Contest-Winning Sandwiches, Burgers & Sliders

Grand Prize: Bacon & Date Goat Cheese Burger

Every bite of this burger is a rich and decadent combination of sweet and savory. If you can't find maple bacon in your local grocery store, use regular bacon and add 1-1/2 tablespoons maple syrup to the spinach-goat cheese mixture in the food processor. —Sharon Michelle Anglin, Livingston, Montana

Second Prize: Santorini Lamb Sliders

I love lamb burgers, so I created a crowd-friendly slider version. The tzatziki sauce is best made a day or two in advance to allow the flavors to mingle. —Cristina Certano, Colorado Springs, Colorado

Salmon Sliders with Sun-Dried Tomato Spread

My husband isn't a fan of salmon burgers, but he devoured these! The combination of feta, dill and fresh salmon on the toasted pretzel bun, topped with sun-dried tomato mayonnaise, changed his mind. The pickle adds tartness and crunch to balance the flavors and textures perfectly. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Cinnamon Whiskey BBQ Chicken Wraps

Chicken, bacon, cheese and an amazing barbecue sauce make this a family favorite! The sauce can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire

Cobb Salad Club Sandwich

Can't decide whether you want a salad or a sandwich? You'll never have to choose again. With generous ingredients piled club-style high, this is a mouthwatering mashup. We affectionately call it the alpha Clobb sandwich! —Carmell Childs, Clawson, Utah

Sweet & Spicy Peanut Butter Bacon Sandwiches

I craved peanut butter and bacon toast while pregnant. Then I sampled a friend's peanut butter with chile pepper in it and loved it. The little zip made the sandwich better, and now I live on this peanut butter sandwich recipe. —Carolyn Eskew, Dayton, Ohio

Bang Bang Shrimp Cake Sliders

My family loves these shrimp sliders. The bang bang slaw dressing and shrimp cake patties can be made ahead. When ready to serve, toss the cabbage slaw and sear the shrimp cakes, then assemble and enjoy. —Kim Banick, Salem Oregon

Chinese Scallion Pancake Beef Rolls

This is a favorite in our household, and it's perfect for using up leftover roast beef. The green onion cake dough is easy to make and cooks quickly. Then just reheat the sliced beef in a frying pan with a sweet and savory sauce. —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Open-Faced Frico Egg Sandwich

The layer of melted and crisped cheese—the frico—is what makes this creamy sandwich unique. If you like spicy aoli, add two large cloves of garlic. —Julie Solis, Congers, New York

Fig, Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Panini

A taste of this sandwich whisks you to the Italian countryside. It combines sweet honey, dried figs, tangy goat cheese, nutty Asiago and salty prosciutto. We often pack it in our picnic basket for summer or fall outings. —Maria Brennan, Middlebury, Connecticut

Bacon Cheeseburgers with Fry Sauce

In Utah, fry sauce is the beloved condiment. We use it not just as a dip for fries, but also as a spread for hamburgers. Utah is known as the Beehive State, so I wanted to add honey as a special touch to my fry sauce. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah