sprinkle with sesame seeds to finish.
- Bake the Sliders
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Cover the sliders loosely with foil to keep moisture in, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes allowing cheese to melt and the flavors to meld. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes if you want toasted, crispier buns on top.
- Serve Warm and Customize
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Remove sliders from oven and let slightly cool before slicing. Serve warm as is or add extras like pickles, tomato slices, red onions, or shredded lettuce for fresh crunch and color.
- Using King’s Hawaiian rolls adds a sweet contrast to the savory fillings that elevate these sliders.
- Don’t skip draining cooked beef to keep sliders from becoming greasy or soggy.
- The butter topping caramelizes under foil, creating a golden, flavorful crust.
Storage Tips
Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven wrapped in foil to preserve moisture and melt the cheese again.
Serving Suggestions
Pair these sliders with crispy fries, coleslaw, or a fresh garden salad for a full meal. They’re also a hit with dipping sauces like ketchup, BBQ sauce, or a spicy mayo.
- Cook bacon separately to control crispiness and prevent it from adding extra grease to the beef mixture.
- If you prefer, substitute secret sauce with homemade burger sauce using mayo, ketchup, and pickle relish.
- Adding smoked paprika enhances smoky flavor without overpowering the beef.
FAQs
- Can I prepare these sliders ahead of time?
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Yes, you can assemble the sliders a few hours in advance and refrigerate them until ready to bake. Just cover tightly before baking when ready.
- What can I use instead of King’s Hawaiian rolls?
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Any sweet or soft dinner roll will work, such as brioche or potato rolls, for similar texture and flavor contrast.
- How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?
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Drain excess grease from the beef and avoid overloading the slider with very wet toppings before serving.
- Can I use a different cheese?
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Absolutely! Swiss, American, or pepper jack cheese would all melt nicely and add flavor variations.
- Is there a substitute for Worcestershire sauce in the butter glaze?
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You can use soy sauce or omit it, but Worcestershire adds a unique umami depth that’s delicious.
- How spicy are these sliders?
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These sliders are mildly seasoned with pepper and smoky paprika, perfect for most palates but not spicy hot.
- Can I freeze these sliders?
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It’s best to freeze the meat mixture separately and assemble fresh, as baked sliders may lose texture after freezing.
Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders
Equipment
- 1 skillet for cooking beef and bacon
- 1 baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- 1 small bowl for butter mixture
- 1 bread knife to slice slider buns
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef 85/15
- ½ large onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ⅓ cup secret sauce or burger sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 8 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
- 12 King's Hawaiian dinner rolls
- 12 slices cheddar cheese divided
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- Sesame seeds for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef with diced onions and minced garlic until browned and no longer pink, breaking apart as it cooks. Drain excess grease.
- Transfer the cooked beef to a large bowl and mix in secret sauce, salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- In the same skillet, cook bacon until crispy, then crumble into bite-sized pieces.
- Slice the slider buns horizontally without separating the tops from the bottoms and place the bottom halves on the prepared baking sheet.
- Layer 6 slices of cheddar cheese evenly over the bottom buns.
- Spread the seasoned beef mixture evenly over the cheese.
- Add the remaining 6 slices of cheddar cheese on top of the beef, then sprinkle with crumbled bacon.
- Place the top halves of the buns over the fillings.
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and Worcestershire sauce. Warm slightly if needed and stir to mix.
- Brush the butter mixture evenly over the tops of the buns and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Tent the sliders with foil and bake for 15–20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes if a toasted top is desired.
- Serve warm, optionally adding pickles, red onion, tomato slices, or shredded lettuce.
Notes
- Use fresh buns for best texture.
- Try different cheese varieties for variation.
- Store leftovers wrapped tightly in refrigerator up to 2 days.
- Reheat covered to keep sliders moist.
