Cheesy Sloppy Joe Sliders are full of juicy ground beef, tangy sauce, and melty cheddar cheese on buttery toasted slider buns. Perfect for parties, game days, or a fun family dinner!
Sloppy Joe Slider Recipe
If you’re a fan of a classic traditional Sloppy Joe, you’re going to love these Sloppy Joe Sliders! This popular recipe for comfort food makes a tasty slider for any occasion.
With a tangy sauce, melted cheddar cheese, and savory ground beef, these little sandwiches take the classic recipe to a whole new level.
The homemade sauce is sweet and tangy and pairs perfectly with budget friendly ground beef. Topped with tons of melted cheese and buttery sesame seed buns, the kids are going to love these!
Not only that but they are perfect for a game day party or afternoon gathering. Check out my Sloppy Joes on Garlic Bread for a new twist.
And you’re going to love my lamb sliders, cheeseburger sliders, and these Sloppy Joe biscuit cups!
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Ingredients Needed
Ground Beef – Substitute ground turkey or ground chicken if needed.
Onion – I prefer a sweet onion or you can use a white onion.
Ketchup – Use a low sodium ketchup if needed.
Mustard – I prefer yellow mustard but you can use Dijon mustard if you prefer.
Spices – Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Or substitute this meatloaf seasoning recipe for a slightly different flavor.
Buns – I like to use regular slider buns, dinner rolls, or butter buns, Substitute Hawaiian rolls if you like.
Cheese – I prefer a mild cheddar cheese or substitute pepper jack for more spice.
Kitchen Staples – Light brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, butter, sesame seeds.
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How to Make Sloppy Joe Sliders
First: Preheat the oven to 375 F. Cut slider buns and place bottom buns on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
Second: Over medium-high heat, cook the onions and ground beef in a large skillet. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
Third: Add in the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion and garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
Cook a few minutes until the sauce thickens a little and comes together. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Third: Spread some cheese on the slider bun bottoms. Spread on the beef mixture.
Top with remaining cheese and cover with top buns.
Fourth: Melt the butter in a bowl. stir in the Italian seasoning. Brush or evenly pour on the slider bun tops. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over them.
Fifth: Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the buns are golden brown. Remove and let cool for 1-2 minutes. Serve warm!
For the full recipe and detailed instructions, please refer to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
What do you serve with Sloppy Joe sliders?
I like mine with french fries, coleslaw, or potato chips. Or you can serve them with a green salad, cheesy mac and cheese, baked beans, or corn on the cob for a full meal.
How long do they last?
Store any leftover Sloppy Joe Sliders in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 4 days.
Can you freeze them?
You sure can! After baking and cooling, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Store in a freezer safe bag or container.
Freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat.
Can you make these ahead of time?
Prep and cook the meat mixture, cool, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Or freeze for 2 months.
When ready to make, assemble the sliders and bake like usual.
You can also assemble the sliders without the butter topping. Wrap tightly or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
When ready to bake, spread the tops with melted butter and spices, and sesame seeds.
Bake the sliders per the recipe until the cheese is melted and the buns are golden brown.
This is great for making meal prep easy and saves time the day of. Just remember to pull the cold sliders out of the fridge for 20-30 minutes before baking so they cook evenly.
What is the best way to reheat Sloppy Joe sliders?
I like to reheat mine in the oven or the air fryer. The microwave can make them soggy and chewy.
Remove the sliders from the fridge and let come to room temp for about 15 minutes to take the chill off.
Wrap in aluminum foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350F. until warmed through and the cheese is melted.
Uncover in the last few minutes to crisp up the buns again if you like.
Tapas Tips & Tricks
- Use lean ground beef or substitute ground turkey.
- Add in some green bell peppers for extra veggies.
- Drain excess grease to keep them from getting soggy.
- Add spice to the homemade sloppy joe sauce with red pepper flakes, chili powder, or cayenne pepper.
- For a smoky joe slider, swap the ketchup for barbecue sauce.
- Try different cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey jack, or American cheese.
- Instead of sesame seeds on the tops of the buns, try poppy seeds.
- Let the sliders rest after baking for a few minutes to set.
- Try other toppings like pickled veggies for tacos, sautéed mushrooms, crispy onions, or caramelized onions.
- Double the recipe for a crowd!
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These Cheesy Sloppy Joe Sliders are a delicious twist on a classic recipe. Whether you’re hosting a game day party or simply looking for a hearty meal during the cold winter months, these sliders are a great option.
Sloppy Joe Sliders
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 1 small sweet onion diced
- 1 cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 12 slider buns
- 16 ounces mild cheddar cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 F.
- Cut slider buns and place bottom buns on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
- Over medium-high heat, cook the onions and ground beef in a large skillet. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and the onions are soft.
- Add in the ketchup, brown sugar, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, onion and garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook a few minutes until the sauce thickens a little and comes together.
- Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spread some cheese on the slider bun bottoms.
- Spread on the beef mixture in an even layer.
- Top with remaining cheese and cover with top buns.
- Melt the butter in a bowl. Stir in the Italian seasoning.
- Brush or evenly pour on the slider bun tops. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over them.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the tops of the buns are golden brown.
- Remove and let cool for 1-2 minutes. Serve warm!
Notes
- Use lean ground beef or substitute ground turkey.
- Add in some green bell peppers for extra veggies.
- Drain excess grease to keep them from getting soggy.
- Add spice to the homemade sloppy joe sauce with red pepper flakes, chili powder, or cayenne pepper.
- For a smoky joe slider, swap the ketchup for barbecue sauce.
- Try different cheeses like mozzarella, Monterey jack, or American cheese.
- Instead of sesame seeds on the tops of the buns, try poppy seeds.
- Let the sliders rest after baking for a few minutes to set.
- Try other toppings like diced jalapeños, sautéed mushrooms, crispy onions, or caramelized onions.
- Double the recipe for a crowd!
Nutrition
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