These Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders are the kind of game day party food that disappears the second you set them down. I bake seasoned ground beef into an easy, juicy slab, then layer it onto soft slider rolls with melty cheddar and Gruyère, sweet and savory homemade Maple Bacon Jam, and tangy pickled red onions. A buttery garlic-onion-poppy topping takes them over the top before they go back into the oven until the cheese melts and the rolls turn perfectly golden
The real star here though is the bacon jam. My homemade Maple Bacon Jam combines crispy bacon, caramelized shallots, maple syrup, dark brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and fresh thyme to create a sweet, smoky, savory, and slightly tangy condiment that makes these sliders anything but ordinary.
I love using both cheddar and Gruyère because they bring different things to the party. The cheddar gives you that classic cheeseburger flavor, while Gruyère melts beautifully and adds a slightly nutty, savory richness. Then the pickled red onions cut through all that richness with their bright, tangy crunch.
And because we’re baking the ground beef as one large slab, you don’t have to stand over the stove flipping 12 individual little burgers. Once the beef is seasoned and pressed into a 9×13-inch pan, the oven does most of the work.
These bacon cheeseburger sliders are perfect for game day, football parties, casual entertaining, backyard gatherings, birthday parties, or an easy family dinner. They’re hearty enough to be a meal but easy enough to serve as part of a larger spread.
Why you’ll love this recipe!
What ingredients do I need?
- Ground Beef: I use 2 pounds of ground beef for these sliders. You want enough fat to keep the beef juicy and flavorful without leaving the finished sliders excessively greasy.
- Kosher Salt: Salt seasons the beef and brings out the flavor of all the other ingredients.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a little bite to the beef and helps balance the sweetness of the bacon jam.
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder seasons the beef evenly without adding extra moisture.
- Onion Powder: Onion powder adds another savory layer to the burger mixture.
- Slider Rolls: Use your favorite soft slider rolls. Hawaiian-style rolls work especially well if you like a slightly sweet roll, while traditional dinner-style slider rolls will give you a more classic cheeseburger flavor.
- Cheddar Cheese: Cheddar gives these sliders that unmistakable cheeseburger flavor. Sliced cheddar is easy to layer over the beef and melts beautifully during the second bake.
- Gruyère Cheese: Gruyère adds a nutty, savory flavor and melts beautifully over the beef. The combination of cheddar and Gruyère gives the sliders more depth than using just one cheese.
- Maple Bacon Jam: This is the ingredient that really sets these sliders apart. My homemade Maple Bacon Jam is made with bacon, caramelized shallots, maple syrup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and thyme. If making from scratch, make it before starting the sliders. You can also purchase this if needed, check your local grocery or specialty stores.
- Pickled Red Onions: Pickled red onions add acidity and crunch to balance the richness of the beef, cheese, and bacon jam.
- Unsalted Butter: Melted butter creates a rich, golden topping for the slider rolls.
- Dried Minced Garlic: Drired minced garlic adds savory flavor to the butter topping.
- Dried Minced Onion: Dried minced onion adds little pops of savory flavor and gives the tops of the rolls extra texture.
- Poppy Seeds: Poppy seeds add a subtle mild, nutty, and earthy flavor along with a pleasant crunch.
Recipe Variations
- Spicy Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders: Add sliced or diced jalapeños to the sliders or stir a little hot sauce into the bacon jam for a sweet-and-spicy version.
- BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders: Add a thin layer of your favorite barbecue sauce alongside the bacon jam. The smoky-sweet combination is especially good with cheddar.
- Mushroom and Bacon Jam Sliders: Sauté sliced mushrooms until deeply browned and add them between the beef and cheese for a savory mushroom cheeseburger version. Make sure all extra moisture from the mushrooms is reduced.
- Caramelized Onion Bacon Jam Sliders: Add caramelized onions in place of or alongside the pickled red onions for a sweeter, more deeply savory slider.
- Pepper Jack Bacon Jam Sliders: Swap the cheddar for pepper Jack if you want some extra heat.
- Breakfast Bacon Jam Sliders: Turn these into breakfast sliders by adding scrambled or fried eggs and serving them with the bacon jam.
- Bacon Jam Turkey Burger Sliders: Substitute the beef for ground turkey for turkey burger sliders.
- Bacon Jam Chicken Burger Sliders: Substitute the beef for ground chicken for chicken burger sliders.
Pro Tips
- Don’t overwork the beef. Gently mix the seasonings into the ground beef just until everything is evenly distributed. Overworking the meat can make the sliders dense.
- Use parchment with overhang when cooking the beef. It makes it much easier to lift the cooked beef slab from the pan without it breaking apart.
