These Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders are a delicious variation of my classic Cheeseburger Sliders. Soft, sweet Hawaiian rolls are stacked with juicy, seasoned ground beef, melty cheddar, and rich, smoky homemade onion bacon jam for a bite that’s savory with a touch of sweetness. The tops are brushed with garlic butter and sprinkled with sesame seeds for extra flavor. Perfect for game days, parties, or a cozy family dinner, these sliders are easy to assemble and full of flavor. If you love sliders, check out more of my best slider recipes, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Ground Beef: Use 80/20 ground beef for juicy, flavorful sliders. Lean ground turkey or chicken can work too, but they may be less juicy.
- Onion: Diced yellow onion adds sweetness and depth of flavor. You can use shallots instead if you like.
- Garlic: Minced garlic adds a savory boost to the beef. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch. I also used minced garlic in the garlic butter topping.
- Seasonings: Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, hamburger seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper make the beef tasty and savory. Adjust to your liking or swap for your favorite burger spice blend.
- Unsalted Butter: Used to make the garlic butter for brushing the tops of the sliders. Salted butter can be used; just reduce the added salt.
- Sesame Seeds: Add a little crunch on top. Optional if you don’t have them.
- King’s Hawaiian Rolls: Soft, slightly sweet rolls that hold the sliders together. Try the sliders with my homemade Hawaiian rolls! Or, any soft slider roll works as a substitute.
- Cheddar Cheese: Slices melt perfectly over the beef. Pepper Jack or Swiss can be used for a different flavor.
- Onion Bacon Jam: The star of the sliders! Homemade or store-bought works, just make sure it’s thick enough to spread. Once you taste how amazing this jam is, you will want to check out all of my bacon jam recipes, too!
FAQs
Can I make the bacon jam ahead of time?
Yes! Bacon jam can be made a few days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. This makes assembling the sliders even faster.
Can I use store-bought bacon jam?
Absolutely! Store-bought bacon jam works well if you’re short on time. Just make sure it’s thick enough to spread over the cheese layer.
Can I make these sliders without cheddar cheese?
Yes! You can use any melty cheese you like, such as Swiss, pepper jack, or provolone. Or, skip the cheese entirely for a cheesy-free version; the sliders are still delicious!
Can I assemble bacon jam cheeseburger sliders ahead of time?
You can prepare the sliders up to the point of baking. Then, cover tightly, and store in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Just add a few extra minutes to the bake time if they are cold from the refrigerator.
Serving Ideas
- Family Dinner: Serve warm with air fryer French fries, roasted potato wedges, coleslaw, or a simple side salad for a complete meal.
- Extra Flavor: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or a little extra sesame seeds on top for a pop of color.
- Party-Style: Slice into individual portions and serve on a platter with extra bacon jam on the side for spreading.
- Pair with Veggies: Roasted parmesan green beans or roasted asparagus make a fresh, flavorful side to balance the rich sliders.
How to Store Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders
Room Temperature: These sliders are best served warm, right out of the oven. If you need to hold them briefly, cover loosely with foil for up to 2 hours.
Refrigerator: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 325°F for 10 to 15 minutes or until warmed through.
Freezer: You can freeze the assembled sliders without baking. Wrap tightly in foil and place in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. To bake from frozen, let them thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake as directed. Do not freeze after baking, as the cheese and bacon jam texture can change.
More Bacon Jam
Whiskey Bacon Jam
Whiskey Bacon Jam is a unique, easy-to-make homemade condiment that is delicious on burgers, sandwiches, and grilled meats, as well as a topping for appetizers like crackers or cheese platters.
Peach Bacon Jam
WOW IS THIS AMAZING! (and quick!) Indulge in the savory and sweet flavors of Peach Bacon Jam. This delicious condiment combines bacon, caramelized onions, peaches, and spices for a mouthwatering treat!
Tomato Bacon Jam
Tomato Bacon Jam is a sweet and savory spread made with fresh tomatoes, bacon, onions, sugar, spices, and red pepper flakes for a slight kick. Perfect for crackers, biscuits, hamburgers, grilled cheese, or even pizza!
Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders
Ingredients
Beef Filling
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- ½ yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon hamburger seasoning
- 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Garlic Butter
- ¼ cup (½ stick / 57 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Assembly
- 1 package (12-count) King’s Hawaiian Rolls
- 12 slices medium cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 cup (272 g) bacon jam, prepared
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add oil. Once hot and shimmering, add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet. Break it apart with a wooden spoon and cook until no pink remains, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, hamburger seasoning, seasoned salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a small bowl, stir together the melted butter, garlic, parsley, and salt. Set aside.
- Without separating the rolls, slice them horizontally through the middle. Place the bottom half into the prepared baking dish.
- Lay 6 slices of cheddar cheese evenly over the bottom buns.
- Spread the cooked beef mixture evenly over the cheese layer, gently pressing it into an even layer.
- Lay the remaining 6 slices of cheddar cheese over the beef.
- Spoon the prepared bacon jam evenly over the top cheese layer, spreading it gently so it reaches the edges.
- Place the top half of the rolls over the bacon jam layer.
- Brush the tops of the rolls generously with the garlic butter mixture. Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if using.
- Cover loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and heated through.
- Remove the foil and bake an additional 5 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice and serve warm.
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