Hawaiian Beef Sliders

One of our favorite appetizers to order when dining out are sliders - mini hamburgers. So when I found this recipe for Hawaiian Sliders in the June/July issue of Taste of home - I knew that we had to try them!

They were fabulous!

I was a little worried that there was no cheese included - but they are so tasty - you don't need it!

Hawaiian Beef Sliders
June/July Taste of Home
Mary Relyea, Canastota , NY
Ingredients:

1 20oz unsweetened crushed pineapple
1 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
1/4 cup of soy sauce
2 Tbsp ketchup
1 Tbsp white vinegar
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
18 miniature whole wheat buns
Baby spinach leaves
3 center cut bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
Sliced jalapeno peppers, optional

1. Drain pineapple, reserving juice and 1 1/2 cups pineapple (save remaining pineapple for another use). In a large bowl, combine 3/4 cup reserved pineapple pepper and salt. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 18 patties; place in 2 11 X 7 dishes.

2. In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, ketchup vinegar, garlic pepper flakes and reserved pineapple juice. Pour half of marinade into each dish; cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, turning once.

3. Coat grill rack with cooking spray before starting grill. Drain and discard marinade. Grill patties, covered, over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 160 degrees and juices run clear.

4. Grill Buns, uncovered, for 1-2 minutes or until toasted. Serve burgers on buns with spinach, pineapple, bacon and jalapeno peppers if desired.

Absolute hands down 5 spoons!!

We all loved them - the kids left off the jalapeno's but Hubby and I loved them!