- Press the mixed ground beef all the way into the corners of the pan. Try to create an even layer so the beef cooks consistently and fits the slider rolls well.
- Don’t skip draining the excess grease. After baking the beef, carefully drain any excess grease before assembling the sliders. This helps prevent the bottom rolls from becoming soggy.
- If you’ve just made the bacon jam, let it cool a little before spreading it over the rolls. Very hot jam can make the rolls softer than you want.
- Make the bacon jam ahead of time if you can. The bacon jam can be prepared several days in advance, making assembly much easier on the day you’re serving the sliders.
- Maple Bacon Jam: Get the full Maple Bacon Jam recipe here.
- Drain the pickled onions really well. You want all that great tangy flavor, but excess pickling liquid can make the rolls soggy.
- Keep the rolls connected when assembling. Rather than separating each slider roll, slice the entire package horizontally as one piece. It makes assembly much easier and keeps all the filling contained.
- Let the sliders rest briefly after baking and before cutting. This gives the cheese and filling a chance to settle so they aren’t quite as chaotic when you cut them.
Can I Substitute?
Yes! Like always though, any substitutions made to the recipe can result in a change in texture and/or flavor.
- Ground Beef: You can use a different ground beef blend, ground turkey, or ground chicken. Just keep in mind that very lean ground beef, or other meat, may produce drier sliders.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp, medium, or mild cheddar can all work. You can also substitute another good melting cheese.
- Gruyère: Swiss cheese is a natural substitute for Gruyère. Provolone would also work if you prefer a milder, classic deli-style flavor.
- Slider Rolls: Hawaiian rolls, brioche slider rolls, dinner rolls, or other soft rolls can be used.
- Pickled Red Onions: If you don’t have pickled red onions, thinly sliced fresh red onion can be used, although you will lose the tangy acidity that the pickled onions bring.
- Dried Minced Onion You can leave it out if you don’t have it. The garlic butter topping will still be delicious.
- Poppy Seeds: Poppy seeds are optional and can be omitted, or you can substitute with sesame seeds.
Dietary Substitutions
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free slider rolls and verify that your bacon jam, seasonings, and other packaged ingredients are gluten-free.
- Dairy-Free: Use dairy-free cheese and a dairy-free butter alternative. The flavor and melting characteristics will vary depending on the products used.
- Egg-Free: These sliders do not require eggs as written. Be sure to check packaged rolls and cheese if you’re cooking for someone with an egg allergy.
- Lower-Carbohydrate: These sliders are built around soft rolls, so they aren’t naturally low-carb. For a lower-carbohydrate option, you could serve the bacon-jam cheeseburger filling in lettuce cups or use a lower-carb slider roll.
Leftovers and Storage
These sliders are best served warm from the oven, but leftovers can be stored and reheated.
- Refrigerator: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheating:
- For the best texture, reheat the sliders in a 350°F oven or toaster oven until warmed through. The oven helps the rolls regain some of their texture and keeps the tops from becoming as soft as they can in the microwave. Cover them lightly with foil at first so that the tops of the rolls don’t burn.
- If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave individual sliders, but the rolls will be softer and soggier.
- Make-Ahead Storage:
- The seasoned beef can also be pressed into the parchment-lined pan, covered, and refrigerated until you’re ready to bake. For food safety, keep raw beef properly refrigerated and don’t leave it sitting at room temperature during prep.
- You can also assemble the sliders ahead of time (with the beef already cooked), cover them, refrigerate, and bake when you’re ready to serve.
But, I Still Have A Few Questions…
Can I make bacon jam cheeseburger sliders ahead of time?
Yes, there are a few ways to do this. First, if you are making the Maple Bacon Jam , you can do thisseveral days ahead of time and then refrigerate it. Second, you can also season and press the beef into the baking pan ahead of time, cover it, and refrigerate it until you’re ready to bake (bake within 24 hours). And lastly, you can assemble the the sliders with the cooked beef and refrigerate until ready to bake. I would bake within 24 hours and brush with the butter right before baking as well.
Can I use store-bought bacon jam?
Absolutely, if you want to save time. However, homemade Maple Bacon Jam gives these sliders a particularly delicious sweet, smoky, savory flavor.
What kind of bacon jam is best for these sliders?
A sweet-savory bacon jam with some acidity works especially well. My Maple Bacon Jam combines bacon, caramelized shallots, maple syrup, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, garlic, and thyme.
Can I use a different cheese?
Definitely. Cheddar and Gruyère are my combination here, but Swiss, provolone, Monterey Jack, or pepper Jack can all work really well.
Why use two different cheeses?
The cheddar brings classic cheeseburger flavor while Gruyère adds a nutty, savory flavor and melts beautifully.
