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Candied Bacon Cheeseburger Sliders with Caramelized Onion Discs

Sweet candied bacon, juicy beef patties, and caramelized onion discs with signature burger sauce
Print Recipe

Ingredients
  

  • For the Sliders:
  • - 2 lbs ground beef 80/20 blend
  • - 12 King's Hawaiian slider buns
  • - 12 slices sharp cheddar cheese
  • - 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • - 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • For the Candied Bacon:
  • - 12 slices thick-cut bacon
  • - ½ cup brown sugar
  • - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • - ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper optional
  • Caramelized Onion Discs:
  • - 3 large sweet onions cut into ½-inch discs
  • - 2 tablespoons butter
  • - 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • - 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • - 1 teaspoon sugar
  • - Pinch of salt
  • Signature Burger Sauce:
  • - ½ cup mayonnaise
  • - 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • - 1 tablespoon pickle juice
  • - 1 tablespoon hot honey
  • - ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • - ½ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush bacon with brown sugar, maple syrup, and cayenne mixture. Bake 18-22 minutes until caramelized.
  • Mix all burger sauce ingredients, refrigerate 30 minutes for flavors to meld.
  • Cook onion discs in butter and oil over medium heat 15-20 minutes until caramelized. Deglaze with balsamic vinegar.
  • Season ground beef with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Form into 12 patties with thumb indents.
  • Cook patties 3 minutes per side, top with cheese slices during final minute.
  • Toast slider buns until golden brown and slightly crispy.
  • Assemble: spread sauce on buns, add patty, candied bacon, and onion disc.
  • Serve immediately or warm assembled sliders in 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes.

Notes

- Candied bacon can be made 2 days ahead and stored covered
- Keep onion discs intact for best presentation
- Make sauce ahead for better flavor development
- For parties, use pull-apart presentation method