If you want an easy dinner recipe even your kids will love, we highly recommend these Sloppy Joe Sliders. It’s a simple homemade version that’s packed with flavor and served on King’s Hawaiian rolls. We love the simplicity and versatility of this meal and we promise that your picky eaters will approve, too.
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The meat and veggies are cooked down and well seasoned before making the rich sauce ensuring the depth of flavor is there. We love the sweetness of the brown sugar and the richness of the ketchup in the sauce and these ingredients help provide the signature Sloppy Joe flavor you're craving!
If you like Sloppy Joe recipes, you will love ground turkey Sloppy Joes, Sloppy Joe tater tot casserole, and my Sloppy Joe garlic bread.
Why You’ll Love These Mini Sloppy Joes
- Family favorite: These Sloppy Joe Hawaiian sliders are good enough to add to your weekly dinner rotation — everyone will love them!
- Budget-friendly: The ingredients used in this recipe are super affordable on any size budget.
- Freezes well: The Sloppy Joe sauce freezes and reheats beautifully, making it a perfect make-ahead meal.
Ingredients
Here are all the components needed for these Sloppy Joe sliders with Hawaiian rolls as well as the homemade sauce mixture. We use common ingredients that are easy to find in any grocery store.
For the sliders
- Ground beef: We like to use 80% lean ground beef for flavor and reduced grease. Ensure it is fully thawed before you brown it.
- Veggies: We chose green bell pepper and yellow onion for sweetness and to add complexity to the Sloppy Joe mixture. Dice them so you won’t have large pieces.
- Hawaiian rolls: Original King’s Hawaiian rolls are perfect for this recipe. The buttery ones are great, too.
- Cheese: Shredded cheddar cheese adds the right amount of sharp flavor to the sliders. The gooey texture of the cheese only enhances the dish!
- Butter: We use melted butter to brush on top of the rolls to help them achieve a golden brown color.
- Garlic powder: The garlic powder adds a little flavor and texture to the melted butter. You may omit it if you prefer.
For the sauce
- Tomato sauce: This is the base for the Sloppy Joe sauce. It adds acidity and depth of flavor.
- Ketchup: We like to use ketchup to add sweetness and to help thicken the sauce.
- Brown sugar: The caramel notes of the brown sugar complement the spices and the other ingredients.
- Yellow mustard: The sharp, tangy yellow mustard balances the flavors.
- Spices: We chose chili powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. The chili powder and paprika add a subtle smoky flavor.
- Worcestershire sauce: For umami and to round out the sauce, we love using Worcestershire sauce.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations
Make some simple swaps to change up your Sloppy Joe sliders with some different flavors!
- Italian: Use your favorite marinara sauce instead of plain tomato sauce. Then, use Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and onion powder for the seasonings. Top the mixture with mozzarella!
- Mexican: Try seasoning the meat with taco seasoning and swap the tomato sauce and ketchup for enchilada sauce! Garnish the sliders with sour cream and chopped cilantro.
- Asian: Swap the Worcestershire for soy sauce and the tomato sauce for hoisin. Add fresh ginger and garlic to the mixture for the ultimate Asian flair. Top the slider buns with sesame seeds.
How to Make Sloppy Joe Sliders
Here are the instructions for these mini Sloppy Joes. Before you get started, gather all your ingredients, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F, and spray a 9x13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 1: Brown the beef. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it up as you go. It will take about 6-8 minutes.
Step 2: Add the veggies. Stir in the diced bell peppers and onions. Cook them for 4-5 minutes or until tender. Then, drain the excess grease.
Step 3: Add the sauce ingredients. Next, add all the sauce ingredients to the skillet and stir the mixture well. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let it cook and thicken for 6-8 minutes.
Step 4: Slice the rolls. Use a sharp knife to slice the Hawaiian rolls in half and place the bottom half into the greased baking dish.
Step 5: Assemble the sliders. Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese evenly onto the bottom of the sliders. Then, spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture on top. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the mixture and top it with the other half of the rolls.
