If you’re looking to elevate your next cookout, these Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders are the perfect choice. With a savory bacon jam and perfectly cooked sliders, these bites will be the star of any meal. The combination of juicy ground chuck patties, melted American cheese, and sweet and tangy bacon jam creates a flavor explosion that will have everyone coming back for more.

Keeping Sliders Juicy

To ensure your sliders remain juicy and flavorful, use 80/20 ground chuck, which has the ideal fat content to keep the meat moist and tender. Forming one large patty and cooking it on a griddle helps maintain an even thickness, ensuring each slider is perfectly cooked. Adding cheese towards the end of cooking also helps retain moisture and adds a rich, creamy texture.

Perfecting Bacon Jam

The secret to perfect bacon jam lies in simmering the ingredients until they thicken into a paste-like consistency. This ensures the jam holds together well and delivers an incredible flavor punch in every bite. Using high-quality bacon and allowing the onions and garlic to caramelize before adding the sweeteners enhances the depth of flavor, perfectly complementing the savory sliders.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds 80/20 ground chuck
• 1 tablespoon each of salt, pepper, and garlic powder for seasoning
• 1 pound bacon, chopped into chunks
• 1 whole white onion, diced
• 4-5 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup bourbon
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 6-9 slices American cheese
• Slider buns
• Wagyu tallow or cooking spray

Instructions

1. Prepare the Patty

Flatten the ground chuck in a pan to match the size of the slider rolls, keeping the thickness even. Season the top side with salt, pepper, and garlic. Place the large patty in the fridge to help it hold its shape during cooking.

2. Make the Bacon Jam

In a cast iron skillet, cook the bacon until crisp. Remove the bacon and discard half of the bacon grease. Add the diced white onion to the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes until they start to caramelize. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently. Return the bacon to the skillet and mix well for 1-2 minutes. Add the brown sugar, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup. Simmer and stir for 10-15 minutes until the mixture thickens into a paste-like consistency. Transfer the bacon jam to a glass mason jar for storage.

3. Cook the Patty

Heat the griddle to medium. Spray with wagyu tallow or cooking spray. Add the patty and season the backside. Cook for 4-6 minutes, then flip carefully. After 2 minutes, add the American cheese slices, distributing them evenly across the patty, and let them melt.

4. Assemble the Sliders

Toast the slider buns on the griddle until they are golden brown. Remove the large burger patty from the griddle and place it on the bottom buns. Spread a generous amount of bacon jam on top of the patty. Add the top buns and cut into individual sliders. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious combination of flavors.