Table of Contents
- Why I love this recipe.
- Everything you’ll need to make this recipe.
- Here’s how to make this recipe.
- These pro tips will make this recipe a success.
- Frequently asked questions about this recipe.
- You'll love these other game day recipes.
- Watch how to make this recipe.
- Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
- Ham & Onion Jam Sliders Recipe
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A simple, shareable dish with intense flavor, these sliders are perfect for a game day, potluck, or any occasion. Classic ham and cheese pair with an onion jam to create a balanced flavor along with sweet rolls. A scrumptious cowboy butter sits on top, adding the finishing touch. Great for a crowd, these sandwiches will quickly become the fan favorite.
Why I love this recipe.
To update a nostalgic recipe, one first has to ask if it is worth it. Sometimes, the foods we love and go back to are perfect as they are, and any tampering with them never results in the same crave-inducing dish.
The classic I am referring to is funeral sandwiches. I don’t remember having these at any funeral but instead at potlucks and youth group get-togethers. The idea was simple, sweet rolls with ham and cheese brushed with butter and baked. They are perfect. This recipe doesn’t take away that perfection but refreshes it will a twist.
First, a quick onion jam is made and spread over the rolls for a sweet, savory layer. Followed by ham and cheese and a Dijon butter mixture with spices for a flavor celebration like no other. This recipe pulls on nostalgia while adding flavor and making everyone happy.
Make sure to check out my other recipe for ham and cheese sliders with fig jam!

Everything you’ll need to make this recipe.
- Sweet Hawaiian rolls are easy to find at any grocery store. The rolls are soft and sweet in a slider size, perfect for appetizer game-day foods.
- Honey ham plays on the sweet in the recipe and gives the smokey flavor traditional with ham.
- Onions are cooked until dark and then cooked with sugar into a sweet, savory jam that is spread over the buns.
- Balsamic vinegar adds a complex, sweet, and acidic finish to the onion jam.

Here’s how to make this recipe.
- Create the onion jam. Place olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Finely dice the onion, add to the heated oil, and season with salt. Once the onion has browned, add the rosemary sprig and brown sugar. Cook for an additional 4 to 6 minutes, until the sugar has melted and caramelized. Take off the heat, add balsamic vinegar, and set aside.




- Prepare the butter. Melt butter in a small pan on the stove. Finely mince the garlic clove and add to the butter. Add the chopped thyme, parsley, and chives to the butter. Add in the Dijon mustard, black pepper, chipotle powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Stir together and set aside.


- Prepare the buns. Cut the buns in half and separate them from each other. Line a baking dish with the bottoms of the buns and brush the inside with the butter. Remove the sprig from the jam. Spread the jam evenly across the buns. Fold one slice of ham on top of each bun. Layer the shredded cheese over the top. Place the top buns on each sandwich. Brush the melted butter overtop each bun. Place into a preheated 325°F oven for 15 minutes covered with tin foil. Then remove the tin foil and bake for an additional 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese has melted. Serve warm.






These pro tips will make this recipe a success.
- Adding the salt to the onion is important for them to cook. It pulls out more moisture and allows the onions to break down quicker.
- Preparing the buns can make preparation and serving easier. Cutting the buns in half all at once speeds it up. Separating the buns also makes it simpler for those eating to take them out of the pan. When separating the tops and bottoms, make sure they are placed back together. They often match up better with the half they were baked with.
- Different cheeses will melt differently. All types of cheese can be used for these sandwiches, but you might need to adjust the cooking time depending on the type used.

Frequently asked questions about this recipe.
Yes, add smoked paprika instead. It adds a smoky flavor without the spice.
These are perfect for a game-day spread with other appetizers and bites. The sandwiches are also great served as a meal alongside a salad or soup.
These are best prepared and baked immediately. The butter will start to soak in, and if they are not baked quickly after this, they will have a soggy texture.

Watch how to make this recipe.
More appetizer recipes
Cranberry Chicken Meatball Sliders
Ham & Onion Jam Sliders
Sweet Potato Chili Nachos
Puff Pastry Sausage Bites
Have I Convinced You to Make This Recipe?
I hope you make this recipe and put some food on your table. Leave a comment and share a star rating so you can let others know how much you love this recipe. This helps show others that this is a recipe they, too, can make, enjoy, and love!

Ham & Onion Jam Sliders
Ingredients
For the onion jam
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 medium onions diced
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary
- ⅓ cup light brown sugar
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
For the cowboy butter
- 5 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 tsp minced fresh thyme
- 2 tsp minced fresh parsley
- 2 tsp minced fresh chives
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
For the sandwiches
- 15 sweet rolls
- 15 slices honey ham (about 12 oz)
- 8 oz cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the onion jam. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium. Add the sliced onions and salt. Cook until they are softened and turning brown, 8-10 minutes. Add the sprig of rosemary and brown sugar. Stir constantly and cook until the sugar melts and it becomes a thick jam, 4-6 minutes. Remove from the heat and mix in the balsamic vinegar. Set aside.1 tbsp olive oil, 3 medium onions, ¾ tsp kosher salt, 1 sprig fresh rosemary, ⅓ cup light brown sugar, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- Prepare the cowboy butter. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, garlic, thyme, parsley, chives, Dijon mustard, black pepper, salt, chipotle powder, and Worcestershire sauce. Melt the butter over low heat and stir until everything is combined, 3-4 minutes. Remove from the heat.5 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 clove garlic, 1 tsp minced fresh thyme, 2 tsp minced fresh parsley, 2 tsp minced fresh chives, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ½ tsp kosher salt, ¼ tsp chipotle powder, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- Prepare the sandwiches. Preheat the oven to 325°F. Slice the rolls in half, creating a sandwich bun, and place the bottom halves in a 9×13 baking dish. Brush the bottoms with 1 tbsp of the cowboy butter and spread evenly with prepared onion jam. Fold the ham into quarters and place one slice on each bun. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and place the top bun on each sandwich. Brush with the remaining butter. Cover with tin foil and place in the preheated oven. Bake for 15 minutes with the cover on, then remove the cover and bake until the buns are golden, 12-15 minutes. Serve immediately.15 sweet rolls, 15 slices honey ham (about 12 oz), 8 oz cheddar cheese
I’ll admit I was skeptical when my husband wanted to make these for Super Bowl… He was obsessed with this recipe! They were amazing-they melted in my mouth and they passed my picky eater tongue test!!
The onion jam is fabulous! Everyone loves these and wanted leftovers.
I made this twice already because it was a hit the first time! The second time, even more!
The onion jam made all the difference. This is now in my box of favourite recipes. Thank you Kaleb!
So good!
Made these for a football party amd they were a big hit, no leftovers!
Well this is delicious. I mean, I can eat onion jam with a spoon! Another combination that is also delicious is cherry jam and mascarpone with honey. (Not a lot of honey. Use to flavor not sweeten.)
I have prepared the buns & now in oven. The only thing is my event isn’t until tonight. But you said to prepare & bake immediately to prevent sogginess. So how do I heat them up again before they arrive to retain their crispy top?