Guinness Burger Sliders on Guinness Buns

I have come up with a genius solution to those of you who don't want to eat corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick's Day dinner but still want to do something with an Irish twist to celebrate. 

Guinness Sliders on soft and chewy Guinness bread. 

This takes a little prep ahead of time but is sooooo worth the effort. If you are one of those people that doesn't make yeast bread  - cooooooome oooooon, tryyyyyyy it! (Or, just use regular slider buns but you are totally missing out. Just sayin')

You can of course make these into regular sized burgers and buns but, really, do you want to miss out on the cuteness factor here? 

I don't think so.

Besides, it makes 24 sliders so would be perfect to bring to a St. Patty's Day potluck. 

FYI - also great for tail gating parties and game nights. 

Guinness Burger Sliders

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef

2/3 cup Guinness Draught

1/2 onion, finely diced

5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 Tbsp flour

1/4 cup oats

1/2 cup aged cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

salt & pepper to taste

Directions

NIGHT BEFORE - place the ground beef into a shallow dish and pour the Guinness over it. Using your hands, massage the beer into the meat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. (At least 12 hours)

When ready to form burgers - Drain off any excess Guinness in a strainer.

Using your hands, mix in the onion, bacon, flour, oats, cheese, and spices, until well combined. 

Using a cookie cutter - or by pinching off golf ball sized portions, form into 24 slider patties. Place onto a cookie sheet or platter. Cover and refrigerate until ready to cook.

Now you can whip up the bread!

Guinness Buns

Ingredients

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup Guinness Draught

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 tsp salt

4 - 6 cups flour

2 green onions, finely chopped

1 pkg active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)

Topping

1 egg, beaten

sesame seeds

Directions

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine milk, beer, butter, sugar and salt. Heat until steaming. Remove from heat and let cool to 120 - 130 degrees.

Pour into a mixing bowl. 

Stir together 2 cups of flour, the yeast, and the green onions. Stir this into the wet ingredients until well mixed. 

Gradually add in more flour, about 1/4 cup at a time, until dough has come together without being too sticky. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 2 - 3 minutes. Dough should be smooth and elasticy. 

Place into an oiled bowl.

Cover and let rise in a warm place for an hour. (Until doubled in size)

When risen, punch down and place dough onto a floured work surface.

Cut dough into 24 equal pieces. (You can use a scale if you want them exactly even. I just go by sight.) Roll into balls.

Place about an inch or so apart onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.

Cover with a clean tea towel and place in a warm place to rise for an hour. 

After an hour, preheat oven to 375.

Place the risen buns into the oven and bake for approx 30 minutes. 

Remove from oven and brush with beaten egg. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

Return to oven to bake another 5 - 8 minutes - until tops are golden brown.

Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before breaking apart and letting cool completely on wire rack. (You can use a serrated knife to separate them if you are worried about ripping the buns.)

Prepare your burger - Remove burger slider patties from the fridge and let sit on the counter while you heat a large frying pan sprayed with cooking spray over medium heat.

Place as many of the patties as will fit into the pan. Cook about 4 - 5 minutes on the one side then gently flip over and cook until burgers are done.

If you want to add more cheese then place a slice on about 1 minute before you remove the burgers from the pan.

Now you can prep your bun with whatever condiments and toppings you like, place a burger on top, and you are good to go.

Especially if you have another Guinness to enjoy with the burgers....

Of course you have to have some crispy fries to accompany your tasty burger.

So cute.

Let me just say - these are some of the juiciest, most flavorful sliders I've had in a very long time.

The hint of Guinness elevates these from "regular old burger" good to "St. Patrick's Day celebration" good. 

And they are cute to boot.

It's win win really.

We're sharing at Carol's Chatter! Be sure to pop by.