Western Fusion Beef Sliders are a tantalizing blend of Hawaiian buns filled with seasoned ground beef, jalapeno peppers, bacon, and cheese, all brushed and baked to perfection with a flavorful cowboy butter. The name “Cowboy Sliders” pays homage to the extra elements incorporated into a traditional cheeseburger, accompanied by the homemade cowboy butter brushed atop the sliders, creating a flavor-packed bite. These sliders are so rich in taste that having a fork on standby might be a good idea to savor every delicious ingredient!
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Meat: Ground beef takes center stage in this recipe, seasoned with a blend of seasoned salt and hamburger seasoning. Ground turkey is a viable alternative.
- Toppings: Bacon (preferably thick-cut), sharp cheddar cheese, and jalapeno peppers enhance the sliders. Feel free to experiment with your favorite cheese, such as pepper jack, and omit the jalapeno peppers if desired.
- Crispy Fried Onions: Opt for crispy fried onions over onion rings for the best texture. If using onion rings, consider adding them after baking to prevent sogginess.
- Rolls: King’s Hawaiian Rolls add a sweet touch, or try the homemade Hawaiian rolls recipe for a personalized twist.
What is Cowboy Butter?
Cowboy butter, a blend of herbs and spices infused into butter, serves as a spread or dip. In this recipe, it’s melted and brushed over the sliders before and after baking, omitting the lemon juice for this particular preparation.
Can I Make Western Fusion Beef Sliders Ahead of Time?
Prepare by cooking the ground beef in advance, following seasoning and cooking instructions. Once seasoned beef cools to room temperature, store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or freeze for a couple of months.
How to Store Sliders
Leftover sliders can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven (covered) when ready to enjoy.
Ingredients
Hamburger Mixture:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) vegetable oil
- ½ yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup / 80 g)
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 g) minced garlic
- 1 pound (0.45 kg) ground beef
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- 1 tablespoon hamburger seasoning
- 1 medium jalapeño pepper, seeded, sliced
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked, crumbled (about 1 cup / 113 g)
- 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (80 g) French’s crispy fried onions
- 1 package (12-count) King’s Hawaiian Rolls
Topping:
- 1 recipe cowboy butter (without lemon juice)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray a 7×11-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Hamburger Mixture:
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, add the oil. Cook the onion and garlic for 1-2 minutes.
- Add ground beef, Worcestershire sauce, seasoned salt, and hamburger seasoning. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until no longer pink. Drain excess grease.
Assembly:
- Split rolls horizontally and place the bottom halves in the baking dish.
- Pour about 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter over the bottom halves.
- Top with the hamburger mixture, then add jalapenos, bacon, and shredded cheese.
- Distribute crispy fried onions evenly and place the top halves of the rolls. Brush the tops with melted cowboy butter.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes until cheese is hot and bubbly.
- Remove foil and bake for an additional 3-5 minutes until the tops turn golden brown.
- Remove from the oven, slice, and serve with the remaining cowboy butter brushed over the hot sliders or for dipping.
Notes:
While cowboy butter adds great flavor, you can also opt for garlic butter as an alternative.
- 1/4 cup (57 g) butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 g) garlic salt
- 1/2 teaspoon (1.5 g) kosher salt (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 g) parsley, minced (fresh or dried)
