Tasty BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders for Backyard Bliss

Irresistible BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders

As a busy home cook and food blogger, I’m always on the lookout for delicious recipes that are easy to make and sure to satisfy my family’s cravings. That’s exactly how these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders came to be! It started on a typical weeknight when I was scrambling to get a hearty, comforting meal on the table. I had a package of ground beef in the fridge and a serious hankering for something saucy, cheesy, and utterly crave-worthy.

I began rummaging through my pantry and fridge, and that’s when I spotted the package of bacon I had been saving. Bacon and burgers are a match made in heaven, so I knew I was onto something. Then I noticed the bottle of my favorite barbecue sauce sitting on the counter – the perfect flavor to tie it all together. Before I knew it, I had assembled the most mouthwatering little BBQ bacon cheeseburger sliders, and let me tell you, they were an instant hit with my crew.

These sliders have become a regular menu item in our house, whether I’m feeding my hungry teenagers after a long day or hosting a backyard barbecue with friends. The combination of juicy beef, smoky bacon, melty cheese, and tangy barbecue sauce is simply irresistible. Plus, the mini slider size makes them easy to grab and go, perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings. Follow me on DianaCookingE on Pinterest to see more of my favorite family-friendly recipes!

Why This Recipe Works

There are a few reasons why these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders are a total home run in my book. First, the flavors are out of this world – the savory beef, salty bacon, sharp cheddar, and sweet-tangy barbecue sauce create the ultimate flavor explosion in every bite. Secondly, the slider format makes them easy to serve and eat, whether you’re feeding a crowd or just your own hungry crew. And lastly, they’re super simple to whip up, with minimal hands-on time required. It’s the perfect recipe for busy weeknights or casual gatherings when you want to serve something truly crave-worthy.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or shredded
• 12 slices cooked bacon, crumbled or chopped
• 1 cup barbecue sauce, plus more for serving
• 12 small slider buns or dinner rolls, split in half

Diana’s Tip: For the juiciest, most flavorful burgers, be sure to use high-quality ground beef. I like to go with an 80/20 or 85/15 blend.

Optional Add-Ins and Variations

These BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders are delicious as-is, but you can also get creative with some tasty add-ins and variations:

• Caramelized Onions: Sauté some thinly sliced onions in a bit of butter or oil until they’re golden brown and sweet.
• Pickled Jalapeños: For a little heat, top the sliders with some tangy, spicy pickled jalapeños.
• Bacon Jam: Instead of crumbled bacon, use a spoonful of savory-sweet bacon jam on each slider.
• Spicy BBQ Sauce: Swap the regular barbecue sauce for a zesty, chipotle-spiked version.

Step-by-Step Method

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, gently mix together the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the burgers tough.
3. Diana’s Tip: To get perfectly uniform slider patties, use a 1/4 cup measuring cup to scoop and shape the beef mixture.
4. Place the slider patties on a lightly greased baking sheet or in a large baking dish.
5. Bake the sliders for 12-15 minutes, or until they’re cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C).
6. Remove the sliders from the oven and top each one with a slice or small mound of cheddar cheese. Return to the oven for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. What I Messed Up At First: When I first made these, I tried to cook the bacon and burgers together on the same baking sheet. This led to the bacon getting a bit overcooked. Now I cook the bacon separately and add it on top of the cheeseburgers just before serving.
8. Transfer the cheesy BBQ bacon cheeseburger sliders to the slider buns and top with the crumbled bacon.
9. Serve the sliders warm, with extra barbecue sauce on the side for dipping.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders are super easy to make, there are a few common mistakes to watch out for:

• Overworking the Beef: Be gentle when mixing the beef patty ingredients to avoid tough, dense sliders.
• Overcooking the Bacon: Keep an eye on the bacon while it’s cooking to prevent it from getting too crispy and dry.
• Forgetting the Cheese: Don’t forget to top the hot sliders with the melty cheddar cheese for that quintessential cheeseburger flavor.

My Tested Substitutions

While the ingredient list for these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders is pretty straightforward, here are a few tested substitutions that work well:

• Ground Turkey or Chicken: For a lighter twist, you can use ground turkey or chicken in place of the beef.
• Swiss or Pepper Jack Cheese: If you’re not a cheddar fan, try using slices of Swiss or pepper jack cheese instead.
• Whole Wheat Buns: Swap the regular slider buns for whole wheat or multigrain versions for a healthier option.

How to Customize This Recipe

These BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders are incredibly versatile and can be easily customized to suit your preferences or dietary needs:

• Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free slider buns or lettuce wraps instead of the traditional buns.
• Low-Carb: Serve the BBQ bacon cheeseburger patties on top of a bed of greens or cauliflower rice instead of buns.
• Vegetarian/Vegan: Swap the beef for plant-based burger patties and use vegan cheese and bacon alternatives.
• Spicy: Add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes to the beef mixture for a kick of heat.

Serving Ideas

These BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders are the perfect handheld meal or appetizer for all sorts of occasions. I love serving them for casual backyard barbecues, game day gatherings, or even as a fun weeknight dinner with the family. They’re delicious on their own, but you can also pair them with classic cookout sides like creamy coleslaw, crispy fries, or a fresh, crunchy salad.

Meal Prep & Storage Instructions

One of the best things about these BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders is that they’re super easy to make ahead and reheat. You can assemble the uncooked slider patties in advance and keep them in the fridge or freezer until you’re ready to bake. The cooked sliders also reheat beautifully in the oven or microwave. Just be sure to store any leftover sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Nutritional Breakdown

Each BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Slider contains approximately:

• Calories: 310
• Protein: 19g
• Carbohydrates: 26g
• Fat: 16g
• Fiber: 1g

Final Thoughts

I hope you’ll give these irresistible BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders a try! They’re the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and utterly satisfying. Plus, they’re so easy to make, you’ll find yourself whipping them up again and again. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just your own hungry family, these sliders are sure to be a hit. So go ahead, fire up your oven, and get ready to enjoy the most delicious little burgers you’ve ever had. Follow me on DianaCookingE on Pinterest for more of my favorite recipes and cooking tips!