If there’s one thing I love, it’s a recipe that combines bold flavors, hearty ingredients, and a little bit of crunch. And let me tell you—these Pretzel Cowboy Sliders check every single box. Perfect for game day, family gatherings, or just a fun weeknight dinner, these sliders are packed with juicy, seasoned beef, crispy bacon, gooey cheddar cheese, and a little kick from fresh jalapeños. But the real game-changer? Those soft, salty pretzel buns brushed with a rich, buttery cowboy sauce.

I mean, come on. How could anyone resist?

I first made these sliders for a Sunday football party, and they were gone before halftime. My family went crazy over them, and I knew I had stumbled onto something special. The combination of flavors—savory, cheesy, spicy, and a little smoky—was just so good. Plus, they’re easy to throw together, making them a total win-win in my book.

So, whether you’re planning your next tailgate, need an easy party appetizer, or just want to switch up your dinner routine, these Pretzel Cowboy Sliders are about to become your new go-to. Let’s get started!

Step 1: Preheat & Prep

First things first—let’s preheat that oven to 350°F (175°C) and get our baking dish ready. I recommend using an 8×8-inch baking dish and giving it a quick spray with cooking spray. This helps prevent any sticking and makes cleanup a breeze.

Now, let’s talk about the star of the show—the pretzel slider buns. These slightly sweet, salty, and chewy buns take these sliders to another level. If you’ve never had King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns, you’re in for a treat. They have that perfect balance of softness and structure, which holds up beautifully to all the delicious toppings we’re about to pile on.

Step 2: Cook the Beef Mixture

Next, grab a medium skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add 1 pound of ground beef, and as it starts to brown, toss in the diced yellow onion and minced garlic. This is where things start smelling amazing.

Now, to amp up the flavor, we’re adding a few key seasonings:

1. 1 tablespoon hamburger seasoning – This gives the beef a smoky, well-rounded taste.
2. ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce – Adds a deep, umami flavor.
3. ½ teaspoon seasoned salt – Just the right amount of extra seasoning to tie everything together.

Stir occasionally, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, and let everything cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until the beef is no longer pink.

Pro Tip: If you want to get really fancy, you can swap out ground beef for ground brisket or even a blend of beef for extra richness.

Once the beef is cooked through, go ahead and drain any excess grease. You want all the flavor, but none of the extra oil making the sliders soggy.

Step 3: Assembling the Sliders

To build these sliders, grab your pretzel buns and carefully slice them in half. You want to keep them as even as possible so they bake uniformly. Place the bottom halves snugly into your greased 8×8-inch baking dish.

Now, we’re about to take these sliders from great to mind-blowingly delicious with a simple but essential step—drizzling cowboy butter over the buns. If you’ve never had cowboy butter before, it’s a rich, garlicky, buttery sauce that adds a bold, savory kick.

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of melted cowboy butter over the bottom buns to infuse them with extra flavor. Trust me, this little step makes a huge difference!

Layering the Goodness

Now that our base is prepped, let’s start layering:

1. Seasoned Beef Mixture – Evenly spread the cooked beef over the buns. You want every bite to be packed with juicy, flavorful meat.
2. Sliced Jalapeños – Time to bring in some heat! If you love spice, feel free to leave the seeds in. For a milder version, remove the seeds before slicing.
3. Crispy Turkey Bacon – Six slices of thick-cut turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled, add a smoky crunch that balances the richness of the beef and cheese.
4. Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese – One full cup of cheddar gets sprinkled generously over the top. As it melts, it creates the most amazing gooey layer.
5. Crispy Fried Onions – This is my favorite part! One cup of French’s crispy fried onions adds the perfect crunch and a little sweetness. They toast up beautifully in the oven and make these sliders absolutely irresistible.

Topping It Off

Once all the toppings are layered, carefully place the top halves of the pretzel buns over the filling. Don’t press down too hard—we want them to stay light and fluffy!

Now, take another 2 tablespoons of melted cowboy butter and brush it generously over the tops of the buns. This gives them a golden, buttery finish while enhancing that soft, chewy pretzel texture.

Step 4: Baking to Perfection

Now it’s time to bake! Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil—this keeps the buns from getting too dark before the cheese melts.

Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes until the cheese is melted and everything is warmed through.

Then, remove the foil and bake for another 3-5 minutes until the tops turn golden brown and slightly crisp. This final step gives the sliders that perfect pretzel-bun texture—soft in the center but lightly toasted on the outside.

Once out of the oven, brush the sliders with the remaining cowboy butter for one final boost of rich, buttery flavor. (You can never have too much cowboy butter, right?)

Step 5: Time to Serve!

Now for the hardest part—waiting just long enough to slice and serve! Using a sharp knife, cut between the buns and plate them up while they’re still warm.