Can I use Hawaiian rolls?
Yes. Hawaiian rolls are a great option if you like a slightly sweet slider roll. The sweetness also pairs especially well with the bacon jam.
Do I need to keep the slider rolls connected?
No, but it makes the recipe much easier. Keeping the rolls connected while assembling helps the filling stay in place and lets you transfer the entire slab to the pan at once.
Why do I bake the beef separately first?
Baking the beef as a slab makes it easy to cook evenly and gives you a simple way to assemble 12 sliders without cooking individual burger patties.
How do I keep the sliders from getting soggy?
Drain excess grease from the cooked beef, drain the pickled onions well, and avoid using bacon jam that is extremely hot and liquidy. Baking the assembled sliders also helps the rolls develop a lightly toasted exterior.
Can I use lean ground beef?
You can, but very lean ground beef may produce less juicy sliders. A little fat helps keep the beef tender and flavorful.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, but the flavor and texture will be different. You’ll also want to cook the turkey to the appropriate safe internal temperature.
Can I make these sliders without pickled onions?
Of course. The sliders will still be delicious, but you’ll lose the bright acidity and crunch that help balance the rich beef, cheese, and bacon jam.
What can I use instead of pickled red onions?
Thinly sliced fresh red onions can work, or you could use sautéed or caramelized onions for a sweeter variation.
Can I make these spicy?
Absolutely. Add jalapeños, pepper Jack cheese, crushed red pepper flakes, or a little hot sauce to the bacon jam.
How do I know when the sliders are done?
The beef should be fully cooked before assembly, and during the final bake the cheese should be melted and the tops of the rolls should be golden.
Can I assemble the sliders ahead of time?
Yes. You can assemble them ahead, cover them, and refrigerate them until you’re ready to bake. Keep in mind that refrigerated rolls may take slightly longer to warm through.
Can I freeze these cheeseburger sliders?
You can freeze them, although the texture of the rolls may change after thawing. For the best texture, I recommend making and storing them refrigerated rather than freezing them.
How do I reheat bacon jam cheeseburger sliders?
Reheat them in a 350°F oven or toaster oven until warmed through. This helps the rolls stay much better than reheating them in the microwave.
Are these sliders an appetizer or a main course?
They can be either! Serve the 12 sliders as a party appetizer alongside other game-day favorites, or make them a casual dinner with fries, salad, or another side.
Can I make fewer than 12 sliders?
Yes! The recipe makes 12 sliders, but you can scale the ingredients down if you need a smaller batch. The recipe uses a 9×13-inch pan for the full batch.
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Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders
Ingredients
For the Beef
- 2 lbs ground beef
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
For Assembly
- 12 slider rolls
- 8 ounces Gruyère cheese shredded
- 12 slices cheddar cheese
- ¾ cup Maple Bacon Jam
- ½ cup pickled red onions drained
For the Butter Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried minced onion
- 1 –2 teaspoons poppy seeds or sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
- Add the ground beef, kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder to a large bowl. Gently mix until the seasonings are evenly distributed. Don’t overwork the beef.
- Press the seasoned beef evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch pan, making sure it reaches all four corners.
- Bake for about 18–20 minutes, or until the beef is cooked through. Carefully drain any excess grease from the pan.
- While the beef cooks, slice the slider rolls in half horizontally, keeping the rolls connected if possible. Place the bottom half of the rolls on a parchment lined baking sheet.
- Spread about half of the Maple Bacon Jam evenly over the bottom rolls. Top with the cheddar slices.
- Carefully place the cooked and drained beef slab over the cheese. Top with the shredded Gruyère, followed by the drained pickled red onions and remaining bacon jam.
- Reduce the oven temperature to 350°F and place the sliders back in the oven for about 5 minutes to slightly melt the cheese.
- Remove the sliders from the oven and place the top half of the rolls over the filling.
- Brush the sliders with melted butter and sprinkle evenly with the mix of dried minced garlic, dried minced onion, and poppy seeds.
- Return to the oven and bake for another 3–5 minutes, or until the tops of the rolls are golden.
- Let the sliders cool for a couple of minutes, then cut into 12 individual sliders. Serve warm.
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Nutritional Content Disclaimer
I choose not to include nutritional information with my recipes, as these values can be calculated from the ingredients provided. With my background as a pediatric nurse practitioner and my own family experience with disordered eating, I understand how focusing on numbers can affect our relationship with food. My philosophy is that all foods have a place—sweet, savory, nourishing, or indulgent. I aim to share recipes that support a healthy, joyful approach to eating. My hope is that this space also encourages a balanced, healthy relationship with food for you and your family too.