Wo-cheeseburger Sliders With Bacon Recipe

Mix and form

In a large bowl combine ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Gently mix with your hands or a fork until just combined — avoid overworking. Divide mixture into 12 equal portions (about 2 oz each). Form each portion into a small, slightly flattened patty roughly the diameter of the slider buns, with a slight indentation in the center to prevent doming.

Chill (optional)

Place patties on a tray and refrigerate for 15–20 minutes to help them hold shape while cooking. This step is optional but recommended if patties feel soft.

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Arrange bacon slices on a foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake 12–16 minutes, turning once if necessary, until crisp but not burnt. Remove and transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and cool, then cut each slice in half to fit sliders (you need about 12 half-strips).

While bacon cooks, wash and dry lettuce, thinly slice tomato and onion if using, and have pickle slices ready.

In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, yellow mustard, dill pickle relish, paprika, hot sauce (if using), salt, and black pepper until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. Refrigerate until assembly.

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and lightly oil or spray with cooking oil. When hot, add slider patties without crowding (cook in batches if needed). Cook for 2–3 minutes per side for medium (adjust time for desired doneness). Do not press down on patties. If using a cast-iron or griddle, you may notice good browning—leave for a nice crust.

During the final 30–45 seconds of cooking, place a half slice of cheddar and a half slice of American cheese (or one full slice folded) over each patty to melt. If making many at once, cover skillet briefly to help cheese melt.

While patties finish, split the slider buns and brush cut sides with melted butter. If desired, sprinkle sesame seeds on tops. Toast buns, cut-side down, on a hot skillet or under the broiler for 1–2 minutes until golden — watch closely to avoid burning.

To assemble each slider: spread about 1 teaspoon of sauce on the bottom bun, place a lettuce piece, then the cheesy patty, top with a bacon half, a pickle slice, and a thin tomato slice (or a few rings of onion if desired). Spread a little sauce on the top bun and close. Repeat for all sliders.

Arrange sliders on a serving platter and serve immediately. Leftovers: store assembled sliders unheated (without lettuce/tomato) for up to 24 hours, or store components separately in airtight containers for 2 days.