Slide Into Flavor Town: Smash Burger Sliders with Bacon and Avocado

Are you ready to turn your next meal-time gathering into a smashing success?

Imagine biting into a mini burger that packs the punch of a heavyweight champ.

We’re talking about a juicy, perfectly seasoned beef patty paired with the irresistible crispiness of bacon, the creamy, rich texture of avocado, and a zesty twist of a spicy mango sauce.

It’s a winning trio and a burst of flavor in every bite.

 

A Little Slider History

Originating from the steamy kitchens of fast-paced diners, sliders have a rich and interesting history.

The term “slider” originally referred to small hamburgers that were originally “slid” across a flattop grill and onto a bun.

White Castle, a fast food chain that opened in 1921, helped to popularize these small bundles of meat and bun.

And the the US Navy even embraced the slider; named so because these mini, tasty burgers would easily slide down the hungry throats of hungry sailors.

 

Embrace The Magic of the Smash Burger Sliders with Bacon and Avocado

Sliders have come a long way, baby, from their White Castle and Navy days.

Weighing in at 2 ounces, each slider patty is like the fun size of a candy bar.

It’s the perfect size when you crave a snack. You can stop at one or have another and make it a meal, suit yourself.

 

Top 5 Tips for Perfect Smash Burger Sliders

1. The Beef. I recommend using 80/20 ground beef; that’s 80% lean and 20% fat. Fat means flavor and all that wonderful fat will ensure that each bite is bursting with juicy, meaty flavor.

2. The Bun. Toast those buns! Toasting enhances flavor and keeps the bun from getting too soggy.

3. The Flair. Forget boring mayo or mustard. Make a standout sauce like my Spicy Mango Sauce. So not traditional, but it’s everything you’ve been dreaming of, yogurt, lime juice, lime zest, Cajun seasoning, and cilantro.

4. The Smash. Press down on those patties to create a crust and the browning that we crave in a good smash burger.

5. The Juicy Factor. Don’t overcook these little hamburger gems. A slider cooks up perfectly in 2-3 minutes.

You can enjoy this diner-style smash burger sliders easily at home on a weeknight.

No grill or griddle is necessary. Use a cast iron pan and you are good to go.

Customize your burger to suit your tastes and your dinner will be a smashing success.

Here’s another recipe you can “smash” while you’re at it!

Smashed Garlic Potatoes

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Smash Burger Sliders With Bacon and Avocado

This Smash Burger Slider with Bacon and Avocado will knock your socks off with taste and how easy they are to pull together on a weeknight.
  • Author: Chef Sandra Lewis
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 sliders 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale

Sliders

  • 1 lb ground beef, 80/20
  • 8 slider buns, sliced in half
  • 4 slices of bacon, cut in half and cooked until crispy
  • 2 small Roma tomatoes, sliced
  • 8 pickle slices
  • 1 ripe avocado, mashed with a squeeze of lime juice
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced in rounds
  • 8 small butter lettuce leaves
  • kosher salt

Spicy Mango Yogurt Sauce

  • 1 cup fresh or frozen mango, cubed
  • 1/4 c Greek yogurt
  • 1 tablespoons lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 12 tablespoon cilantro leaves
  • zest of 1 lime
  • kosher salt

Instructions

Spicy Mango Yogurt Sauce

  1. In the small bowl of a food processor or in a blender, combine the mango, yogurt, lime juice, Cajun seasoning, and cilantro leaves. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the seasoning with kosher salt as needed.

Sliders

  1. Divide the ground beef into 8 equal portions (2 oz each) and form into balls.
  2. Heat a cast iron skillet, comal, or griddle over medium-high heat.
  3. Place a ball of ground beef onto the skillet; cook for 10-20 seconds then smash the burger.
  4. Season the burger with kosher salt and pepper (if desired) and cook for 2 minutes.
  5. Flip the burger over and cook for an additional minute.
  6. Repeat until all the beef has been cooked.

Assemble the Slider

  1. Toast the buns under a broiler until lightly browned.
  2. Remove the buns from the broiler and allow them to cook just a bit.
  3. Spread the Spicy Mango Yogurt Sauce on the bottom and top halves of the buns.
  4. Layer the slider ingredients beginning on the bottom half of the bun in this order:
    • Lettuce leaf
    • Tomato slice
    • Pickle slice
    • Beef patty
    • Onion slices
    • Mashed avocado
    • Bacon
    • Top Bun

Notes

  • Want to make full-size smash burgers? Increase the size of each ball of ground beef to 4 oz.
  • Don’t overwork the hamburger meat or it will turn out tough.
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