All-American BBQ Sliders

Kitchencrazy in NC's Note:

I came across this recipe while I was checking my email. A friend of mine back home finds recipes that she likes, but her hubby doesn't like to experiment with new recipes. So she sends them to me & I test them out for her. (My DH has been my taste tester for 10 years & loving every minute of it!!) So I tried this the other day & it was awesome. My DH ate 5 in one sitting & my two boys ate 4 each.

• Total Time: 43 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 28 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 8

Yield: 8.0 sliders

• ½ cup ketchup
• 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ¾ lb ground chuck
• ¾ lb ground sirloin
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1 large red onion , cut into 1/2 inch-thick slices
• 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
• 8 small dinner rolls , halved horizontally
• 8 lettuce leaves
• 1 tomato , cut into 8 slices
• 16 slices bacon , cooked to a crisp, slices halved

Directions:

1. In a small saucepan, combine ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, mustard & Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens, about 10 minutes. Pour sauce into a large bowl and set aside.
2. Crumble the chuck & sirloin into a bowl, sprinkle with salt & pepper, and toss lightly to combine. Shape into 8 (3 inch) burgers, about 1/2 inch-thick.
3. Preheat grill to medium-hot and oil grill rack. Grill onions for 5 minutes on each side, or until softened and browned. Transfer onions to bowl with sauce; toss to combine.
4. Grill burgers, 3 to 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. (I took the sauce that was made & dressed each side as well) Top with cheese during the last 1 to 2 minutes of cooking time, with grill covered, to melt cheese. Remove burgers from grill. Grill buns cut sides down until toasted.
5. To assemble burgers, top bottom halves of buns with lettuce, tomato slices, and burgers. Spoon on onions, and top each burger with 2 pieces of bacon and bun tops.