Cowboy Hamburger Sliders

These Cowboy Hamburger Sliders are topped with creamy avocado, balsamic caramelized onions, and crispy bacon. You couldn’t pack more flavor into one bite! They’re a must make this summer!

Say “howdy partner” to your new favorite party snack! (Okay, I promise, no more corny cowboy jokes. I’m done!) If you’ve never had a cowboy burger before, it’s a ground beef burger topped with cheddar cheese, crispy bacon, tangy BBQ Sauce, and those fried onion straws. While it tastes good, it’s a little heavy—so I made some changes to lighten it up while still packing in LOTS of big flavor.

Why These Cowboy Hamburger Sliders Belong at Your Next Party

These cowboy hamburger sliders are the ultimate crowd-pleaser, perfect for game day and backyard get-togethers!

• Fancied and lightened up version of the classic. This lighter version is in mini form and made with lean ground beef, smoky bacon, balsamic caramelized onions, and mashed avocado for a creamy finish. (Is your mouth watering yet?!)
• Perfect for any occasion. I love a good slider recipe (like these Raspberry Chipotle Chicken Sliders and Easy Baked Buffalo Chicken Sliders) because they do double-duty as a party appetizer and you can make them for dinner with a side like Crispy Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries.
• Easy to customize. You can totally put your own spin on these cowboy hamburger sliders and omit any ingredients you don’t like or swap in some of your family’s favorite toppings.

What You’ll Need

Here’s a list of all the ingredients you’ll need to make the perfect cowboy burger sliders! Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

• Burger slider patties – Use premade or make homemade using the patty recipe from my Juicy Air Fryer Burgers. 
• Salt & pepper – To season the patties.  
• Slider buns – Brioche or Hawaiian rolls work best.
• Olive oil – For sautéing the onion.  
• Onion – Slice this thinly so they get nice and jammy.  
• Balsamic vinegar – I love the rich, tangy flavor this adds to the caramelized onions.
• Avocado – A creamy but healthy alternative to traditional mayo. 
• Bacon – Cook it however you like.
• BBQ sauce – Choose your favorite brand or use homemade. This Mango BBQ Sauce is my fave!

How to Make Cowboy Hamburger Sliders

Here’s a quick overview of the process of making these sliders, but you can grab the full instructions below.

• Prepare the burgers. Season both sides of the patties with salt and pepper.
• Make the balsamic onions. Cook the onions with the olive oil, salt, and pepper in a pan set over medium-high heat. Cook for 7 to 10 minutes, then add the vinegar and cook 2 to 3 minutes more. 
• Mash the avocado. Add the avocados to a bowl and use a fork to mash them.

• Cook the burgers. Heat your grill to medium-high and cook the patties for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Toast the buns on the grill grates too.
• Assemble. Spread the mashed avocado on the bottom bun, then add the patty, caramelized onions, bacon, and BBQ sauce. Press on the top half of the bun and serve.

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations to make these burgers even more delicious and tailored to your tastes!

• Make it cheesy. Add grated cheddar, pepper jack, or gouda to the burger patty during the last minute of grilling. (Sliced cheese will be too big for the slider patties!)
• Give it more Tex-Mex flair. Instead of mashed avocado, use guacamole. (Try my Creamy Bacon Guacamole for this!)
• Don’t forget to let the patties rest. Allow the cooked burgers to rest for a few minutes before assembling to keep them juicy and flavorful.  

Serving Suggestions

If you’re serving these as a party appetizer, pair them with other crowd-pleasers like Garlic Parmesan Wings and Mexican Street Corn Dip. If I’m making them for dinner, I’ll serve them with Crispy Healthy Air Fryer Zucchini Fries!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerator: If you have any leftover cooked burgers, store them in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. (It’s best if you can store the components separately, though!) The avocado will brown, so I’d eat the burgers within a day.
• To reheat: I recommend taking the burger patties out of the buns if your sliders are already assembled. Heat the patties in a skillet over medium heat until they are warmed through or use the microwave, then reassemble. 

More Burger Recipes

• High Protein Burger Bowls
• Grilled Lamb Burgers
• Avocado Burger
• The Only Turkey Burger Recipe You’ll Ever Need

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