And don’t forget—extra cowboy butter on the side for dipping takes these sliders over the top. That garlicky, buttery goodness makes every bite even more addicting.

At this point, your kitchen is officially the best-smelling place in the house, and these sliders are guaranteed to be a hit. But before we wrap up, let’s go over a few commonly asked questions to make sure your sliders turn out absolutely perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I make these sliders ahead of time?

Yes! If you’re hosting a party or just want to prep ahead, you can assemble the sliders (without baking) up to a day in advance. Just cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. When you’re ready to bake, remove the wrap, brush with cowboy butter, and pop them in the oven! You may need to add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

2. How spicy are these sliders?

The heat level depends on your jalapeños! If you want a milder version, make sure to remove the seeds and membranes before slicing. If you’re a spice lover, leave them in or even add pickled jalapeños for an extra kick.

3. Can I use a different type of cheese?

Absolutely! While sharp cheddar is classic and melts beautifully, you can switch things up with:

• Pepper Jack (for more spice)
• Smoked Gouda (for a richer, smoky flavor)
• Mozzarella (for extra gooeyness)

4. What is cowboy butter, and can I make it at home?

Cowboy butter is a garlicky, herb-infused butter sauce that’s so good, you’ll want to dip everything in it. To make it at home, melt ½ cup of butter and mix in minced garlic, Dijon mustard, fresh parsley, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt & pepper. Skip the lemon juice for this recipe to keep the flavors more savory.

5. Can I use different buns if I don’t have pretzel sliders?

Yes! While pretzel buns add a unique salty-sweet touch, you can also use:

• Brioche slider buns (soft and buttery)
• Hawaiian rolls (slightly sweet, great contrast with the savory beef)
• Classic dinner rolls (neutral, works with any flavor combo)

6. Can I cook the turkey bacon in advance?

Definitely! To save time, you can cook the turkey bacon ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. When you’re ready to assemble, just crumble it up and add it to the sliders—no need to reheat!

Final Thoughts: Why You NEED to Make These Sliders

Let’s be real—there are good sliders, and then there are EPIC sliders. And these Pretzel Cowboy Sliders? They belong in the epic category. Here’s why:

• Bold, smoky, cheesy flavors that hit all the right notes
• Easy to make in under 30 minutes (perfect for busy nights!)
• Pretzel buns + cowboy butter = ultimate flavor combo
• Crowd-pleaser—whether it’s game day, a cookout, or a family dinner, these sliders disappear FAST

Enjoy every bite—because trust me, you’ll be coming back for seconds.

PRETZEL COWBOY SLIDERS

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• Author: Mark's Recipe
• Total Time: 35 mins

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Description

These Pretzel Cowboy Sliders are packed with bold flavors—juicy beef, crispy turkey bacon, melted cheddar, and crunchy fried onions—all sandwiched between buttery pretzel slider buns. Perfect for game day, parties, or a fun family meal!

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Hamburger Mixture:

• 1 pound ground beef
• ½ yellow onion, diced (about ½ cup)
• ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon hamburger seasoning
• ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon seasoned salt

Assembly:

• 1 package (9-count) King’s Hawaiian Pretzel Slider Buns
• 1 medium jalapeño, seeded and sliced
• 6 slices thick-cut turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled (about 1 cup)
• 1 cup (113 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup (80 g) French’s crispy fried onions

Topping:

• 1 recipe cowboy butter (without lemon juice), melted, divided

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Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep:
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray an 8×8-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.

2️⃣ Cook the Beef Mixture:

In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef, onion, garlic, hamburger seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoned salt.

Stir occasionally and cook for 8-10 minutes, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon until no longer pink.

Remove from heat and drain any excess grease.

3️⃣ Assemble the Sliders:

Slice the pretzel buns in half and place the bottom halves in the baking dish.

Drizzle 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter over the bottom buns.

Evenly spread the cooked beef mixture over the buns.

Layer sliced jalapeños, crumbled turkey bacon, shredded cheddar, and crispy fried onions on top.

Place the top halves of the pretzel buns over the filling.

4️⃣ Bake:

Brush the tops of the buns with 2 tablespoons of cowboy butter.

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted.

Remove the foil and bake for 3-5 more minutes until the tops are golden brown.

5️⃣ Serve:

Remove from the oven and brush with remaining cowboy butter.

Slice and serve hot! You can also use extra cowboy butter for dipping.

Notes

• Spice Level: Want more heat? Leave the jalapeño seeds in or add a drizzle of hot sauce!
• Cheese Swap: Try pepper jack, gouda, or smoked cheddar for a twist.
• No Pretzel Buns? Regular Hawaiian rolls or brioche slider buns work too!

• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins