Sloppy Joe Sliders With Hawaiian Rolls
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If these Sloppy Joe Sliders don’t make your mouth water, nothing will. Ground beef is cooked in a thick, sweet and tangy sauce, then enveloped in warm, soft Hawaiian rolls. Toasted to perfection with gooey cheddar cheese dripping out in every bite, these delicious sliders are the ultimate party appetizer!
Sloppy Joe Slider Recipe
If you like classic sloppy joe sandwiches, you won’t be able to get enough of these cheesy sloppy joe sliders! A mouthwatering combination of comfort food and party appetizer, this simple recipe transforms everyone’s favorite sandwich into fun-sized sliders!
The best part is that with just a few simple ingredients, you can make this savory sauce from scratch in a matter of minutes. It’s so much fresher and flavorful than anything you’d get from a can. Whether you’re hosting a party or just looking for a quick family dinner, these beefy, cheesy sliders are a hit with all ages.
If you love sliders, you’ll also want to try these Meatball Sliders. You can even get your mornings off to an amazing start with these tasty Breakfast Sliders.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy recipe to make: These cheese sloppy joe sliders are an easy weeknight dinner or party appetizer.
- Better than canned sloppy joes: With a few simple ingredients you’ll have a homemade mixture that’s so much better than the canned stuff.
- Great for any occasion: You can serve these as a main course with an easy side like chips or fries. They also make the ultimate appetizer for parties or game day.
Ingredients
- Ground beef
- Yellow onion, diced (or onion powder)
- Brown sugar
- Garlic powder
- Sea salt and black pepper
- Beef broth
- Ketchup
- Yellow mustard
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- King’s Hawaiian Rolls
For the Topping
- Butter, melted
- Sea salt
- Sesame seeds
- Fresh thyme, finely chopped
How to Make Homemade Sloppy Joe Sliders
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 pan using nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2. Combine the beef, chopped onions, brown sugar, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until its lightly brown.
Tip: Use a spatula to break up the meat until there are no large chunks left. You’re looking for a fine mince.
Step 3. Pour the beef broth, ketchup, and yellow mustard into the pan. Fold into the meat mixture.
Step 4. In a separate bowl, mix the water and cornstarch. Slowly add it to the beef and sloppy joe sauce mixture while stirring to combine. This will slightly thicken the sauce.
Step 5. Place the dinner rolls on a cutting board or a flat surface. Using a large knife, slice the rolls in half all at once. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the greased baking dish.
Step 6. Spoon the beef onto the bottom buns, then use the back of the spoon (or a spatula) to spread into an even layer.
Tips: If you want the bottoms of the rolls to be toasted you can bake them at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes before you assemble the sliders.
Step 7. Spread the shredded cheese over the sloppy joe mix.
Step 8. Add the top layer of the sweet rolls on top of the cheddar cheese.
Tip: We spread our cheese on top of the meat. If you prefer, you can add half of the cheese to the bottom of the buns and the remaining cheese on top.
Topping The Rolls
Step 1. Using a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter, sea salt, sesame seeds, and freshly chopped thyme. Spoon this over the top of the rolls evenly. You can use a basting brush, if needed.
Step 2. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sloppy joe meat is fully cooked.
Step 3. Turn the oven to broil, remove the foil, and allow the tops of the buns to toast for about 2-3 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.
Storage Instructions
- Fridge: Sliders are best when freshly made because the juicy sauce can cause the slider rolls to become soggy after sitting. If you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a couple of days.
- For the freezer: To freeze leftovers, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in a single layer in an airtight container. Label the container and store in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
Recipe Variations and Add-ins
- Buns: We love Hawaiian bread, but you could also use dinner rolls, hot dog buns, or small hamburger buns. Of course, if you want to make them into a full-sized sandwich, feel free to add the beef mixture to larger buns, onion rolls, or brioche buns.
- Meat: Try swapping out the ground beef with ground chicken or ground turkey.
- Veggies: Sneak in some veggies by adding diced bell peppers, match stick carrots, or top the meat with slaw.
- Sauce: Want to add extra heat to your sauce? Add some red pepper flakes or hot sauce. For a tangier flavor, try a dash of Worcestershire sauce. You can also swap regular mustard with Dijon mustard.
- Cheese: We used shredded cheddar cheese but you can use cheese slices if that’s what you have on hand. You could also experiment with other cheeses like pepper jack cheese, mild cheddar, or American cheese.
Frequently Asked Questions
For best results, I prefer to serve the sliders right after they are baked. However you can make the filling for the sliders ahead of time, up to a day or two in advance. When you’re ready to bake them, just reheat the mixture in the microwave before adding it to the rolls.
Absolutely. Instead of serving the sloppy joe mixture in between a bun, you can use it as a pizza topping, in taco shells, phyllo cups or rolled in a flour tortilla. It also makes a great filling for baked potatoes.
If you’re making them as a meal, consider serving these with a simple side of pasta salad, these Sweet Potato Slices, Baked Beans, Zucchini Fries or Broccoli Salad.
Want More Savory Party Snack Recipes?
- Baked Jalapeno Poppers
- 7 Layer Dip Cups
- Fried Goat Cheese
- Sausage Puff Pastry With Peppers & Onions
- Sausage Dip
- Hot Corn Dip
- Black Bean & Corn Salsa
- Avocado Deviled Eggs With Bacon & Blue Cheese
- Easy Brie & Proscuitto Appetizer
- Phyllo Wrapped Shrimp Appetizer
- Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms
Sloppy Joe Sliders (With Hawaiian Rolls)
Equipment
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/4 cup yellow onion diced
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 3/4 cup ketchup
- 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 package King's Hawaiian Rolls 12-count
- 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
For The Topping
- 1/4 cup butter melted
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons fresh thyme finely chopped
For The Sloppy Joes
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease a 9×13 pan using nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the beef, chopped onions, brown sugar, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper in a large skillet over medium heat. Use a spatula to break up the meat until there are no large chunks left. You're looking for a fine mince. Cook until the beef is browned.1 pound ground beef, 1/4 cup yellow onion, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pour the beef broth, ketchup, and yellow mustard into the pan. Fold into the meat mixture.1/2 cup beef broth, 3/4 cup ketchup, 1 teaspoon yellow mustard
- In a separate bowl, mix the water and cornstarch. Slowly add it to the beef and sloppy joe sauce mixture while stirring to combine. This will slightly thicken the sauce.2 tablespoons cornstarch, 2 tablespoons water
- Place the dinner rolls on a cutting board or a flat surface. Using a large knife, slice the rolls in half all at once. Place the bottom half of the rolls in the greased baking dish.1 package King's Hawaiian Rolls
- Spoon the beef onto the bottom buns, then use the back of the spoon (or a spatula) to spread into an even layer.
- Spread the shredded cheese over the sloppy joe mix.1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- Add the top layer of the rolls.
- Using a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter, sea salt, sesame seeds, and freshly chopped thyme. Spoon this over the top of the rolls evenly. You can use a basting brush, if needed.1/4 cup butter, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 2 teaspoons sesame seeds, 2 teaspoons fresh thyme
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the sloppy joe meat is fully cooked.
- Turn the oven to broil, remove the foil, and allow the tops of the buns to toast for about 2-3 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- If you’d like the bottoms of the rolls toasted, bake them at 350 degrees for about 5 minutes before you assemble the sliders.
- Be sure to keep a close eye on the rolls when they’re under the broiler. If you leave them in more than a couple minutes, the tops may burn.
Nutrition
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