Bacon Onion Jam Sliders

If you’re looking for a game day recipe that’ll have everyone coming back for seconds, these Bacon Onion Jam Sliders are exactly what you need.

We’re talking juicy Wagyu ground beef, melted cheddar cheese, homemade bacon onion jam, and a simple burger sauce, all tucked between buttery slider buns.

And the best part? You don’t have to stand over a skillet flipping a dozen individual burgers.

Most of the cooking happens while making the bacon onion jam. Once that’s almost finished, I press the ground beef directly onto a sheet pan, bake it, top it with cheddar, and transfer the whole thing onto the slider buns.

Then I pile on the bacon onion jam, add the burger sauce, brush the buns with melted butter, and give everything one final trip to the oven.

It’s a simple way to make a big batch of sliders without spending the entire game in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Bacon Onion Jam Sliders

These sliders are exactly what I want when I’m putting together a game day spread. They’re packed with flavor, easy to serve, and don’t require me to cook a dozen individual burgers.

The real star is the bacon onion jam. I start by rendering the fat from the bacon, then cook the onions and shallots with brown sugar and balsamic vinegar until everything turns dark, rich, and jammy. Once the crispy bacon goes back in, you’ve got a topping that brings the entire slider together.

I also love how simple the beef is to prepare. Instead of shaping and flipping individual patties, I press the Wagyu ground beef directly into a sheet pan and bake it as one large rectangle. When it’s ready, I melt cheddar over the top and transfer the whole thing onto the slider buns.

The burger sauce adds a little tang, while the buttery toasted buns finish everything off.

And because the jam takes the longest to cook, you can use that time to prepare the sauce and get everything else ready. Once the jam is almost finished, the sliders come together quickly.

Whether you’re hosting friends for football or putting together a big spread for game day, this is the kind of recipe that’s worth making.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These sliders have three main components: the beef and buns, the homemade burger sauce, and the bacon onion jam. Each brings something different to the finished dish.

For the Sliders

Snake River Farms Wagyu Ground Beef: I use 1½–2 pounds of Wagyu ground beef for these sliders. The beef cooks as one large rectangle on a sheet pan, making it much easier to assemble a full batch.

Cheddar Cheese: Sliced cheddar melts directly over the beef before assembly. You can use another cheese if you prefer, but I like the way cheddar pairs with the bacon onion jam.

Slider Buns: A connected 12-pack of slider buns works best because you can slice the entire package horizontally and assemble everything at once.

Melted Butter: Brushing the tops of the buns with melted butter before the final bake helps them turn golden.

Salt and Black Pepper: Keep the beef seasoning simple. The bacon onion jam, cheddar, and burger sauce bring plenty of flavor.

For the Burger Sauce

Mayonnaise: Creates the base of the sauce and helps bring the other ingredients together.

Ketchup: Adds sweetness and tomato flavor.

Mustard: Brings a little tang that balances the mayonnaise and ketchup.

Sweet Relish: Adds sweetness, acidity, and a little texture.

Onion Powder and Garlic Powder: Give the sauce extra savory flavor.

Smoked Paprika: Adds a subtle smoky note that works well with the bacon.

Rice Wine Vinegar: Brightens the sauce and balances the richness of the sliders. White wine vinegar works as a substitute.

Salt and Black Pepper: Add to taste once you’ve mixed the sauce.

For the Bacon Onion Jam

Snake River Farms Kurobuta Bacon: The bacon is the foundation of the jam. I cook it first to render the fat, then add it back once the onions have softened.

Shallots: Add another layer of onion flavor and a little sweetness.

Yellow Onions: The main ingredient in the jam. As they cook with the brown sugar and balsamic vinegar, they soften and develop a dark, rich consistency.

Light Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps give the jam its signature sweet and savory flavor.

Balsamic Vinegar: Balances the brown sugar with acidity and gives the jam depth as it reduces.

Salt and Black Pepper: Season the finished jam to taste.

Water: Helps the onions cook and keeps the mixture from drying out during the long simmer.

How to Make Bacon Onion Jam Sliders

Most of the work in this recipe comes from making the bacon onion jam. Once that’s almost finished, the rest of the sliders come together quickly.

Step 1: Make the Bacon Onion Jam

Start by dicing the bacon and adding it to a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat.

Cook for about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the bacon fat renders and the pieces begin to crisp.

Remove the bacon and set it aside. Carefully drain the fat, leaving about 2–3 tablespoons in the pot.

Add the diced yellow onions, sliced shallots, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, and ¼ cup water. Stir everything together, cover the pot, and reduce the heat to low.

Let the onions cook undisturbed for 15–20 minutes.

Then add the crispy bacon back into the pot, stir, and partially cover.

Continue cooking for approximately 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the onions turn dark brown and the mixture develops a thick, jam-like consistency.

If the onions begin to dry out or stick, add a little water as needed.

Step 2: Prepare the Burger Sauce

While the bacon onion jam cooks, add the mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, sweet relish, onion powder, garlic powder, and smoked paprika to a small bowl.

Add a splash of rice wine vinegar, season with salt and black pepper, and mix until combined.

Taste and adjust the seasoning, then refrigerate the sauce until you’re ready to assemble the sliders.

Step 3: Bake the Sheet-Pan Beef

When the bacon onion jam is almost finished, preheat your oven to 450°F.

Prepare a rimmed sheet pan, then place the Wagyu ground beef in the center.

Gently press the beef into a rectangle approximately 9 × 12 inches, making it slightly larger than the slider buns.

Season with salt and black pepper.

Bake for approximately 8–12 minutes, depending on the thickness, until the beef reaches an internal temperature of 160°F.

Carefully drain any rendered fat.

Step 4: Melt the Cheddar

Arrange the sliced cheddar cheese over the cooked beef.

Return the sheet pan to the oven for another 1–2 minutes, just until the cheese melts.

Step 5: Assemble the Sliders

Slice the connected slider buns horizontally into a top and bottom slab.

Spread the burger sauce over the cut sides as desired.

Using two spatulas, carefully transfer the beef and melted cheddar onto the bottom buns.

Top with as much bacon onion jam as you’d like, spreading it evenly across the beef.

Place the top buns over the jam and brush them with melted butter.

Step 6: Toast and Serve

Return the assembled sliders to the oven for another 1–2 minutes, until the buns turn lightly golden.

Remove them from the oven, slice into 12 individual sliders, and serve warm.

That’s it. You’ve got an entire tray of bacon onion jam sliders ready for game day.