Wo-cheeseburger Sliders With Bacon Recipe

Make the seasoned beef

Place ground beef in a medium bowl. Add Worcestershire sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, kosher salt and black pepper. Gently mix with your hands or a fork just until combined — do not overwork the meat to keep patties tender.

Divide the seasoned beef into 6 equal portions (about 2.7 oz / 75 g each). Lightly form each portion into a flat round patty about 2.5–3 inches (6–7.5 cm) across and slightly wider than the slider buns so they will shrink to fit when cooking.

Cook the bacon

Heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay bacon slices in a single layer and cook until crisp, turning occasionally, about 6–8 minutes depending on thickness. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain and cool. When cool, cut each slice in half crosswise to make 12 short pieces for topping.

While bacon cooks, thinly slice onion and set aside with pickle slices. If you prefer warmed pickles or softened onion, place them in a small bowl with a splash of hot water for 5 minutes, then drain.

Prepare the sauce

In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, yellow mustard, ketchup, smoked paprika and optional pickle juice. Mix until smooth and taste; adjust seasoning if desired. This yields enough to spread on 12 slider buns.

Toast the buns (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice slider buns in half horizontally. Arrange cut sides up on a baking sheet and brush lightly with softened butter (about half of the butter). Toast in the oven 4–6 minutes until edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside.

Cook the patties

Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium-high heat and add 1 tsp oil. When oil is hot, add the patties without crowding (you may need to work in batches). Cook until a brown crust forms, 2–3 minutes, then flip and cook 1.5–2 minutes more for medium; adjust time for preferred doneness. During the last minute of cooking, place a cheddar slice on each patty and cover the skillet with a lid to melt cheese (about 30–60 seconds). Remove patties to a plate and let rest briefly.

Warm buns briefly (if not toasted earlier) by placing open-faced in the oven for 1–2 minutes or on the skillet cut-side down for 20–30 seconds until lightly warmed.

Assemble sliders

Spread about 1 teaspoon of the prepared sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Place a cheeseburger patty on each bottom bun, top each patty with a half slice of bacon, a couple pickle slices and a few rings of thinly sliced onion. Spread a small amount of sauce on the top bun and place it over the toppings. Secure each slider with a toothpick or small skewer to hold layers together.

If serving warm platters, arrange assembled sliders on a baking sheet and tent with foil to keep warm for up to 15 minutes. Optionally, brush the top buns with remaining softened butter and return to the oven 1–2 minutes to glaze and warm.

Transfer sliders to a serving platter. Serve immediately while warm with extra pickles or dipping sauce on the side. Each slider is roughly 440 kcal as stated; total recipe yields 12 sliders (serving estimate below).