Bacon Cheeseburger Mini Sliders

Here’s a long, mouthwatering recipe for Bacon Cheeseburger Mini Sliders — juicy, cheesy, and packed with flavor, perfect for parties, game day, or a fun family dinner. These little burgers bring all the best parts of a classic bacon cheeseburger into a two-bite version, made either on the stovetop, baked in the oven, or even on the grill.

🍔 Bacon Cheeseburger Mini Sliders (Makes 12 Sliders)

⏰ Total Time:

• Prep time: 20–25 minutes
• Cook time: 20–25 minutes
• Total time: ~45–50 minutes

📝 Ingredients

🥩 For the Slider Patties:

• 1.5 lbs ground beef (80/20 for juiciness)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp yellow mustard (optional, adds tang)

🧀 Toppings & Fillings:

• 6 slices cheddar cheese, halved (or 12 small squares of cheese)
• 6–8 slices bacon, cooked and cut in half
• 1/2 cup finely diced onion (optional: caramelized or raw)
• Dill pickle slices (about 12)
• Ketchup, mustard, mayo (to taste)
• Shredded lettuce (optional)
• Sliced tomato (optional)

🥯 Slider Buns:

• 12 soft slider buns or mini brioche buns
• 1 tbsp butter, melted (for toasting)
• Optional: sesame seeds (for topping)

🔪 Step-by-Step Instructions

🔥 Step 1: Prepare the Bacon

1. Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy, about 8–10 minutes.
2. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate and cut each strip in half to make 12 shorter pieces.
3. Set aside.

📝 Optional: Add brown sugar and black pepper while cooking the bacon for a sweet-spicy twist.

🥩 Step 2: Make the Burger Patties

1. In a large bowl, combine:
   
   • Ground beef
   • Worcestershire
   • Garlic powder
   • Onion powder
   • Salt & pepper
   • Optional mustard
3. Mix gently with your hands — do not overwork.
4. Divide the beef into 12 equal portions (about 2 oz each). Roll into balls, then flatten into small patties slightly larger than your buns — they’ll shrink when cooked.

📝 Pro Tip: Use a small jar lid lined with plastic wrap to shape uniform patties quickly.

🍳 Step 3: Cook the Patties

A) Skillet or Griddle Method:

1. Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat.
2. Add patties (in batches if needed) and sear 3–4 minutes per side until browned and cooked through.
3. During the last minute of cooking, place a square of cheese on each patty and cover with a lid to melt.

B) Oven-Baked Method:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place patties on a foil-lined, greased baking sheet or rack.
3. Bake for 12–15 minutes, then add cheese and bake 1–2 minutes more until melted.

C) Grill Method:

1. Grill over medium-high heat for 3–4 minutes per side.
2. Add cheese in the last minute of grilling, close the lid to melt.

🥯 Step 4: Toast the Buns

1. Split the slider buns.
2. Lightly brush the insides with melted butter.
3. Toast on a skillet or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden brown.

🧱 Step 5: Assemble the Sliders

On each bottom bun, layer in this order:

1. A cooked, cheesy slider patty
2. A slice of bacon
3. A pickle slice
4. Optional: spoon of sautéed onions or caramelized onions
5. Add ketchup, mustard, mayo, lettuce, tomato, or your favorite toppings

Top with the toasted bun lid and secure with a toothpick if serving for a party.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

These mini sliders pair perfectly with:

• Crispy fries or sweet potato fries
• Mini onion rings
• Coleslaw or potato salad
• A side of dipping sauces (ranch, BBQ, chipotle mayo)

For parties, serve on a platter with mini flags or skewers!

🧊 Storage & Reheating

Store:

• Cooked patties can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for 2 months.
• Assemble fresh when ready to serve.

Reheat:

• Microwave: 30–45 seconds per patty
• Oven: 350°F for 10 minutes, wrapped in foil
• Air fryer: 350°F for 3–5 minutes

🔄 Variations & Customizations

🧀 Cheese Options:

• Pepper jack for a spicy twist
• Swiss for a milder, nuttier flavor
• Blue cheese crumbles for a gourmet slider

🥓 Bacon Upgrades:

• Use candied bacon or maple-glazed bacon
• Add bacon into the beef mixture for extra richness

🍔 Meat Alternatives:

• Ground turkey or chicken for lean sliders
• Impossible or Beyond Meat for plant-based options
• Add chopped mushrooms or caramelized onions into the patties for umami

🧅 Flavor Boosters:

• Add a dab of bacon jam, sriracha mayo, or BBQ sauce
• Sprinkle burger seasoning or Montreal steak spice on patties before cooking

Would you like a baked pull-apart tray version or a Hawaiian roll-style slider casserole? I can share that next if you’re making sliders for a crowd!