Southwest Turkey Sliders

Ingredients

• 8 sliced hickory smoked bacon (or turkey bacon)
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/3 cup yellow bell pepper (finely chopped)
• 2-3 tablespoons red onion (finely chopped)
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper (seeded, finely chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tablespoons cilantro (chopped)
• 1 tablespoons fresh thyme (chopped (or 1/2 teaspoons dried thyme))
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons steak seasoning
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce
• 4 ounces pepper jack cheese (sliced)
• 8 slider buns
• 1/2 cup sweet red pepper relish (found in the condiment aisle)
• Green leaf lettuce
• Red onion slices

Instructions

1. 1

   Fry bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.

2. 2

   Drain off bacon grease into a mug.

3. 3

   While bacon is frying, in a large mixing bowl, combine ground turkey, bell pepper, red onion, jalapeno, garlic, cilantro, thyme, cumin, steak seasoning, and hot sauce. Form into 8 equal patties.

4. 4

   Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved bacon grease back to the pan (you'll have to use oil if you made turkey bacon) and cook patties 4-5 minutes on each side over medium-high heat. Place cheese on patties for the last 2 minutes. (You can also cook the patties on a barbecue grill.)

5. 5

   Assemble sliders by placing patties on the bottom bun followed by onion slices, bacon, lettuce, and red pepper relish. Add the top bun and serve.