Experience the ultimate summer bite with these delectable Club Burger Sliders! Featuring juicy turkey patties, crispy bacon, fresh lettuce, ripe tomatoes, and a creamy avocado-ranch dressing, these miniature burgers are perfect for any gathering.
As the air warms and longer days beckon us outdoors, it’s a clear signal that grilling season is officially upon us! There’s something undeniably special about firing up the grill, the sizzling sounds, and the tantalizing aromas that fill the backyard. To celebrate this cherished time of year, I’m excited to reintroduce a beloved recipe from my culinary collection: the Club Burger Sliders. This dish is a harmonious blend of many of my favorite flavors, packed into a convenient, slider-sized package that guarantees a crowd-pleasing experience. Sliders, by their very nature, are a hit at any get-together – they’re easy to handle, fun to eat, and allow everyone to try a little bit of everything. I’ve refined this recipe over time, making a couple of key updates to enhance both flavor and texture. Instead of incorporating bacon directly into the burger patty, I now prefer to layer it crispy on top, adding a delightful textural contrast. The choice of bread also plays a crucial role; opting for a high-quality bun or slice of bread elevates the entire experience. These Club Burger Sliders are not just a meal; they’re an essential addition to your summer grilling repertoire, promising deliciousness in every bite!
Life with a sixteen-month-old is an absolute adventure, filled with daily discoveries and heartwarming milestones. My daughter, Abbi, seems to grow smarter and more articulate with each passing day. Her vocabulary is expanding at an incredible rate, but for the past month or so, one word has consistently topped her favorites list: “hamburger.” It’s quite amusing because she hasn’t actually had many hamburgers in her short life. Yet, it became one of those words she picked up and now repeats constantly, primarily because she knows it brings a smile to our faces and often elicits a fit of laughter. There’s just an endearing quality to how she pronounces it that never fails to make me giggle. It’s a simple pleasure, but those small moments are the ones you cherish as a parent.
So, in a delightful tribute to Abbi and her newfound affection for hamburgers, I was inspired to create these mini versions of the classic. After all, isn’t everything just a little bit better, a little more charming, when it’s miniaturized? These Club Burger Sliders are precisely what they sound like: a brilliant fusion of a classic club sandwich and a hearty burger. Imagine all the beloved elements of a club sandwich – the savory bacon, crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy dressing – but reimagined in a grilled turkey burger format. If you’re a fan of the layered textures and fresh flavors of a traditional club sandwich, and you can’t resist a good burger, then I can guarantee that these sliders will become your new obsession. They offer the best of both worlds, perfectly sized for easy enjoyment and bursting with flavor.
One of the standout components of this recipe is the homemade avocado-ranch dressing. While the recipe might yield more dressing than you’ll initially need for the sliders themselves, consider this a delightful bonus! This dressing is incredibly versatile and utterly delicious. It makes a fantastic dip for fresh vegetables, adding a creamy, herby richness to carrots, celery, bell peppers, or cucumber slices. It’s also superb as a zesty chip dip, transforming a simple snack into something special. Personally, I never consider having extra dressing a bad thing; it’s a wonderful condiment to keep on hand for salads, wraps, or even as a spread for other sandwiches. Its bright, fresh flavors are truly addictive, and you’ll find plenty of ways to enjoy every last drop.
Club Burger Sliders with Avocado-Ranch Dressing
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Ingredients
For the Turkey Burgers:
- 2 pounds ground turkey
- 3-4 tablespoons grated onion
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- extra virgin olive oil for grilling
For the Avocado-Ranch Dressing:
- 1 ripe avocado
- 1 cup sour cream
- juice of 1 lemon
- 1 clove garlic grated or finely chopped
- a small handful of fresh chives finely chopped
- a small handful of fresh dill finely chopped
- a small handful of flat-leaf parsley finely chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
For Serving:
- 16 slices good-quality white or whole wheat bread
- 8 slices cooked bacon
- fresh lettuce leaves such as butter lettuce or romaine
- 2 plum or vine-ripened tomatoes thinly sliced
Instructions
- Prepare the Grill: Preheat an outdoor grill or a stovetop grill pan to medium-high heat. Ensure your grilling surface is clean and lightly oiled to prevent sticking.
- Form the Turkey Patties: In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, grated onion, hot sauce, and poultry seasoning. Season generously with salt and black pepper. Mix gently until just combined, being careful not to overmix, which can lead to tough burgers. Divide the mixture into 8 equal portions and shape each into a patty approximately 2 1/2 to 3 inches wide and about 1/2 inch thick. Drizzle a little olive oil over both sides of each patty.
- Cook the Sliders: Place the turkey patties on the preheated grill or grill pan. Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side, turning once, until they are thoroughly cooked through and reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Turkey burgers cook relatively quickly, so keep an eye on them to prevent over-drying.
- Prepare the Bread: While the sliders are cooking, preheat your broiler. Using a 3-inch round cookie cutter, cut circles from the slices of bread. Discard the crusts (or save them to make homemade breadcrumbs). Arrange the bread rounds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast them under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Make the Avocado-Ranch Dressing: In a food processor, combine the peeled and pitted avocado, sour cream, fresh lemon juice, grated or finely chopped garlic, finely chopped chives, dill, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Process until the mixture is smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- Assemble the Sliders: To serve, place a toasted bread round on your serving platter. Top with a lettuce leaf, then a cooked turkey burger patty. Add a slice of crispy bacon, followed by a thin slice of tomato. Generously spoon or spread the vibrant avocado-ranch dressing over the toppings, then crown with another toasted bread round.
- Serve Immediately: Arrange the assembled Club Burger Sliders on a platter and serve warm, allowing guests to savor the harmonious blend of flavors and textures.
Recipe Notes:
Pro Tip for Turkey Burgers: Turkey meat can be drier than beef. To ensure juicy sliders, avoid overmixing the ground turkey and don’t press down on the patties while grilling. A little olive oil before cooking also helps maintain moisture.
Dressing Storage: Any leftover avocado-ranch dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. A layer of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the dressing can help prevent browning.
Bread Alternatives: While white or whole wheat bread cut into rounds provides a classic club sandwich feel, you can also use small slider buns for convenience. Just toast them lightly before assembling.
Spice Level: Adjust the amount of hot sauce in the turkey patties and the avocado-ranch dressing to suit your preference. For a milder flavor, reduce or omit the hot sauce. For more heat, a pinch of cayenne pepper can be added.