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Ultimate Grilled BBQ Bacon Sliders Recipe – Easy Summer Appetizers

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These Ultimate Grilled BBQ Bacon Sliders are juicy, smoky, and sweet mini sandwiches that come together in under 30 minutes. Perfect for summer gatherings, they feature a clever method of grilling the meat as one large sheet for even cooking and easy assembly.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 pounds 80/20 ground beef
  • 8 slices thick-cut bacon (applewood-smoked recommended)
  • 12 soft slider buns (brioche or potato rolls)
  • 1 cup BBQ sauce (sweet and smoky, Kansas City-style recommended)
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 slices cheddar or provolone cheese (optional)
  • Pickle slices (optional, for topping)
  • Red onion slices (optional, for topping)
  • Lettuce (optional, for topping)
  • Tomato slices (optional, for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your grill to medium-high heat (about 375-400°F).
  2. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix gently with your hands until just combined; do not overmix.
  3. Line a 13×18-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the seasoned ground beef onto the parchment and press it into a large rectangle, about 1/2-inch thick, roughly the same size as your slider buns.
  4. Carefully slide the meat sheet (still on the parchment paper) onto the grill grates. Close the lid and cook for 6-8 minutes without moving it, until a good sear forms on the bottom.
  5. Using a large, sturdy metal spatula, carefully flip the meat sheet. Immediately lay the bacon slices across the top of the meat. Close the lid and cook for another 6-8 minutes.
  6. Brush the top of the meat and bacon generously with BBQ sauce. Place the cheese slices on top of the bacon. Close the lid and cook for 2-3 more minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  7. While the cheese melts, split the slider buns in half and place them cut-side down on the cooler part of the grill for 1-2 minutes, until lightly toasted.
  8. Remove the entire meat and cheese sheet from the grill and place it on a cutting board. Let it rest for 5 minutes.
  9. Using a sharp knife, slice the sheet into 12 individual squares, matching the size of your slider buns.
  10. Assemble each slider: Place a meat square on the bottom half of a toasted bun. Add desired toppings (pickles, onions, lettuce, tomato). Spread a little extra BBQ sauce on the top bun if desired. Place the top bun on and serve immediately.

Notes

For best results, use 80/20 ground beef for juiciness. Do not overwork the meat. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes after grilling to retain juices. If you don’t have a grill, you can use a cast-iron griddle pan on the stove or bake the meat sheet in the oven at 400°F for 15-20 minutes. Leftover sliders can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on a grill or in a skillet over medium heat.

Nutrition

Keywords: sliders, BBQ, bacon, grilled, summer, appetizer, party food, ground beef, easy

Find it online: https://spoonluma.com/ultimate-grilled-bbq-bacon-sliders-recipe-easy-summer-appetizers/