Sweet Hawaiian Sliders

It’s Arkansas Beef Month, so it’s time, once again if you haven’t done so already, to start grilling your favorite beef cuts. Of course, kids love burgers, and we love to grill big, thick juicy ones and load them down with our favorite garnishes. However, smaller children never seem to be able to finish the bigger burgers, so use the following recipe to make the smaller, kid-friendly slider. Like in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, this size is “just right!” for the youngsters or for a unique appetizer.

 

Ingredients

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 1 t Worcestershire sauce
  • 4 canned pineapple slices, drained
  • 12 Hawaiian sweet or small whole wheat dinner rolls, split
  • lettuce

Sauce:

  • ¼-cup barbecue sauce
  • ¼- cup pineapple preserves
  • 1 t packed brown sugar

 

Instructions

  1. Combine ground beef and Worcestershire sauce in medium bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly. Lightly shape into twelve ½-inch thick mini patties. Set aside.
  2. Combine sauce ingredients in small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat.
  3. Place patties on grid over medium, ash-covered coals. Grill, uncovered, 8-10 minutes (over medium heat on preheated gas grill, covered, 9-11 minutes) until instant-read thermometer inserted horizontally into center registers 160°F, turning occasionally.
  4. Meanwhile brush pineapple slices with sauce and place on grid around patties. Grill pineapple 4 minutes, turning once and brushing with additional sauce. Remove pineapple, keep warm. Brush burgers with remaining sauce after turning.
  5. Cut each pineapple slice into thirds. Line bottom of each roll with lettuce, top with burger, then with pineapple piece. Close sandwiches.