Rebel Float Root Beer Ham Sliders (Print)

Ham glazed with root beer, topped with cheese and pickles, nestled in soft buns for a sweet-savory bite.

# Components:

→ Glazed Ham

01 - 1.5 pounds deli-style cooked ham, thickly sliced or carved
02 - 1 cup Rebel Float Root Beer (or any craft root beer)
03 - 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
04 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
05 - 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
07 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Sliders

08 - 12 slider buns or Hawaiian rolls, sliced
09 - 6 slices Swiss cheese or cheddar, halved
10 - 1/2 cup dill pickle chips
11 - 1/4 cup mayonnaise (optional)
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
13 - 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

# Method:

01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine the root beer, brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil.
03 - Reduce the heat to low and let the glaze simmer for 12–15 minutes, or until it has thickened and reduced by half, achieving a syrupy consistency. Stir in 1 tablespoon of butter until fully melted.
04 - Add the ham slices to the simmering glaze. Allow them to simmer for 5 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even coating. Remove the glazed ham from the heat.
05 - Arrange the bottom halves of the slider buns in a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish. If using, spread a thin layer of mayonnaise on the bottom buns.
06 - Evenly distribute the glazed ham slices over the bottom buns. Place a half-slice of Swiss cheese on top of the ham, followed by the dill pickle chips.
07 - Position the top halves of the slider buns over the layered ingredients. Brush the tops of the buns with the melted butter.
08 - Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and the buns are golden brown.
09 - Remove the sliders from the oven. If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley for garnish. Serve the sliders warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in under an hour for quick entertaining
  • Perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors
  • Crowd pleaser that works for game day, parties, or casual dinners
02 -
  • These sliders can be assembled up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated before baking
  • Leftover glaze makes an excellent dipping sauce or brushing glaze for grilled chicken
  • The recipe easily doubles or triples for larger gatherings without any adjustments
03 -
  • Let the root beer glaze reduce until it truly coats the back of a spoon for the best flavor concentration. If rushed, your glaze will be too thin and the flavors less developed.
  • For the most impressive presentation, arrange the sliders in the baking dish so they touch each other on all sides. This prevents the edges from drying out and creates that perfect pull apart texture that makes these sliders so fun to serve.

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