Step 6: Prep and add the butter mixture. Melt the butter and stir in the garlic powder. Brush the butter mixture generously on top of the sliders.
Step 7: Bake. Cover the pan with foil and bake it for 15 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until golden brown.
Step 8: Slice and serve. Slice it into sliders and enjoy it with your favorite side dish!
HINT: Toast the bottom buns!
Place the bottom half of the slider rolls into the oven for 8-10 minutes to lightly toast them. This prevents them from becoming too soggy.
Storage Directions
- Storing: Store leftover sliders in an airtight container for 2-3 days in the refrigerator. Keep in mind that the bread will become soggy.
- Freezing: Do not freeze assembled sliders. Place the leftover Sloppy Joe mixture in a freezer-safe bag and store it flat. Keep it in your freezer for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: If saving sliders, reheat them in a 350-degree F oven for 5-8 minutes or until warm. If you stored the buns and meat mixture separately, reheat the mixture in a saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat.
- Make Ahead: Prepare the Sloppy Joe mixture and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before you make the sliders.
Serving Suggestions
- Make these Kings Hawaiian Sloppy Joe sliders for dinner and serve air-fried tater tots or loaded fries for a complete meal.
- Keep it fresh and serve with a strawberry and spinach salad.
- My favorite veggies to pair with the sliders are bacon wrapped asparagus, cowboy beans, and corn on the cob.
- Top your slider with your favorite coleslaw!
Expert Tips
- Store the meat separately when possible. Since the Hawaiian rolls will become soggy, we recommend storing the meat sauce in a separate container.
- Don’t overcook the beef. Cook the beef in the skillet just until no longer pink. If it cooks too long, it will become dry.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste. It’s important to taste your food as you cook it. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
Recipe FAQs
Combine 1 teaspoon of cornstarch and 1 teaspoon of water and stir it into the Sloppy Joe mixture. This small slurry will slightly thicken the sauce.
Yes, but we recommend that you try this homemade sauce at least once. It’s much more flavorful!
Sure! Brown the meat and veggies as mentioned above and then transfer it to the slow cooker with the sauce ingredients. Cook it on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours. Spoon it onto the sliders, bake, and enjoy!
More Delicious Slider Recipes
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Sloppy Joe Sliders
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- ⅓ cup green bell pepper seeded and diced
- ½ cup yellow onion
- 2 teaspoons garlic minced
- 12 pack King’s Hawaiian Sweet Slider Rolls
- 2 cups cheddar cheese shredded and divided
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
Sauce
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- ¾ cup ketchup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1½ tablespoons yellow mustard
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ and spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with a non-stick cooking spray. Then, set aside.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook for 6-8 minutes or until browned, breaking up the ground beef with a spatula.
- Add onions and green peppers and cook for 4-5 minutes or until they become soft. Then, drain off excess grease.
- Add tomato sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, chili powder, Worcestershire sauce, black pepper, salt, onion powder, and paprika. Stir until combined and simmer uncovered for 6-8 minutes or until the sauce thickens.
- Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half at once (without separating them). Carefully remove the top half and set it aside. Place the bottom half in the prepared baking dish.
- Spread out 1 cup of cheese and top with sloppy Joe mixture. Then, top with remaining cheddar cheese
- Place the top half of the rolls over everything.
- In a small bowl, add butter and garlic powder. Mix until well combined, then brush on top of the rolls.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 10 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.
- Slice before serving, and enjoy!
Notes
- Store the meat separately when possible: Since the Hawaiian rolls will become soggy, we recommend storing the meat sauce in a separate container.
- Don’t overcook the beef: Cook the beef in the skillet just until no longer pink. If it cooks too long, it will become dry.
- Adjust the seasoning to taste: It’s important to taste your food as you cook it. Add more salt and pepper if needed.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Ryan Allen
These yummy sliders are perfect for watching the game or a yummy family dinner.