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Bacon cheeseburger sliders on pretzel buns always disappear fast at parties or family gatherings. Gooey cheese, savory beef, and smoky bacon tucked into pillowy pretzel rolls hit every comfort food craving. These are simple to prep in advance and work just as well for dinner as they do on a buffet. The homemade burger sauce takes them up a notch and the crispy onion layer adds unbeatable texture.
I served these at a football watch party last fall and had zero leftovers. My sister-in-law always asks for the recipe.
Ingredients
- Ground beef or your favorite ground meat: Adds heartiness and classic burger flavor. Buy freshly ground for best taste.
- Bacon cooked and chopped crisp: Offers a smokey crunch. Opt for thick cut if available.
- Yellow onion diced: Sweetens and deepens the beef’s flavor. Look for heavy onions with tight skins.
- Burger seasoning: Your favorite blend brings the right amount of savory and spice. Check the spice aisle for blends with paprika and garlic.
- Ketchup: A touch of tang and sweetness ties together the filling. Choose a brand with no corn syrup for cleaner taste.
- Dill relish: Gives a little crunch and briny kick so every bite is interesting. Use refrigerated pickle relish for fresher flavor.
- Yellow mustard: Classic bite and zing. I prefer all natural with a short ingredient list.
- Worcestershire sauce: Dials up the umami. Go for an original formula for the richest taste.
- King’s Hawaiian pretzel slider buns: Stay pillowy and bake up with the perfect chew. They do not dry out during baking.
- White American cheese: Creamy and perfectly melty. Any cheese melts beautifully so pick your favorite slices.
- French’s crispy fried onions: Crunchy topping for irresistible texture. Fresh and crispy is key so check the expiration date.
- Homemade burger sauce: With mayonnaise, ketchup, sweet pickle relish, paprika, garlic powder and black pepper. Whisked together for a tangy spread that pulls everything together. Use real mayo for best texture.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon:
- Cook bacon until crispy then chop roughly into bite sized pieces. Set aside. Crisp bacon gives each slider the best texture.
- Brown the Beef and Onions:
- Sauté ground beef and diced onion in a skillet over medium heat. Cook until beef is browned and onion is soft about 7 to 10 minutes. Drain off excess fat for best texture.
- Season and Mix the Beef:
- Sprinkle your burger seasoning over the drained beef mixture. Add ketchup dill relish mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Mix thoroughly until every bite is seasoned and saucy.
- Assemble the Sliders:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Lay the bottom halves of pretzel slider buns on a lined baking sheet. Top evenly with half of the cheese slices so each bun is covered. Spread the seasoned beef mixture over the cheese then scatter chopped bacon on top for salty crunch.
- Make and Add the Burger Sauce:
- Whisk the mayonnaise ketchup sweet pickle relish paprika garlic powder and black pepper in a small bowl. Spread this sauce generously over the bacon layer.
- Add Crispy Onions and More Cheese:
- Sprinkle fried onions over the sauced sliders then layer on the remaining cheese slices for a gooey melt.
- Add the Top Buns and Bake:
- Place bun tops on the sliders. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes until the cheese melts and buns are lightly toasted but not hard.
- Slice and Serve:
- Remove from oven. Slice sliders apart and serve right away with extra burger sauce on the side.
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My favorite touch is the layer of crispy onions. My kids now ask for “the crispy stuff” when I make any burgers because that crunch totally sets these sliders apart. The first time I made these was a family game night and we still talk about how everyone kept going back for seconds.
Storage Tips
Store any leftover sliders covered in the fridge for up to three days. To reheat wrap in foil and warm in a low oven so the buns stay soft. The burger sauce can be stored in a jar for a week and is perfect for dipping fries.
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap ground beef for ground turkey or even plant based crumbles. Use any sliced cheese you like such as cheddar Swiss or Colby Jack. If you cannot find pretzel buns swap for soft dinner rolls or mini brioche buns.
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Serving Suggestions
Serve with classic potato chips dill pickles or a simple green salad to round out the meal. These are built for parties and work great as part of an appetizer spread alongside wings or veggie trays.
Cultural or Historical Context
Sliders have roots in American diners and lunch counters known for serving small burgers since the early twentieth century. The soft pretzel bun twist is a newer addition but gives that perfect blend of sweet savory and a hint of salt for a truly memorable bite.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use a different type of cheese?
Absolutely! Try cheddar, Swiss, provolone, or your favorite melty cheese for a different flavor profile.
- → What can I use instead of pretzel buns?
Brioche rolls, potato slider buns, or Hawaiian rolls work great as substitutes if pretzel buns aren't available.
- → Can these sliders be made ahead?
Yes, you can prep the meat mixture, bacon, and sauce up to 2 days in advance. Assemble and bake just before serving for best results.
- → How do I keep sliders from getting soggy?
Let the meat mixture cool slightly before assembling and avoid overloading the buns with sauce. Baking until just toasted helps too.
- → What are some topping ideas for extra crunch?
Try adding sliced pickles, fresh lettuce, tomato, or extra fried onions for more texture and flavor.