Quick Bacon Jam Cheeseburger Sliders

• •8 strips Bacon (thick-cut)
• •1 medium Yellow onion (finely diced)
• •2 tbsp Brown sugar
• •1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar
• •2 tbsp Water or brewed coffee
• •1 lb Ground beef (80/20 blend recommended)
• •12 piece Slider buns
• •4 slices Cheddar cheese (each slice cut into 3 small squares)
• •to taste to taste Salt
• •to taste to taste Black pepper
• •1 tbsp Butter (melted, for buns (optional))

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the Bacon Jam: In a large skillet or Dutch oven, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. Reserve 2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet.

2. 2

   Add the diced onion to the skillet with the reserved bacon fat. Sauté over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, until softened and translucent. Stir in the brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, and water (or coffee). Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has reduced and the jam is sticky. Crumble the cooked bacon and stir it into the jam. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. 3

   Form the Patties: While the bacon jam simmers, gently divide the ground beef into 12 equal portions (about 1.3 oz or 35g each). Form each portion into a small, flat patty slightly larger than your slider buns. Season both sides with salt and pepper.

4. 4

   Cook the Patties: Heat a clean skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Cook the patties for 2-3 minutes per side, or until desired doneness. During the last minute of cooking, place a small square of cheddar cheese on top of each patty to melt.

5. 5

   Toast Buns (Optional): If desired, lightly brush the cut sides of the slider buns with melted butter and toast them on the skillet for 1-2 minutes until golden brown.

6. 6

   Assemble the Sliders: Place a cooked, cheesed patty onto the bottom half of each slider bun. Top each patty generously with a spoonful of the warm bacon jam, then cap with the top half of the bun. Serve immediately.

Chef's Tips

• 💡For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the bacon jam during the simmering stage.
• 💡If you prefer a sweeter jam, increase the brown sugar slightly. For a tangier jam, add a bit more apple cider vinegar.
• 💡Don't overwork the ground beef when forming patties; this helps keep them tender and juicy.